Car Hire Atlanta International Airport

Car Hire

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world, with over 89 million passengers passing through its gates annually. Driving is one of the best ways to see the US and from Hartsfield-Jackson, it is easy to rent a car and drive to Atlanta via I-85 and I-285 or to the rest of Georgia and the Southeast US via I-75 and I-20.

Who to Book With
Hartsfield-Jackson has a brand new car rental centre which is connected to the airport terminals via the ATL Skytrain. There are a total of 13 car rental companies with offices at the centre, including Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Advantage Rent A Car, Budget Car Rental, EZ Rent a Car and others.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Driving permit from country of origin (if not in English, an International Driving Permit is needed)
- Valid identification
- Credit card

For more info read our FAQ's

Driving
Driving regulations are strictly enforced in Atlanta. On rural freeways, the speed limit is 70mph, decreasing by 5 to 10mph on urban freeways. In residential areas, the limit is 30mph. Seatbelts must be worn at all times while driving and children under six need to be placed in a special booster seat. Parking zones are indicated with signs and metres. Drivers will be pulled over if police suspect any violation. Police usually ask to see the driver’s driving permit and vehicle registration, so these documents must always be carried.

See our guide to the US for more information on driving here.

Transport

Driving to and from the airport is easy as it is located only 20 minutes’ drive from downtown Atlanta and is directly accessible via I-85 and I-285. Trains are available, too, with the airport being the southern terminus of two metro lines. Taxi fares are fixed between the airport and various parts of the city.

Trains
Hartsfield-Jackson is the southern terminus for the red and gold lines on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train system. The station at the airport is located near the Baggage Claim area, at the western end of the Main Terminal. It only takes 17 minutes to travel from the airport to Five Points Station, the nodal point of the metro downtown. A ticket costs around £1.50.

Taxis
Taxi services are well regulated at Hartsfield-Jackson. Visitors can find service in the Yellow Bus aisle. The flag-down rate is around £1, with set rates for destinations in the city.

Taxi prices:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Downtown is about £20
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Midtown is about £20
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Buckhead is about £25

Buses
Comprehensive US bus line Greyhound has services at Hartsfield-Jackson, taking passengers from the airport to many cities, including Atlanta. Hours of operation are from 08:00 to 22:00 weekdays and from 09:00 to 16:00 on weekends. Buses can be found at the Lower Level of Terminal North, which is accessible via the escalator at the North Baggage Claim area. Fares vary depending on distance travelled.

Facilities

Terminals
Hartsfield-Jackson has two main terminals. The Domestic Terminal covers concourses A to D, with separate areas for ticketing, baggage claim and check-in. The recently opened Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. International Terminal handles most international flights (those without customs pre-clearance) at concourses E to F. The terminals are connected by the Automated People Mover train. Being a major airport, Hartsfield-Jackson receives flights from practically every continent: North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Parking
There are currently 12 parking areas in and around Hartsfield-Jackson which are open 24 hours, 365 days a year and cover both short-term and long-term parking. Cash and credit card payments are both accepted. There is an economy shuttle which connects the parking areas to the airport terminals. The cheapest parking rate at the Domestic Terminal is around £1.25 for the first two hours.

Wi-Fi
While Wi-Fi is accessible from virtually every part of this huge airport, visitors will have to pay to access it. A pricing structure exists for Wi-Fi access and the basic rate is approx. £3.

Information Services
A number of information counters are located throughout the Domestic Terminal and in the concourses. There is also a visitors' centre in the Atrium for tourist information.

Useful Numbers
Customer Service Centre: +1 800 897 1910 or +1 404 530 7300

Accessibility
The airport, as well as the transport services associated with it, is equipped with facilities to assist passengers with reduced mobility. MARTA trains and buses as well as Greyhound buses provide accessibility. Special parking zones are available in all parking areas. Toilets are wheelchair accessible.

Restaurants and Bars
Both the Domestic and International terminals have a long line of restaurants serving passengers in transit. Restaurants are available on all concourses and in the Atrium. Chili's, TGI Friday's, Caribou Coffee and many others can be found on Concourse A. Starbucks can be found on Concourse F Mezzanine and in the Atrium. Brews & Blues and Samuel Adams Atlanta Brew House can be found on Concourse C.

VIP Lounges

Concourse A:
Delta Sky Club Lounge

Concourse B:
Delta Sky Club Lounge

Concourse C:
Delta Sky Club Lounge

Concourse D:
Delta Sky Club Lounge
United Club

Concourse E:
Delta Sky Club Lounge

Concourse T:
American Admiral's Club Lounge
Delta Sky Club Lounge

Money and ATMs
ATMs and currency exchange kiosks can be found throughout the airport. A Capital City Bank branch is located in the Atrium. Wells Fargo ATM Banking has eight locations: on concourses A to E and on Concourse T and in the Atrium. Travelex Currency Exchange has six locations: on Concourse E, on Concourse T and in the Atrium.

Shopping
A long list of brands offering products and services can be found at Hartsfield-Jackson. Gift shops, souvenir shops, designer stores and newsagents can be found in both airport terminals. Duty-free shops are located on concourses E and F in the international area. MAC Cosmetics and Mont Blanc stores are located on Concourse F. There are stores for Lacoste, Kheils and Lancome on Concourse B. A CNN Newsstand is found on Concourse B, Gate 31, and a CNBC News & Gifts shop is located on Concourse A.