Hartsfield Rental Car Return Guide: Directions, Gas Stations, Skytrain, and Tips

Read in-depth analysis about Hartsfield Rental Car Return Guide: Directions, Gas Stations, Skytrain, and Tips.

Do not search for pedestrian walkways to the terminals. The facility sits roughly two miles from the flight gates. Ground transit relies on two distinct operations depending on your destination carrier.

For flights departing from Domestic Terminal North or South (Delta, American, United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit), proceed to Level 4 of the atrium. Board the ATL SkyTrain, a complimentary elevated people-mover operating 24 hours a day. Trains arrive every three minutes during daytime operations and every ten minutes overnight. The automated ride runs across Interstate 85, stops once at the GICC/Gateway Center station, and reaches the Domestic Terminal connector station in approximately five minutes.

Departures out of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal require an entirely different route. The SkyTrain does not run to the international side. Travelers flying foreign flag carriers or international Delta flights must descend to the ground level of the rental car complex to catch the dedicated International Terminal shuttle transfer bus.

This coach service operates continuously, circulating around the southern perimeter of the airfield runways. The bus ride takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes depending on surface tarmac traffic and gate congestion. Budget an extra half hour if your return requires international curbside check-in.