Car Rental at Atlanta Airport

Airport travel guide

Atlanta-Hartsfield is the busiest airport on the planet, so most travelers never leave the terminals before catching their connecting flight. But if you’re in Atlanta for more than just a layover and go to explore the city itself, you will discover an energetic metropolis that offers interesting history and plenty of excitement. These are four of Atlanta’s most interesting attractions:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park. Dedicated to the life and work of arguably the most famous of Atlanta’s sons, the MLK, Jr. National Historic Park is among the most visited places in the city. Taking up about 35 acres (0.14 sq. km) in the eastern part of the city, the park includes a number of buildings that were important to the famous preacher’s life and also provides exhibitions on the legacy of the civil rights movement. Not part of the historic park, but located nearby and also interesting to visit is the Research Library on African American Culture and History. 
• Georgia Aquarium. With about 2.5 million visitors every year, the vast Georgia Aquarium is one of the most popular family attractions in Atlanta. From different species of whales, sharks, and sea lions to African penguins and California sea lions, the aquarium has an abundance of marine creatures to marvel at. There are also educational and conservation programs, and the aquarium has been rated as providing the highest standard of welfare to its wild animals. Visit the official website to learn more. 
• High Museum of Art. Now 115 years old, The High, as it is often referred to by the locals, is frequently rated among the best art museums in the United States. Part of the Woodruff Arts Center, an Atlanta cultural institution that’s definitely worth exploring, the museum has a number of collections dedicated to the works of the best American masters, as well as African art, folk art, photography, and much more.
• World of Coca-Cola. Located right next door to the previously mentioned Atlanta Aquarium, as well as other notable attractions such as Centennial Olympic Park, this museum and complex is dedicated to all things Coca-Cola. Even if you’re not partial to the sugary delights of this fizzy drink (which was invented by John S. Pemberton, an Atlanta native, in the 1860s), its importance as a global cultural icon is undeniable, and it’s simply a very fun place to visit for the whole family. The museum is located just north of downtown Atlanta.  

Top international routes

• New York City
• Orlando
• Dallas
• Washington
• Fort Lauderdale
• Chicago
• Tampa
• Baltimore
• Miami
• Houston

Main airlines

ATL is the main hub for Delta Air Lines. Three-quarters of the airport's passengers fly with Delta. Southwest Airlines, a popular low-cost carrier, is the next largest airline by passengers at ATL. Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and American Airline are also major carriers that serve the airport.

Terminals

Hartsfield-Jackson has two terminals — the domestic terminal and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. international terminal and seven concourses, A, B, C, D, E, F, and T, which are located between the terminals. The domestic terminal is itself divided into two parts, one for Delta Air Lines and the other for all other airlines. All concourses and terminals are connected by the Plane Train automated people mover system, and it’s also possible to walk between most of them.

Location

ATL is roughly 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta. Head south on I-75/I-85 and follow the signs for either the domestic terminal or international terminal (for the first, you'll need to take I-85 when they split, and the other I-75) The airport is also conveniently just off I-285 which circles the Atlanta metro area.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $60 per day
• Medium cars - from $31 per day
• Large cars - from $31 per day
• SUVs - from $37 per day
• Premium cars - from $63 per day
• Vans - from $75 per day
• Convertibles - from $99 per day

Car rental desks

There is a Rental Car Center where all on-airport companies are located. From the baggage claim area, the SkyTrain people mover system carries passengers to the parking lots and Rental Car Center. There is also an Internation Terminal Shuttle carrying passengers from the International Terminal to the Rental Car Center. It runs approximately every 15 minutes.

The Rental Car Center is open 24 hours a day all year long. Dollar, Thrifty, National, and Sixt are all open 24 hours a day. Europcar, Advantage, and Ace are not.

Finally, Routes Car Rental is located off-airport. To reach the company’s location, proceed to the Rental Car Center and call them for a shuttle. There is an area on the ground floor of the center for the Atlanta International Connector and off-airport rental agencies. Note that the company's rental desk closes at 11:30 PM.

Nearest gas station

If you are returning to the airport from downtown Atlanta, there are both Shell and Chevron stations located just off of Exit 73 of I-85 which is one exit before the one renters need to take to reach the Rental Car Center when returning their car.

If coming from the south along I-75, you will need to exit onto I-285. As there are no gas stations where you will have to exit to reach the Rental Car Center, it is best to take Exit 60 (Riverdale Rd.), continue along Riverdale Rd until reaching W Fayetteville Rd., and then turn left where there is a BP station. To reach the Rental Car Center afterward, go back to Riverdale Rd. heading toward the airport and take Terminal Parkway before reaching I-85 (you can not reach the Rental Car Center from Highway 29).

If renting from Routes from the north, other options are a Sunoco and an Exxon station on Highway 29 that require slight detours from the direct route from I-85 to the Routes location on Sullivan Rd. These may be preferable to the stations on Exit 73 since they are closer to the rental agency’s location.