Our Airport, Atlanta

The international terminal can be a bit confusing when going through customs/immigration. The Atlanta airport was designed pre-911 and as such there were security issues that had to be implemented after it was built. Probably the most annoying is that when you arrive in the international terminal, you are re-united with your checked luggage. Unfortunately, there are items which are allowed to be checked that you are not allowed to carry on board with you. This makes it necessary to go through security before leaving the arrival area as you will leave there to re-enter the main terminals. :-( This is highly annoying, especially for those whose intended destination is Atlanta as bags have to be re-checked for transport to the main baggage claim area.

Many people seem to find the layout of the Atlanta airport confusing. Once you have seen the layout, however, you will see how simple the place is.

There is a main terminal with checkin counters on the north and south sides of the terminal. These are called, amazingly enough, the North and South terminal. They are in the same building, so just remember that it is just the way the airport has named it and not different physical structures. There are also gates for flights from the main terminal. These are called the T-Gates. There are 5 more separate buildings housing Concourse A-E for handling the capacity of the airport.

There is a train every few minutes that goes from the main terminal to terminal E. If you are arriving, however, make sure you stay on the train to the baggage claim area as it is quite a walk from the T-Gates (terminal gates) to baggage claim. When you go up the very large escalator to baggage claim, the south terminal will be to your left and the north to your right. If you need to rent a car, the rental agencies are directly in front of you at the top of the escalator.

(and it looks like the photo is messed up so I will work on it to get the correct picture online.)

Atlanta has had one of the top 10 busiest passenger airports in the world for quite a few years now. It has been the worlds busiest several times in the last 10 years, and there are always airplanes and their contrails overhead....

Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is the second busiest airport in the World. As most people know, this traffic is mostly passing through Atlanta, not originating from it. There's a saying, whether you go to heaven or hell, you must change planes in Atlanta first.

For me, the airport seems way too small for the amount of traffic it gets. Also the ticketing & screening areas are totally disorganized.

There isn't a great selection of hotels around the airport. I suggest taking MARTA, which has an airport station, into downtown (20 min) or Buckhead (45 min), as these places are more interesting to stay if you're 'laid over' for the night.

WARNING: this tip is boring, but very useful

unfortunatly i know a little about the transportation situation at the hartsfield internatinal airport. i lived in atlanta (dont ask why) for almost two years and for money to travel i found a job as a shuttle driver for a downtown hotel. not only did i take our hotel guest all around the city, but i made thousands of trips to the airport to pick-up arriving guest.

if u are flying into atlanta and staying in atlanta, theres some things u should know. first is that u are going to want to fallow the signs from the baggage claim to "ground transportation". when u come out the terminal doors u are going to first see the rental shuttles, and taxis. taxis in atlanta have a flat rate anywhere into atlanta for 20 dollars. dont pay a penny more.

after the taxi and rentals car shuttles, u will find the "downtown shuttles". this is where u really have to watch out. these guys will tell u anything to get u to ride with them. the average cost is 14 dollars to downtown atlanta, but make sure they tell u that before u get into the shuttle. these shuttles are cheaper then the taxis and sometimes the best way to go.

after the shuttle bus row, is the hotel shuttle buses. u should always check before taking a taxi or downtown shuttle, if your hotel has airport pick-up. in the hotel shuttle row u will find courtesy phones with all the hotels that pick-up from the airport. do not let the downtown shuttle guys tell u that your hotel doesnt pick-up at the airport, check for yourself. if the hotel does pick up its always free.

the cheapest way to get to downtown is by marta. it cost 1.75 and takes about 30 minutes. this isnt door to door service though and if u have a lot of bags this may not be the way to go.

make sure u research where u are going before u arrive in atlanta and call your hotel and ask the best way to get to them, it can save u some money

* please feel free to rate this tip, and any other of my travel tips, i am always looking to improve the quality of my homepage

I pass through this airport at least once a month, transferring with either Delta Airlines or AirTran Airlines.

One thing I really get a kick out of is this 'Smoker's Room."

If you smoke, stay in here. You smell. When you come out, please use a breath mint before talking to me.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport bears the proud distinction of being "the world’s busiest passenger airport."
Each year, an increasing number of air travelers start or finish their journeys in the Southeast region of the United States.
Location: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, Ga. 30320
Photo: Compliments of City of Atlanta

Air travel can be frustrating for everyone.

But imagine being in a wheelchair and being patted down every time you travel because you can't walk through the metal detector. Or being a diabetic trying not to look suspicious as you transport a bag of medically needed syringes through security. Or simply being a parent hanging on to a howling toddler and an infant while trying to fold down a stroller for the X-ray machine.

For special-needs passengers, flying can be close to a nightmare, especially over any holiday, when airports are packed and getting the attention of harried airline employees may be more difficult. But planning will help navigate some of the obstacles.

You should know that the airline is responsible for helping passengers with special needs. An airline can:

• Set you up with a wheelchair and skycap if you can't walk long distances or carry heavy objects.

• Have a skycap meet you and help transport your luggage.

• Operate electric carts on the concourses to help move you to your gate.

• Issue a special gate pass to let a personal assistant or attendant through security if the ticketed passenger is disabled or a minor.

You must tell your reservations agent that you have a “disability” or a “special need”. A lot of people don't or won’t use that word. People in reservations have been trained and they are very sensitive to those words. Don't beat around the bush. Also have them read the record back to you so it's exactly how you want it and you know they completely understand your requirements.

Make sure that you request your wheelchair or meet-and-assist service in advance. If you don't reserve a wheelchair in advance, you may have to wait to get one located at your destination.

You may also have to wait during peak times, so when possible, fly on slower travel days. Monday afternoons through Thursday mornings are the slowest, and Saturdays can be good, too.