Airport Info
Atlanta has one major airport — but it’s the world’s busiest. ATL’s carrier mix is exceptional and MARTA rail connects directly to the stadium area.
Primary Airport
ATL is the only commercial airport serving Atlanta. The good news: it’s one of the most connected airports in the world, Delta’s primary hub, and about 8 miles from Mercedes-Benz Stadium with direct MARTA rail access.
ATLHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport~8 miles to Mercedes-Benz Stadium · MARTA Red/Gold Line ~25 minThe world’s busiest airport by passenger count and Delta’s primary hub. Seven concourses (domestic T, A, B, C, D, E and international F) connected by an underground train. MARTA Red and Gold Line trains run directly from the airport (Airport Station) to downtown. For Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ride to Vine City Station or GWCC/CNN Center Station — about 25 min total from the terminal. Single fare $2.50. On match days MARTA runs extra service. Rideshare to stadium is about 20–25 min in light traffic; budget 45 min on match days.Airlines serving ATL: Aeromexico (AM), Air Canada (AC), Air France (AF), Alaska Airlines (AS), American Airlines (AA), Avelo Airlines (XP), British Airways (BA), Copa Airlines (CM), Delta Air Lines (DL), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), Frontier Airlines (F9), JetBlue (B6), Key Lime Air (KG), KLM (KL), Korean Air (KE), LATAM Airlines (LA), Lufthansa (LH), Qatar Airways (QR), SAS (SK), Southwest Airlines (WN), Spirit Airlines (NK), Sun Country Airlines (SY), Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), Virgin Atlantic (VS), WestJet (WS).
Alternate Airports — Regional Overflow Options
Six regional airports within 100–150 miles of Atlanta with real carrier options. MCN (85 mi, Contour Aviation only) and CSG (91 mi, Delta only) are too limited to be practical — the six below are worth checking if ATL is showing impossible on your carrier.
CHAChattanooga Metropolitan Airport100 miles from Atlanta · ~1h 45min by carChattanooga is the closest alternate with meaningful carrier variety — American, Delta, United, and Allegiant all serve CHA. Drive south on I-75 to Atlanta; rideshare or rental car required. No direct coach service to Atlanta. Worth checking if you’re routing through a hub on AA, DL, or UA and ATL is showing impossible.Airlines serving CHA: Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA).
BHMBirmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport137 miles from Atlanta · ~2h by carBest carrier selection of any Atlanta alternate — American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Breeze all serve BHM. Drive east on I-20 to Atlanta; about 2 hours in light traffic. No direct coach service. The strongest fallback option if ATL is fully impossible across multiple carriers.Airlines serving BHM: American Airlines (AA), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), Southwest Airlines (WN), United Airlines (UA).
AGSAugusta Regional Airport142 miles from Atlanta · ~2h 15min by carAmerican and Delta serve AGS with regional connections. Drive west on I-20 to Atlanta. Limited schedule — primarily regional turboprop service connecting through Charlotte, Atlanta, and other hubs. Only worth checking if you have a specific AA or DL routing that lands here with no ATL option.Airlines serving AGS: American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL).
TYSKnoxville McGhee Tyson Airport144 miles from Atlanta · ~2h 15min by carGood carrier variety for a regional airport — American, Delta, United, Southwest, Frontier, Allegiant, and Avelo all serve TYS. Drive south on I-75 to Atlanta. No direct coach. One of the better alternate options if you have routing flexibility across multiple carriers.Airlines serving TYS: Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Avelo Airlines (XP), Delta Air Lines (DL), Frontier Airlines (F9), Southwest Airlines (WN), United Airlines (UA).
GSPGreenville-Spartanburg International Airport148 miles from Atlanta · ~2h 15min by carServes the Greenville-Spartanburg metro in upstate South Carolina. American, Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Breeze, and Avelo all serve GSP. Drive west on I-85 to Atlanta — a straightforward interstate route. Strong carrier mix makes this worth a check alongside BHM as a primary alternate.Airlines serving GSP: Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Avelo Airlines (XP), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), Southwest Airlines (WN), United Airlines (UA).
HSVHuntsville International Airport150 miles from Atlanta · ~2h 15min by carServes Huntsville, AL — NASA’s home city. American, Delta, United, Allegiant, and Breeze all serve HSV. Drive east on I-565 then south on I-65 and across on I-20, or more directly on US-72 E and I-565. Rental car required — no coach service to Atlanta.Airlines serving HSV: Allegiant Air (G4), American Airlines (AA), Breeze Airways (MX), Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA).
Ground transfer note: All six alternate airports require a car — there is no rail service connecting any of these cities to Atlanta. Check FlixBus or Greyhound services. But you won’t have any service from the airports themselves. Budget 2–2.5 hours of drive time plus rental car costs. On match days, Atlanta-bound traffic on I-75, I-20, and I-85 will be heavy. Factor this into your positioning timeline and arrive the day before your match rather than same-day.
Nonrev strategy: In terms of flights, ATL is one of the better nonrev airports in the country — Delta’s hub means frequent departures to virtually everywhere, and the breadth of ZED coverage is strong. The challenge is that ATL also draws massive demand during World Cup weeks. For Spain matches (Jun 15, Jun 21) expect heavy loads from European fans. For the Semifinal week, treat July 12–15 as extremely difficult — position by July 11 at the latest. MARTA rail from the airport to the stadium is the single best transit move in any World Cup city — avoid rideshare on match days entirely if you can.
Getting to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
MARTA is the move — Atlanta’s rail system connects the airport directly to the stadium area. Driving on match days is inadvisable.
🚇MARTA Rail — From AirportTake the Red or Gold Line from Airport Station toward downtown. Ride to either Vine City Station (6-min walk to stadium) or GWCC/CNN Center Station (10-min walk). Total time from airport terminal to stadium: approximately 25–30 min. Single fare $2.50 with Breeze card. MARTA runs extra trains on match days — allow 15 extra minutes for platform crowding.
🚇MARTA Rail — From Downtown / MidtownFrom any downtown or Midtown hotel, take the Red or Gold Line toward the airport and exit at Vine City or GWCC/CNN Center. Five Corners, Peachtree Center, and Arts Center stations all connect. The Five Points interchange is the central hub — all four MARTA lines meet here. A Breeze card is the easiest way to pay.
🏟️Fan Festival — Centennial Olympic ParkThe official FIFA Fan Festival will be at Centennial Olympic Park, directly adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. GWCC/CNN Center MARTA station is steps from the park entrance. For Semifinal week, get there early — capacity will fill quickly and the atmosphere will be exceptional.
🚗RideshareRideshare drops off at the stadium’s designated zones. On match days, expect significant wait times post-game — 30–45 min is realistic. Pre-book your return before kickoff. If you’re staying downtown, walking from Centennial Olympic Park is often faster than waiting for a rideshare after the final whistle.
5 Things To Do in Atlanta
Between matches — Atlanta rewards exploration.
1The Beltline — Ponce City MarketThe Atlanta BeltLine is a 22-mile trail loop around the city built on old railway corridors. The Eastside Trail through Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward is the most vibrant stretch — walk or rent a bike, stop at Ponce City Market for food and rooftop views, and explore the neighborhoods that define modern Atlanta. A genuinely great afternoon on a non-match day.
2Centennial Olympic Park Fan FestivalFIFA’s official fan festival is right next to the stadium. During knockout rounds and Semifinal week, this will be one of the most electric public spaces in the country. Free entry, giant screens, food and cultural programming. Steps from the GWCC/CNN Center MARTA station — easiest fan festival access of any World Cup city.
3Sweet Auburn & the MLK Historic SiteAuburn Avenue is one of the most historically significant streets in America — the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the heart of Atlanta’s civil rights history. The National Historic Site is free and genuinely moving. A 15-min walk from the Five Points MARTA station.
4Buford Highway Food CorridorOne of the most diverse food corridors in the United States — stretching northeast from Buckhead through Doraville, lined with authentic Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, and dozens of other cuisines. A car or rideshare is needed but the eating is world-class. Go hungry and go with people who are willing to order adventurously.
5Georgia AquariumThe largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere — whale sharks, beluga whales, and over ten million gallons of water. Located at Centennial Olympic Park, steps from the stadium and the fan festival. A good option on a hot afternoon when the outdoor heat is punishing. Pre-book tickets — it sells out during peak summer periods.
