ATL domestic terminal to international terminal question

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a separate ticket situation at ATL.

I’m flying from Nashville to ATL with two checked bags. When I arrive at ATL, I’ll need to claim my luggage, then go to the international terminal to check in and go through security again for my international flight.

My flight arrives at ATL at 9:40 AM, and my international flight departs at 12:30 PM so I have just under 3 hours between flights. Since the tickets are separate, the airlines are different, and I have checked baggage, do you think I have enough time? Or should I change my first flight to the day before and book a hotel nearby? I’ve never done this before, so I’m not sure how much time is usually needed.

Thanks for any advice!

Answer

In general, a 2.5 to 3-hour layover at ATL should be sufficient, but there are a few factors to keep in mind since you’re on separate tickets and have checked luggage. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to do and whether your timing will work:

1. Arrival and Baggage Claim: After you land in Atlanta, you’ll need to go through immigration and customs. This can take some time depending on the volume of flights arriving, so plan for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. After clearing customs, you’ll need to claim your checked luggage, which is usually another 15–30 minutes. So, you should expect to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour here.

2. Transportation to the International Terminal: Once you have your bags, you’ll need to transport them from the domestic terminal (Terminal South) to the international terminal (Terminal F). ATL has a shuttle bus that connects the domestic terminals to Terminal F. The shuttle ride takes around 5–10 minutes, but depending on how quickly you can get onto the shuttle and how long you have to wait, this could take an additional 15–20 minutes. You’ll also need to pass through security again once you get to the international terminal.

3. Security and Check-in for International Flight: Once you arrive at the international terminal, you’ll need to check in for your international flight (since the tickets are separate) and go through security again. The check-in process can take some time, especially if there’s a line, so allow at least 30–45 minutes here.

4. Total Time: In total, you're looking at approximately:

45 minutes to 1 hour for baggage claim and customs
15–20 minutes for shuttle travel and transfer
30–45 minutes for check-in and security

This comes to about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, which would leave you with a narrow window to make your international flight. While this is doable, there are some risks involved if any delays happen (such as a longer customs wait, slow baggage claim, or delays at security).

5. Suggestions and Considerations:

If you’re unsure about the time, booking a hotel the night before would eliminate any stress from tight connections. It’s especially helpful if you’re flying from a different time zone and may need to rest before your international flight.
If you decide to keep the same itinerary, consider contacting the airline for your international flight ahead of time to explain your situation. They might offer advice, or they could flag your reservation in case of delays.
In case you do miss your connection, it’s important to understand your options with separate tickets. Be sure to double-check the airline’s rebooking policies, especially with different carriers.

Overall, while 2.5 to 3 hours is generally enough time, it can be tight, so you might want to plan for a more relaxed experience by either arriving a day earlier or taking other precautions. Safe travels!

ATL domestic terminal to international terminal question

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