Florida Guide > Travelling
Flying to Orlando via Atlanta
The benefit of flying into Orlando via Atlanta Airport is that you will have cleared customs and immigration in Atlanta, therefore getting through immigration at Orlando International is much quicker and simpler, as you are arriving on an internal flight. You will be able to head off to collect your hire car without waiting in the long queues at immigration that can sometimes develop when international flights arrive!
The first time we flew via Atlanta, with Delta Airlines, we were unsure of what to expect in terms of the airport and its facilities, but we were pleasantly surprised. Despite it describing itself as “The World’s Busiest Passenger Airport” we managed to navigate our way around quite easily and make it to our connecting flight with plenty of time to spare.
A little while before our flight into Atlanta was due to land, the display on the TV screens in the cabin showed all the connecting flights and their respective concourses. This meant that we already knew what we were looking for as soon as we got off the plane.
The airport has a main terminal and concourse (T) and five other concourses (A – E). There is an underground train which links the main terminal building and all the concourses together, so do not worry that you will have to walk miles!
The facilities at the airport are excellent, with all the usual things you would find in a large international airport. There are Banks and/or ATMs in the main Terminal and also on concourses A – E. If you have forgotten to get some dollars before travelling, there are two currency exchange locations – one in the main Terminal and one in concourse E.
In total, in the airport, there are over 200 concessions for food, drink and shopping, so you will have plenty to do if you find yourself with a bit of a wait before your connecting flight.
Each concourse has a large selection of places to eat – Houlihan’s, TGI Friday’s, Domino’s Pizza, Charley’s Steakery and Magnolia Bar and Grill to name just a few of the restaurants. If fast food is what you are after, there are, amongst others, Burger King, Wendy’s and Chick Fill-A. Perhaps you will just have time to grab a quick coffee. In that case, there is Starbuck’s or Krispy Kreme. My favourite snack place was The Grove Natural Snacks (concourses A and C) which is a ‘Pick and Mix’ affair where you fill a bag from a selection of all sorts of nuts and dried fruits.
If you still have time to spare at the airport, then the shopping opportunities are considerable and varied. Each concourse has at least one bookshop, and on various concourses you will find - The Body Shop, leather and gift shops, Sunglass Hut, Bath and Body Works, Bare Escentuals and many, many more places which will be trying to part you from your holiday cash!!
I like Atlanta Airport and found it bright, airy and easy to navigate. Yes, it is busy, but there is plenty of space for everyone.
Viewed 68751 times.
We aim to provide accurate and useful information, but if you feel anything provided here is not accurate or out of date, please email us with the address of the page concerned and any comments so we can amend as necessary.
Villa Owners: Upload A Photo To This Article
To upload a photo for consideration, click here. Please only submit photos relevant to this article.
Other Articles Viewed
The following articles were also viewed by people who looked at this one: