Stuck at Atlanta Airport? Here Are Some Options for Accommodation

However, it does happen that some stranded travelers end up sleeping on the floor of the terminal. To deal with this unexpected upheaval, it is useful to know what measures to take, depending on the time and resources available.

First, a word of advice: It’s a good idea to prepare for possible disruptions by strategically packing your carry-on bag.

“Keep in your carry-on bag anything you think you might need for an extended period of time, whether it’s saline solution for your contacts or medications,” said Andrew Gobeil, a spokesman for Hartsfield-Jackson. “Know that you might have a hard time if you need your medications. Toothbrush, toothpaste: keep them in your carry-on bag.”

For those whose flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson have been canceled and will not be able to depart until tomorrow or later, here are some things to know:

Airport Hotels

There are dozens of hotels near Hartsfield-Jackson, and many offer free shuttles. They are listed on the airport website under Ground Transportation.

However, hotels near the airport can fill up quickly in the event of mass flight cancellations, forcing travelers to look for last-minute accommodations near the airport.

There are, however, many other options.

MARTA in the city

There is a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train station inside the Atlanta International Airport National Terminal, where passengers can take rail service to downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, and other areas around metropolitan Atlanta.

This means travelers stuck in Atlanta for more than a day can book hotels near any MARTA station and get there with a $2.50 train ride.

MARTA stations at Medical Center, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are also located in the Perimeter business district in north Atlanta.

On Friday, MARTA reported problems with its website, service information systems, Breeze app and online ticket purchasing. But buses, trains and streetcars are operating normally.

SkyTrain

For those who want to easily reach a hotel near the airport without taking a shuttle or driving, there is a free SkyTrain at Hartsfield-Jackson that runs to the Gateway campus.

On the Gateway campus are a Marriott, a Renaissance Hotel, a SpringHill Suites, and an AC Hotel. These hotels, with their convenient airport connections, often offer higher room rates than hotels further away. There is also a Home2Suites and a Tru by Hilton nearby.

The Gateway Campus is also home to the Gateway Center Arena, home to the WNBA team Atlanta Dream and the Atlanta Hawks’ G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

The SkyTrain also transports passengers to the airport’s rental car center and to the Georgia International Convention Center.

Downtown Atlanta

Those with plenty of free time in Atlanta who are looking for family-friendly activities and don’t have a lot of bags in tow could take MARTA or a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to get to Atlanta’s downtown tourist district.

The convention and entertainment district in the heart of the city is home to the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the College Football Hall of Fame and the SkyView Ferris wheel.

Downtown is also home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.

The closest stop is the GWCC/CNN Center station on the Blue and Green Line.