ATL Rental Car Guide: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Renting a car at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at ATL that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at ATL
Consolidated rental center (CONRAC) reached by SkyTrain from the airport — fully automated, runs 24/7.
SkyTrain stops at Terminal South and runs every 2 minutes. Total transit from baggage claim to rental car: 8-10 minutes.
ATL pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $45-$65 economy, $80-$120 SUV (one of the cheapest major US airports).
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5/day, GA state tax 4% + Fulton County tax 3%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at ATL actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at ATL
ATL hosts 10 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Payless
Best for premium service: Hertz or Enterprise (largest fleets)
Cheapest base rates: Sixt and budget brands often match the big three
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
ATL-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
The SkyTrain to ATL CONRAC is fast (under 5 minutes) and free. Off-airport rarely worth it.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Hapeville (5 min) has cheaper rentals, especially for week+ rentals.
How to save the most at ATL
- Compare across all 10 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at ATL.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at ATL?
Consolidated rental center (CONRAC) reached by SkyTrain from the airport — fully automated, runs 24/7. SkyTrain stops at Terminal South and runs every 2 minutes. Total transit from baggage claim to rental car: 8-10 minutes.
What is the average rental car price at ATL?
$45-$65 economy, $80-$120 SUV (one of the cheapest major US airports). Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at ATL?
Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5/day, GA state tax 4% + Fulton County tax 3%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at ATL?
For premium fleet and reliability: Hertz or Enterprise (largest fleets). For cheapest base rates: Sixt and budget brands often match the big three. Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from ATL?
The SkyTrain to ATL CONRAC is fast (under 5 minutes) and free. Off-airport rarely worth it. Specifically: Hapeville (5 min) has cheaper rentals, especially for week+ rentals.
Are there any quirks to renting at ATL?
ATL is the busiest airport in the world. Rental car shuttles are NOT available — only the automated SkyTrain. Plan extra time during peak hours.