Avis Car Hire
Georgia

Once you’ve collected your luggage from baggage reclaim, look for overhead signs directing you to Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Centre. You’ll need to take the free ATL SkyTrain, located just outside the terminal. Follow the prominent SkyTrain signs for a short ride straight to the consolidated Rental Car Centre. Once there, go inside the building and you’ll find the Avis counter clearly marked among the other hire companies.

After clearing customs and immigration in the international terminal, collect your bags and exit into the arrivals hall. From there, follow signs for the Airport Shuttle, which connects to the domestic terminal and the Rental Car Centre. This shuttle follows a different route from the domestic passenger option, so make sure you follow the international terminal signage. The shuttle drops you near the SkyTrain station, which you’ll take for the final leg to the Rental Car Centre where the Avis desk is located.

The ATL SkyTrain is an automated train running 24/7 that links the airport terminal directly to the Rental Car Centre (RCC). After collecting your bags, follow the signs to the SkyTrain station, which is a short walk from the terminal exit. The ride takes about five minutes and the only stop before the RCC is the Georgia International Convention Centre. Once you get off at the RCC, take the escalators or lifts up to the main hall, where you’ll easily spot the Avis counter to start your hire.

During weekday rush hour, it’s sensible to allow around 60 to 90 minutes from gate arrival to driving away in your Avis hire car. This covers getting off the aircraft, walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for luggage, and taking the SkyTrain to the Rental Car Centre. The hire counter can be busier at peak times, so having your reservation details ready can help speed things up. Atlanta’s rush hour also means more travellers using the same airport facilities.

The ATL Rental Car Centre is designed for 24/7 operations, so finding your way late at night is generally straightforward. The ATL SkyTrain runs continuously, giving reliable transport from the terminal. Inside the Rental Car Centre, the Avis counter is well lit and staffed to handle late arrivals. After completing the paperwork, you’ll be directed to the adjacent multi-storey car park where vehicles are kept, with clear signs to the correct level and section for Avis cars.

A convenient, easy-to-spot meeting point is the main atrium of the domestic terminal, between the North and South baggage reclaim areas. This central space has seating, food options, and is a natural crossroads for arriving passengers. Once your group is together, you can head to the ATL SkyTrain station as a group to travel to the Rental Car Centre. This avoids the confusion of meeting in the busier baggage reclaim areas or on the train platform itself.

First-time visitors can be thrown off by the sheer size of the Rental Car Centre’s main hall after getting off the SkyTrain. The key is to look immediately for the large overhead directories listing the hire companies alphabetically. Another common point of confusion is the multi-level car park; after you get your keys, pay close attention to the level and row number given by the Avis agent. Taking a photo of the bay/space number can help when you’re juggling luggage.

To make things easier, use a luggage trolley from baggage reclaim to consolidate your items for the walk to the ATL SkyTrain. At the SkyTrain station, you’ll need to unload the trolley before boarding. A good approach is for one adult to manage the children while the other handles the luggage. Once you reach the Rental Car Centre, one parent can wait with the kids and bags in the main hall while the other completes the hire at the Avis counter, reducing stress for everyone.

To keep pickup at the Avis counter smooth and efficient, international visitors should have key travel documents readily accessible. This typically includes a valid driving licence issued in their country of residence and their passport. Having these out and ready when you reach the counter can significantly speed up the process. It’s always sensible to confirm what’s required for your specific situation before you travel to avoid delays on arrival in Atlanta.

Before you leave the car park, take a moment to set your sat nav to your final destination. As you exit the Rental Car Centre, you’ll be on a dedicated roadway; follow the large overhead signs for Camp Creek Parkway. This parkway is the main link to the major interstates. Signs for I-85, I-75, and I-285 are clearly posted from Camp Creek Parkway, so keep to the correct lane as indicated and leave plenty of space to merge.

The most common mistake is not getting into the correct lane early enough on Camp Creek Parkway after leaving the hire facility. Signs for I-285, I-85, and I-75 appear quite quickly and traffic can move fast. To avoid problems, review your route before you set off and use your sat nav’s lane guidance. If you’re heading north into Atlanta, you’ll typically want I-85 North, so be ready to move into the correct lane as soon as the signs appear.

The most direct route is I-85 North from the airport area, which leads into the heart of Downtown Atlanta. To reduce stress, try to stay in the centre-left lanes as you approach the city, because the far-right lanes often become exit-only with little notice. The key is knowing your exit number in advance (for example, Williams St NW or International Blvd) and moving over calmly about two miles before you need to exit, rather than cutting across multiple lanes at the last second.

The simplest route is I-85 North from the airport, which merges with I-75 to form the Downtown Connector. Although it sounds complicated, for Midtown you can stay on the main motorway through downtown. Key Midtown exits include 10th Street, 14th Street, or 17th Street. To keep it simple, remain in a middle lane through the downtown stretch and indicate for your exit about a mile in advance to avoid sudden lane changes.

For a less stressful drive to Buckhead, consider taking I-85 North from the airport and then switching to GA-400 North. This route avoids some of the most intense downtown congestion. The main pattern to plan for is heavy weekday rush-hour traffic, roughly 4 pm to 7 pm. If possible, schedule your drive outside these peak hours. Once you exit GA-400 onto Lenox Road or Peachtree Road, expect dense city traffic with frequent stops.

When driving in Downtown Atlanta, keep your sat nav running and follow the turn-by-turn directions closely, as many streets are one-way. Streets such as Peachtree, Spring, and Baker can be confusing for newcomers. Keep your speed moderate and watch for lanes that suddenly become turn-only. The best tactic is to know your final turn before you enter a block so you can get into the correct lane early and avoid abrupt manoeuvres with a car full of luggage.

For easy access to the BeltLine, use paid car parks near major access points such as Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market. These tend to be the most reliable and convenient choices, saving you the frustration of searching for limited on-street parking. For short stops, some retail areas along the BeltLine offer customer parking, but check time limits. Arriving earlier in the day, especially at weekends, greatly improves your chances of finding a space quickly.

A practical plan is to park once and walk between the attractions, as they’re right next to each other at Pemberton Place. The official Georgia Aquarium parking deck is the most convenient option and can be accessed from Luckie Street NW or Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Arrive in the morning to secure a space, visit one attraction, break for lunch, then walk to the second. This avoids moving the car and paying for parking twice.

The most efficient option is to park in the SAGE Parking Facility next to the park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This multi-storey garage gives easy access to the park’s main areas. After your visit, you can either leave the car there and take a short walk to restaurants along Peachtree Street or 10th Street, or drive the short distance. Many Midtown restaurants offer valet parking or are near smaller paid lots, making the transition from park to dinner straightforward.

Expect a mix of residential and historic city streets when driving to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The area is well signed, guiding visitors to the main visitor centre. There is ample free parking in a large dedicated lot at 450 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, which is the most convenient place to leave your car. From there, key sites including Dr King’s birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church are easily reached on foot.

For the least confusing approach, it’s strongly recommended to pre-purchase parking online through the stadium’s official partners. This lets you drive straight to a specific facility, such as the Red Deck or Silver Deck, using your sat nav. After the event, expect significant delays leaving the parking areas and nearby streets. Patience is key; allow 30–60 minutes to get out of the immediate stadium area before traffic begins to flow more freely on the main interstates.

From central Atlanta, the simplest route is I-75 North to the ballpark area. Expect very heavy traffic, particularly on weeknights, so leave early. For the easiest parking, pre-book a space in an official Braves lot such as the Red Deck, which has direct access to the stadium and The Battery Atlanta via a pedestrian bridge. Following the specific directions on your prepaid parking pass is far easier than trying to find a space on game day.

The most straightforward route from Atlanta is US-78 East, also known as the Stone Mountain Freeway, which is direct and well signed for Stone Mountain Park. For the least hectic parking, aim to arrive before 11 am, especially on weekends and holidays when the park is busiest. That gives you the best chance of getting a space in the main lots near primary attractions such as the Crossroads area before the largest afternoon crowds arrive.

For a calmer drive, take GA-400 North out of the city, which is generally more straightforward than dealing with the I-75/I-85 split. Stay on GA-400 until it ends, where it transitions to smaller roads that lead into the mountains near Dahlonega. This route helps you avoid heavier commercial traffic on I-75 and I-575. Plan to leave Atlanta before 9 am to miss the worst outbound commuter traffic.

The drive to Helen is scenic, but the final stretch can feel slow if you’re not used to mountain roads. After leaving main routes such as GA-400 or I-985, you’ll move onto two-lane country and mountain roads like GA-75. These are winding and require more concentration, which can be tiring after a long motorway run. Traffic can also back up just before you enter the small town of Helen, especially during Oktoberfest or on a sunny weekend afternoon.

On a University of Georgia football game day, leave Atlanta very early—at least four to five hours before kick-off—to avoid the worst congestion on GA-316 East. Traffic builds heavily as you get closer to Athens. For parking, prepay for a private lot or a university parking deck if available, as public parking in downtown will be almost impossible to find. Alternatively, park farther from the stadium and expect a long walk, or use a local shuttle service.

The most direct route is I-75 North all the way to Chattanooga. To avoid the worst traffic, leave Atlanta before 7 am or after 10 am on a weekday. The biggest bottleneck is typically from the I-285 perimeter up to Marietta; once past that, the drive is usually much smoother. On the return, try to leave Chattanooga so you re-enter the Atlanta metro after 7 pm to avoid the evening rush.

To avoid the initial congestion, start your drive from Atlanta between 9:30 am and 11 am, once the morning rush has cleared. The route is straightforward: I-75 South to Macon, then I-16 East to Savannah. A great break stop is Macon, roughly 90 minutes in, with plenty of fuel and food just off the motorway. This splits the roughly four-hour drive into two manageable sections so you arrive feeling fresher in Savannah.

The most confusing section is navigating the I-75/I-85 split and then making sure you’re on I-75 North towards Chattanooga. Leaving downtown Atlanta, signs can feel overwhelming with multiple exits close together. The key is staying in the lanes marked for I-75 North. Once you’re on I-75 and beyond the I-285 perimeter, it’s much simpler until you reach Chattanooga, where the I-24 West split is the next major change on the way to Nashville.

Peach Pass lanes are optional toll lanes on major interstates such as I-75 and I-85, intended to provide a faster trip during heavy traffic. They’re separated from general lanes by double white lines, which you must not cross. Using them requires a Peach Pass transponder. Visitors in hire cars should be cautious and stick to the free general-purpose lanes to avoid issues. Watch for the purple-and-white Peach Pass signs and avoid drifting into these restricted lanes by mistake.

Visitors often notice how fast and assertive Atlanta drivers can be, particularly on the interstates. Lane changes may happen quickly with little warning, so drive defensively and keep a safe following distance. When merging onto routes like the Downtown Connector, you’ll need to accelerate promptly on the slip road. Drivers generally expect you to blend in smoothly; hesitating can be more disruptive than being decisive.

If your sat nav reroutes near the Downtown Connector (the I-75/I-85 merge), use the overhead signs to confirm your next major exit or interchange. Sat nav changes often react to sudden slowdowns, but staying on the main interstate is usually the most reliable option. Prioritise the large green motorway signs over an abrupt instruction to divert onto surface streets. This helps you avoid a frantic, last-second dash across multiple lanes in heavy traffic.

A compact or mid-size saloon is often the easiest choice for Atlanta’s mix of driving conditions. It’s comfortable and stable for motorway journeys on routes like I-285 and I-75, while the smaller size makes it easier to manoeuvre and park in tight, low-clearance hotel garages common in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. An SUV offers more space but can be awkward in older, more compact parking structures.

Before you drive away from the Avis pickup area, do a quick test fit with all your luggage and gear. Open the boot and check how everything sits, making sure it closes securely without forcing it. If you have bulky items such as golf clubs or large suitcases, see whether the rear seats fold down to create extra space if needed. Confirming the fit at the start helps you avoid an annoying repacking stop later.

At a valet-only hotel, expect possible wait times, especially during peak check-in and check-out periods on a busy weekend. Before handing over the hire car, remove all valuables, including electronics, wallets, and any travel documents. When you need the car back, phone the valet desk about 15–20 minutes before you plan to leave so staff have time to retrieve it and you spend less time waiting in the lobby.

In heavy rain, expect much lower visibility and slippery road surfaces, with immediate slowdowns across the metro area. The Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85) and the top-end perimeter section of I-285 are often the first major routes to become severely congested. Water can pool in the outer lanes, so it’s often safer to stay in the middle lanes. Increase your following distance significantly and be ready for sudden stops, as Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable even in good weather.

Several petrol stations are conveniently located on Camp Creek Parkway, the main road used to reach the Rental Car Centre. As you drive towards the airport on Camp Creek Parkway, you’ll see multiple well-known brands such as Shell, Chevron, and QuikTrip. They’re only a few minutes from the rental return entrance, making them ideal for a quick, low-stress top-up. Refuel at one of these and then follow the signs for Rental Car Return.

Follow the signs specifically marked "Rental Car Return" as you approach the airport on Camp Creek Parkway. This entrance is separate from terminal arrivals and departures routes, so don’t follow signs for the terminals themselves. The dedicated roadway to the Rental Car Centre takes you straight to the return facility, bypassing the often-congested passenger drop-off and pick-up loops. Keep watching for the specific return signs for a smooth entry.

For a low-stress early return, aim to reach a petrol station near the airport at least three hours before your flight’s departure. Allow about 10 minutes to refuel. From there, it’s about a 5-minute drive to the Avis return garage. Returning the car is usually quick, but allow 15 minutes to be safe. Finally, the SkyTrain back to the terminal takes about 5 minutes, leaving you plenty of time for check-in and security.

The most efficient sequence is to follow signs for "Departures" first and drop your passengers and their luggage at the appropriate terminal kerb. Once they’re out, rejoin the main airport roadway and immediately follow signs for "Rental Car Return". This routing is designed to loop you from the terminals straight to the Rental Car Centre without needing to leave the airport complex, avoiding unnecessary backtracking onto the main interstates.

If you miss the turn, don’t panic. Continue along the main airport roadway, which will loop back towards the main interchanges. The simplest recovery is to follow signs for Camp Creek Parkway, which takes you just outside the main airport loop. From there you can make a U-turn or use the next junction to get back onto Camp Creek Parkway heading towards the airport, then watch for the "Rental Car Return" entrance again.