Payless Car Hire
Atlanta

Once you’ve collected your luggage, the most direct way to reach the car hire facility is by using the ATL SkyTrain. From baggage reclaim, simply follow the prominent overhead signs for Ground Transportation and the Rental Car Center. The SkyTrain is a free, automated train that runs 24/7, connecting the main terminal to the consolidated rental facility. The ride itself is just a few minutes, offering a convenient, weather-protected journey to the Payless counter.

Arriving at night is straightforward, as ATL is very well lit and well signed. After you exit the secure area and collect your bags, look for the overhead signs directing you to the Rental Car Center. These will guide you to the ATL SkyTrain station, which is the only way to reach the facility. The route is entirely indoors until you reach the station, so you won’t have to worry about navigating dark car parks or confusing roadways on foot.

While every traveller’s experience can vary, a reasonable estimate for the whole process on a weekday afternoon is between 60 and 90 minutes. This allows for disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, and taking the SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center. The final step is completing the paperwork at the counter and locating your vehicle. Factors like how many other flights land at the same time and where you’re seated on the aircraft can affect the total time.

A convenient, easy-to-find meeting point is right by the baggage reclaim carousel assigned to your flight. This lets everyone gather in one place while waiting for all bags to arrive. Alternatively, the main atrium area between the north and south baggage reclaim zones offers more space, seating, and food options. Once your whole party and all luggage are accounted for, you can head together to the ATL SkyTrain.

The most practical place for the group to wait is in the seating areas near the baggage reclaim carousels. This keeps them out of the main flow of foot traffic while staying close to the luggage. Another excellent option is the airport’s main atrium, which has plenty of seating and is a central point before security. The driver can then return to this agreed spot with the car at the passenger pick-up kerb once the hire process is complete.

After completing the rental agreement, staff will provide documents specifying your vehicle’s location. Typically, your assigned row and bay number will be clearly printed on your paperwork or attached to the key fob. The car park is organised with large, colour-coded signs for each section and row number. Match the details on your agreement to the overhead signs to go straight to your car efficiently.

The best place to get organised is within the rental facility’s parking garage itself, before you exit the gates. Find a safe spot out of the way where you’re not blocking traffic to adjust mirrors and seats and connect your phone. If you’d rather do this after you leave, the airport has a cell phone lot a short drive from the rental centre. This provides a calm, dedicated space to finalise your route before merging onto Atlanta’s busy interstates.

To avoid a wrong turn when leaving the rental centre, decide whether you’re heading north or south before you set off. The exit road splits quickly, with signs for I-75/I-85 North towards Atlanta and I-75/I-85 South towards Macon. A common mistake is choosing a lane too early without reading the signs carefully. It’s best to stay in a middle lane as you approach the split, giving you more time to react and merge into the correct lane for your destination.

The most direct route to Downtown Atlanta is to follow signs for I-85 North from the rental car centre. This merges with I-75 North to form the “Downtown Connector”. For Centennial Olympic Park, stay on this highway for several miles. Using a GPS is strongly recommended, as it will guide you to the correct exit for the park area, such as Williams St or Centennial Olympic Park Dr. Staying in the middle-right lanes generally offers the most flexibility for upcoming exits.

To reach Midtown, take I-85 North from the airport area, which then combines with I-75 to form the Downtown Connector. Continue north through the downtown section of the motorway. The key is to set your GPS to your specific Midtown destination ahead of time. This provides advance notice for exits such as 10th/14th Street or North Avenue. Keeping to the centre lanes after passing the downtown stadiums helps you avoid major interchange splits on the far left and right.

For a straightforward drive to Buckhead, take I-85 North from the airport. After passing through Midtown, I-85 and I-75 split; you’ll need to be in the right-hand lanes to continue on I-85 North. A short distance later, you’ll exit onto GA-400 North. This route is well signed, but the I-75/85 split can be confusing for first-timers. Using your navigation app and paying close attention to the overhead signs for GA-400 makes it much smoother.

The drive to Decatur from the airport typically involves taking I-85 North or I-285 East. The route transitions from major motorways to surface streets such as Scott Boulevard or Ponce de Leon Avenue as you get closer to the city centre. Decatur is known for its walkable downtown square, which offers a mix of on-street metered parking and several paid public parking decks. If you’re staying at a hotel, it’s wise to confirm their parking arrangements in advance, as some provide dedicated guest parking.

The most notable interchange for new visitors is the I-75/I-85 split just north of Midtown, often called the “Brookwood Interchange”. Drivers heading north from the airport must choose the correct lanes well in advance. Another challenging spot is “Spaghetti Junction”, where I-85 and I-285 intersect north-east of the city, involving many lanes and flyover ramps. A GPS with lane guidance is extremely helpful for navigating these complex areas for the first time.

The most effective strategy is to plan your arrival and departure outside peak rush hours, typically 7:00-9:30 and 16:00-19:00 on weekdays. If your flight lands during these periods, consider having a meal near the airport before heading into the city. Using a navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze is essential, as it provides real-time traffic and suggests alternative routes if a major slowdown occurs.

For a day of exploring downtown, the most convenient option is to use one of the large multi-storey parking decks. The Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola share a large dedicated garage that’s centrally located for those attractions as well as Centennial Olympic Park. Several other public parking garages are scattered throughout downtown, clearly marked with blue “P” signs. Parking here for the day makes it easy to walk between most major sights.

The best strategy is to navigate directly to the shared official parking deck for these attractions. Set your GPS for the Georgia Aquarium and it will guide you to the entrance of the multi-storey garage at 357 Luckie Street NW. The entrance is well signposted and easy to access from the main downtown streets. By parking in this dedicated facility, you are just a short walk from the entrances to both the aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, as well as Centennial Olympic Park.

Ponce City Market is on Ponce de Leon Avenue, a busy east-west corridor. The main entrance to the parking garage is directly off North Avenue NE, which runs parallel to Ponce de Leon Ave on the south side of the building. As you approach, look for signs directing you to parking. Using North Avenue is generally easier than attempting a left turn across traffic on Ponce de Leon. The market has a large integrated parking system with technology that indicates available spaces.

Both Inman Park and Little Five Points have many streets with residential permit-only parking, so it’s crucial to read signs carefully. The safest option is to use designated public car parks. Inman Park has paid lots near Krog Street Market, which is a central hub. In Little Five Points, there are several paid public lots behind the main commercial strip on Euclid Avenue and Moreland Avenue. Using these lots helps you avoid the risk of a ticket or towing.

Parking at Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market are two of the most popular and straightforward options. Both have large paid parking areas and provide direct access to the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail. Another excellent choice is the car park at Piedmont Park, which connects to the northern end of the trail. These locations provide a secure place to leave your car while you explore on foot or by scooter.

For a stress-free experience, the best strategy is to pre-purchase parking online through the stadium’s official partners. This guarantees a space in a specific lot and lets you navigate straight there. Your parking pass often includes suggested directions that account for event-day road closures. Arriving early, at least 90 minutes before the event starts, helps you avoid the worst gridlock immediately around the stadium.

State Farm Arena is in the heart of downtown, surrounded by plenty of parking options. A simple plan is to use the CNN Deck or the Sapphire Deck, which are adjacent to the arena and offer convenient access. For an easier exit, consider parking a few blocks away in a slightly less central deck, such as one near Centennial Olympic Park. This can help you avoid the immediate post-event traffic jam right outside the doors.

A mid-size saloon often provides the best balance for driving in Atlanta. It’s small enough to manoeuvre comfortably and fit into sometimes-tight spaces in older downtown parking garages, while still offering enough room and comfort for passengers and luggage on longer day trips to places like the North Georgia mountains or Chattanooga. A compact SUV is also a strong choice, offering better visibility without being overly cumbersome in city traffic.

Before you finalise your vehicle choice, do a quick visual check of the luggage space. Open the boot to assess not only overall volume but also the shape, paying attention to wheel arches that may intrude. If you have bulky items, check whether the rear seats have a 60/40 split-fold function. This adds flexibility, allowing you to carry a third passenger while still extending the load area for longer luggage.

The most convenient, low-stress place to fit child seats is in your assigned bay within the rental car garage. After loading your luggage, pull the car forward slightly if needed to give yourself more room. The covered, well-lit environment lets you take your time and ensure seats are fitted correctly without the pressure of moving traffic. Most garages have enough space between rows to open doors fully.

Before leaving your bay, take a moment for a few key checks. Walk around the outside to note any existing scratches or dents. Inside, adjust your seat, steering wheel, and mirrors for clear visibility. It’s also wise to locate the controls for headlights, windscreen wipers, and hazard lights. Finally, check the dashboard to confirm the fuel level so you can plan accordingly.

To make sure you can use your preferred navigation system, test the connection before you set off. Bring your own USB cable and plug your phone into the car’s USB port, usually in the centre console or near the infotainment screen. The system should detect your phone and prompt you to start Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Confirming this in the parking bay saves you from trying to troubleshoot on the road.

Airport car hire counters are used to flight delays and generally accommodate late arrivals, especially if you included your flight number in the booking. The best approach is to have your reservation confirmation number and driving licence ready at the counter. If you arrive very late at night, it’s also a good idea to double-check the location’s operating hours online. This preparation helps keep check-in smooth regardless of arrival time.

For an easy stop, head towards the nearby communities of College Park or East Point. After leaving the rental car centre, follow signs for Camp Creek Parkway. This major road runs just west of the airport and is lined with shopping centres that include supermarkets, pharmacies, and restaurants. This route lets you get what you need and then access the main interstates without having to navigate the airport road system again.

Driving in heavy Atlanta rain requires extra care. The most important adjustments are to reduce speed and greatly increase your following distance. Visibility can be severely reduced on the Downtown Connector (I-75/85), and water can pool in the outside lanes, increasing the risk of aquaplaning. Be prepared for sudden braking by other drivers and allow extra time to reach your destination, as traffic often slows considerably during downpours.

To make your first night drive less stressful, have your navigation set up with voice guidance before you leave the rental garage. As you join the main roads, stay in the right or centre lanes to reduce pressure from faster traffic and last-minute lane changes. Pay close attention to the large, illuminated overhead signs for major interstates such as I-85, I-75, and I-285, as these will be your primary guides out of the airport area.

For a calmer experience at Stone Mountain Park, plan to arrive early, ideally before 10:00, especially on weekends and holidays. This helps you get through the entrance gate and find parking before the biggest crowds arrive around midday. An early start also gives you time to enjoy attractions or hike in cooler temperatures. Alternatively, arriving later in the afternoon after 15:00 can also work, as some morning visitors may already be leaving.

The simplest route to Blue Ridge is to take I-75 North from Atlanta, then merge onto I-575 North. This eventually becomes GA-515, which takes you directly to Blue Ridge. The drive is scenic and fairly straightforward once you’re out of the metro area. For an easy break, towns along the way such as Canton or Jasper have fuel stations, fast food, and coffee shops right off the main road.

Helen is a very popular weekend destination, and parking in the small Alpine-themed village can be competitive. The town has several large paid public car parks just off the main street. The most common approach is to arrive, find one of these central lots, and park for the day. From there, the whole downtown area is easily walkable, so you can explore shops and restaurants on foot without moving the car again until you’re ready to leave.

The drive to Chattanooga is very direct and avoids most complex Atlanta interchanges once you’re on your way. From the airport area or downtown, simply join I-75 North. You stay on this single interstate for the entire trip, which takes about two hours without heavy traffic. The route runs through northern suburbs and into the mountains without requiring major motorway changes until you reach Chattanooga’s exits.

The drive to Savannah is mainly on I-75 South and then I-16 East. A slowdown visitors often underestimate is traffic on I-75 South around Atlanta’s southern suburbs, especially during rush hour. Once on I-16, the route is more rural, but it’s wise to watch for potential congestion around Macon where I-16 begins. For easy breaks, Macon has plenty of restaurants and fuel right off the motorway, and Dublin is another convenient halfway stop.

Driving to hotels in College Park or East Point is exceptionally easy, as these areas sit right next to the airport. After leaving the rental facility, you’ll mainly use major local roads such as Camp Creek Parkway or Virginia Avenue. These routes are well signed and avoid the need to join an interstate for a short hop. Most hotels here are only a 5- to 10-minute drive from the pick-up point.

There are numerous convenient petrol stations just outside the airport perimeter, making it easy to refuel before return. Popular options are along Camp Creek Parkway to the west and Virginia Avenue to the north. These stations are used to rental-car traffic and provide easy entry and exit back to the main roads leading to the Rental Car Return. Using a map app to search for “petrol” as you approach the airport will show several choices.

As you approach the airport on any major interstate, start looking for the large green overhead signs for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Once on airport roads, follow the specific signs for “Rental Car Return”. These are distinct and direct you onto a dedicated road leading to the consolidated rental facility. Move into the lanes indicated by these signs as soon as you see them to avoid sudden last-minute manoeuvres.

The process is straightforward if you follow airport signage in order. First, follow signs for “Departures” and pull up to the kerb for your airline to drop off passengers and luggage. Once they’re safely at the kerb, re-join the main airport loop road. From there, immediately follow the signs for “Rental Car Return”. This guides you directly to the rental facility without needing to circle the entire airport again.

The return process is designed to be very simple. After you’ve dropped off the vehicle and completed the return, walk into the Rental Car Center lobby and follow the clear signs for the ATL SkyTrain. This is the same free, automated train you took on arrival. It takes you straight back to the main domestic terminal, where you can proceed to your airline’s check-in desks and go through security.