Terminal I to S

Question

First time to travel solo and I'll be headed to Tampa via Incheon Korea and Atlanta. Upon arriving in Atlanta, my flight details say I'll have to transfer from terminal I to S. I have a 2 hour and 25 minutes lay over time and the baggage is not checked in at this point - meaning, upon arrival in Atlanta, I need to get my baggage and check it in again to the new terminal.

Question is: Is my 2 hr 25 mins lay over time enough for me to move form I to S terminal and will getting the luggage and checking them in again take more than an hour? I would appreciate the explanation on how I could go about doing this as a first time solo traveler. Thank you

Answer

Your 2-hour and 25-minute layover in Atlanta should generally be sufficient for you to transfer from Terminal I to Terminal S, but there are a few things to consider as a first-time solo traveler.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to do and how much time each step might take:

Disembarking and baggage claim: Once you land in Terminal I, you’ll need to disembark the plane, go through immigration (if applicable), and then head to baggage claim to retrieve your luggage. This can take around 20-30 minutes, depending on how quickly you can get through immigration and where your baggage carousel is located. Keep an eye on the monitors for your baggage claim information.
Transferring to Terminal S: After you pick up your luggage, you will need to take it with you to Terminal S for check-in. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson has an efficient transportation system for terminal transfers. You can take the SkyTrain, which is an automated people mover that connects all terminals. The SkyTrain ride from Terminal I to Terminal S takes about 5 minutes, but you will also need to account for walking to the SkyTrain station, waiting for the train, and getting off at Terminal S. In total, this might take around 15-20 minutes.
Check-in for your next flight: Once at Terminal S, you’ll need to go to your airline’s check-in counter or self-service kiosk to check in your baggage and get your boarding pass. Depending on how busy the terminal is, this could take anywhere from 15-30 minutes.

In total, this gives you a rough estimate of about 1 hour to transfer terminals, collect your luggage, and check in for your next flight. With the remaining time, you’ll still have some buffer in case of delays or waiting times. Given your layover is 2 hours and 25 minutes, you should have enough time, but it’s always a good idea to move quickly and be aware of any flight updates.

Here are a few tips for smooth travel:

Check your terminal ahead of time: Before your flight, make sure you know exactly where you need to go to check in and where your baggage claim will be located. It’s helpful to look up the airport layout online so you can map out your route from Terminal I to Terminal S.
Be ready to move fast: Since you’ll be carrying your luggage, be prepared to walk quickly, especially if you need to go through security again in Terminal S.
Ask for help if needed: Don’t hesitate to ask airport staff for assistance if you're unsure of where to go or if you need help with directions. They are generally very helpful and will guide you through the process.

As long as you stay on top of things, your layover should be more than enough time to transfer between terminals, check your bags, and make your next flight. Safe travels, and enjoy your solo adventure!

Terminal I to S

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