Transportation
Transportation
Arriving in New Orleans
The majority of travelers to New Orleans will arrive by air, landing in Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY; 
%504-303-7500; www.flymsy.com; 900 Airline Hwy, Kenner, LA; 
W). The airport was originally named for aviator John Moisant and was known as Moisant Stock Yards, hence the airport code.
Another option is to fly into Baton Rouge (BTR), 89 miles north of the city; or Gulfport-Biloxi (GPT; %228-863-5951; www.flygpt.com) (GPT), Mississippi, 77 miles east. Neither of these options is as convenient as a direct flight to New Orleans, but they may be cheaper during big events such as Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest.
Many travelers drive or bus to New Orleans, which is located at the crossroads of several major highways. Train travel to New Orleans is easy; the city is served by three Amtrak lines.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Located 13 miles west of New Orleans. A taxi to the CBD costs $36, or $15 per passenger for three or more passengers. Shuttles to the CBD cost $24/44 per person one way/return. The E2 bus takes you to Carrollton and Tulane Ave in Mid-City for $2. It’s about a five-minute walk to the airport rental-car facility from the main terminal.
Amtrak and Greyhound are located adjacent to each other downtown on Loyola Ave. You can walk to the CBD or French Quarter, but don’t do so at night, or with heavy luggage. A taxi from here to the French Quarter should cost around $10; further afield you’ll be unlikely to spend more than $20.
Getting There & Away
Air
New Orleans’ airport is located in the suburb of Kenner, 13 miles west of the city along I-10; the drive takes about 30 minutes. It’s not a major hub, so you’ll likely connect here through Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago or Charlotte. International service now connects New Orleans directly to London.
Transport Options
BUS
If your baggage is not too unwieldy and you’re in no hurry, Jefferson Transit (www.jeffersontransit.org) offers the cheapest ride downtown aboard its E2 Airport Downtown Express ($2). The ride to New Orleans follows city streets and stops approximately every two blocks. On weekdays, until 6:52pm, the bus goes all the way to Tulane and Loyola Ave, at the edge of downtown and the French Quarter; on weekends it will only get you as far as the corner of Tulane St and Carrollton Ave. From there it’s a cheap cab ride to the French Quarter, or you can transfer to a Regional Transit Authority bus (www.norta.com). Bus 27 will get you to St Charles Ave in the Garden District; bus 39 follows Tulane Ave to Canal St, just outside the French Quarter. Check the RTA website (www.norta.com/getting-around/getting-to-the-airport.aspx) for more details about public transit to and from the airport and downtown New Orleans.
CAR
Rental agencies and cars are housed at a new facility within walking distance of the terminals. Exit at the West Terminal baggage claim. The quickest drive between the airport and downtown is on I-10. Coming from downtown on I-10, take exit 223 for the airport; going to downtown, take exit 234 as the Louisiana Superdome looms before you. Traffic can get very congested near the Huey Long Bridge.
CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Every form of transport that relies on carbon-based fuel generates CO2, the main cause of human-induced climate change. Modern travel is dependent on airplanes, which might use less fuel per kilometer per person than most cars but travel much greater distances. The altitude at which aircraft emit gases (including CO2) and particles also contributes to their climate change impact. Many websites offer ‘carbon calculators’ that allow people to estimate the carbon emissions generated by their journey and, for those who wish to do so, to offset the impact of the greenhouse gases emitted with contributions to portfolios of climate-friendly initiatives throughout the world. Lonely Planet offsets the carbon footprint of all staff and author travel.
SHUTTLE
Most visitors take the Airport Shuttle (%504-522-3500; www.airportshuttleneworleans.com; one way/return $24/44) to and from the airport. It offers frequent service between the airport and downtown hotels, although it can be time-consuming, especially if your hotel is the last stop. At the airport, buy tickets from agencies in the baggage-claim area. For your return to the airport, call a day ahead to arrange for a pickup, which you should schedule at least two hours prior to your flight’s departure.
TAXI
A taxi ride downtown costs a flat rate of $36 for one or two passengers, or $15 per person for three or more passengers.
Other Airports
It’s worth checking out the following airports if you plan to rent a car, but probably not otherwise. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR; %225-355-0333; www.flybtr.com; 9430 Jackie Cochran Dr) is 89 miles (and minutes) north of town; the Tiger Airport Shuttle (www.tigerairportshuttle.com; BTR to downtown New Orleans day/night $175/205) provides direct service to downtown New Orleans, the rate fluctuating based on the time of day. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT; %228-863-5951; www.flygpt.com) is about 77 miles (80 minutes) east of New Orleans; there are rental-car agencies on-site.
Bus
Greyhound (www.greyhound.com) buses stop at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (%Amtrak 800-872-7245, Greyhound %504-525-6075; 1001 Loyola Ave), which is also known as Union Station. It’s seven blocks upriver from Canal St. Greyhound regularly connects to Lafayette, Opelousas and Baton Rouge, plus Clarksdale, MS, and Memphis, TN, en route to essentially every city in the continental USA.
Train
Three Amtrak (%800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com) trains serve New Orleans at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. The City of New Orleans train runs to Memphis, TN; Jackson, MS; and Chicago, IL. Alternatively, the Crescent Route serves Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; and New York City. The Sunset Limited connects Los Angeles, CA, with Tucson, AZ, and New Orleans.
Getting Around
Streetcar New Orleans’ streetcars are charming, but the service only covers a relatively small part of the city. One-way fares cost $1.25, and multitrip passes are available.
Bus Services are OK, but try not to time your trip around them. Fares won’t run more than $2.
Walk If you’re just exploring the French Quarter, your feet will serve just fine.
Bicycle Flat New Orleans is easy to cycle – you can cross the entirety of town in 45 minutes.
Car This is the easiest way to access outer neighborhoods such as Mid-City. Parking is problematic in the French Quarter and CBD.
Bicycle
Cyclists will find New Orleans flat and relatively compact; however, heavy traffic, potholes, narrow roads and unsafe neighborhoods present some negatives to cycling, and fat tires are a near necessity. Oppressive summer heat and humidity also discourage a lot of cyclists.
All ferries offer free transportation for bicycles. Buses are now equipped with bike racks. Only folding bicycles are permitted on streetcars.
The city operates a fleet of blue bikes (%504-608-0603; http://nola.socialbicycles.com; per hr $8) for rent. You can also find private bicycle-rental outfits across New Orleans.
A Bicycle Named Desire (%504-345-8966; http://abicyclenameddesire.com; 632 Elysian Fields Ave; 4hr/8hr/24hr $20/25/35, per additional day $25; 
h10am-5pm Wed-Mon)
Alex’s Bikes (%504-327-9248; www.alexsbikes.com; 607 Marigny St; per hr/day $5/30; h10am-6pm Tue-Fri, to 5pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun)
American Bicycle Rental Co (%504-324-8257; www.amebrc.com; 318 N Rampart St; per 4hr/8hr/24hr $25/30/40; h9am-5pm)
Bicycle Michael’s (%504-945-9505; www.bicyclemichaels.com; 622 Frenchmen St; per day from $35; h10am-4:30pm Sun-Tue & Thu, to 6:30pm Fri & Sat)
Dashing Bicycles (%504-264-3343; www.dashingnola.com; 1234 N Broad St; per half day/7hr/day $15/25/35; h10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am-5pm Sun)
Boat
The cheapest way to cruise the Mississippi River is aboard the Canal Street Ferry (%504-376-8233; www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/New-Orleans-Ferry; per person $2; h6am-9:45pm Mon-Thu, to 11:45pm Fri, 10:30am-11:45pm Sat, 10:30am-9:45pm Sun), which operates between Canal St and the West Bank community of Algiers. The ferry is open to pedestrians and cyclists (no cars). Have exact change for the fare. Change will not be given, and you cannot pay in advance for the return trip.
Bus
The Regional Transit Authority offers bus and streetcar services. Service is decent, but we wouldn’t recommend relying solely on public transport during a New Orleans visit, especially if you’re staying longer than a few days. Fare is $1.25 plus 25¢ per transfer.
No buses run through the heart of the French Quarter, so most visitors only use them when venturing Uptown or out to City Park.
Car & Motorcycle
Having your own car or renting one in New Orleans can make it much easier to fully experience the entire city, from Faubourg Marigny up to Riverbend, and out along Esplanade Ave. If you are planning to spend most of your time in the French Quarter, though, don’t bother. You’ll just end up wasting money on parking.
Many city streets, even in posh Uptown, are in an atrocious state, and tires have accordingly short life spans. Navigating tricky left turns through very common four-way intersections can be a hazard. Crossing St Charles Ave, while watching for the streetcar, adds another level of adventure. Although stop signs are set out in residential areas, not everyone obeys them. New Orleanian friendliness can be annoying if people stop their cars in the middle of a narrow street to chat with someone – every New Orleans driver has a story about this incident. Local drivers also have a reputation for not turning on their headlights in the event of rain or fog.
Visitors from abroad may find it wise to back up their national driver’s license with an International Driving Permit, available from their local automobile club.
Parking
Downtown on-street parking is typically for short-term use only. In some parts of town, look for solar-powered parking meters. One meter often serves an entire block, so don’t assume parking is free just because there’s no meter on the curb immediately beside where you park. There are also all kinds of restrictions to do with street cleaning that limit when you can park on certain streets. Be sure to read all parking signs before leaving your car. Enforcement is particularly efficient in the French Quarter, the CBD and the Warehouse District.
Vehicles parked illegally are sometimes towed; ‘sometimes’ becomes ‘often’ during major events like Jazz Fest. Towable offenses include parking your car in a driveway, within 20ft of a corner or crosswalk, within 15ft of a fire hydrant or in restricted areas on a street-sweeping day. Towed cars are brought to the Claiborne Auto Pound (400 N Claiborne Ave), where you’ll have to pay anywhere from $75 to $150 (or more) to spring your vehicle.
Free street parking is available on many blocks in the Lower Quarter and along Esplanade Ave. Otherwise, there are plenty of commercial lots scattered through downtown and the French Quarter; expect to pay around $25 to $40 per day, and keep in mind that rates skyrocket at night.
Outside the Quarter and downtown, parking is a cinch. There’s plenty of street parking and not many restrictions, although you will find parking meters along much of Magazine St. Again, be careful of street parking during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, when police are liable to ticket or tow you for even very minor infractions.
For more details about parking enforcement, visit www.nola.gov/dpw/parking.
Rental
Most big car-rental companies like Avis, Budget and Hertz can be found in New Orleans. At Louis Armstrong Airport, rental agencies and cars are now within walking distance of the terminals. Typically to rent a car you must be at least 25 years of age and hold a major credit card, as well as a valid driver’s license.
Rates go up and availability lessens during special events or large conventions. US citizens who already have auto insurance are probably covered, but should check with their insurance company first.
Streetcar
Streetcars (aka trolleys or trams) have made a comeback in New Orleans, with four lines serving key routes in the city. They are run by the Regional Transit Authority (www.norta.com). Fares cost $1.25 – have exact change – or purchase a Jazzy Pass (one-/three-/five-/31-day unlimited rides $3/9/15/55), which is also good on buses. Jazzy Passes can be purchased from streetcar conductors, bus drivers, in Walgreens drugstores and from ticketing machines at RTA shelters along Canal St. Streetcars run about every 15 to 20 minutes, leaning toward every 30 minutes later at night.
Canal Streetcar Lines
Two slightly different lines follow Canal St to Mid-City. Both run from Harrah’s Casino up Canal St. The Cemeteries line goes to City Park Ave, where it crosses the entrance to the Greenwood Cemetery (24 hours). More useful for tourists is the City Park line (6am to midnight), which heads up a spur on N Carrollton Ave, ending up at the Esplanade Ave entrance to City Park.
Riverfront Streetcar Line
This 2-mile route (operating from about 5:30am to 11:30pm) runs between the French Market, in the lower end of the French Quarter near Esplanade Ave, and the upriver Convention Center, crossing Canal St on the way.
St Charles Avenue Streetcar Line
When the St Charles Ave route opened as the New Orleans & Carrollton Railroad in 1835, it was the nation’s second horse-drawn streetcar line. Now it is one of the few streetcars in the US to have survived the automobile era. It runs 24 hours from Carrollton and Claiborne, down Carrollton to St Charles, then via St Charles Ave to Canal & Carondelet.
Rampart–St Claude Streetcar Line
The newest streetcar line in the city runs from around 6am to midnight. It connects the Union Passenger Terminal (%Amtrak 800-872-7245, Greyhound 504-525-6075; 1001 Loyola Ave) to Canal St via Rampart St, then rolls up Rampart, skirting the edge of the French Quarter, before turning onto St Claude Ave. The line follows St Claude for a few blocks before terminating at Elysian Fields Ave, right in front of Gene’s (%504-943-3861; 1040 Elysian Fields Ave; po’boys $8; h24hr), a giant pink po’boy shop that sells a mean daiquiri.
Taxi
If you’re traveling alone or at night, taxis are recommended. United Cabs (%504-522-9771) is the biggest and most reliable company in New Orleans. You might have to call for a pickup, unless you are in a central part of the French Quarter, where it is relatively easy to flag down a passing cab.
Fares within the city start with a $3.50 flag-fall charge for one passenger (plus $1 for each additional passenger). From there it’s $2 per mile. New Orleans is small, so don’t expect fares to top $20. Don’t forget to tip your driver about 15%.
Popular ridesharing apps are also available in New Orleans.