Public transportation system is by far the best transit mode to get around the city. It is not only affordable but its vast connectivity to almost every nook and corner of the city makes it a very convenient means for daily errands. The famous streetcars offers fun ride to major tourist attractions of the city and is also inexpensive. New Orleans Regional Transit Authority manages and operates public transportation system in the city. There are many bus routes that link the city and suburbs. New Orleans compact neighborhoods also make it a pedestrian destination. There is no better way to explore the historic and lively neighborhoods than by foot. Taxi and rental vehicles are also available in the city, but it will be an expensive affair to get around the city in taxis or rentals.
Image by Bobjagendorf via Wikimedia CommonsTravel to New Orleans by Air
New Orleans and its metropolitan areas are served primarily by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Several other regional airports also serve the city - the Lakefront Airport, Southern Seaplane and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): MSY is a primary commercial airport owned by the City of New Orleans and operated by New Orleans Aviation Board. The airport serves the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeastern Louisiana.
Address:
Third Floor Administrative Office
900 Airline Dr., Kenner, Louisiana
General Information: (504) 303-7500.
Website:
www.flymsy.com
To/From Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
For any information about taxi and rental services to get you in the city, you can stop by the information booth at the A7B concourse of the airport.
Airport Shuttle: The shuttle connects you to downtown hotels. The fare is approximately $20.
Phone: 866-596-2699
Website:
www.airportshuttleneworleans.comThe Jefferson Transit: This transit runs from airport to various routs in town. Its day service (before 7pm) runs from airport’s upper level to Tulane and Loyola Avenues, with stops in between at Airline Highway 61. After 7pm, it links directly to Carrollton and Tulane Avenues. Beyond these, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus will take you to your destination.
Phone: 504-364-3450
Website:
www.jeffersontransit.orgTaxis: Taxi services are available to and from airport. Taxi fare from airport to downtown will cost around $34 per person or two people and an extra $14 is charged for each additional passenger.
Travel to New Orleans by Bus
Greyhound: The bus terminal of Greyhound in NOLA is the Union Passenger Terminal at Loyola Avenue.
For any information, call at 504-525-6075 or Click Here. The bus services provided by Greyhound are –
- New Orleans to Baton Rouge: Travel time is about two hours.
- New Orleans to Memphis, Tennessee: Travel time is about 11 hours.
- New Orleans to Atlanta, GA: It costs about $84 to $106 and travel time is around 12 hours.
- The Union Passenger Terminal
Address: 1001 Loyola Ave, New Orleans
Phone: 504-299-1880
Hours: From 5:15am to 1pm & 2:30 pm to 6pm
Travel to New Orleans by Train
Amtrak: The Union Passenger Terminal also serves as a central terminal for Amtrak trains. The New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is served by three trains, namely
- The Crescent – It connects New York City, Atlanta and New Orleans.
- The City of New Orleans – It links Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans.
- The Sunset Limited – It links San Antonio, Los Angeles and New Orleans.
- The Amtrak train routes: Jackson, MS; Memphis, TN; Chicago, IL. Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; New York City; Los Angeles, CA; and Miami, FL.
Address: 1001 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113, United States
Phone: 504-528-1610, 1 800-872-7245
Website:
http://www.amtrak.com/home Ticketing Counter Hours: From 5:45am to 10pm
Explore the top tourists spots in New Orleans!
Getting Around New Orleans
It is quite easy to get around New Orleans by foot, bike, taxi, car/motorcycle rentals or with the help of public transportation system – bus and streetcars.
Public Transportation in New Orleans
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates the local bus service in New Orleans. The RTA also runs 4 streetcar lines. The fare of bus and streetcar cost $1.25, plus 25� for transfers. Fares for express buses are $1.50. Do not forget to carry exact change.
For multiple rides, it is best to purchase Jazzy Pass that allows unlimited rides on buses as well as streetcars. There is one day, three days and 31 days Pass available. Based on the duration of its validity, the Pass may cost from $3 to $55. Pass are available at several retail locations or can be bought online on RTA website. The RTA also operates three streetcar lines (one-way $1.25, day pass $3; have exact change).
New Orleans Streetcars Lines -
- The St. Charles Streetcar Line: America’s oldest continuously running streetcar that links from Canal Street to the other terminal of St. Charles Avenue. It then continues right into South Carrolton Ave and ends at Carrolton and Claiborne.
- The Riverfront Streetcar Line: It connects from Esplanade Street to Canal Street via French Quarter and continues to the Convention Center.
- The Canal Streetcar Line: From the intersection of Canal Street and Poydras Street, it shares the Riverfront line tracks down to Canal Street. It then bifurcates and terminates at the cemeteries at City Park Ave. A branch runs from the convergence of Canal and Carrollton Ave to the entry point near City Park at Esplanade.
- The Loyola-UPT Streetcar Line: It runs from the Union Passenger Terminal to Canal Street along Loyola Ave and from here the route follows the Canal Street to the river. The line uses the Riverfront line tracks on weekends to link to French Market.
Website:
www.norta.com
Car/Motorcycle in New Orleans
There are a plenty of agencies offering car or motorcycle rentals around the town and in the airport. The French Quarter does not allow vehicles to enter as it is solely dedicated to pedestrians. Parking is quite expensive and a hassle as garages charge about $13 for the first three hours and $30 to $35 for 24 hours. A word of precaution if you’re new in the city is that, the streets in central regions are narrow and one-way roads can pose to be quite confusing.
Car rental services
Taxi Services in New Orleans
For night time trips, taxicabs are quite convenient, but it will result in an expensive trip. Some of the notable taxi cab service providers in New Orleans are-
United CabsPhone: 504-522-9771
Website:
www.unitedcabs.com
Biking in New Orleans
New Orleans' comfortable weather, flat landscape and easy grid layout of street encourages bicycling. The Mississippi River trail that spans from Audubon Park to Minnesota is a boon to the city's bicyclists. You will a lot of uniquely designed bicycles around the city.
Rent bicycles in New Orleans
Bicycle Michael’sAddress: 622 Frenchmen St, Faubourg Marigny
Phone: 504-945-9505
Website:
www.bicyclemichaels.comCost: $35
Hours: From 10am to 7pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday); and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
Ferry Services in New Orleans
The Canal Street Ferry or Algiers Ferry: It connects downtown New Orleans (at the Canal Street base) to the National Historic Landmark District of Algiers Point taht is located across the Mississippi River. It serves pedestrians, bicycles and passenger vehicles.
The Gretna Ferry: It links with Gretna, Louisiana and serves pedestrians and bicyclists only.
Map Guide to Get In and Around New Orleans
