St. Charles Streetcar passing through the Garden District
New Orleans Transportation
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is a medium size airport that often requires a connecting flight to get here. But once here, this 4-concourse airport features beautiful artwork, plenty of gift shops, lounges, cafes and other passenger amenities: MSY AIRPORT TERMINAL MAP
Airport Shuttle: (504-465-9780) available from MSY Airport to Downtown/French Quarter hotels for $12-15 per person. Ticket booths are on the lower level in the baggage claim area. Limousine Livery (504-561-8777) service from/to the airport features professional chauffeurs and service guaranteed to make you relax. Taxis: from MSY to downtown New Orleans cost $25 for one person and $10 per passenger for three or more passengers. Pick-up is on the airport’s lower level, outside the baggage claim area. Otherwise taxis charge meter rate + $2.50 drop fee + $1 for each additional person. Car Rentals are by Avis, Budget, Alamo, Thrifty, Hertz, and National. When driving downtown, remember that the exit off I-10 Freeway to the French Quarter is marked Vieux Carre Exit 235B. Vieux Carre means “French Quarter.”
Built in 1954, Union Passenger Terminal on 1001 Loyola Avenue sits behind New Orleans Arena and sports a long waiting hall with an attractive mural. Unfortunately, its predecessor, an architecturally distinctive train station built in 1892, was torn down in the same area, rather than restored. A utilitarian multimodal station has emerged to feature Amtrak, Greyhound, Taxis and Loyola Streetcar. Amtrak service is provided by three long-distance routes:
City of New Orleans: Chicago-Memphis-Jackson-New Orleans
Crescent: New Orleans-Atlanta-Charlotte-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC
Sunset Limited: Los Angeles-San Antonio-Houston-Baton Rouge-New Orleans-Mobile-Jacksonville
City of New Orleans and Crescent trains run daily. The Sunset Limited runs 3 times per week.
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) provides four vintage streetcar lines, which traverse through most visitor attractions. New Orleans has the distinction of running the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world since 1835, the St. Charles Streetcar. Streetcars cost less than $2 per ride and can be paid with exact change when you board. 1, 3 and 31-day unlimited ride Jazzy Passes are available for $3, $9, and $55 respectively. Three popular streetcar lines run frequently from 7a-11:30p. Adults and kids at heart love them. The lines intersect on Canal Street.
Streetcar lines run frequently from 7a-11:30p. Everyone loves them. The lines intersect on Canal Street and provide a carefree introduction to the city: NORTA STREETCAR SYSTEM MAP
St. Charles Streetcar: Covers a 13.2-mile route from Downtown past the splendid Garden District mansions, then through Tulane University, and finally up to the Carrollton District. When you hear people brag about riding a New Orleans streetcar with great garden views, this is the one.
Riverfront Streetcar: Covers a 2-mile route along the waterfront from the French Market to just beyond the Convention Center; this streetcar route began in 1988 and has expanded service due to tourist demand
Canal Streetcar: Board at the Aquarium of the Americas or at major hotels on Canal Street for a comfortable ride up to the small shops and restaurants in Mid-City, and continue to Uptown, Metairie Cemetery and City Park
Loyola-UPT Streetcar: Covers a 1.6-mile route from Union Passenger Terminal up Loyola Avenue to Canal Street then 2.5 miles east on Loyola Avenue.
Le Monde Creole Tour
Walking tours explore French Quarter and Creole life in New Orleans. Tours are available in English and French and reservations are recommended
ADDRESS: 1000 Bourbon Street MAP
PHONE: 504-568-1801
WEBSITE: http://www.mondecreole.com
Historic New Orleans Walking Tours
Known for excellent and informed walking tours of the Big Easy; tour themes include French Quarter, Garden District, Cemetery and Voodoo sites, Haunted, Swamp, Jazz, Plantation
ADDRESS: call for meeting place
PHONE: 504-947-2120
WEBSITE: http://www.tourneworleans.com
If you easily get motion sickness, buy Dramamine 30-60 minutes before a cruise. On a cruise, sit in the rear of the lower deck where motion sensation is reduced.
River Ferries
A fun way to cross the Mississippi River when you don’t want to venture far from the French Quarter or Downtown; get nice views of historic Algiers and New Orleans skyline on the return trip
ADMISSION: $1 for autos, pedestrians ride free
DAYS & HOURS: daily, every half hour from 6a-8p
ADDRESS: Canal Street Dock MAP
WEBSITE: https://friendsoftheferry.org
New Orleans Steamboat Company
Daily cruises on the Steamboat Natchez featuring live jazz music; Creole Lunch or Dinner Buffet provided at additional cost
ADMISSION: prices begin at $48 Adults, $21 Ages 6-12, Ages 5 and under ride Free
ADDRESS: Canal Street Dock MAP
PHONE: 504-586-8777
WEBSITE: https://www.steamboatnatchez.com
New Orleans Cruise Port
Many cruise patrons select New Orleans Cruise Port for its outstanding pre- and post-cruise attractions. Cruise patrons from Western states also prefer the shorter flight to New Orleans, as compared to a flight to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa. From New Orleans, cruise ships typically spend a day traversing the Gulf of Mexico on their way to Cancun, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.
ADDRESS: Julia Street Wharf MAP
WEBSITE: https://www.portnola.com
Cruise lines featuring journeys from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean are:
Royal Caribbean International
Carnival Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Line
New Orleans Freeway Network: In normal traffic, the city is 100 minutes east of Baton Rouge and 60 minutes southwest of Biloxi, both off Interstate 10 Freeway. New Orleans retains its charm, in part, due to its limited number of freeways. Thus, traffic on I-10 westbound to MSY Airport is heavy during commute hours, major events or conventions. Before leaving your hotel, confirm that I-10 is moving normally. If not, consider using US 61 Highway as an alternative to MSY Airport. During heavy traffic, allow a one-hour commute from Downtown to the airport plus 90 minutes before your flight.
New Orleans is blessed with two architecturally-distinctive cantilever spans over the Mississippi River called the Crescent City Connection. The first span opened in 1958, while the second span opened in 1989. For a great view of the skyline drive over the bridge and then back.
