Getting Around New Orleans
New Orleans offers visitors multiple ways to navigate the city, though the best approach depends on where you're staying and how far you plan to venture. If you're visiting the French Quarter, casinos, or Central Business District, leaving your car behind is often a wise choice. The city's rapid transit, trolley cars, and buses operate around the clock, and walking is enjoyable during daylight and early evening hours. However, outside areas served by streetcars, public transport becomes less reliable, so renting a car may be necessary for exploring distant neighborhoods.
The Streetcar and Trolley Network
Streetcars are one of New Orleans' most iconic and practical ways to move around. Three main streetcar routes serve popular visitor destinations: the Riverfront (#49), Canal Street (#47 and #48), and St. Charles (#12). These lines connect to or pass near major attractions throughout the city. The St. Charles streetcar, for example, runs from the French Quarter toward the Carrollton area, following the curves of the Mississippi River as it winds through the city.
Fares for streetcars are straightforward: a single trip costs $1.25 and includes unlimited transfers within two hours. If you plan to use public transit multiple times, a one-day pass costs $3 and remains valid for 24 hours from your first use. You can purchase tickets and passes directly on streetcars, through the Le Pass App, or at various locations around the city. All streetcars provide change cards that can be applied toward future rides.
Buses and Public Transit
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates an extensive bus network alongside the streetcar system. Buses run frequently throughout the city and cost the same as streetcars—$1.25 per trip, also including transfers within two hours. One-day passes are available for $3. Like streetcars, buses accept ticket purchases onboard and issue change cards for future journeys.
From Louis Armstrong International Airport, you have budget-friendly bus options. The Jefferson Parish Transit Airport Express route E1-Veterans/Airport costs $2 and takes approximately 45 minutes, running down Veterans Boulevard to the Cemeteries Transit Center. Alternatively, the RTA route 202-Airport Express costs only $1.25 and takes about 30 minutes via the I-10 freeway to the Central Business District, just outside the French Quarter. From the Cemeteries Transit Terminal, you can connect to downtown or the French Quarter via streetcar route 47 or bus route 91.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services
Taxis provide a quick way to reach your destination from the airport or around town. From Louis Armstrong International Airport, a taxi costs a flat $36 for one or two passengers, or $15 per person for groups of three or more, traveling to any location in the French Quarter or Central Business District. Limo services are also available, with rates starting at $35.
For trips within the city, taxis are readily available during most times, though during normal business hours they arrive reasonably quickly and at moderate cost. However, during special events like Mardi Gras, taxi availability becomes severely limited—expect to call multiple companies, potentially several times, before securing a booking, with typical waits of 45 minutes to an hour.
Cycling and Walking
The French Quarter is highly walkable and suitable for exploring on foot, especially during daylight hours and early evening. Bicycle rentals are available at multiple locations: a bike shop on Dauphine Street near Canal Street hotels, an antique shop on Decatur Street near the French Market, a bicycle shop in the Marigny Triangle neighborhood on Frenchmen Street, and another shop Uptown on Magazine Street. Cycling is a popular way to see the city, though be cautious—drivers can be aggressive. Walking is comfortable and healthy during daylight and early evening, though after midnight, a taxi may be advisable for safety.
Arriving from Louis Armstrong International Airport
Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), located in the suburb of Kenner, is the city's main airport and a hub for Southwest Airlines. It handles flights from major airports across the country and offers limited international service to Toronto, Cancun, San Pedro Sula, Panama City, and London.
You have several options for reaching the city center. A taxi is quickest and costs a flat $36 for one or two people, or $15 per person for groups of three or more traveling to the French Quarter or Central Business District. Limo services begin at $35. For budget travelers, buses are your cheapest option: the E1-Veterans/Airport route ($2) and the 202-Airport Express ($1.25) both serve the airport, with the latter being faster. The airport bus stop is located on Level 1 at Baggage Claim, outside Door 2 in Zones B4 and B5.
Many major hotels operate shuttle buses from the airport. Even if you're not staying at one of these hotels, shuttle buses can sometimes offer good value if your destination is near one of the participating hotels. Check with your hotel or the airport website for current shuttle information and routes.
Using a Car in New Orleans
Driving in New Orleans requires patience and caution. Much of the city, particularly older neighborhoods of visitor interest, was laid out before the automobile era, resulting in many one-way streets and narrow roads. Street signage can be unclear or missing, and potholes are common due to soil consolidation and limited resources. Parking is difficult and expensive, often exceeding $40 per night in downtown areas and the French Quarter. Pay lots are available but can be hard to find during peak hours.
A unique challenge is that many streets, especially outside the grid-based French Quarter, don't follow compass directions. Instead, locals use "up" (toward the river), "down" (away from the river), "river," and "lake" as directional references, since streets follow the curves of the Mississippi River rather than a standard grid. Additionally, some streets experience flooding during heavy rain, making them temporarily impassable.
If you choose to rent a car, consider parking it in a lot and using streetcars or buses for city exploration, particularly in the French Quarter and Central Business District where parking is scarce and expensive.
Understanding Local Directions
Nearly 45% of New Orleans comprises older neighborhoods laid out along the Mississippi River's curves rather than a traditional compass-based grid. For this reason, locals typically give directions using "up" (upriver/uptown), "down" (downtown), "river" (toward the river), and "lake" (toward the lake) rather than north, south, east, and west. This system makes sense once you understand the city's relationship to the river and becomes intuitive when consulting a map. Many major streets, including St. Charles Avenue, follow the river's bends, which explains why they seem to change direction across the city.