Getting Around in New Orleans, Louisiana
Once you’ve reached New Orleans, you’ll want to explore the city and perhaps the regions outside the city as well. New Orleans can get quite crowded at certain times of the year, especially during Mardi Gras season, so if you need to get someplace at a certain time, you’ll want to plan accordingly and figure out exactly how you’re going to get there.
If you arrived with a car and have checked into a hotel or B&B or have rented a vacation home, you may have been assigned a parking space. Unless you really want to take a jaunt far from the city, you probably should simply park the car and leave it. Traffic in New Orleans is often snarled and there are a lot of rules about where one can park. To avoid getting a parking ticket or being late for an event, opt for another, easier way to get around town.
On Foot
New Orleans is a pedestrian-friendly city. You’ll find that many of the attractions are within walking distance of your lodging and within a reasonable distance from one another. The streets are easy to navigate and tourist maps are available everywhere. Ask for one at your hotel or at your car rental agency.
If you do plan to do a lot of walking, drink plenty of water, especially when the temperature and humidity are high. And take some time to duck into air-conditioned shops and attractions when you need a break.
By Bus or
Streetcar
When walking just won’t cut it, consider taking the bus. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides numerous bus and streetcar lines that make their way throughout various parts of the city and beyond. Prices vary with route and with the age of the passenger. Visitors can also purchase 1-, 3-, and 5-day unlimited ride passes at various stops throughout the city.
The streetcar lines are a joy to ride. A step back into the past, they travel on St. Charles and Canal Streets and along the Riverfront and operate every 10 to 15 minutes depending on the day of the week. They pass many of the city’s great attractions including Audubon Park and both Tulane and Loyola Universities.
By Riverboat
Depending on where you want to go, you may be able to get from place to place on one of New Orleans’ Riverboat Ferries. There are three terminals – Canal Street, Gretna, and Algiers Point. These are a reliable form of transportation, used by both locals and tourists, and they provide an affordable and pleasant way to get to some of the city’s favorite attractions.
By Cab
Taxi cabs are always readily available within the city and you can find them at the airport and the train/bus station. In some cases, they are less expensive then hopping an airport shuttle.
United Cabs is the main taxi service in the city and
they operate their cars 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They’ll even provide
other unique services, such as picking up food at a restaurant and
delivering it to you door.
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