How to Get to New Orleans, Louisiana
If you’re heading to New Orleans for vacation, business, or any other reason, you’ll find that there are a number of ways to get there, depending on from where you are coming.
By Plane
If you plan to fly to The Big Easy, chances are you’ll be landing at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. This busy airport is located about 10 miles west of the city center in the town of Kenner. Convenient to all New Orleans has to offer, this airport opened in 1947 as John Moisant Field. It covers about 1,500 acres and has 3 runways and 4 concourses. The size is sufficient to handle the traffic in and out of the city. Louis Armstrong International was once a major hub for Latin America traffic but that traffic has gone elsewhere in recent years.
Many of the nation’s major airlines fly in and out of New Orleans including AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Midwest, Jet Blue, Southwest, United, and U.S. Airways. Aero Mexico also flies from Louis Armstrong to Mexico City.
Many of the major car rental companies have counters inside the airport including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, and Advantage. Shuttle service is also available from the airport to the hotels in the Central Business District or visitors who need to get to the center of town can hop on Jefferson Transit’s E-2 Airport-Downtown Express.
By Train
For those who prefer to travel by train, getting to New Orleans by Amtrak is an option. The trains arrive at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, which is Amtrak’s major southern hub. The facility was first opened in 1954, replacing the old New Orleans Union Station. Currently, three trains service the city – Crescent, Sunset Limited, and The City of New Orleans.
The Amtrak station is located just outside the designated Central Business District, just off the Pontchartrain Expressway. Visitors can catch a cab or public transportation from the station to their hotel.
By Bus
If you prefer bus travel, you can head to New Orleans on Greyhound. The bus company shares space with Amtrak at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. From the terminal, you can hail a cab or take public transportation to the tourist areas. If the weather is nice, you may even want to walk.
By Car
Many people take a road trip to get to New Orleans. The
city is located within reasonable proximity of many major highways, so
getting here from other parts of the country isn’t difficult and the scenery
in the South is a joy to behold.
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