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New Orleans is easy to visit without a car, thanks to the streetcar system and a walkable core, but a few practical details will save you money and hassle. This New Orleans travel tips guide covers the airport, transport costs, tipping, safety and the questions travelers ask most, plus a shortlist of places to stay at the end.
New Orleans Travel Tips: Airport and Getting Around
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) sits in Kenner, about 24 km (15 miles) west of downtown. A taxi to the French Quarter costs a flat US$36 for up to two passengers (US$15 for each additional person), while rideshares run US$35 to US$45. The cheapest option is the Jefferson Transit E2 Airport Express bus for US$2, which reaches downtown in about 50 minutes. The new terminal opened in 2019, so allow extra time for baggage claim. Once you land, our things to do in New Orleans guide lays out the first stops.
Once downtown, the streetcars cost US$1.25 a ride or US$3 for a one-day Jazzy Pass, which also covers RTA buses. The St. Charles line (the oldest continuously running streetcar in the world) serves the Garden District, and the Canal Street line reaches City Park. You do not need a car, and parking in the Quarter runs US$30 to US$45 a day anyway. See the neighborhoods guide for how the lines connect, and the where to stay article for hotels near each stop.
New Orleans Travel Tips: Money, Tipping and Safety
Tipping follows U.S. norms: 18 to 20 percent at restaurants, US$1 to US$2 per drink at bars, and US$2 to US$5 a day for hotel housekeeping. Tap water is safe to drink, and refilling a bottle helps in the heat. The French Quarter and Marigny are safe in the main tourist areas, but stick to well-lit streets after midnight, do not flash cash or walk alone down empty side streets, and leave the beads and costumes behind when you leave Bourbon Street. The cooler months for all-day walking are listed in our best time to visit guide.
Crime concentrates in specific blocks away from the tourist corridor, so avoid wandering into unlit residential streets at night. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket during festivals, when pickpockets work the crowds on Bourbon and at parades. If you drive, never leave valuables visible in a parked car, especially in the Quarter, and check the events and festivals calendar before renting one during a parade weekend.
New Orleans Travel Tips: Common Questions
- Do I need a visa? U.S. entry rules apply; many nationalities use the Visa Waiver Program, but check ESTA requirements before you fly.
- Is New Orleans walkable? Yes, the French Quarter, CBD and Marigny are flat and walkable, and the streetcar covers the rest.
- Can I drink in public? You can carry alcohol in a plastic go-cup on the street, but no glass containers.
- What should I pack? Light clothes, a compact umbrella for summer storms, and a light jacket for December to February, per the weather by month data.
- When is hurricane season? June 1 to November 30, peaking late August to early October; follow local guidance if a storm approaches.
- Is New Orleans safe for families? Yes, the Garden District, Uptown, City Park and the zoo are family-friendly; skip Bourbon Street at night with kids.
New Orleans Travel Tips: Suggested Hotels in New Orleans
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
A 1908 Beaux-Arts landmark at 921 Canal Street with a 100-treatment spa and an on-site jazz lounge, on the edge of the French Quarter. Best for couples and luxury travelers. Check rates and availability
The Eliza Jane, Hyatt
A restored 19th-century building at 315 Magazine Street with an atrium and cocktail bar, two blocks from the French Quarter. Best for mid-range design-focused travelers. Check rates and availability
French Market Inn
A French Quarter hotel at 509 Decatur Street built in the 1800s with simple rooms and a courtyard, a five-minute walk from Jackson Square. Best for budget travelers who want to be in the Quarter. Check rates and availability
