Bicycle
Cyclists will find New Orleans flat and relatively compact; however, heavy traffic, potholes, narrow roads and unsafe neighborhoods present some negatives to cycling, and fat tires are a near necessity. Oppressive summer heat and humidity also discourage a lot of cyclists.
All ferries offer free transportation for bicycles. Buses are now equipped with bike racks. Only folding bicycles are permitted on streetcars.
The city operates a fleet of blue bikes for rent. You can also find private bicycle-rental outfits across town.
Boat
Ferry
The cheapest way to cruise the Mississippi River is aboard the Canal Street Ferry, which operates between Canal St and the West Bank community of Algiers. The ferry is open to pedestrians and cyclists (no cars). Have exact change for the fare. Change will not be given, and you cannot pay in advance for the return trip.
Riverboat
Visitors to New Orleans during Mark Twain’s time arrived by boat via the Mississippi River, but the days of paddle steamboats plying the Big Muddy are now over. One exception? Paddleboat river cruise, which departs from New Orleans and travels upriver to Baton Rouge, returning with stops at plantations and historic sites. If you’re into a short, tourist-oriented sightseeing cruise, short-voyage riverboats still ply the river.
Bus
The Regional Transit Authority (www.norta.com) offers bus and streetcar services. Service is decent, but we wouldn’t recommend relying solely on public transport during a New Orleans visit, especially if you’re staying longer than a few days. Fare is $1.25 plus 25¢ per transfer.
No buses run through the heart of the French Quarter, so most visitors only use them when venturing uptown or out to City Park.
Car & Motorcycle
Driving
Having your own car or renting one in New Orleans can make it much easier to fully experience the entire city, from Faubourg Marigny up to Riverbend, and out along Esplanade Ave. If you are planning to spend most of your time in the French Quarter, though, don’t bother. You’ll just end up wasting money on parking.
Many city streets, even in posh Uptown, are in an atrocious state, and tires have accordingly short life spans. Navigating tricky left turns through very common four-way intersections can be a hazard. Crossing St Charles Ave, while watching for the streetcar, adds another level of adventure. Although stop signs are set out in residential areas, not everyone obeys them. New Orleanian friendliness can be annoying if people stop their cars in the middle of a narrow street to chat with someone – every New Orleans driver has a story about this incident. Local drivers also have a reputation for not turning on their headlights in the event of rain or fog.
Visitors from abroad may find it wise to back up their national driver’s license with an International Driving Permit, available from their local automobile club.
Rental
Most big car-rental companies like Avis, Budget and Hertz can be found in New Orleans. At Louis Armstrong Airport, rental agencies and cars are now within walking distance of the terminals. Typically to rent a car you must be at least 25 years of age and hold a major credit card, as well as a valid driver’s license.
Rates go up and availability lessens during special events or large conventions. US citizens who already have auto insurance are probably covered, but should check with their insurance company first.
Streetcar
Streetcars (aka trolleys or trams) have made a comeback in New Orleans, with four lines serving key routes in the city. They are run by the Regional Transit Authority (www.norta.com). Fares cost $1.25 – have exact change – or purchase a Jazzy Pass (one-/three-/five-/31-day unlimited rides $3/9/15/55), which is also good on buses. Jazzy Passes can be purchased from streetcar conductors, bus drivers, in Walgreens drugstores and from ticketing machines at RTA shelters along Canal St. Streetcars run about every 15 to 20 minutes, leaning toward every 30 minutes later at night.
Canal Streetcar Lines
Two slightly different lines follow Canal St to Mid-City. Both run from Harrah’s Casino up Canal St. The Cemeteries line goes to City Park Ave, where it crosses the entrance to the Greenwood Cemetery (24 hours). More useful for tourists is the City Park line (6am to midnight), which heads up a spur on N Carrollton Ave, ending up at the Esplanade Ave entrance to City Park.
Riverfront Streetcar Line
This 2-mile route (operating from about 5:30am to 11:30pm) runs between the French Market, in the lower end of the French Quarter near Esplanade Ave, and the upriver Convention Center, crossing Canal St on the way.
St Charles Ave Streetcar Line
When the St Charles Ave route opened as the New Orleans & Carrollton Railroad in 1835, it was the nation’s second horse-drawn streetcar line. Now it is one of the few streetcars in the US to have survived the automobile era. It runs 24 hours from Carrollton and Claiborne, down Carrollton to St Charles, then via St Charles Ave to Canal & Carondelet.
Rampart–St. Claude Streetcar Line
The newest streetcar line in the city runs from around 6am to midnight. It connects the Union Passenger Terminal to Canal St via Rampart St, then rolls up Rampart, skirting the edge of the French Quarter, before turning onto St Claude Ave. The line follows St Claude for a few blocks before terminating at Elysian Fields Ave, right in front of Gene’s, a giant pink po’boy shop that sells a mean daiquiri.
Taxi
If you’re traveling alone or at night, taxis are recommended. United Cabs (504-522-9771) is the biggest and most reliable company in New Orleans. You might have to call for a pickup, unless you are in a central part of the French Quarter, where it is relatively easy to flag down a passing cab.
Fares within the city start with a $3.50 flag-fall charge for one passenger (plus $1 for each additional passenger). From there it’s $2 per mile. New Orleans is small, so don’t expect fares to top $20. Don’t forget to tip your driver about 15%.
Popular ridesharing apps are also available in New Orleans.
