Visitor Information


New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau

This site has links to maps, bus routes, weather, summer coupons, calendar of events, Mardi Gras, and much more.

I. Public Transportation
New Orleans has a modern, efficient transportation infrastructure with a sophisticated network of highways and roads. Parking, however, is at a premium in many areas of New Orleans, particularly in the French Quarter. At times, it is beneficial to rely on taxis and public transportation to reach points not within walking distance.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available on New Orleans streets and at major hotels. Taxi rates are $2.50 plus $1.60 per mile ($.20 per one-eighth mile) thereafter. There is also an additional charge of $1.00 per passenger after the first passenger. During peak visitor times (including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest), taxi rates are $4.00 per person or the meter rate, whichever is higher. A fixed rate of $28.00 (two people) is charged from the airport to most areas of New Orleans. For parties of more than two, the fare is $12.00 per person.

Bus: The Crescent City's public bus system is an inexpensive and reliable means of getting around. Bus routes extend to almost every
corner of the city, and the fare is $1.25 plus $.25 per transfer. Express buses cost $1.50.

Ferry: The Canal Street ferry takes pedestrians and automobiles from the foot of Canal Street to Algiers Point several times each day. The last ferry leaves Canal Street at midnight and does not return from Algiers Point until the following morning.
Toll is $1.00 per car. Pedestrians ride free.

Streetcar: Another popular means of transportation is the city's streetcar system. Historic streetcars run two daily routes: the St. Charles Streetcar runs twenty-four hours a day down St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street to Claiborne Avenue, and the "streetcar-style" Vieux Carre bus runs the perimeter of the French Quarter from 5:00 a.m.-7:16 p.m. Fares for the streetcars are $1.25 each way plus $.25 per transfer. There is also the Riverfront Streetcar. It runs a 1.9-mile route from Canal Street to Riverview weekdays, 6:00 a.m.-midnight and weekends 8:00 a.m.-midnight and costs $1.50 with $.25 transfers.

Discount passes: A VisiTour pass is available from the Regional Transit Authority, which enables visitors to an unlimited ride on all streetcar and bus lines.
The pass costs $5.00 for one day, $12.00 for three days.

For information about buses or streetcars, contact the Regional Transit Authority at 504-248-3900. All prices and hours of operation shown were in force at date of posting.

II. Airport Shuttle, Inc. (800-366-8882)
This is the official ground transportation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. It offers convenient service to and from New Orleans' hotels, $10.00 each way. Tickets may be purchased in the baggage claim area on the ground floor. No reservations are needed.

III. Airlines
The following airlines are listed in order of the highest number of incoming flights.

1. Southwest Airlines--800-I-FLY-SWA, 504-834-2337
2. Delta Air Lines--800-221-1212, 504-861-3237
3. Continental Airlines--800-525-0280, 504-523-8739
4. United Airlines--800-241-6522, 504-465-8181

IV. Airports
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (504-464-0831) offers direct and nonstop service to more than 100 cities on seventeen domestic and international airlines through our strategic location as a natural international gateway.

Lakefront Airport, 6001 Stars Stripes Blvd., 504-243-4033 (Charter and private flights only)

V. Banks
The following banks are near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and downtown hotels. They all offer international currency exchange.

Bank One of Louisiana
201 St. Charles Ave., Suite 2900
New Orleans LA 70170
504-623-2003, 800-462-9511

First Bank & Trust
909 Poydras Street, Suite 100
New Orleans LA 70112
504-584-5945, 888-287-9621

Whitney National Bank
228 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans LA 70130
504-586-7272, 800-347-7272

Hibernia National Bank
313 Carondelet Street
New Orleans LA 70130
504-533-5361, 800-262-5689

VI. Tax-Free Shopping
Louisiana Tax-Free Shopping (LTFS) provides refunds of Louisiana state sales tax and, in some cases, local sales tax to international visitors for items purchased in Louisiana from participating retailers. Items purchased must be tangible goods and must leave Louisiana with the visitor. Louisiana is the only state in the nation that provides this service.

Only international visitors with a valid passport and a round-trip international travel ticket of less than ninety days duration are eligible for the sales tax refund. Resident aliens and students residing in the United States are not eligible.

VII. Climate
New Orleans has a subtropical climate with pleasant year-round temperatures. Temperatures range from the mid forties in winter to over
ninety degrees in the summer. Rainfall is common in New Orleans, with a monthly average of about five inches of precipitation.

VIII. Churches and Clergy
Friends of St. Louis Cathedral
615 Pere Antoine Alley Chartres at Jackson Square
New Orleans LA 70116
504-523-6479
Free guided tours are offered daily Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. The gift shop is open daily 9:00
a.m.-6:00 p.m. Weekday masses are at 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Weekend masses are Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m.,
9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe/Shrine of St. Jude
411 N. Rampart Street
New Orleans LA 70112-3501
504-525-1551
Call for tours of the church, service times, and dates.