Getting to New Orleans

Visitors destined for New Orleans can choose from a variety of options for getting here. New Orleans’ airport operates mainly domestic flights; however, its proximity to major hubs at Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Atlanta makes it easy to find a convenient flight or connection to and from just about anywhere in North America.

The road network is well-developed, making driving here by private or hire car a good option, and also providing good conditions for Greyhound coach services coming from North American cities. The city is connected to the Amtrak railway network.

By car

Interstate 10 is the nation’s key east-west route along the southern boundary, connecting Jacksonville with Los Angeles via New Orleans. The north-south routes, I-55 to Chicago and I-59 to Chattanooga, meet I-10 to the west and east of New Orleans, on both sides of Lake Pontchartrain.

By rail

New Orleans’ train station is located at 1001 Loyola Avenue and provides connections to and from major US destinations. From Chicago, the journey can be made by train in 19 hours, 30 minutes, while from Houston, it takes 9 hours, 20 minutes. For more information on schedules and services, visit the rail provider’s website at: www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage; or call them at: +1 800 872 7245.

By bus

New Orleans is connected to the extensive Greyhound coach network, serving most major US destinations. All trains and Greyhound buses share the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, seven blocks upriver from Canal Street. All station facilities are fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs. Phone: +1 504 524 7571; website www.greyhound.com.

By air

New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport is located 11 miles west of the centre of the city and is a modern facility, offering daily scheduled flights to and from a large number of mostly domestic destinations. Bus services, operating at regular intervals, run between the airport and central New Orleans. Meanwhile, taxis are on hand, as are car hire companies. The airport offers good passenger facilities including bank services, a post office and information desks.

New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport

New Orleans Airport operates two terminals with two levels, from which all arrivals and departures are dealt with. Level 2 handles departures, while Level 1 handles arrivals. Flights operate daily to cities such as New York, Atlanta and Chicago. ATM and banking facilities can be found near the Ticket lobby, while dining facilities are located throughout the airport. Passengers in need of assistance will find the information desk situated in the West lobby.

New Orleans airport transportation

The Airport-Downtown Express (E-2) provides service from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, along Airline Drive into New Orleans. The bus stop is on the second level of the airport, near the Delta counter. A shuttle service is available from the airport to the hotels in the CBD. Non-scheduled walk up limousine and sedan services are available from the airport to the CBD and the French quarter. Limousine information desks are located on the lower level, in the Baggage Claim areas. Taxis can be found on the lower level, outside the Baggage Claim area. 

By ferry

New Orleans is an important cruise gateway to and from the Caribbean and Mexico. Several cruise lines call at the Port of New Orleans’ two massive passenger terminals. The famous Delta Queen Steamboat, along with other paddleboats, sail up and down the Mississippi River from the port. Additionally, there are assorted river barge tours that come and go from New Orleans.