New Orleans Airport Transfers

New Orleans has an excellent transportation system that comfortably communicates all the important or attractive points of the city. To get from the airport to your hotel and vice versa, you just have to choose the one that is most convenient for you.

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

9 min read

New Orleans Airport Transfers

Aircraft in flight | ©Gary Lopater

Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans is about 19 kilometers, or a few minutes from the famous French Quarter, located in the heart of the city. The journey takes 44 minutes if you take the longer transfer option.

There are several ways to transfer from the New Orleans airport to downtown. I will introduce you to each of these, so you can choose the one that is most convenient for you, considering factors such as comfort, price and transfer time. Once at your hotel, you can start enjoying all there is to see and do in New Orleans, thanks to the proximity to most of the tourist sites and a very complete and functional transportation system.

1. A private transfer, comfort and tranquility assured

Airport| ©Jeshoots.com
Airport| ©Jeshoots.com

A private transfer not only offers greater comfort. It is also synonymous of tranquility, since it will not be necessary to queue or wait for the availability or schedules of other methods of transportation to the city. In addition, it is a non-stop route, with the sole purpose of taking you to the destination point you have scheduled.

You can select the modalities according to the needs of the group traveling with you, including the capacity of people, luggage and destination. That is to say, you can decide for a car, minivan or SUV, and start enjoying your trip, already from the transfer to your hotel.

You can also sleep to recover a little of the time decompensation if you wish. Then you will be ready to start enjoying your vacation, and since you are in the center, how about starting with a tour of the French Quarter?

The vehicle and driver are pre-booked and all you have to do is leave your flight information to find out the approximate time of your arrival. The next thing to do is to call the contact numbers provided and confirm that you are already at the airport. Upon departure, your transportation will be waiting for you.

Useful information:

  • Price: depending on the modality, it is calculated from 65 euros.
  • Duration of the trip: approximately 19 minutes.
  • Advantages: Greater comfort, you can sleep on the way, you book in advance, the vehicle will leave you at your destination specifically.

2. Shared transfer, an ideal option to reduce costs

Airplane taking off| ©Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa
Airplane taking off| ©Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa

Sometimes it is possible to share the transfer costs, especially when traveling in pairs or alone.

Being such a small number of people, it is possible to travel in the same private vehicle and the total price of the trip is calculated per passenger.

It is usually possible to coordinate this option in advance with the transfer service company, taking into account that the passengers are going to similar or nearby destinations.

As for additional benefits, they are generally similar to those of private transfers. It offers greater comfort than bus transfers, you can sleep on the way and you will arrive at the door of your destination or accommodation in less time.

It should be noted that some of these services do not include the price of parking time, which should be borne by the customer.

Useful information:

  • Price: depending on the modality, it is calculated from 65 euros, but the cost is divided per passenger and you only calculate according to the number of people traveling with you.
  • Duration of the trip: approximately 19 minutes.
  • Advantages: More comfort, you can sleep on the way, you book in advance, you will arrive at your specific destination.

3. Transfer by cab, comfortable and fast

Cab on the move| ©Rodolfo Clix
Cab on the move| ©Rodolfo Clix

Cab transfer from the airport to the hotel is a good choice. The fares are cheap and offer a lot of comfort. The only downside is that you will have to wait for availability and do some queuing.

The arrival time to your destination is approximately 19 minutes, once you are on your way. But it is not easy to calculate the waiting time, as it will depend on the number of people requiring the service. However, it must be recognized that there is a wide availability of cab companies, including some of the hotels' own.

Among the main advantages is the price, which is considerably lower. In addition, you can relax during the trip, snooze a little or enjoy the scenery, until you reach your accommodation or whatever your destination may be.

If you do not feel too tired and you are in the mood, you can ask the driver to drop you off at a first stop, to start enjoying the trip. A good option is the World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Interesting facts:

  • Price: Around $30 to $40.
  • Travel time: Approximately 19 minutes.
  • Advantages: More comfort, you can sleep on the way, you are dropped off at your exact destination.

4. Transfer in limousines or luxury buses, to move around in style

Limousines inside| ©Brennan Tolman
Limousines inside| ©Brennan Tolman

Although they are the most expensive transfers, these vehicles are equipped to offer luxury amenities, ensuring maximum comfort to passengers.

The chauffeur will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it, ready to help you carry your luggage to the luxury car that will take you to your hotel.

You can choose the model of the car you wish to travel in. The capacity will depend on the car, some put a maximum of four people. They will always be recent and luxury models, with leather seats and all the corresponding specifications.

Like the private transfer, this service is booked in advance and requires supply and confirmation of flight details, so that the driver can be on time to meet you. Of course, you will be taken to the destination of your choice, with no queues, no waiting and no parking.

Interesting facts:

  • Price: Around 110$ to 160$.
  • Travel time: Approximately 19 minutes.
  • Advantages: Greater comfort, you can sleep on the way, they leave you at your destination on time, they cover parking expenses.

5. Transfer by bus, the most economical option

Airport traveler| ©Erik Odiin
Airport traveler| ©Erik Odiin

The bus is the perfect option for those who want to save money. It is taken from the terminal at the airport to get to the French Quarter, specifically to Greyhound, which is a central point of the city and from where you will have to get to your accommodation on your own.

The downside is that you will have to wait for buses to depart, which leave every four hours, plus it takes between 44 minutes and an hour to make the trip.

Fortunately, city transportation is excellent in New Orleans, plus the proximity of most destinations. From the terminal you can take a cab or other bus to your hotel or nearby without any problem.

And if you are lucky and stay nearby, you can even walk to your destination. The streets of the city are a spectacle that you will surely enjoy from the very first moment, especially if the weather is nice. There is a lot to see in NewOrleans in June.

Cab fares from Greyhound to your lodging depend on the destination, of course, but in the case of the city buses, the fare per trip is around $1.25.

The bus that will take you from the airport to the terminal will cost about $3.00 approximately.

Interesting facts:

  • Price: about $3.00 to the French Quarter and an additional $1.25 per city bus trip.
  • Travel time: approximately 44 minutes to an hour.
  • Advantages: Much cheaper and no parking fees required.

6. Transfer by private or rented vehicle, the advantage of freedom of movement.

Arriving at destination| ©Danijela Prijovic
Arriving at destination| ©Danijela Prijovic

For many people, comfort refers to the freedom of being able to move around without depending on anyone. For this reason, their favorite choice is car rental.

In this case, the main advantage is the ease of being able to enjoy the trip and the visits to places of interest without depending on transfers, drivers, buses or cabs. Of course, don't forget to consider the cost of parking in many of these places.

The cost of the transfer from the airport to the hotel is the most economical, if we only consider the consumption of gasoline. However, do not forget to consider the price of the daily rental of the vehicle, to know if it is really profitable.

This is an excellent option if you are traveling with your family and plan to visit a large number of attractions in and around the city, especially if you are traveling to New Orleans with children.

There is a lot to enjoy and many of the attractions can be visited individually. For others it is more advisable to take a tour that can offer more specific information and points of interest or interesting stories about the history or cuisine of New Orleans, for example. Don't forget to take these details into account when making your decision.

Interesting facts:

  • Price: between $1 and $2 for gasoline consumption.
  • Travel time: approximately 19 minutes.
  • Advantages: It is much more economical, offers great comfort and independence, you can get to your destination and continue visiting places of interest.

7. Shuttle buses, one of the most used by tourists.

Passport and tickets| ©Nicole Geri
Passport and tickets| ©Nicole Geri

Shuttle buses are an option that is usually the most used by tourists, since they are cheaper than cabs, and a little faster than regular buses that travel the entire urban route.

While the latter take almost an hour, this transport reaches the city center in 40 minutes. It is a transport that specifically connects with the main hotels in New Orleans and the major tourist spots. If your lodging is on this list, it will surely be very convenient for you.

The company that offers it is specifically focused on offering a transportation service for tourists in the city, something you can take into account when visiting the different places of interest to visit in New Orleans at night, in case you do not plan to rent a vehicle.

As for the general characteristics, it is a bus like any other, so it does not offer great advantages in terms of comfort, like private vehicles.

One of the companies offering this service is Northshore Airport Express, but you can find several offers at the ticket counters located in the baggage claim area.

Useful information:

  • Price: $20 each way, $38 if you purchase a round-trip ticket.
  • Travel time: 40 minutes.
  • Advantages: Faster than traditional buses and the tour route is specifically through the tourist areas of New Orleans.

Shuttle-style minibuses.

There is another company that also offers a shuttle service from the airport, but in this case it goes all the way to Baton Rouge.

Tiger Airport Shuttle is a good option, even cheaper than the official shuttles. In case your accommodation is in that area, you should consider it among the options.

Comparative table

Waiting to board| ©Guilherme Stecanella
Waiting to board| ©Guilherme Stecanella

After having reviewed all the options, I would like to close this article with a comparative table where you can see the most relevant details of each of these, one next to the other. I hope all this information will help you find the best option and make your trip memorable.

  • Private / Shared Transfer
  • Price: from 65 euros.
  • Duration of the trip: 19 minutes.
  • Convenience.
  • No queues or waiting.
  • Arrival at the specific destination.
  • Transfer by cab
  • Price: between 30$ and 40$.
  • Travel time: 19 minutes.
  • Comfort.
  • Arrival at the specific destination.
  • It is necessary to wait for availability.
  • Transfer by luxury vehicle
  • Price: 110$ - 160$.
  • Travel time: 19 minutes.
  • Convenience.
  • No queues or waiting.
  • Arrival at the specific destination.
  • Bus transfer
  • Price: 3$.
  • Travel time: 1 hour.
  • Convenience.
  • It is necessary to wait for itinerary and queues.
  • Arrival at a terminal, you will have to take another transfer to the hotel.
  • Transfer by rental car
  • Price: 2$ for gasoline.
  • Travel time: 1 hour.
  • Convenience.
  • No queues or waiting.
  • Direct arrival to your destination.
  • Shuttle bus transfer
  • Price: 20$.
  • Travel time: 40 minutes.
  • Convenience.
  • It is necessary to wait for itinerary and queues.
  • It leaves you near the hotel.