New Orleans Guide
New Orleans travel tips from a chauffeur
What we've learned from driving these streets every day since 2011: arriving, getting around, timing your trip and getting home at night.
Chauffeurs see a city differently from almost anyone else.
We know which streets close at night, how long the airport run really takes on a Friday afternoon, where a car can actually stop in the French Quarter, and what happens to traffic when the Saints play at home. Here's that knowledge, shared freely, whether or not you ever ride with us.
01 Arriving
The airport is farther out than people think. Louis Armstrong International (MSY) is in Kenner, about 15 miles west of downtown. Plan on 20 to 30 minutes to the French Quarter, and longer at rush hour on I-10.
Decide your ride before you land. Rideshare, taxis and pre-booked cars all pick up in different places at MSY. Knowing which one you're using saves a confused walk with your bags.
Give your hotel's exact address. Several French Quarter hotels have entrances on narrow side streets. The exact door makes for a much smoother drop-off.
02 Getting around
Walk downtown The French Quarter, CBD and Warehouse District are close together and best on foot. Comfortable shoes beat every other plan.
Ride the streetcar The St. Charles line runs past the Garden District's mansions to Uptown; the Canal line goes to City Park. Have exact change or the RTA app ready.
Bourbon Street at night Parts of it close to cars in the evening. Any pickup, by app or chauffeur, happens on a cross street or at a hotel entrance.
Magazine Street Six miles of shops, galleries and restaurants. Pick a stretch rather than trying to see it all.
Frenchmen Street For live music, many locals head to Frenchmen in the Marigny, just past the Quarter.
Skip the rental downtown Parking is limited and expensive. A car only pays off for day trips or a stay in the suburbs.
03 Timing your trip
- Check the calendar first Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Essence Fest, the Sugar Bowl and large conventions fill hotels and close streets. Wonderful if that's why you're coming; worth knowing if it isn't.
- Parade season In the weeks before Mardi Gras, parades run on St. Charles Avenue and through the city. Once a parade is rolling, you may not be able to cross the route for hours, so plan which side of it you need to be on.
- Game days A Saints home game or a big event at the Superdome slows the whole CBD for hours before and after. Leave extra time for anything downtown.
- The best weather Late October through April is the most comfortable time to visit. Spring brings the festivals; fall brings cooler days and smaller crowds.
In New Orleans, the calendar matters as much as the map.
04 The weather
Summer heat is serious. From May to September, plan outdoor time for the morning and evening, carry water and duck into air conditioning midday.
Afternoon storms come fast. In summer, a sunny day can turn to a downpour in minutes. Heavy rain can flood low streets quickly; never drive through standing water, and allow extra time to get anywhere.
Hurricane season runs from June through November. If you're traveling then, keep an eye on forecasts and choose bookings you can change.
05 Nights out
- Book dinner reservations ahead for weekends, especially at the well-known restaurants.
- Agree how you're getting home before the evening starts, not at midnight.
- After a concert or game, expect a wait for any ride. A car booked by the hour is already there.
- In the Quarter, choose a well-lit pickup spot on a street that's open to cars.
- If you're going out as a group, one vehicle keeps everyone together.
For an evening out, an hourly car waits through dinner and takes you on to the next stop. See our guide to pairing a dinner reservation with a chauffeur.
06 Leaving
Leave earlier than you think. Allow for I-10 traffic and the airport itself, more on Sunday afternoons and the day after a big event, when everyone leaves at once.
Book the ride to the airport when you book the ride in. Especially for early flights and event weekends, when cars are hardest to find.
Tipping. Chauffeur gratuity usually isn't included in the rate. See how much to tip a chauffeur.
07 Questions visitors ask
How long does it take to get from MSY to the French Quarter?
About 20 to 30 minutes by car. The airport is in Kenner, around 15 miles west of downtown, and I-10 traffic can add time at rush hour.
Can cars drive on Bourbon Street?
Parts of Bourbon Street close to vehicles in the evening, and some French Quarter blocks are pedestrian-only at times. Pickups happen on a cross street or at a hotel entrance.
What's the best time of year to visit New Orleans?
Late October through April has the most comfortable weather. Spring is festival season; summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms.
Can I cross a Mardi Gras parade route?
Not easily once a parade is rolling, sometimes for hours. Plan which side of the route you need to be on before it starts.
How much is a chauffeur from MSY to downtown?
A flat $145 in an executive sedan, $185 in an Escalade for up to six, and $295 in a Sprinter van for up to 14. Gratuity isn't included.
Lagniappe Chauffeured Services
Let a local do the driving
Book your MSY transfer online with the total shown before you pay, or request a chauffeur for a night out, a day trip or a group.
(877) 527-2888 · reservations@lcsdriven.com · Available 24 hours a day
PRE-ARRANGED. PROFESSIONAL. RELIABLE.
