New Orleans, the home of Mardi Gras, Southern cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. If you have never been to New Orleans before, you are in for quite the treat. To soak up the most of this cultural wonderland, you want to come between February – May, when temperatures are cool and comfortable. If you want to avoid the excessive tourist counts and craze of Mardi Gras, the best time to visit New Orleans is from December – January. The city is calm, hotel reservations are easier on your wallet, and the weather is still cool and crisp.
The best deal found on momondo in the last two weeks was a flight to New Orleans from Austin for 33 C$. This is 93% cheaper than most flight deals to New Orleans. To find the cheapest price to New Orleans from your area, use momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
The month of September is, on average, the cheapest month to fly to New Orleans from Canada, with most prices found around 484 C$. If you don’t want to visit New Orleans in September, then you should wait until January to fly from Canada, when ticket prices are also cheap, with an average price of 494 C$.
In general, most travellers find the cheapest time to book a flight to New Orleans is about 50 days prior to their departure date, when tickets on average are 566 C$. Keep in mind that you might be able to find cheaper flights to New Orleans at any time. In fact, our users found flights for as low as 312 C$ in the past 72 hours.
On average, the least expensive day to fly to New Orleans from Canada is on a Tuesday. momondo users have found tickets for Tuesday departures for as low as 438 C$. However, this price may fluctuate depending on the airline, the season, and holidays. On the other hand, Friday is the most expensive day to depart from Canada because it is more convenient for both business and leisure travellers. As a result, prices tend to be around 597 C$.
In the evening is the cheapest time of day to fly from Canada to New Orleans when you can find flight prices for as low as 459 C$. Flying to New Orleans in the evening is an ideal time because this is during off-peak travel hours. At noon is when there is more demand to fly to New Orleans, so prices are often more expensive at around 745 C$ per ticket.
The best time to plan to fly to New Orleans to go sightseeing would be when the temperature is not unbearable and the chance of rain is only moderate. Considering those guidelines, March, April, or November seem like the best times of year to plan your visit.
Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport or Baton Rouge Ryan Airport can be an alternative airport used for travel to New Orleans.
Prices vary based on where travellers are departing from, but on average, the cheapest airport to fly to in New Orleans is Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport where the average price is 429 C$pp. Users typically find the best prices when using momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
For direct flights to New Orleans, you can fly Air Canada. Other airlines with layovers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, WestJet Airlines and Copa Airlines. Note that the cheap flights to New Orleans most likely have multiple layovers.
MSY is a major international airport and brings in thousands of Canadians each year, ready to experience the “true South. Luckily for travellers, that means plenty of options for getting from the airport into the city centre.
Airport Shuttle
Shuttles are available from the airport straight to local hotels and other destinations in the city centre for approximately $24 USD per person.
Taxi
Taxi booths are on the first level just outside of the Baggage Claim Belts 1 and 14. You must wait in line to take a taxi. Taxi rides to the city centre cost approximately $36 USD for the Central Business District (CBD) or French Quarter for up to 2 people. For groups of 3 or more, the cost is approximately $15 USD per person.
Limousine
The A-Airport Limousine is a luxury transportation provider at the airport. You can request a one-way service from the company at a kiosk just outside of the baggage claim area. Rates are approximately $58 USD for 2 people and $118 USD for up to 8 people.
Bus
The Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have 9 departures from the airport to the city centre. Use the Airport-Downtown Express (E2) by JET for $2 USD. The ride takes approximately 50 minutes to the city centre. You also have the Airport Express 202 Bus from RTA. The fare is approximately $1.50 USD.
Rental Cars
You may find the best deals for car rentals in New Orleans with momondo.
As a major metropolitan city, New Orleans has more than enough options for getting around town. From the historic streetcars to being on foot, you can explore the sights, culinary adventures, and more with ease.
Taxis
Taxicabs in New Orleans are available throughout the city centre. The initial meter fee is $3.50 USD, and then each additional 1/8 mile is charged at $0.30 USD.
Bus and Streetcar
RTA operates in the city centre and outskirts of New Orleans. Purchase a 1-day Jazzy Pass for $3 USD or a 3-day Pass for $9 USD per person and get unlimited travel on all buses and streetcars downtown. In the downtown area, most of your travel will be on the streetcars, but around the borders of the city centre, you will need to take the bus lines. You can text your stop ID on the RTA mobile app and they will respond with the next pick-up time and bus line near you.
Ride Share
New Orleans offers Uber and Lyft ride sharing services. These are private car services that you must book in advance. The fare depends on the time of the day, service selected, and the number of people you want to transport in the vehicle.
Bike
New Orleans is a walkable city, but also very bike-friendly. In the French Quarter, you can get around much easier with a bike than in a motored vehicle. Several companies rent bikes, including American Bicycle Rental Company & Free Wheelin’ Bike Tours, Bicycle Michael’s, and Bike Easy. The fares for rentals vary depending on which area of town you are in and the number of days or hours you rent.
Car Rentals
Car rentals help you get to the areas outside of the CBD and French Quarter. However, on-street parking meters in the Warehouse District, Marigny, French Quarter, and CBD average $3 USD per hour. Therefore, using a vehicle can become costly.
Canadian citizens can enter the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program, which lets them visit for 90 days or less without requiring a travel visa. A passport is required, and travellers must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval. For foreign nationals, please check the U.S. Department of State website.
The city of New Orleans is one of those cities that never seem to rest. Throughout the year, there are events, festivals, and plenty of attractions. La Nouvelle-Orleans was established in 1718 and it still holds true to many of its French roots. While known as New Orleans today, it is home to over 300,000 people and attractions to keep everyone busy year-round.
New Orleans is a vibrant, safe city for the most part. However, when you are a new visitor, there are a few items to keep in mind.
Get to know the language
One thing that might throw you off is the way to pronounce names of areas while you are in New Orleans. Locals take offense when you get their language wrong. For example, “New Orleans is pronounced as “Naw-lins.
Know the drinks
To truly experience the night life of New Orleans, you need to know the signature drinks on Bourbon Street. Try yourself at a Hand Grenade or Crawdad Bloody Mary – both local favourites. You can also get the official Mardi Gras drink, known as the Ojen.
Avoid certain areas after dark
The city sees a heavy tourist count per year; therefore, they do what they can to keep it safe. However, there are some areas you must try to avoid during the late hours, such as the districts outside of city centre.
The challenge of driving
From the cost of parking to the difficulty of finding parking spots, it is better to take a cab or use public transportation than try to navigate New Orleans in a car. Parking meters are marked, so if you do park there, do not skip the meter fare – or your vehicle will be towed.