New Orleans is one of the most unique and culturally distinct cities in the United States. It's packed with history, incredible food and music, and an energy like no other. Here's your quick and easy guide from a writer who knows all the local tips.

Visas

Whether you need a visa to enter the United States depends on your country of citizenship. Visitors from Canada, most European countries, and some Asian countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. The state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans have no local requirements for entry.

Visit the US State Department website for more information.

Getting There

Reaching New Orleans is easy enough — The international airport is serviced by all major US airlines and features non-stop routes from all over the country, plus Toronto, Montreal, and London. 

It’s particularly well-connected for budget flights around the US. Spirit Airlines ferries passengers between NOLA and many American cities for $50-$150 RT.

Here’s what to expect when booking your flight:

From Europe:

• Expected average price range: €450-€650 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 2-4
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: €418 (LUX- recent) and €238 (AMS- 4 years ago)

From the UK:

• Expected average price range: £500-£700 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 5-6
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: £395 (GLA/LHR)

From the USA:

• Expected average price range: $50-$150 RT (for budget airlines) or $150-$250 RT (for full-service airlines)
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 8+
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $48 RT with a budget airline, $98 RT for full service.

From Canada:

• Expected average price range: $500-$700 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 0-2
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: No deals so far, but we’re waiting patiently!
  

Pro-Tip: Amtrak connects New Orleans to Chicago by train. While not any cheaper than a local flight (and much more time-consuming), it’s a neat way to see more of the country and allows you to take advantage of Chicago’s much wider selection of international flights.

Cash and Currency

As you’d expect, USD is the only accepted currency in New Orleans. Most places accept card, but we highly recommend keeping some cash on you. Some bars are cash only, there are street performers and local vendors everywhere, and public transit doesn’t accept cards at all.

While it’s not a particularly expensive city compared to other US cities, there’s a huge disparity in pricing between the French Quarter and other neighborhoods. If you’re visiting on a budget, plan to stay and eat elsewhere when possible. 

Getting Around Town

Getting around New Orleans has a bit of a learning curve, but fortunately the city is relatively small and well-connected.

Public Transportation

There are buses and streetcars. The streetcars are popular with tourists and can take you between a couple of major attractions.

If you rely on the bus, be prepared to go with the flow. Schedules are unreliable, routes change for parades, and waits of an hour or more are common.

Pro-Tip: The best way to get an accurate arrival time for your bus is to text 41411. Send a message saying “Norta#[four-digit stop number]” and it’ll send back a pretty reliable ETA.

Neither buses nor streetcars accept payment by card. You can pay using exact change, use the Le Pass app, or purchase a ticket/pass in advance. As of January 2025, the fare for most riders is $1.25.

Rideshare/Taxi

Rideshare apps and taxis here are easy to use and tend to be similar in price, with the apps usually being a tad cheaper. However, United Cab (the primary taxi company in town) is typically cheapest for airport transfers. They charge a flat rate of $36 from the airport to downtown New Orleans, or vice versa.

Pro-Tip: Getting an Uber from the French Quarter is pricey, especially at night. Walk a few blocks away from the action, then order your ride home. I saved $5-15 per trip this way. Just keep to well-lit areas and don’t go too far — especially if you’re alone.

Neighborhoods in New Orleans

• The French Quarter - aka The Quarter. The most famous (and touristy) part of town. Bars, restaurants, and kitschy souvenir shops.
• The Garden District/Uptown - Beautiful historic mansions, Audubon Zoo and Park, upscale dining. Includes Magazine Street, the best place for non-kitschy souvenirs.
• Marigny - A few artsy blocks near the Quarter. Includes Frenchman Street, the main hub for jazz music.
• Mid-City - Home to most of the city's famous above-ground cemeteries.

This is just a taste — you can read about more neighborhoods here.

When to Visit

Aside from some hot and humid summers, NOLA is a pretty pleasant year-round destination. The tourism calendar is driven by festivals.

December-February

Winters in New Orleans are pretty mild, ranging from about 45-65 ºF (7-18 ºC) with minimal rain. The tail end of winter marks the start of high season, as the Christmas and New Year’s festivities tend to blur into Mardi Gras. Those parties and parades start around a month in advance of the actual Tuesday (early-February-early March), and begin to peak the weekend before. 

March-May 

This is technically high season, but if you visit in the weeks directly following Mardi Gras, you won’t catch big crowds. It’s also got pleasant weather, with warmer temps than winter but less rain than summer. Some of the most beloved festivals happen in mid-spring, like Jazz Fest and the French Quarter Festival. This is one of the best times to visit the city.

June-August

Muggy and hot with lots of mosquitos. While severe storms are highly unlikely, this is peak hurricane season. Unless you really want to visit a seasonal event like Satchmo Summerfest or ESSENCE, we recommend choosing a different time. 

September-November

This is another mild time to visit, with (slightly) cooler temps. It’s the tail-end of hurricane season, but that doesn’t stop most folks — New Orleans is a fantastic place to spend your Halloween. There’s also Oktoberfest celebrations and the Bayou Bacchanal. November tends to be one of the most peaceful months, with nice weather, fewer events, and less hurricane risk.

Travel Style

As you can probably tell, New Orleans is the perfect place to go with the flow. You can see the sights in a few days with little planning, as things move at a relaxed pace. Don’t overbook — wandering, mingling, and soaking up the city's unique energy is the best way to experience it.

Useful Links

• New Orleans official tourism site
• r/askNOLA