Loading. Please Wait.

City Guide

  • Population: 389,467 residents (2020).
  • Area Code: (504).
  • Tax: 16.35% tax + $1.00 - $3.00 Occupancy Fee on hotel rooms depending on the size of the hotel, 9.75% sales tax on purchases .
  • Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST).
  • Average daily temperature: Jan- 51.3° F (10.72° C); June - 81.9° F (27.72° C).
  • Credit Cards and Charge Cards are widely accepted. Some centrally located ATMs in New Orleans are at the First National Bank of Commerce, 240 Royal Street, Hibernia National Bank, 701 Poydras Street, and Whitney National Bank, 228 St. Charles Avenue.
Tipping is expected in cafes, restaurants, bars and spas. The going rate in restaurants is 15% - 20% or more of the bill; never tip in a fast-food or self-service environment.

Additional suggested tipping amounts:
  • Porters and bellboys anticipate around $1 - $2 per piece of luggage.
  • Valet Parking: $2.00-$3.00 to attendant.
  • Housekeeping Services: $2.00 - $3.00 /day.
  • Taxi/Towncar: 15% of total.
  • Concierge Services: $5.00 +.

Taxis and Rideshare: Cab rides cost approximately $36.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) for one or two passengers. For three or more passengers, the rate is $15.00/passenger. All rates do not include the $1.00 airport fuel surcharge. Taxis pick up passengers in a dedicated taxi loading zone on the Arrivals Curb outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim Door 7. Uber and Lyft are also available in New Orleans. Check the app to see if cars are available nearby. Ride app services pick up passengers outside of Level 1 Baggage Claim on the middle curb. A surcharge may apply for airport pick up/drop off.

Car Rentals: Use the MSY Rental Car Lot Shuttle to travel from the terminal to the MSY Rental Car Center. The rental car shuttle is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Streetcars: RTA is fully operating its #2 Riverfront Streetcar line (runs from French Market Riverfront stop at Esplanade to the Convention Center) and its full #47 Canal Streetcar line (runs the full length of Canal Street to the Cemeteries terminal, also including the Carrollton Spur). Both lines run 7 days per week from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. The streetcars, because of their historic designation under ADA, are not accessible to the disabled.

Bus Routes: This service requires 61 buses during peak hours on weekdays, 51 during the midday, 36 buses on Saturdays, 32 buses on Sundays, and 5 streetcars every day of the week. Local fare is $1.25 per ride, or you can purchase a one-day unlimited Jazzy Pass for $3.00, or a three-day unlimited Jazzy Pass for $9.00.