World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Streetcars and buses are operated by the Regional Transport Authority – RTA (tel: (504) 827 7802, 24-hour Rideline; website: www.regionaltransit.org). Streetcars and major bus routes operate a 24-hour service.

The New Orleans streetcar system is the oldest in the USA and an attraction in its own right. Two lines run the length of St Charles Avenue and along the Mississippi riverfront. Buses run throughout the city. Tickets for both forms of transport are purchased upon boarding (exact change only).

Schedules are available from the RTA office. The VisiTour pass allows unlimited travel on RTA buses and streetcars. One-day and three-day passes are available from hotels and shopping areas.

There is also a ferry service operated by Canal Street Ferry (tel: (504) 376 8100) between Canal Street and the suburb of Algiers on the other side of the river. The trip takes 10 minutes and leaves every half-hour. It is free for foot passengers. Tickets for vehicles are purchased upon boarding (exact change only). There are no toilet facilities or food or drink concessions available in the terminals or on the ferry.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street and are easily found in the French Quarter and along Riverwalk. They can also be telephoned for, although there may be a wait. Companies include Checker-Yellow Cabs (tel: (504) 943 2411) and United Cabs (tel: (504) 522 9771; website: www.unitedcabs.com). A tip of 10% is common. The Taxicab Bureau (tel: (504) 658 7102) provides further information.

Driving in the City
A car is neither necessary nor recommended in downtown New Orleans. Parking space is minimal and most hotels charge daily rates for off-street parking. Most places that visitors might want to see can be reached on foot or by taxis, which are not expensive. In the French Quarter especially, streets are narrow and are on a one-way system, with some streets being closed to vehicles at certain times. The streets are also usually crowded with visitors paying little attention to traffic and at Mardi Gras, the entire French Quarter is closed to traffic.

Parking meters allow a maximum two-hour stay. Parking regulations are rigorously enforced. www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/fqparking.html lists most of the French Quarter parking lots, which are operated by Central Parking Corporation (tel: (504) 525 3191; website: www.parking.com), Downtown Parking Service, Inc. (tel: (504) 529 5708), Standard Parking Co. (tel: (504) 524 2919; www.standardparking.com), U-Park Systems (tel: (504) 585 1900; www.uparksystem.com) and hotel parking garages.

Car Hire
All the major car hire companies have offices in New Orleans, both downtown and at the airport. These include Alamo (tel: (800) 327 9633; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (800) 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com) and Hertz (tel: (800) 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com). Optional CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance is always recommended if not already covered by the driver’s own policy. Drivers must be over 21 years to hire a car (most companies extend this limit to 25 years) and will need a valid licence or International Driving Permit and credit card.

Bicycle Hire
Renting a bicycle is fairly popular in New Orleans, although the most relaxing cycling is away from the French Quarter in places such as Audubon Park, City Park and by Lake Pontchartrain. Companies include French Quarter Bicycles, 522 Dumaine Street (tel: (504) 529 3136; website: www.fqbikes.com) and Michael’s Bicycle, 622 Frenchman Street (tel: (504) 945 9505; website: www.bicyclemichaels.com).