New Orleans City Guide - Getting Around

Streetcars and buses are operated by the New Orleans Regional Transport Authority (NORTA) (tel: (504) 248 3900; website: www.norta.com). 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. There are two lines – one that runs along the Mississippi riverfront and the St Charles Line. The latter has not operated since Hurricane Katrina, although plans to reinstate it are underway. Hopefully by the end of 2006 abbreviated service – Canal Street to Lee Circle will be functioning, but the entire line will not be up and running until the end of 2007. Buses run throughout the city. Tickets for both forms of transport are purchased upon boarding (exact change only).

There is also a ferry service operated by Canal Street Ferry (tel: (225) 379 1177) 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 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 or 524 9606; website: www.unitedcabs.com). A tip of 10% is common. The Taxicab Bureau (tel: (504) 658 7102) provides further information.

A car is neither necessary nor recommended in downtown New Orleans. Parking space is minimal and most hotels charge costly 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. French Quarter parking lots 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.

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: 1 800 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com) and Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 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.

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. To rent a bike, call Michael’s Bicycle, 622 Frenchman Street (tel: (504) 945 9505; website: www.bicyclemichaels.com).