Getting Here, Getting Around
Getting around a city like New Orleans—where the West Bank just across the Mississippi River is actually south of the city, and South Carrollton and South Claiborne Avenues meet—can be a challenge for anyone with a logical mind.
First, never expect a local to give directions in terms of north, south, east, and west. The city just doesn’t work that way. New Orleans follows a bend in the Mississippi River (thus its Crescent City moniker), and so, too, do its streets. Directions are generally given in terms of Uptown, Downtown, the river, and the lake. It’s confusing, but you’ll get the hang of it—in about five years.
This chapter should help. Plus, New Orleanians are generally very friendly and happy to help visitors find their way. Just ask.
1. Airtran
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 247-8726
2. American Airlines
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 433-7300
3. Continental Airlines
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 523-3273
4. Delta Airlines
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 221-1212
5. Jetblue Airways
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 538-2583
6. Southwest Airlines
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 435-9792
7. United Airlines
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 241-6522
8. Us Airways
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 428-4322
Description: The set rate for a ride from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to downtown New Orleans is $28 for up to two people or $12 per person for three to five. Pickup is on the lower level outside baggage claim.
9. Airport-Downtown Express
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Description: This is by far the best deal. Only $1.60 gets you from the airport to Elk Place in the middle of the downtown Central Business District. Look for the bus outside Entrance #7 at the airport’s upper level. It leaves approximately every 25 minutes on weekdays. The trip may take up to an hour.This option becomes a lot more complicated on the weekends, however, when the bus stops several miles from downtown, forcing passengers and their luggage to transfer to another city bus to get to the CBD. Unless you are really hard-up for cash, find another mode of transportation if arriving on Saturday or Sunday.
10. Alamo
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (877) 222-9075, (504) 469-0532
11. Avis
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 331-1212, (504) 464-9511
12. Budget
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 527-0700, (504) 467–1296
13. Dollar
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 800-3665, (504) 467-2286
14. Enterprise
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 261-7331, (504) 468-3018
15. Hertz
City: New Orleans, LA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (800) 654-3131, (504) 468-3675