Whether you’re driving and need to find parking or a hotel with parking, or flying in and need to get from the airports to the port area, we’ve covered all the options for you to make the best decision.
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New Orleans is on Interstate 10 (I-10) and drivers coming from East or West will come this way. If you are coming from the North then you may get to drive across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
Driving times from nearby major cities are:
- Birmingham, AL: 5 hours (350 miles)
- Houston, TX: 5.5 hours (350 miles)
- Jackson, MS: 3 hours (190 miles)
- Pensacola, FL: 3 hours (200 miles)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Code: MSY)
TThe second lowest-lying airport in the world after Amsterdam’s Schipol offers connections to all the main three airline’s hubs (American, Delta, and United) as well as many destinations served by Southwest.
Using public transport to get from the airport to the cruise terminal is not the easiest journey and we’d advise spending a little more on one of the other options.
If you do want to use public transport, then take the E-2 bus to S Carrollton and change to the 39. Then at Tulane, switch to the W-3 to minimise the walk with your luggage to the terminal. Expect the journey to take at least 90 minutes.
Our tours and excursions partner, Get Your Guide, can provide a transfer from Louis Armstrong Airport to Julia Street and Erato Street Cruise Terminals for up to ten people. Prices are from $21.62 per vehicle, click here for more information
Offering executive saloons and minibuses, Blacklane provides transfer for between 1 and 5 people.
Airport Limousine can provide private transfers for between 1 and 8 cruise passengers.
A shuttle can be a cost-effective way to get to the cruise terminal for smaller groups, but you may find the benefits of private transfers for larger groups are worth the extra money.
| Name | Telephone | MSY Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOLA Airport Shuttle | 504-377-8146 | 30-48 | Prices are per person for between 1 and 7 or more people. |
| GO Airport Shuttle | 773-363-0001 | 48 | |
| Super Shuttle | 504-207-4949 | 45.60 |
With Hertz and Budget both having rental stations near the cruise terminal, there are only a couple of options for renting a car from the airport. Expect to pay around $50-$60 for a rental of a standard car for less than a day.
With both the above rental companies having rental stations in the airport it can be an easy option to land and collect your car quickly and easily.
Paying the cruise company to get from the airport to the ship is rarely good value, especially if more than 1 or 2 people need a transfer. You will invariably be better off using one of the alternatives above. For example, Carnival prices as of April 2018 are $23.99 for one way.
With the cruise port right in the heart of the city and the airport not too far away, it could be worth looking at a hotel which provides a shuttle service to the airport. Check out our New Orleans hotels section for more info.
Looking for more information to plan your visit to New Orleans?
You may find these articles helpful.
New Orleans Cruise Port Guide
Where to Stay in New Orleans with ‘Park & Cruise’ Deals
New Orleans Cruise Parking Options
Things to See and Do in New Orleans
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