Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:13 am Post subject: GETTING THERE/AROUND IN NEW ORLEANS / NEW ORLEANS TRANSPORT
GETTING THERE/AROUND IN NEW ORLEANS
GETTING THERE
By Air
Named in honour of the legendary jazz artist, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport ( MSY ) ( +1 504 464 0831/ http://www.flymsy.com ) consists of a main terminal with four concourses ( A, B, C, D ) protruding out of it like flailing tentacles. Each concourse has varied dining and shopping options, and the Mutual of Omaha Business Center resides in the ticket lobby and is open from 6am to 7pm.
Follow either the Airport Highway ( Hwy 61 ) or I-10 ( via the Airport Access Road ) west into downtown. Except for rush hours, the journey is relatively quick. Taxis line up outside baggage claim, and a jaunt to the French Quarter or anywhere in the Central Business District ( CBD ) will set you back USD28. To save a bit of cash, consider the Airport Shuttle ( +1 866 596 2699/ http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com ), a 24 hour door-to-door transport company covering destinations in New Orleans proper. Fares are USD13 one way/USD26 return and most shuttles depart every 15 minutes. For a stylish entrance, contact Airport Limousine ( +1 504 305 2450/ http://www.aairportlimousine.com ) at one of the desks in baggage claim. Rates into downtown start at USD35 per person. If a more low key ( and cheaper ) form of transport is in order, Jefferson Transit ( http://www.gcr1.com ), the local public bus company, sends the E2 back and forth from the airport to the CBD every 20 minutes from 5:10am until 6:40pm. Coastliner/Mississippi Coast Service ( +1 800 647 3957 ) and Greyhound Buslines ( +1 504 525 9371/ http://www.greyhound.com ) pause at the airport for pick ups to long haul destinations around the region.
By Bus
Greyhound buses ( +1 800 2299424/ http://www.greyhound.com ) operate out of Union Passenger Terminal ( +1 504 524 7571 ) in the CBD to all points across the United States as well as to destinations in Mexico and Canada.
By Car
I-10 from the east and west along with I-55 and I-59 from the north converge on New Orleans.
By Train
Amtrak ( +1 800 872 7245/ http://www.amtrak.com ) runs daily rail service between New Orleans and Chicago with stops in Memphis via the City of New Orleans train. The Crescent train links the city with Atlanta and New York City and the Sunset Limited has service around three times a week from Orlando to Los Angeles with a pause in New Orleans.
By Water
New Orleans serves as an important cruise gateway to and from the Caribbean and Mexico. Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines call at the at the Port of New Orleans' ( +1 504 522 2551/ http://www.portno.com ) two mammoth passenger terminals. The famous Delta Queen steamboat, along with other paddleboats ( +1 504 586 0631/ http://www.deltaqueen.com ), sail up and down the Big Muddy ( i.e. Mississippi River ) from the port. You can also opt for various river barge tours ( +1 888 456 2206/ http://www.riverbarge.com ) that come and go from New Orleans.
GETTING AROUND NEW ORLEANS
Keep a map close to the hip if you intend on driving about town because certain roads in certain areas can lead to places you just not want to end up, especially after dark. Canal Street divides the central city between uptown and downtown. Taxis can be hailed in the CBD and around the French Quarter where they are readily visible. However, if you are outside these areas it is best to call for a pick up. Taxi companies: Checker Yellow Cabs ( +1 504 943 2411 ), United Cabs ( +1 504 522 9771 ), Crescent City Cabs ( +1 504 822 3600 ) Veterans Cab Company ( +1 504 367 6767 ).
Buses and streetcars are the mode of public transport in New Orleans managed under the umbrella of the Regional Transit Authority ( RTA ) ( +1 504 827 7802/ http://www.regionaltransit.org ).
The Riverfront streetcar ( fare USD1.50 ) hugs the Mississippi between Julia Street and Esplanade Avenue at the eastern edge of the French Quarter, with stops by the Riverwalk, the aquarium, Jackson Square and the French Market. The St. Charles Streetcar ( fare USD1.25 ), literally a national historic landmark, covers a five mile span though uptown running between the CBD at Canal Street and Claiborne Avenue, through the famed Garden District. The new Canal Street Streetcar is set to begin service by the end of the year stretching a bit more than five miles from the French Quarter, up Canal Street to the New Orleans Museum of Art. One and Three day VisiTour passes are available for USD5 and USD12.
The Canal Street Ferry ( +1 504 364 8100 ) is essentially a ten minute slog across the Big Muddy from the downtown port to the historic district of Algiers. Fares are USD1 for cars and free for pedestrians. Ferries set sail every 30 minutes from 5:45am-midnight. The CBD, French Quarter, riverfront and many other areas of town are exceptionally walker friendly.
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