The single terminal, recently rebuilt, handles domestic flights and some international routes to the Caribbean.
Gateway to New Orleans, birthplace of jazz, known for the French Quarter and Creole cuisine.
How to get to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to MSY
Parking near Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Multi-level parking is located adjacent to the terminal, with daily rates up to 36 USD (starting from 12 USD for long-term areas); off-site affiliated parking starts from 4 USD/day with free shuttle.
How to get to New Orleans from MSY
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The terminal houses counters for all major car rental companies.
Driver's license, passport, and credit card are sufficient; an International Driving Permit is not required for short stays if the license is in Latin characters.
Hotels near Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Kenner
Free shuttle or taxi, 5-10 minutes from the terminal (about 4 km).
Best for: Travelers with a dawn flight or a short layover who want the shortest possible trip to the terminal.
- The shortest transfer of any area, just a few minutes from the terminal
- Free shuttle available at most hotels
- An area of offices and commercial roads, nothing to do on foot in the evening
- The French Quarter still takes a taxi or rideshare of about 30 minutes
Recommended hotels
Metairie
Taxi or rideshare 10-20 minutes from the airport depending on the area of Metairie.
Best for: Travelers who want to stay close to the airport but with more choice of hotels and restaurants than Kenner.
- More choice of hotels and restaurants than Kenner
- Transfer to the airport still short compared to downtown
- A car or rideshare is still needed, no direct rail connection
- The trip to the French Quarter gets longer compared to Kenner
Recommended hotels
French Quarter
About 30 minutes by taxi or rideshare from the airport, or the Airport-Downtown Express bus (E-2) in 50 minutes.
Best for: Travelers visiting New Orleans for the first time who want everything within walking distance.
- Live music, restaurants, and Jackson Square just steps away
- The widest choice of historic hotels in period buildings
- Nighttime noise on Bourbon Street and nearby streets
- Often crowded streets, not very practical with bulky luggage
Recommended hotels
Warehouse and Arts District
About 30 minutes by taxi or rideshare from the airport; the same E-2 bus line as the French Quarter, which the district is adjacent to on foot.
Best for: Travelers looking for a quieter stay, close to the museums and the Convention Center.
- Quieter blocks at night compared to the Quarter
- Art galleries, museums, and trendy restaurants, French Quarter 10-15 minutes on foot
- Less spontaneous evening street life compared to the Quarter
- Some industrial areas to cross to reach the Quarter on foot
Recommended hotels
- NOPSI Hotel New Orleans A former early-twentieth-century electric company headquarters, now a hotel with a rooftop pool, a few blocks from the Quarter. View availability
- Loews New Orleans Hotel Spacious, quiet rooms in the Warehouse District, convenient for the Convention Center and for walking to the Quarter. View availability
St. Charles Avenue and the Garden District
About 30-35 minutes by taxi or rideshare from the airport; once in the area, the historic St. Charles Streetcar connects to downtown and the Quarter.
Best for: Travelers who want a residential neighborhood with period mansions, along the historic streetcar line.
- Tree-lined avenues and Victorian houses, the quietest neighborhood at night
- The historic St. Charles streetcar just steps away for getting around without a car
- Farther on foot from Bourbon Street and the Quarter
- The streetcar is slow and not suited for those short on time
Recommended hotels
- The Pontchartrain Hotel A 1927 building on St. Charles Avenue, with a panoramic rooftop bar, in the heart of the Garden District. View availability
- Hampton Inn New Orleans-St. Charles Ave./Garden District On the historic streetcar line, a simpler option for those who want to stay in the neighborhood without spending on a boutique hotel. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The single recently rebuilt terminal handles domestic connections and some international routes to the Caribbean.
Those traveling on international flights should allow 2.5–3 hours of buffer time.
Map of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is there a direct streetcar from New Orleans Airport?
No, you first have to take the RTA 202 Airport Express bus downtown, then possibly a streetcar to get around the city.
Q. How much does the RTA 202 bus from the airport cost?
$1.25 a ride, for a 40-50 minute trip to Poydras Street.
Q. Do hotel prices in New Orleans rise during Mardi Gras?
Yes, significantly, as they do during Jazz Fest: book well in advance if traveling during these periods.
Q. What is the Jazzy Pass?
A $3 day pass that covers buses, streetcars and ferries on New Orleans' RTA network.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
Nearby Airports
Things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Historic FQ Tour
New Orleans: Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Honey Island Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation
