Getting Around Louisiana

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Some of your journey across Louisiana will be on long bridges. In fact, Louisiana has some of the country's longest bridges. It's not always fun with the 18 wheelers in close proximity but it's Louisiana so get used to it!

If driving in the passenger seat you'll be able to see many of the swamp areas of LA.

I have been to NOLA a many a times. My husband suggested we take the streetcar ride down St. Charles St. This is a must. I was very relaxing. This was a side of NOLA I did not know existed. It is night and day in refrence to dirty French Quarter. St. Charles is rich with large old southern charm homes. Very clean and beautiful. The ride is maybe $1.50 per person to the end of the tracks. It's been awhile though if I had to guess there and back probably takes 2 hours.

The price from the French Quarter back to the International Airport is only $29. Very cheap compared to many other cities I have been to. Also, if you plan ahead, the Airport shuttle is only $15 per person.

If you are interested in coming to Shreveport and checking out the history, you will most likely fly into the small Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV).

This is definitely a small town airport, and you will pay a higher price to fly into Shreveport as compared to New Orleans, or DFW... but it would save you a couple hours drive.

Airlines:
American Eagle
Delta Connection
Continental Express
Northwest

Due to the constant conventions, cruises, and festivals such as Mardi Gras and JazzFest, New Orleans' Louis Armstrong Airport is one of the most congested in the country. Rather than re-stating the obvious, I will simply quote the airport's website:

If you are coming to Armstrong International to pick up an arriving passenger, Airport officials and Law Enforcement recommend parking in the Airport's Short-term Parking Garage immediately adjacent to the terminal building. The Short-term Garage has 2,500 parking spaces and is available at only $2.00 for the first hour. Travelers are encouraged to park in the Short-term Garage rather than circling the roadway system which is expected to be congested, especially in the evening hours.

If you are departing through Armstrong International today through Thursday, February 10, you should arrive at least two (2) hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

Check the status of your flight prior to coming to the Airport. This can be done through your airline's web site or at the "Flight Schedules" link on this site. This should be done if you are traveling or coming to the Airport to pick up an arriving passenger.

I saw maps that had bus routes for different areas of New Orleans you could catch but we didn't use them. You could check the visitors center for that info at 1520 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112-1259 phone: 504-566-5011

Louis Armstrong International Airport is located in Kenner, 21 miles northwest of downtown New Orleans. To get to the city, you can take a taxi, the airport shuttle or rent a car.

A cab ride costs $24.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) for one person.
Shuttle service is available from the airport to the hotels in the CBD for $10.00 (one-way, per person). Ticket booths are located on the lower level in the baggage claim area.
Car Rental: There are 5 rental agencies with offices on the lower level of the airport.

By Air : Natchitoches Parish Airport is just an hour away at the Alexandria-Esler Regional Airport (50 miles south) and the Shreveport Regional Airport (65 miles north). Both airports are served by American, Continental and Northwest. Shreveport is also served by Delta, TWA and U.S. Air.

By Car : Natchitoches is within easy reach by car via Interstate 49. Take Hwy. 6 exit 138, 5 miles to Natchitoches. Interstate 49 connects with I-20 to the north in Shreveport and I-10 in Lafayette. When traveling from south Louisiana to Natchitoches, consider using I-49 exit 119. Louisiana 119 will take you on a scenic drive through the plantation country. Another route is via I-49 exit 127 that connects to LA Hwy. 1, just south of Natchitoches. State Hwy. 84/Hwy 6 connects Natchitoches to Natchez, Mississippi on the east and Lufkin, Texas on the west.

Trolley Tours : You can take a one hour narrated tour of historic Natchitoches including around the filming sites of Steel Magnolias. Adults are $8.00 and the tours leave from the Riverbank area. There are no other forms of local transport..
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