Back to Directory
MSY

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

New Orleans, United States

Where to start
Rideshare from the Level 1 designated zone / Airport-Downtown Express E2 bus

The new terminal puts baggage claim and ground transport on Level 1. Rideshare picks up at the Level 1 Ground Transportation Center — across the pedestrian crosswalk on the first floor of the Short-Term Parking Garage, with PIN-based verification. Taxis are at the Level 1 stand near Door 7 with a flat rate to the CBD/French Quarter. The JeT E2 Airport-Downtown Express bus runs to downtown; RTA 202 is another option. No rail link.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door with luggage

AvailabilityCommonly available; severe surge during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and the Sugar Bowl
Pickup NoteLevel 1 Ground Transportation Center — across the crosswalk in the Short-Term Garage, first floor; PIN-based verification; Orleans Parish trips carry a minimum fare.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare

AvailabilityCommonly available; same event surge
Pickup NoteSame Level 1 zone; Lyft Fast Match with a four-digit code and an ambassador line.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost

New Orleans Licensed Taxi

taxi

Fixed flat rate to the CBD/French Quarter

AvailabilityAt the Level 1 stand
Pickup NoteLevel 1 taxi stand near Door 7; flat rate for 1–2 passengers, per-person rate for larger groups.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost

JeT E2 Airport-Downtown Express

transit

Lowest-cost route downtown if your timing fits

Availability~50 minutes; mainly weekdays until early evening
Pickup NoteLevel 2 outer curb; runs to downtown via Airline Drive.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost

RTA Route 202

transit

Alternative budget route to downtown stops

AvailabilityConnects to Elk Place and the Union Passenger Terminal
Pickup NoteLevel 2 outer curb.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at New Orleans — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Level 1 Ground Transportation Center — from baggage claim, cross the pedestrian crosswalk to the first floor of the Short-Term Parking Garage, where the app-ride zone is signed. Uses PIN-based verification: request a ride, get a four-digit code, and match it with your driver. Trips within Orleans Parish carry a minimum fare.

Taxi

Level 1 taxi stand near Door 7, outside baggage claim. Flat rate to the CBD/French Quarter for one or two passengers; a per-person rate applies for larger groups.

Shuttle

Courtesy/hotel and off-airport parking shuttles collect at the Ground Transportation Center outside Level 1 baggage claim (Doors 1–5). Rental car and economy-garage shuttles use Level 1 Door 9 at the far curb.

Transit

Jefferson Transit (JeT) E2 Airport-Downtown Express runs to downtown New Orleans via Airline Drive (~50 minutes); it operates mainly on weekdays until early evening. RTA Route 202 also connects to downtown stops (Elk Place, Union Passenger Terminal). Bus stops are on the Level 2 outer curb.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars meet at the Level 1 designated staging area; useful for the French Quarter, where narrow streets confuse unfamiliar drivers. Confirm the door with your operator.

Travel Extras

Some links may be affiliate links. Tarmyq may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Local Tips

  • Rideshare uses PIN verification here — you'll get a four-digit code to match with your driver, so have the app open.
  • Major events (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Sugar Bowl) cause severe rideshare surge; a pre-booked flat-rate car or the flat-rate taxi is the predictable choice.
  • There's no streetcar or rail to the airport — the famous St. Charles and Canal lines are city-only.
  • For the French Quarter, a driver who knows the narrow streets (taxi or pre-booked) can be smoother than a rideshare driver unfamiliar with the area.
  • The E2 bus runs mainly weekday daytime — don't count on it for a late or weekend arrival.

Tarmyq local tip

Everything ground-side is on Level 1 — the taxi stand near Door 7, and the rideshare zone just across the crosswalk in the Short-Term Garage. Have your app open for the PIN match, and if you're arriving during Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest, seriously consider a flat-rate option, because surge here gets brutal.