Getting from the Airport to Port of New Orleans
If you're flying in for a Port of New Orleans cruise, the airport transfer is your first decision. The main choices — a taxi or rideshare, a pre-booked private car, a shared shuttle van, a rental, and public transit where it's practical — trade off cost, speed, and how much luggage juggling you'll do. Here's how they compare.
Last updated July 9, 2026
Which airport you're coming from
MSY — Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
~15 miles to the port. About 15 miles west of downtown; allow 20-30 minutes by car in normal traffic, longer during Mardi Gras, festivals, or big events.
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Compare your options
| Option | Type | Booking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber/Lyft | Taxi / rideshare | On demand | Solo travelers and small groups who want a quick, flexible door-to-door ride |
| Private airport-to-port transfer | Private car | Book ahead | Families or groups who want a pre-booked, dedicated vehicle with no shared stops |
| Shared airport shuttle van | Shared shuttle | Book ahead | Budget travelers okay with multiple stops before reaching the port |
| Rental car from MSY | Rental car | Book ahead | Cruisers combining a pre- or post-cruise road trip or multi-stop Louisiana itinerary with their sailing |
| New Orleans RTA bus (airport to downtown) | Public transit | On demand | Budget travelers with light luggage and flexible timing who don't mind a longer, multi-leg trip |
Our take on each option
Uber/Lyft
Best for Solo travelers and small groups who want a quick, flexible door-to-door ride
- Type
- Taxi / rideshare
- Timing
- About 20-30 minutes in normal traffic, longer during festivals or peak sailing days.
- Luggage
- Standard rideshare fits 2-3 checked bags; request an XL/SUV option for larger groups or extra luggage.
- Accessibility
- Request an accessible vehicle option in-app if needed; availability varies by time and demand.
Check current price - fares fluctuate with demand and time of day.
See detailsPrivate airport-to-port transfer
Best for Families or groups who want a pre-booked, dedicated vehicle with no shared stops
- Type
- Private car
- Timing
- About 20-30 minutes in normal traffic.
- Luggage
- Vehicle size can be selected at booking to match your group's luggage.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible vehicles can typically be requested at booking - confirm availability in advance.
Check current price - private transfers cost more than rideshare but lock in the fare ahead of time.
Check transfers via KiwitaxiShared airport shuttle van
Best for Budget travelers okay with multiple stops before reaching the port
- Type
- Shared shuttle
- Timing
- 30-45+ minutes depending on other stops along the route.
- Luggage
- Standard checked-bag allowance per person; confirm limits when booking.
- Accessibility
- Confirm wheelchair-accessible van availability directly with the operator before booking.
Check current price - shared shuttles are usually cheaper per person than a private transfer or solo rideshare.
Check transfers via KiwitaxiRental car from MSY
Best for Cruisers combining a pre- or post-cruise road trip or multi-stop Louisiana itinerary with their sailing
- Type
- Rental car
- Timing
- About 20-30 minutes from the airport rental counters to the port, plus rental pickup/return time.
- Luggage
- No luggage restrictions beyond the vehicle's trunk/cargo space.
- Accessibility
- Request hand controls or other accessible vehicle features directly with the rental company in advance.
Check current price - rates vary by season, demand, and rental company.
Check rental cars via DiscoverCarsNew Orleans RTA bus (airport to downtown)
Best for Budget travelers with light luggage and flexible timing who don't mind a longer, multi-leg trip
- Type
- Public transit
- Timing
- Roughly 35-45+ minutes to downtown, plus a final walk or short rideshare to the actual terminal.
- Luggage
- No dedicated luggage storage on the bus - manageable for a carry-on or two, difficult for a full set of cruise luggage.
- Accessibility
- RTA buses are ADA-accessible; confirm current accessibility details on the RTA website.
Check current price and route on the RTA website - this is generally the cheapest option from the airport.
Louis Armstrong International (MSY) sits about 15 miles west of downtown New Orleans, close enough that most transfer options run 20-30 minutes in normal traffic. The exception is anything tied to Mardi Gras, festivals, or a Saints game day, when that same drive can stretch well past 30 minutes.
Getting from MSY to the port
Rideshare is the default for solo travelers and small groups — a quick, door-to-door option, though an XL vehicle is worth requesting if you're traveling with a full set of cruise luggage. Private transfers cost more but lock in a dedicated vehicle and a fare ahead of time, which suits families or groups who'd rather not share a ride. Shared shuttle vans run cheaper per person but add stops, pushing the trip to 30-45+ minutes. Renting a car makes sense if you're combining the cruise with a Louisiana road trip, and the RTA public bus is the lowest-cost option from the airport, though it drops you a few blocks from the terminals rather than at the door.
Timing it right
Because New Orleans splits passengers between two terminals, confirm your line's terminal — Erato Street or Julia Street — before you book any transfer. We'd lean toward arriving the day before a morning embarkation rather than booking a same-day flight, especially during festival season or Mardi Gras, when both airport traffic and downtown streets get unpredictable.
Confirm current pricing and availability directly with any operator before you book — we recommend by traveler fit, not commission.
Port of New Orleans airport transfer FAQ
How far is the airport from the cruise port?
MSY sits roughly 15 miles west of downtown New Orleans; plan on 20-30 minutes by car in normal traffic.
What's the cheapest way from MSY to the port?
New Orleans RTA's public bus between the airport and downtown is the lowest-cost option, though it drops you a few blocks from the terminals rather than at the door, so budget extra time and a short walk or rideshare for the last leg.
Do cruise lines sell their own airport transfers?
Some do - Carnival, for example, offers an optional MSY-to-terminal transfer you book directly through the cruise line. Compare its price against a rideshare or private transfer, since group size and luggage can tip the math either way. Check current price.
Sources & verification
Transfer costs, routes, and schedules change and are never guaranteed. Confirm current fares, pickup rules, and timing with the operator or the airport's ground-transportation page before you travel.