MSY Airport Transportation Guide: Every Way Between the Terminal and the City

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, known by its code MSY, is the main commercial airport for New Orleans and much of the central Gulf Coast. This guide explains how the airport is laid out, how each ground transportation option works in practice and how to plan the trip back for your departure. It deliberately leaves out fares, which change. Check current pricing with each provider before you travel.

Where the Terminal Is

MSY is in Kenner, a suburb in Jefferson Parish west of New Orleans. The current terminal opened in 2019 on the north side of the airfield and is reached from Interstate 10. Travelers who remember the older terminal on the Airline Drive side should know that it no longer handles passenger flights, so follow current airport signs rather than memory or an outdated map pin.

The terminal is a single building with three concourses behind one consolidated security checkpoint. Arrivals, baggage claim and ground transportation are on the lower level, and ticketing and departures are upstairs. The ride to downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter follows I-10 east and is commonly a half-hour trip in light traffic, longer at rush hour or when there is an incident on the interstate.

Taxis

Licensed taxis wait at a staffed stand outside baggage claim. No reservation or app is needed, which makes a taxi the simplest walk-up choice. Fares between the airport and the main visitor districts are regulated by the city, so ask the attendant or the driver for the current rate before you set off. Vehicle size and condition vary, and a larger party may need more than one cab.

Rideshare Pickup

Uber and Lyft both serve MSY and collect passengers at a designated rideshare pickup area. Follow the terminal signs after you have your bags, and request the ride once you are ready to walk out, since drivers cannot wait long at the pickup point. Rideshare can be a good value for solo travelers and couples at quieter times. Prices move with demand, so expect them to be higher when several flights land together or when the city is hosting a major event. For a trip-by-trip comparison, see Uber vs. limo service.

Public Bus

Public buses operated by the regional transit agencies connect the airport with New Orleans and with parts of Jefferson Parish. This is the most economical way to reach the city and a realistic choice for travelers with light luggage and time to spare. Routes, stops and frequencies change, and service is less frequent than in larger transit cities, so check the current schedule before relying on it, especially for late arrivals.

Hotel Shuttles

Some hotels near the airport in Kenner and Metairie run courtesy shuttles for guests. Most hotels in downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter do not. If a shuttle matters to you, confirm with the hotel directly before booking the room, and ask how often it runs and whether it needs to be requested on arrival.

Rental Cars

The major rental brands operate at MSY. Follow the terminal signs for rental cars and allow extra time at both pickup and return. A rental makes sense if your plans include plantation country, the Northshore or the Gulf Coast. It makes less sense if you are staying in the French Quarter or downtown, where overnight hotel parking is limited and can be costly, streets are narrow and most attractions are walkable. Our French Quarter transportation guide explains why many visitors skip the car entirely.

Parking at MSY

Travelers driving themselves will find parking garages close to the terminal along with lower-cost surface and economy options, some served by shuttle. Availability tightens around holidays and major event weekends. Check the airport's website for current options and conditions before you leave home, and build in time for a shuttle ride if you choose a remote lot.

Chauffeured Car Service

A reserved car is the option with the fewest unknowns. With MSY Limo Service, your flight is tracked in real time and the chauffeur adjusts to the actual arrival. Airport pickups include 45 minutes of complimentary wait time for domestic arrivals and 60 minutes for international arrivals. You can add meet and greet service to be met inside the terminal, which helps first-time visitors, older travelers and anyone hosting a guest.

The rate is flat and confirmed before you ride. You choose the vehicle in advance, from Mercedes-Benz and BMW sedans to Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Suburban SUVs and Mercedes Sprinter vans for groups, and child car seats are available on request. Details are on our airport transportation page. If you are weighing whether the extra service is worth it for your trip, why hire a chauffeur lays out what is included.

Timing Your Departure

Most missed flights are lost on the ground. A few habits protect you.

• Follow your airline's guidance for arriving at the airport, and lean earlier for international flights, holiday periods and the days after a major festival ends.
• Respect I-10. The interstate through Metairie is the main route to the terminal and slows at weekday rush hours. A single incident can add significant time, so leave a cushion.
• Check the city calendar. Parades, festivals and stadium events can make it slow just to get out of your neighborhood, before the highway portion even begins.
• Schedule early flights in advance. For a pre-dawn departure, a reserved pickup at a fixed time is more dependable than hoping a driver is nearby. More on that in our early morning pickup guide.
• Returning a rental car? Add time for refueling, the return process and getting to the terminal.

Cruise Port Transfers

The Port of New Orleans cruise terminals sit on the Mississippi riverfront near the Convention Center and the Warehouse District. On embarkation day, a direct transfer from MSY or from your hotel gets you and your luggage to the terminal in one step. On return day, thousands of passengers leave the ship within a short window, so a car reserved ahead saves you from competing for rides at the curb.

Many cruise travelers fly in the day before sailing, which protects against flight delays. If you must fly home on disembarkation day, choose a flight with a generous margin. See cruise transportation or our detailed MSY to cruise port guide.

Going Beyond New Orleans

MSY also serves travelers bound for Baton Rouge, the Northshore and the Mississippi and Alabama coasts. Those longer trips are best arranged ahead of time. Start with our MSY to Baton Rouge page or the Northshore transportation guide.

To reserve a car for an arrival, a departure or a cruise transfer, book online or call (877) 609-1919. Dispatch is staffed 24/7.