Cost per day · United States
New Orleans on $55, $130 or $350 a day
How much does New Orleans cost per day? Budget travellers get by on about $55 a day, mid-range trips run around $130, and luxury starts near $350 — accommodation, food, transport and activities included.
New Orleans is America's most distinctive city — a place where jazz pours out of every doorway, Creole cuisine is considered a fine art, and centuries of French, Spanish, and African culture have fused into something entirely unique. The French Quarter, Mardi Gras, and the Mississippi all demand to be experienced.
New Orleans is one of America's most accessible cities for budget travellers. Free jazz at Frenchmen Street, cheap po' boys and red beans and rice, and a vibrant street culture mean you can immerse yourself in the city's character without spending much. The streetcar network is cheap and charming.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The oldest cathedral in America over the liveliest square in the South — triple spires, tarot tables, brass bands, and beignets across the street.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The daily jazz brunch in the Quarter's largest courtyard — wisteria overhead, a trio working the tables, and turtle soup on the buffet.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →America's official WWII museum — and by most rankings its best museum, full stop. D-Day boats, a 4D Tom Hanks production, and a campus that needs a full day.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Hostel accommodation with dorm beds and, usually, a few private rooms.
Check prices on Klook →Best hostel in New Orleans, yard parties and free crawfish boils
Check prices on Klook →Garden District hostel with outdoor pool, close to streetcar
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: French Quarter on Foot ~$35
Day 2: Streetcars & Parks ~$30
Day 3: Music & History ~$35
Frenchmen Street has better live jazz than Bourbon Street — and it's free. The St. Charles streetcar costs $1.25 and goes through the Garden District. Po' boy sandwiches from Domilise's or Parkway are the best budget meals in the South. The Abita Brewing Company tour is cheap and cheerful. Avoid Bourbon Street restaurants — overpriced for tourists.
Mid-range New Orleans unlocks the best of the city. Boutique hotels in the French Quarter or Garden District, Commander's Palace and Dooky Chase's for classic Creole cuisine, swamp tours, and the city's extraordinary music scene at intimate venues make it unforgettable.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The daily jazz brunch in the Quarter's largest courtyard — wisteria overhead, a trio working the tables, and turtle soup on the buffet.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →America's official WWII museum — and by most rankings its best museum, full stop. D-Day boats, a 4D Tom Hanks production, and a campus that needs a full day.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The oldest cathedral in America over the liveliest square in the South — triple spires, tarot tables, brass bands, and beignets across the street.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Garden District grand hotel, excellent Caribbean Room restaurant
Check prices on Klook →Discover the enchanting allure of Hotel Monteleone, a historic treasure in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter. With over a century of timeless elegance, our hotel offers a unique blend of classic charm and modern luxury. Enjoy lavish accommodations, indulge in culinary delights at the iconic Carousel Bar, and take in breathtaking views from our rooftop. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your stay is unforgettable. Immerse yourself in the soul of the city at Hotel Monteleone, where rich history meets exceptional hospitality.
Check prices on Klook →Downtown design hotel in a converted 1928 Masonic temple
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Quarter & Cuisine ~$130
Day 2: Garden District & River ~$140
Day 3: Swamp & WWII ~$130
Stay in the Garden District or Marigny for more authenticity than the French Quarter. Book Commander's Palace 2–3 weeks ahead. The Preservation Hall jazz show is $30 and unmissable. A swamp tour by airboat is the quintessential Louisiana experience. The WWII Museum is the best museum in the South and easily fills a full day.
Luxury New Orleans means the Ritz Carlton on Canal Street, private dinners at August or Emeril's, a Carnival season box at the Rex parade, and a private Jazz Fest experience. Helicopter tours of the bayou and chartered river cruises on the Mississippi are genuinely remarkable.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The daily jazz brunch in the Quarter's largest courtyard — wisteria overhead, a trio working the tables, and turtle soup on the buffet.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →America's official WWII museum — and by most rankings its best museum, full stop. D-Day boats, a 4D Tom Hanks production, and a campus that needs a full day.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The oldest cathedral in America over the liveliest square in the South — triple spires, tarot tables, brass bands, and beignets across the street.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
The finest hotel in the South, legendary service and art collection
Check prices on Klook →Five-star international hotel with a full spa, notable restaurants and the service standard the brand implies.
Check prices on Klook →Canal Street landmark, exceptional spa and Club Lounge
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Creole Fine Dining ~$500
Day 2: Plantation & Jazz ~$600
Day 3: River & Cocktails ~$550
The Windsor Court remains the finest hotel in the South. Book August restaurant 3–4 weeks ahead for the chef's table. A private second-line parade for a special occasion is gloriously New Orleans. Mardi Gras luxury requires booking 12–18 months ahead — balconies on Bourbon Street fill years in advance. A private swamp tour by private airboat is far superior to group tours.
About New Orleans
Humid subtropical. Hot, sticky summers (33°C with afternoon thunderstorms) and mild winters (15°C). Spring is festival season and the best time to visit; late summer is hurricane season.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12° | 14° | 17° | 21° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 26° | 22° | 16° | 13° |
| 9d | 8d | 8d | 7d | 7d | 12d | 15d | 14d | 10d | 6d | 7d | 9d |
| mid | high | high | high | mid | low | low | low | low | mid | mid | mid |
Historic streetcars (St. Charles, Canal, Riverfront) are the charming way around, alongside RTA buses. The French Quarter and downtown are walkable and rideshare is easy. A car is unnecessary in the centre and parking is a hassle.
A travel eSIM gets you online the moment you land in United States — data plans start at $4 — no roaming bill, no queue for a local SIM, and nothing to swap in and out of your phone. Install it before you fly.
The 18th-century heart: wrought-iron balconies, Bourbon Street's bars, Jackson Square and Café du Monde. Magical by morning, raucous by night.
Best for midrangeAntebellum mansions, oak-lined streets and Lafayette Cemetery, reached by the St. Charles streetcar. Refined and residential.
Best for luxuryJust downriver of the Quarter: Frenchmen Street's live-music clubs, colourful shotgun houses and the best local bars.
Best for budgetOne of America's oldest Black neighbourhoods and a cradle of jazz; Congo Square, brass bands and deep food traditions.
Best for budgetSix miles of boutiques, cafés and restaurants along Magazine Street, with Audubon Park and Tulane nearby.
Best for midrangeThe business core turned arts quarter: galleries, the National WWII Museum and converted-warehouse hotels.
Best for midrange- ✓Tip generously — 18–20% at meals, and always tip the musicians
- ✓Say hello and chat — the city runs on friendliness and conversation
- ✓Try everything — the food is the whole point of New Orleans
- ✓Carry your drink outside in a plastic "go-cup" — open containers are legal in the Quarter
- ✓Treat second-lines and brass bands as the living heritage they are
- ✓Pace yourself — the city is built for slow, all-day enjoyment
- ✗Be loud or disrespectful in cemeteries, churches or Tremé
- ✗Photograph musicians or street performers without tipping
- ✗Wander alone down dark, empty streets at night — stick to busy areas
- ✗Expect comfort at the peak of summer — the humidity is intense
- ✗Drive into the Quarter — parking is a nightmare; walk or take the streetcar
- ✗Mangle local names — ask how to pronounce streets and wards
Travel Insurance for New Orleans
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to New Orleans. Safety is rated Mixed — lively and welcoming, but petty crime occurs; stay aware on quiet streets after dark. — even in safe destinations, unexpected medical emergencies or trip cancellations can be costly. Make sure your policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation.
Visa note: Visa-free or ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) for many nationalities; check requirements for your passport.. Some countries require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application.
Get travel insurance for New Orleans →FAQ: New Orleans Travel Questions
Is New Orleans safe to visit? ▾
Mixed — lively and welcoming, but petty crime occurs; stay aware on quiet streets after dark.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans? ▾
February – May (Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest); October – November Humid subtropical. Hot, sticky summers (33°C with afternoon thunderstorms) and mild winters (15°C). Spring is festival season and the best time to visit; late summer is hurricane season.
How much does a trip to New Orleans cost per day? ▾
- budget: $55–$85/day
- midrange: $130–$220/day
- luxury: $350–$600/day
- business: $170–$330/day
Do I need a visa to visit United States? ▾
Visa-free or ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) for many nationalities; check requirements for your passport.
How do I get around New Orleans? ▾
Historic streetcars (St. Charles, Canal, Riverfront) are the charming way around, alongside RTA buses. The French Quarter and downtown are walkable and rideshare is easy. A car is unnecessary in the centre and parking is a hassle. Taxi base fare ~$4. Day pass ~$3.
Is tipping expected in New Orleans? ▾
Expected. 18–20% at restaurants and bars, $1–2 per drink, and always tip the musicians.
What currency is used in United States? ▾
The local currency is USD ($), and the official language is English.
New Orleans vs Other United States Cities
Weekly destination guides, hidden gems, and tier breakdowns — straight to your inbox.