RTA - Streetcars
RTA - Streetcars
4.5
About
Get wherever you want to go in New Orleans with the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Our extensive network of buses and streetcars winds throughout every neighborhood of the Crescent City. From Uptown to Downtown, from Lakeview to the Lower Nine, from Mid-City across the Mississippi River and to the parish lines, the RTA goes there.As streetcars glide underneath grand live oaks and past stately mansions, they offer up relaxing views of the beauty, charm and history of New Orleans for little cost. When riders board these historic vehicles they are boarding a piece of movable New Orleans history. The RTA operates three streetcar lines: the famous, historic St. Charles line, the Canal Street line, and the Riverfront line. All lines either run along or intersect with Canal Street in the area between the French Quarter and the Central Business District (CBD) connecting Uptown/Garden District, Carrollton, Mid-City, City Park and the Marigny. The RTA is currently adding more Streetcar lines.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
Compared to the more evocative monikers of some other parts of New Orleans, the downtown’s humdrum title might suggest that this area is all about business and little else. But don’t let the bland name keep you away from the Central Business District. The CBD offers a wide range of fun things to do that would be touted as exceptional in less jubilant corners of the world. Bordered by the French Quarter, the Arts District and Tremé, with the river at its eastern extreme, this hub for sports, gaming, shopping, theatre, family-friendly activities, and amazing regional cuisine makes a smart base wherever your interests lie.
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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1,508 within 5 kms
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592 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Michele M21 contributionsRTA StreetcarsIt was a fun way to spend a few hours. This is not a tour, but the routes of the streetcar give you a great view of the city and it's $1.25 each way. You do have to have exact change and they will not give you change so if you put in a $20 bill expecting change, you will discover that your streetcar ride just cost you $20 lol. The streetcars turn around at the end so you can pretty much ride it all one way and then, it turns and goes back the other way. This is the oldest continually used transportation system in the world and they use early 1900 streetcars so just for those facts alone, it's a fun experience.Visited April 2023Written 19 April 2023
- Tammy MordenPelham, Canada15 contributionsExcellent way to get around!We got a Jazzy Pass (see the “lePass” app for easy use on your phone!) - 3 days for $8. But you can get 1 day, 15 day etc. Great deal! Used it for trolleys, buses, and ferry. Sooooo easy! The app is awesome. Easy to use and navigate.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2023
- Steve PTiger, Georgia8 contributionsBargain day passes for seniors on the streetcars and buses!If you are a "Senior", check out the RTA Priority day passes. Eight cents gets you 24 hours of unlimited rides. You can install the app on your phone, buy it there, and just show it on your phone as you get on the bus or streetcar/trolley. What a convenient bargain!Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 April 2023
- dothebrittanyWalker, Louisiana45 contributionsGood transportationI rode the street car for the first time earlier this month then came back to New orleans and used it as my primary transportation for an entire day. It was great. There were a few times where there was standing room only but its a fun experience.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 April 2023
- FelixEssex, United Kingdom523 contributionsIconicIt’s a must do to ride the street cars in New Orleans, they are iconic. The drivers are second to none in having personal skills on how to talk to the public. They obviously go to the New Orleans training school of excellence in being friendly, warm and helpful. This school has probably trained many inspirational people as the drivers leave people intimidated and feeling worthless. Don’t let it put you off though. Ride the streetcars shouting, ‘Stella!’. It’s a must do. Tip: if you have the right amount of cash you won’t need to interact with the tyrant of a driver.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 May 2023
- Mixa's TravelsOldsmar, Florida3,090 contributionsTrolley Ride offers great views of New OrleansWe were pleased to again ride the famous St.Charles Trolley. Despite not getting our tickets in the internet, it was a simple process to purchase the Jazzy Pass ($3 per person for 24 hours) as we boarded the trolley. A fun wax to see so much of the Garden District and more. We ride the trolley to almost the end and then the return. Well sadly returning to Canal Street didn’t happen. Due to an accident between a car and the trolley ahead of us, we had to get off and wait for a bus to be dispatched. All trolleys to Canal Street were blocked. Since we were close to our hotel we opted to walk. The trolley is still a great way to see a lot of New Orleans.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 May 2023
- TheTravelYogiUnited States215 contributionsUnlimited pass.On time, clean, easy to use. My husband and I bought our unlimited Jazzy Passes through the app. There we also found the schedules. Luckily for us, we never had any issues with the street cars being too full. We always had a place to sit. We went everywhere we could and truly enjoyed seeing New Orleans this way too.Visited November 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 May 2023
- Ken12 contributionsGreat and easy way to get aroundGreat way to get around the city. It was close to our Airbnb, easy to pay for and use through the app. They run all over the city and all throughout the day so it was perfect for those late nights in the French quarter and not gave to worry about finding a place to park your personal car.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 June 2023
- Richard WDublin, Ireland184 contributionsSo easy to use and efficient too!My wife and I took the Canal Street Line Red Streetcar out to City Park where we explored the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden for a couple of hours. We then took the same journey back to Canal Street. Ask anyone, if unsure, and they will help. So simple to use and a fun way to see more of New Orleans!Visited June 2023Written 20 June 2023
- Nanette C9 contributionsFUN BUS RIDE!My husband and I purchased a one day pass and enjoyed riding back and forth from the cemetery to the ferry and becoming more familiar with New Orleans. The bus drivers were friendly and accommodating. Everyone should take an RTA street car ride before leaving New Orleans!Visited July 2023Written 12 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
16,300 reviews
Excellent
9,726
Very good
4,595
Average
1,419
Poor
347
Terrible
213
RuSaBu
Pikeville, TN125 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
A fun, cheap way to get around the city—$3 for an all-day pass. The only downside was that the cars were so crowded we ended up standing most of the time, but that wasn’t a problem for us. Download the app and you’re good to go—you can even see where the cars are in real time. The only suggestion is to post a better explanation of how to actually use the system.
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linder24
Ridgeley, WV223 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The streetcars run all day, so you won’t be left stranded somewhere. The cars do get crowded, so if you don’t like close quarters, this is not for you. If you think you’re going to ride more than once, buy the one day pass. It’s good for 24 hours, so if you buy it at 4pm today, it’s good until 4pm tomorrow.
Written 15 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PRview
San Juan, Puerto Rico141 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
They look great from
The outside but from
The schedule online they never came on time and honestly-it was quicker for us to walk then to wait. Not sure how folks use this to get back and forth from work. As a tourist it was not efficient enough for us
The outside but from
The schedule online they never came on time and honestly-it was quicker for us to walk then to wait. Not sure how folks use this to get back and forth from work. As a tourist it was not efficient enough for us
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon Marie
Des Moines, IA111 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Super easy to use. Download Le Pass and buy a jazzy pass or whatever pass works for tour needs. We used the railcar to get everywhere.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smokin Joe
29 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Clean, beautiful and well kept, these Streetcars are inexpensive, clean and affordable. The St Charles Line (the green streetcars) is the oldest and longest continually working streetcar line in the world. Love em!
Written 13 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
medoodle
West Milford, NJ46 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This was an entertaining transport across NOLA for $3 all day. The driver was very engaging and the ride was unique. Nice way to go from Canal to the Audubon Park/zoo. We saw lots of football fans use it to attend the sugar bowl game.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melissa H
39 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Great price. Interesting way to travel Canal street. Make sure you have plenty of time as it is not the most time efficient method of travel.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mwhamburger
Seattle, WA843 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
get a map to know where the various line will take you. For seniors it cost 0.80 cents for a day pass. Incredible bargain. We took it all over the place and it's obvious that it's very popular, also by locals. You have to have exact change; put the coins in one at a time; don't rush it.
Written 17 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agoedike
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The street cars were so easy to use and a great way to see the city. We rode several. You need the app to buy a pass but it’s only $3 for a 24 hour pass. You can take them to most places around down down French quarter. Not only was it a quick easy way to travel but we got to see more areas.
We did have one breakdown and had to figure out our way back. But things happen.
We did have one breakdown and had to figure out our way back. But things happen.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2berries
Lake George, NY293 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We saw the street cars and wanted to give this mode of travel a go. Glad we did. Reasonable price and did some sightseeing too. It was a bit challenging to figure out the logistics but riders were friendly and did help each other.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a streetcar pickup near 2303 Louisiana St -? If so, will it get us close the the French Quarter and back?
Randy C
Saint Cloud, MN110 contributions
Yes you will need to walk to St Charles St and get on the street car there. The street car system will take you where you want to go.
can i buy a senior jazzy pass from the streetcar driver in new orleans
Jon from Dallas
Dallas, TX1,687 contributions
Yes...you deposit 80 cents exact change in the fare box and request a Senior Jazzy Pass. A card will be issued good for 24 hours.
Or you can upload the Le Pass app on your phone and purchase a Senior Jazzy Pass with a credit card. The Jazzy Pass will display for 24 hours, and you show the drive your phone screen as you board.
The driver does not make change, nor does the fare box...exact change only. You must show your photo ID with date of birth to purchase a Senior Jazzy Pass.
Enjoy your street car ride!
Do you need to be vaccinated in order to ride on a streetcar. Thank you
Randy M
21 contributions
No but mask definitely required.
How far is a pickup point for the streetcar from the Maison St Charles?
Siobhan L
Belton, TX854 contributions
There should be an RTA sign on the corner- however the trolley line is shortened for repairs. I think it's a bus you catch from your hotel location and they will drop you off at the stop for the actual trolley. check with your hotel desk.
What is the cost of a week pass?
wpnyc
New York61 contributions
5 day Jazzy Pass $15
cattuzzis
Jönköping, Sweden
Var köper man 3 dagars biljett till Street ars i new Orleans?
Rocket Rancher
Cape Canaveral, FL118 contributions
You can purchase them online at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority website. Have Fun!
DianaR
Dayton, OH
I have my car and need to park somewhere economical and in close proximity to a trolley stop...any suggestions would be great please! Thanks in advance 😊
Chester K
22 contributions
Hi , just drive to St. Charles Ave. From downtown go toward the garden district for about 15 blocks. In that area all the side streets are free parking. So you might be a block or two from the St Charles streetcar.
Joe W
Boca Raton2 contributions
Could you please tell me what stop I would get off at on the St Charles streetcar for the Garden District to tour the area and to take advantage of the many great restaurants in the area? Thank You
Samantha S
Guymon, OK8 contributions
What time do the street cars stop running daily?
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Claim your listingRTA - Streetcars - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)
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