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Louisiana (LA)
New Orleans
Things to do in New Orleans
RTA - Streetcars

RTA - Streetcars, New Orleans: Address, Phone Number, RTA - Streetcars Reviews: 4.5/5

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RTA - Streetcars

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RTA - Streetcars
4.5
16,012
#4 of 356 things to do in New Orleans
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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.
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< 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.
Best nearby
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302 within 5 kms
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Popular mentions
4.5
16,012 reviews
Excellent
9,539
Very good
4,541
Average
1,392
Poor
336
Terrible
204
carab655
Amarillo, TX11 contributions
See the sites for little $$$
Jul. 2021 • Family
Great way to see the sites and get around. And cheap - $3 a day! From Canal Street, an easy way to get to the WWII museum, Magazine Street and Garden District.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BUCKEYE1982
Cincinnati, OH44 contributions
OK
Jul. 2021
The streetcars are living history and the scenery in the Garden District is great. The streetcars make way too many stops that are too close together. Plan on plenty of time to go a short distance.
Written 21 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
texazcharlie
McKinney, TX64 contributions
Fun, easy way to get around
Jul. 2021
We road the streetcars on the Saint Charles line, and I would say that it is a cheap way to get around and see the sights without walking your tail off. All riders have to wear a mask, so keep that in mind. We bought the $3 all-day pass for each person and it was well worth it. Make sure to keep your arms and head inside the car at all times because the lamposts, trees, utility poles, etc. are inches from the side of the streetcar. Some of the tree branches even slap the side of the car so be aware of that, too.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gerald & Tecia
Nashville, TN65 contributions
Don’t Need A Car
Sep. 2020 • Couples
Due to covid some routes were closed and you had to switch over to the bus routes but outside of that the streetcars are the best thing to getting around the popular areas of NOLA!!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard L
Fort Lauderdale, FL49 contributions
A Big East "must do"
Jul. 2021
The authentic Big Easy experience! Plenty cheap $3 a day pass for streetcars, buses and ferry ($1 for kids). Some of the cars are very old (especially on the St Charles line) and will give you a bone-shaking ride, for the full atmospheric experience!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
twisteddiva
Virginia435 contributions
Great way to get around
Jul. 2021 • Couples
An affordable way to get around the city. Be sure to have the EXACT change — $1.25 —when boarding. Or, depending on the length of your stay, you may want to buy a one-day or a three-day pass instead. Best place to purchase these passes is at any Walgreen’s. Keep in mind that the streetcars aren’t air-conditioned and they can sometimes get extremely crowded, especially the St. Charles line, so best thing to do is to just wait for another one to roll down the line because chances are, that next one won’t be as crowded. Masks are required.
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
t0tt
Marietta, OH65 contributions
Very rude drivers
Jul. 2021 • Family
The experience was a must do while visiting NOLA. It’s also a great way to get where you are going. We did the Jazzy pass that is sold in Walgreens. We couldn’t use the app due to having a child with no phone. The first ride which was not busy at all, the drivers were EXTREMELY rude. One glared at all the riders and would tattle on anyone who messed with their mask and then the driver would stop and yell at everyone. While if you watched other streetcars there were people not wearing masks at all. Nowhere else in NOLA was masks required. We took a city tour in a closed bus that didn’t require masks. The second streetcar ride we took was so busy we didn’t pay any attention to the drivers. Except when we got on. They weren’t friendly but not nasty like the first ride.
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thomas F
Virginia Beach, VA1 contribution
Mask required
Jul. 2021 • Family
Need a mask. No one cares if you’re vaccinated. The windows are open and you don’t sit anywhere near anyone. Still need a mask. Doesn’t matter if you already prepaid for the ticket.
Written 13 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria Z
Cleveland, TN89 contributions
NOLA Streetcars
Jul. 2021 • Family
Great way to get around! We went early July when very humid. This gave us an opportunity to cool off from walking. I would suggest you bring a bag of quarters. It’s $1.25 each time you get on. No change given back. Masks are required.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim W.
Atlanta, GA760 contributions
Worthwhile if you are staying near a line
Jun. 2021
If you are staying downtown or along one of the routes, this is a good way to both get around and to experience one of the 'tourist' activities of NOLA.

There seemed to be 2 main 'stop' options - an end-of-the-line location with covered benches (but which may also feature homeless people, sleeping or otherwise) and intermediate stops (which may or may not offer shade).

If you plan to take advantage of the streetcars, download the associated app for your phone (NORTA) - it seemed more accurate than Google.

When we waited at an intermediate stop, the streetcar arrived but only had room for 3 people. Others had to wait on a subsequent (but shortly arriving) car...

The fares are either $1.25 one way apiece, or (apparently) $3 per day per person for unlimited trips. We just rode once. We also observed a driver just wave some passengers through without paying when it was especially busy.

In June, 2020, they did require masks for all riders.

This is worth a ride if it fits into your schedule.
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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