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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See what travellers are saying
  • Eric
    Denver, Colorado26 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great way to see New Orleans!
    Easy to purchase an all day pass which is bargain, Adult- $3.00, Senior Pass- $.80! To avoid parking fees, we parked at the far end of Canal Street up near the cemeteries. The trolley runs down the middle of Canal Street & we took it multiple times every day, all over. The RTA Help phone line can answer all kinds of questions.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 1, 2023
  • colelander
    Chicago, Illinois57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Convenient way to “sight see” and get an idea of the area.
    Slow moving, easy way to get around. The “le pass” app was a huge help. It will show you step by step directions to the stops, and keep track of how many stops to destination. The app is also convenient for buying tickets, since it’s exact change only onboard. It’s $1.25 a ride for adults .50 for kids. $3 for unlimited rides for a day ($1 for kids) and $8 for 3 days (adult and kids) there is also a 10 day and 30 day option as well. It even shows the time for walking, that can be quicker then car, but in the heat it’s nice to just have time to sit.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written April 2, 2023
  • Chris_626
    West Palm Beach, Florida159 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic Price, Easy To Access
    The locals had me download the RTA app. It shows you when the trolleys are approaching in real time. If you don't have exact change, you must pay online and use your smart phone. The conductors have mad skills as people driving often cut the trolleys off. Also, the 2 conductors I had were supper pleasant with good advice. Now the trolleys are not only historic, but they go along routes with a lot to see, including some restaurants outside the French Quarter. The trolley's are wooden seats
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written April 9, 2023
  • victoria g
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Makes me embarrassed for transit at home
    Being from Philadelphia, I was embarrassed at how 1) clean 2) on time 3) cheap 4) historic this streetcar was. they let you bring (with lid) beverages and its super easy to navigate and buy tickets through their app. $3 for a day gets your unlimited rides.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 12, 2023
  • Reisha R
    Nassau, New Providence Island19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Great Way to Get Around
    Stayed a week in New Orleans at the Jung Hotel (excellent) and a streetcar station was directly across the street - a minute walk from the hotel entrance. In addition to walking, we used the streetcar throughout our stay. We got the Jazzy Pass which was $15 for a week. All access to streetcars, buses, and ferries. Drivers were helpful in confirming which streetcar to take and their routes. We also did a tour of the Garden District on the St. Charles streetcar (the green streetcars). It was great.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 13, 2023
  • rockobello
    416 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great way to see places outside the main quarter
    We took a 24 hour pass for $3 U.S. The tram is open 24/7 so the pass is good until same time next day. We took it from the French Quarter to City Park and looked out the window to see the beautiful homes along the way.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 14, 2023
  • Michele M
    21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    RTA Streetcars
    It 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 2023
    Written April 19, 2023
  • Tammy Morden
    Pelham, Canada15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 24, 2023
  • Steve P
    Tiger, Georgia8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bargain 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 27, 2023
  • dothebrittany
    Walker, Louisiana45 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good transportation
    I 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles16,299 reviews
Excellent
9,726
Very good
4,594
Average
1,419
Poor
347
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213

Lady Q.
Dallas, TX293 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Great experience. That's all I remember. Sorry don't remember now
A 4 for me is pretty good though. It must have been ok. Thank you.
Written October 8, 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.

Heidi P
New York City, NY4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Such a classic experience! Rumbling and rattling down the street in the most atmospheric way imaginable! Who cares if it's on time or not? All that matters is you're having a wonderful time in a beautiful city, don't worry about being on time. Just do this and have fun!
Written October 1, 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.

Lisa J
Plant City, FL762 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
First off If you plan on using the streetcars or buses it is worth payng for the pass. Its a $1.50 a ride or $8 for as much as you want. The pass works for both. But it doesn't go into the French Quarter. The streetcars do not change there route because they run on tracks but the buses do and if you can find a map the bus routes are wrong and from a local they change all the time so we did not find that they were good for us at all. If most of what you want to see is in the French Quarter I would not bother.
Written September 28, 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.

Susann B
Phoenix, AZ6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
Fun and affordable way to get around the city. I highly recommend downloading the app because you can type in where you want to go and it gives you the best route to take- so easy!
Written September 11, 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.

SeeYosemite
San Francisco, CA111 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
A must try for anyone visiting the Big Easy. The street cars go mostly on Canal street but brings you to within walking distance of many tourist areas. A big plus - super cheap - a jazzy day pass is $3.

Rather than uber’ing, decided to take RTA like the locals and walk. The added exercise was really needed in order to make room for the wonderful NOLA food. A win-win all around.
Written September 2, 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.

Shannon L
Kentucky26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We spent several days in NOLA while awaiting a cruise. The St. Charles Streetcar ran right in front of our hotel. We enjoyed riding the car to see the sights in the Garden District. We were on the car with many other tourists who were new to the area. Our driver stopped and told us all to get off. Some of the ladies on the bus laughed because they thought it was a joke. He wasn't joking. We were unloaded in an unfamiliar area in an unfamiliar city and given zero instructions until the entire car demanded an explanation. We were told it was the end of the line and we had to wait for another car to pick us up. On the map, the car looks like it takes a circle. It doesn't mention that you must get off at some point and wait for a different car. This may not have been a problem if our driver had been bothered to explain it to a car full of tourists. I could see this being an issue for female travelers who ride at night and are not familiar with the area. Drivers....inform your passengers. There are MANY on the car who are tourists.
Written August 11, 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.

David R
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
Quick and inexpensive way to see the city. They run very often. A day pass ( currently $3 per person) is the way to go. You can get on and off the green or red streetcars for 24 hours. Be aware: they do not give change. Have exact currency.
Written August 5, 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.

DeniseAnne16
Nairobi, Kenya30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
The streetcars in NOLA are fantastic! $3.00 for an entire day. (Sure beats the very expensive bus tours of the city-more than $50!) We explored a large portion of the city and were delighted by the friendly and helpful drivers. Junius in particular was a great help and got us to the Art Museum. More cities need such a wonderful way to transit across town.
Written August 5, 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.

blueXjello
Clayton, GA406 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
These Streetcars offer a fun, cheap and reliable way to get where you're going in Nola. Easy to navigate. They were often less crowded than expected even during peak travel times. I will recommend to any travelers headed your way to use the streetcars. $1.25 for a single ride, $8 for a 3 day "jazzy" pass. Very handy when youve flown into the city. Love this history! Such an amazing piece of history. It would be nice to see more markers that explain a little extra about the history for us history lovers!
Written August 2, 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.

CasandraTP
Sydney, Australia1,088 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
We used the St Charles Line to discover the Garden District and couldn’t have picked a better way. A full day pass only cost $3 a day and you can hop on and hop off on any of the lines as often as you like. Get on early as it can get packed and those on this line are not air conditioned but having the windows up helps with the heat. Best way to discover New Orleans.
Written July 30, 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.

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RTA - Streetcars - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)