Visiting New Orleans without a vehicle? No problem! The trolley system offers a quick and inexpensive way to get around the city.
Streetcar Overview
The trolley system in New Orleans offers an easy and inexpensive option for tourists. There are four different lines: the St. Charles Line, the Canal Street Line, the Riverfront Line, and the Loyla/UPT Line. Each one connects the French Quarter with other areas of the city.
A trolley ride costs $1.25…and you’ll need exact change. Or you can purchase a Jazzy Pass and enjoy unlimited rides for 1, 3, or 31 days. (Jazzy Passes are also good on buses and ferries!)
More information on the trolley system can be found at the RTA website.
St. Charles Line
The St. Charles Line is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world and connects the French Quarter with the Garden District. Common tourist destinations along the St. Charles Line route include: Lafayette Cemetery #1, the WW2 museum, Audubon Park, the Garden District, and Commander’s Palace.
You can even download a GPS enabled audio tour of the St. Charles Line at Free Tours by Foot. Take note, due to the historic nature of the trolleys utilized on this route, they are not airconditioned.
Canal Street Line
The Canal Street Line has two different routes, one connecting the French Quarter with City Park and the other with the historic mid-city cemeteries. You can find out which destination a particular streetcar is heading to by looking for a sign on the front of the trolley. Common tourist destinations along the Canal Street Line route include: City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Metairie and Green-Wood historic cemeteries.
Riverfront Line
As the name suggests, the Riverfront line runs along the Mississippi. Common tourist destinations along the Riverfront Line route include: Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the French Market, Cafe du Monde, Jackson Square, the riverboats, and the Canal St. ferry to Algiers.
Loyla/UPT Line
The Loyla/UPT Line is particularly convenient for those travellers arriving by Amtrack or Greyhound as it connects the Union Passenger Terminal to the French Quarter. It also services the South Market District of downtown (near the Superdome).
