From New Orleans airport to the cruise port

Most people flying in for a cruise land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, code MSY, at 1 Terminal Drive in Kenner, west of the city. The lines give different figures for the trip to the terminals. Royal Caribbean says 15 miles and about 30 minutes, Norwegian says about 45 minutes, and Carnival's transfer is listed at an hour. Leave room for the longest of these.

Taxi

The airport publishes a flat taxi fare to the Central Business District and the French Quarter, west of Elysian Fields Avenue. On October 23, 2026 it was $36 for one or two passengers and $15 a person for three or more, and drivers have to take cards. Taxis load at a dedicated zone on the arrivals curb outside Level 1 baggage claim, door 7.

The airport doesn't say whether the cruise terminals count as part of the Central Business District for the flat fare, so confirm the price with the driver before you set off. Norwegian's page quotes slightly lower figures, $35 and $12 a person. The airport's figures match the City of New Orleans taxi rate table, so expect those.

Uber and Lyft

Ride app pickups are on the middle curb outside Level 1 baggage claim. For Lyft, the airport says to leave through doors 7 to 9, and for Uber through doors 9 to 11, then cross the walkway and join the queue. Neither the airport nor the apps publish a fixed price to the cruise terminals.

Bus and streetcar

The RTA's route 202 Airport Express leaves from Level 1 baggage claim, outside door 2. In the Fall 2026 timetable a single ride costs $1.25, including a transfer within two hours. If you pay cash, bring exact change, because drivers carry none.

In the Fall 2026 timetable the 202 runs every day, with 21 departures from the airport between about 4:50 a.m. and 10:10 p.m. It stops at the Main Library, the Union Passenger Terminal, Poydras at Freret, and the Canal Street ferry terminal, which it reaches 26 to 37 minutes after leaving the airport. The airport's own page lists slightly different downtown stops, so go by the RTA timetable.

From Canal Street, the Riverfront streetcar, route 49, reaches Julia Station in about three minutes. With one suitcase each this is by far the cheapest way to the ship. With more than that, a taxi is easier.

Airport shuttles

There is no shared shuttle to the port for individual travelers. Airport Shuttle New Orleans, which used to run one, now says it only carries groups of 10 or more. The shuttles listed on the airport's site serve nearby hotels and off-airport parking.

Rental cars

The Rental Car Center is at 600 Rental Boulevard in Kenner, served by a shuttle from outside baggage claim door 9. The airport says the shuttle leaves about every five minutes and takes 15 to 20 minutes. Keeping a car for the whole cruise means paying for parking at the terminal, which the parking guide prices.

Cruise line transfers

Carnival. Carnival sells transfers between MSY and the pier. On October 23, 2026 they were $27.99 a person each way. Your flight has to land by 1 p.m. on sailing day, and the service runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. On the way home, flights can't leave before 11:30 a.m. You can book up to two days before sailing, and Carnival's representative waits between doors 3 and 4.

Royal Caribbean. Transfers from the airport to the pier are sold at an extra fee and have to be bought at least two weeks before sailing. Royal Caribbean doesn't publish the price.

Norwegian. Transfers are sold for both embarkation and disembarkation day and have to be arranged at least four days ahead. Norwegian doesn't publish the price either.

Viking. Round-trip airport transfers are included when you buy your flights from Viking. Otherwise Viking says they can be bought separately.

At the October 23, 2026 prices, two people pay $36 in a taxi and $55.98 for two Carnival transfers. From three people up, the taxi is $15 each.