New Orleans car rental comparison

Car Rental in New Orleans

Is there any place in the world quite like New Orleans? The Big Easy is one of the most vibrant and unusual cities in the United States, with its melting pot blend of American, French, and African traditions. The undisputed world capital of jazz music, New Orleans is famous for Mardi Gras, Creole food, and parties that never stop. Use car hire in New Orleans to discover this colorful city.

What can I see in New Orleans?

Most visitors to the Big Easy take their New Orleans car rental straight to the French Quarter. This historic neighborhood has kept its unique atmosphere over the years, surviving gentrification and natural disaster. This is where you'll find the most famous restaurants and bars in town, along with old antique shops. Take a look at the mansion owned by the notorious Madame LaLaurie and listen to buskers in Jackson Square. The French Quarter will give you an authentic feel of New Orleans.

Regardless of religion, tourists often stop outside St. Louis Cathedral in their rental car in New Orleans. The oldest cathedral in North America, this stunning basilica dates back to 1720, built by the Catholic French in the days when Louisiana was known as New France.

Sadly, any trip to New Orleans will be marked by the shadow of Hurricane Katrina, which flooded 80% of the city in August 2005, leaving hundreds dead and many more homeless. Take your New Orleans car hire to the Louisiana State Museum, where a permanent exhibit looks at the devastation left by Katrina – and offers hope for the future, with details of the rebuilding efforts and exhibits celebrating the indefatigable spirit of the people of New Orleans.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

The exact date of Mardi Gras changes each year, moving along with Easter. With parades filling the city's streets with music and color, this celebration is not to be missed. Remember to book well in advance to get the cheapest car hire in New Orleans during these dates, as visitors flock to the city.

There are many Mardi Gras traditions, including the colorful King Cake, the "Family Gras" for the kids, and the unique Krewes who create spectacular floats. One of the most interesting traditions involves the Mardi Gras Indians and African American communities who gather in stunning handmade costumes inspired by Native Americans. Shrouded in secrecy, the Mardi Gras Indians never publish details of their parades in advance. If you visit outside of Mardi Gras season, you can learn more about them when you rent a car in New Orleans and take it to the Backstreet Cultural Museum, which celebrates African American traditions in the city.

Where can I hear live jazz in New Orleans?

Perhaps a better question would be: Where can't you hear live jazz? Even when you're picking up your cheap car rentals at the New Orleans airport MSY, you may hear a musical accompaniment, as jazz musicians come to welcome travelers off their planes.

If you take your low cost car hire in New Orleans to Bourbon Street after dark, you'll find plenty of great clubs where jazz is guaranteed. Lucky visitors may see a "Second Line" parade, too – a city funeral tradition that erupts into joyful music.

Getting around New Orleans

Rental cars in New Orleans offer the best way to explore the city. They also make it easy to take a day trip out to the Bayou, the swampy area surrounding the city that is shrouded in mystery. Here you can see true Cajun culture. Be sure to look for 4x4 car rentals in New Orleans if you want to go deep into the Bayou.

Can I take a road trip from New Orleans?

Of course, you can! One of the best ways to see Louisiana is to pick up your cheap car hire in New Orleans and head west to Lake Charles. This 200-mile trip can be completed in a morning but make it a multi-day affair by stopping along the way in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. You'll also find cheap car rentals at the Lake Charles airport LCH if you want to follow this route west to east, finishing in the Big Easy.

When should I book my car?

HAPPYCAR will help you find cheap car rentals in the United States. For the best car hire in New Orleans, be sure to book in advance - especially if you're traveling in Mardi Gras season. Our powerful search tools will help you explore options for cheap car rental in New Orleans.

Beyond the Big Easy, HAPPYCAR can help you discover cheap car rentals in San Antonio, cheap car rentals in Boston, and vehicles anywhere you might be traveling. Use HAPPYCAR and find the best car rental in New Orleans today!