1-800-436-8719

Why Rent a Bus in New Orleans?

Streetcars in New Orleans

Many people rely on public transit or rideshares in New Orleans because the city’s narrow historic streets offer limited parking. If you’re with a large group, though, trying to shuffle everyone on and off public buses and streetcars can quickly drain the fun from your trip. Here are some transportation options you can choose from in New Orleans so you can pick the one that’s right for your group:

  • RTA streetcars: New Orleans’s historic streetcars date back to 1835 and still provide transportation throughout popular areas of the city, like the French Quarter and the Garden District. Your group should ride the streetcars at least once for the experience, but they can’t take you everywhere within the city, and they’re not the most efficient way to travel.
  • RTA buses: The public buses cover more territory than the streetcar, and for $3 you can get unlimited bus rides for 24 hours. But you’ll need to be patient, and if your group is especially large or includes kids, bus transfers can be difficult to manage.
  • Taxis and rideshares: With taxis and rideshares, you won’t have to find a bus stop or worry about when to get off at your destination. But if you’re traveling with a large group you’ll need to split up, and the fare won’t be cheap.
  • Charter buses: A charter bus can take you exactly where you want to go and keep your entire group together. Buses can be expensive, though, so it’s important to get a quote ahead of time so you can budget.

Comparing New Orleans Group Transportation

Shofur

RTA Buses and Streetcars

Taxi

Rideshare

Private

x

x

x

Personal, professional driver

x

x

Curbside drop-off

x

On-board climate controls

x

On-board entertainment

x

x

x

Nationwide access

x

x

x

Tailored to your schedule

x

x

x

One vehicle for your entire group

x

x

 

 

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The French Quarter in New Orleans

Bourbon Street at night

You can’t visit New Orleans without experiencing the world-famous French Quarter. The center of New Orleans’s Mardi Gras celebrations, the French Quarter is also the cultural center of New Orleans all year round. On Bourbon Street, you’ll find the famous balconies people toss beads from as well as bars packed with live music and nightlife.

For daytime adventures, head to Jackson Square, a historic park near the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, and then stop by Cafe du Monde for beignets, café au lait, and chicory coffee. Although the streets in the French Quarter are narrow and not ideal for buses, the French Quarter is also home to the Basin Lot, one of the best lots to leave your motorcoach in while you explore.

 

French Quarter Basin Lot

Address: 1205 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112

 

Weddings in New Orleans

Garden District mansions

New Orleans’s rich culture and historic buildings make it a popular destination for weddings. The city has hundreds of ceremony and reception venues, many of them in the upscale Garden District. Here you’ll find the House of Broel, a two-story Victorian mansion built in 1850 and outfitted with dark wooden floors, ornate chandeliers, and period furniture.

The Garden District isn’t just about mansions, though. You’ll also find more unusual wedding venues here, like Il Mercato, a former food market designed in a Spanish colonial style. Whether you choose to get married at an outdoor venue or in an elaborate mansion, a wedding shuttle can help you get around the district’s narrow streets. Just ask your professional driver to drop all of your guests off at the celebration and then take them back to the hotel at the end of the night.

 

House of Broel

Address: 2220 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Charter bus parking: The House of Broel doesn’t offer parking, so your charter bus may want to drop you off and then park in the lot at the nearby Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Il Mercato

Address: 1911 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Charter bus parking: There’s some street parking outside Il Mercato, but you may still want to consider leaving your bus at the Convention Center, where parking is more likely to be available. 

 

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Corporate Events in New Orleans

Building in the French Quarter with balconies

Many business travelers flock to New Orleans every year for conferences and tradeshows, and most of those go to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the sixth-largest convention center in the U.S. With more than 1.1 million square feet of space, Ernest N. Morial often ranks in the top 10 for convention centers that host the most events each year.

The Convention Center also boasts a great location near the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the Mississippi River. And when you rent a charter bus to take your group there, you can enjoy comfortable amenities like free WiFi, reclining seats, and expansive windows for your fellow employees.

 

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Address: 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130

Charter bus parking: The convention center offers parking for oversized vehicles in Lot J. You can even park here while you explore other parts of New Orleans.

 

Field Trips in New Orleans

Young girl handpainting

Many people associate New Orleans with adult celebrations, thanks to Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras. But the city is also home to many families and has great educational activities for kids. If you’re a teacher or after-school counselor, you may want to plan a field trip to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, where your kids can engage in 8.5 acres of activities. Let them build dams and learn about soil and water at Dig Into Nature, or take them to Follow That Food to shop in a kid-sized grocery store.

Teach older kids or teenagers? You won’t want to miss the New Orleans Museum of Art. Here, your students can explore rotating exhibits on topics like how communities recover from disaster and permanent displays of African, Asian, American, and Native art. You can reserve a group visit online, and the museum provides parking for charter buses so your students can have a comfortable, air-conditioned ride.

 

Louisiana Children’s Museum

Address: 15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124

Charter bus parking: Your bus can park in the guest lot off Henry Thomas Drive to the northeast of the Museum campus. If that lot is full, you’ll find other lots on Henry Thomas Drive and Friedrichs Avenue.

New Orleans Museum of Art

Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Charter bus parking: The museum offers abundant free parking on Lelong Drive or behind the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

 

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College Tours in New Orleans

College student studying with laptop, book, and coffee

Many people come to New Orleans to tour its colleges, including the prestigious Tulane University. This competitive private school is known for its finance and medical programs and its sports teams, the Tulane Green Wave. Visiting school groups can schedule tours online, and you can book a charter bus if you want to ensure your students have comfortable transportation. You can even request amenities like free WiFi or power outlets to help them complete assignments before and after their tour of Tulane and other local universities.

 

Tulane University

Address: 6823 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118

Charter bus parking: The Office of Admission notes that parking on and around Tulane's campus is very limited, especially for large vehicles. You may be able to find a metered spot, but it might be better to opt for a nearby paid lot that accepts charter buses, like the Basin Lot.

 

Plan Your Next Group Trip to New Orleans

Experience New Orleans’s one-of-a-kind culture without worrying about how to navigate its streets in a rental car. When you book with Shofur, a professional will take care of the driving. All you have to do is lean back in your plush seat and listen to the jazz music drifting through the window. Give us a call at 1-800-436-8719 to book a charter bus rental for your next trip to the Big Easy.

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Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in New Orleans

Vehicles Passengers Luggage Hourly Min Hrs
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CHARTER BUS

57 55
$110 - $170
5
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MINI BUS

25 7
$105 - $160
5
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Prices displayed here are estimates and may not reflect the price of your bus rental. The only way to get an accurate quote is to call our 24-hour team at 1-800-436-8719.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answer is: it depends. When you call one of our 24/7 reservation specialists with your trip details, they will build a quote for you based on a few factors, including how far you'll be traveling, which bus you rent, how many hours or days you will need the rental, and where and when you will be picked up. Depending on your trip itinerary, your rental cost will be broken down by hour, day, or mile.

You can learn more on our charter bus pricing page, and your reservation specialist will be happy to break down pricing further when you call.

Our network offers full-size charter buses, minibus rentals, and sprinter vans. Full-size charter bus rentals are great for larger groups or longer distance trips and can accommodate up to 56 passengers, while minibus rentals work well for medium-sized groups of 12 to 25 passengers. Groups even smaller than that can rent a sprinter van, which comfortably accommodates up to 12 people.

Visit our buses page to learn more about the charter bus options available in Shofur's network.

Every bus model in our network comes with their own special amenities and capabilities, including but not limited to:

  • WiFi and/or power outlets
  • A/C and heating
  • TV monitors and a DVD player
  • Onboard restrooms
  • AM/FM radio
  • Overhead storage bins
  • Luggage bays
  • ADA accessible features

If you have a specific amenity request, be sure to let your reservation specialist know and they will be happy to work with you to find the best bus for your group.

When you call to get a free, no-obligation quote, you will get a number that is transparent and all-inclusive. Below is a list of components your quote covers:

  • The bus itself
  • A professional charter bus driver
  • The bus's mileage and fuel
  • Insurance
  • Tolls
  • Processing fees

Remember that your quote will not include certain aspects that are out of Shofur's control or at your own discretion, such as:

  • Gratuity for your driver (at your discretion, typically 5-10% of the total cost of the rental)
  • Parking fees
  • Lodging for your driver (required for multi-day trips)

No. Your professional, trained, and highly experienced charter bus driver will take care of all the driving so you can sit back and relax during your journey. Each charter bus driver has undergone numerous background checks and driving tests to ensure their safety and expertise.

Yes. A fee of 10% of the total cost of the trip is due at the time of your booking.

Your rental will need to be paid in full 7 days before your trip date.

Most charter bus providers will allow you to drink on your bus. However, be sure to let your reservation specialist know so that they can determine for sure. Also, be mindful about not leaving a mess behind, or you may be subject to a cleaning fee that is usually $250.