USA Guide
Louisiana
Arrival
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), eighteen miles northwest of downtown on I-10, has an information booth in its baggage claim area, along with hotel courtesy phones. Flat-rate taxi fares into town are $28 for up to two people, or $12 each for three or more; shuttles can also take you to your hotel (every 10min; tickets available from 8am to 11pm in the baggage claim area or from the bus driver otherwise; $15 to downtown hotels; 
504/522-3500). Greyhound buses arrive next to Amtrak at the Union Passenger Terminal, 1001 Loyola Ave, near the Superdome. This area, in the no-man's-land beneath the elevated Pontchartrain Expressway, is not great; book a cab in advance to take you to your lodgings. United Cabs is the best firm ( 504/522-9771).
Before you leave home, check New Orleans CVB online ( 
www.neworleanscvb.com ); the site is full of helpful information and news, along with discount coupons. Once you've arrived, the best information, including self-guided walking tours, free maps, and still more discount vouchers can be found at the Welcome Center, on Jackson Square, at 529 St Ann St in the French Quarter (daily 9am–5pm; 504/566-5031).