A New Orleans Parking & Transportation Guide

Parking in the Crescent City is easy if you plan ahead

Every year, millions of visitors travel by car here and navigate around the city without any problems.

Commercial Lots

There are enough commercial lots in the French Quarter and the CBD to accommodate visitors even during the busiest of times (Sugar Bowl, Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest). Early Bird specials are available at some locations. To prevent any surprises, check times, hourly rates and in-and-out privileges.

Parking Meters

Most of the city’s meters accept dollar bills, credit cards and the Parkmobile app. Please read the meters before you park. Parking is prohibited at meters in designated rush hour zones from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and it can get tricky during parade season. Also know that broken meters are not free passes. They are technically off-limits and could land you a ticket.

Rebecca Todd

Parking Meter

Meter Holidays

Parking is free on meter holidays observed by the City of New Orleans:

New Year's Day
Independence Day
Martin L. King, Jr. Day
Labor Day
Mardi Gras Day (the day before Ash Wednesday)
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
Christmas Day

Park-N-Shop Lots

Many Downtown businesses and department stores offer free or discounted parking with purchase at nearby lots. You should call the store and ask. Be sure to get your parking stamp, pass or receipt.

Rebecca Todd

The Shops at Canal Place

Parking on Streets Without Meters

If you are looking for a space on the street, READ PARKING SIGNS CAREFULLY. Rules change from neighborhood to neighborhood, and some violations can be quite costly. We have neighborhood-only parking in some places that are designated by signs. In those neighborhoods you can only park for two hours at a time until night.

Parking Offenses

Blocking driveways or fire lanes
On sidewalks or neutral grounds
Near fire hydrants (within 15 feet)
On corners and crosswalks (within 20 feet)
In loading and service zones (buses and cab zones too)
On a parade route within two hours of a parade
During rush hours (7-9 a.m., 4-6 p.m.) on major streets
On street cleaning days (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 a.m. - Noon)
At bagged meters (during special events) and broken meters
Near railroad crossings (within 50 feet)
On-street for more than 24 consecutive hours
Vehicles longer than 22 feet overnight in the Central Business District
On a narrow street without allowing 10 feet of unobstructed roadway
More than 18 inches from the curb
Having 3 or more unpaid parking violations.

If your car is towed away, contact the Claiborne Auto Pound at (504) 658-8284.

Handicapped Parking

Parking in Handicap Zones without an official handicapped license plate is illegal. Travelers with legal handicap credentials are permitted to park in metered spaces for free for up to three hours. For questions and parking information, call 504-658-8200.

Park-N-Ride

Two Central Business District lots offer Park-N-Ride shuttles. Please call for rates and more information.

Fulton Street Garage
901 Convention Center
(504) 891-2897

Park-N-Ride
900 Howard Avenue
(504) 307-5726

Parking Reservations

Want to secure your parking spot before you arrive? Try these helpful sites.

SpotHero (previously Parking Panda)

Use the SpotHero platform to find, reserve and pay for parking in advance. This mobile reservation service operates in selling reservations for a variety of companies at over 30 locations in New Orleans.

Premium Parking

Premium Parking offers online reservations at several locations in the New Orleans Area. To reserve parking, go to www.premiumparking.com/park and click the red pins on the Google Map for your desired location. You then follow the links and instructions.

Parking.com

Whether visiting New Orleans for a special event or just looking to find the most affordable parking rates near you, Parking.com has you covered by offering a wide range of options. Visit their website or download the FREE Parking.com mobile app to have their parking locator conveniently available at your fingertips! https://parking.com/new-orleans/ .

Airport Parking

Louis Armstrong International Airport offers plenty of safe, affordable, covered parking connected directly to the main terminal. For rates and more information, visit: ezparker.com.

Numbers to Know

General Parking Questions & Parking Enforcement: (504) 658-8200
Administrative Hearing Center: (504) 658-8250
Booting: (504) 565-7451
Towing Information/Auto Pound: (504) 658-8284
Parking Enforcement: (504) 658-8200