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.
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.
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.
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