How to Save in the Crescent City

Convention Strike’s tried and tested tips and tricks for saving money in the “Big Easy” in 2023.

New Orleans sat at the top of my travel wishlist for years, largely because of Klaus Mikaelson’s fictional existence. The Originals (2013) was a beautifully heart-wrenching series teeming with vampires, witches, werewolves, and, of course, drama— all set in the French Quarter.

At 16, I was utterly bewitched. And broke. Unfortunately, heading down to New Orleans wasn’t a feasible option for nearly a decade. In June of 2022, just around PRIDE, I finally headed down to the “Big Easy” and I was not disappointed. In fact, as soon as I left I started looking at houses on Zillow. I think it’s safe to say if I thought I was broke in 2013, I’ve since been humbled. Still, popular tourist destinations can be hard on anyone’s wallet. As someone that refuses to pay full price for anything, planning out a way to do New Orleans without having to make a human sacrifice was a thrill, and I’m excited to share my tips and tricks with you. I love discounts. I love coupons. I love deals. I won’t claim to be a NOLA-travel expert. I’m absolutely not, and I highly suggest doing your own research before committing to anything. Additionally, listen to local opinions as the locals know best.

Note: Maintaining safety and privacy was an absolute, and at times, led to higher expenses. Please use caution when you’re planning your own adventure because cheap isn’t always safe.

How Did We Get There?

If you haven’t looked into train travel, it might be that time. Train travel is fairly inexpensive, especially when you’re traveling coach. The main drawback of train travel is time, but if you have the time to spare, and you want to save money, it’s an excellent choice.

I traveled with Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass, which is a $499 fixed-rate multi-destination ticket. Riders get 10 segments to 500 different destinations throughout the United States. Train tickets largely depend on the distance you’re traveling, as well as possible connections. I boarded three trains in total to get from Charleston to New Orleans. Without the USA Rail Pass, the journey would have been around $196 per person, with the largest segment taking over 21 hours.

As a USA Rail Pass holder, I only paid $50 per segment.

[Read ‘Planning segments with Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass’ by Convention Strike]

1. The Sightseeing Pass

If you don’t want to pay an arm plus a leg for admission into popular attractions, invest in a tourism pass. This little tip goes for any major tourist location, and could potentially save you hundreds of dollars in entrance fees depending on where you’re visiting. I went with The Sightseeing Pass, which is an international brand that offers discount rates on attractions, food, and transportation in New York City, London, Miami, and many more popular locations.

The Sightseeing Pass is user-friendly. All you have to do is purchase online, download the app, and show the pass at whatever attraction you wish to visit from your selected location’s list. Please make sure you read the fine print on each attraction as some places have seasonal availability.

I paid $152 for two adult passes, locking in extra discounts with my Honey Safari extension. The New Orleans Sightseeing Pass features entrance into the World War II Museum (which is incredible), the New Orleans Botanical Garden, and the festive Mardi Gras World. Pass holders also have the choice between a historic day tour aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen riverboat or Jazz Cruise as the sun sets on the Mississippi River.

My Recommendations:

• The Paddlewheler Creole Queen Riverboat Jazz Cruise | The Sightseeing Pass only covers admission onto the cruise (typically $55), and not the dinner that is served on the cruise. The price for admission and dinner is usually $95 so expect to cover that difference. Of course, you don’t have to eat, but they’ve got a pretty nice spread of cajun-baked chicken, seafood pasta, and sausage gumbo if you want to fully embrace the experience.

• The Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour | With the right forethought, you can save your feet from the pain of trudging around New Orleans. You can also save your wallet from those pesky Uber fees. The Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus stops at all major attractions, or near all major attractions listed on The Sightseeing Pass. The bus runs from 9:30 am-5:30 pm daily and operates on a loop. The best part is that while you’re on the bus cooling down from the Louisiana heat, you’re also getting a tour of key areas of the city from knowledgeable guides.

{Check out The Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Route with stops in Jackson Square, The National World War II Museum, and The Garden District.}

Couple Aboard Paddlewheeler Creole Queen June '22 by Convention Strike

2. Ditch the Hotel

Bear with me — it’s time to ditch the hotels and AirBNBs, at least for a little while. These prices are ridiculous! Instead, try the hostel route. Hostels are most known for their dormitory-style accommodations, and cheaper fees because there are fewer frills than hotels and arguably less privacy. When most people think of hostels, they picture rickety bunk beds or horror movie stills. I’m here to say that’s not always the case. My sister and I stayed in a private room with a queen-sized bed, and our own bathroom and shower accommodations at The Quisby located on Saint Charles Avenue. The Quisby is just a short walk to the National World War II Museum, and Stop #10 for the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. The Quisby offers community and security for an affordable price. The Quisby Price Breakdown:

• Queen Room | Maximum Occupancy: 2 People | Features Ensuite Bathroom | $61.00 per night

• Basic Private | Maximum Occupancy: 4 People | Features Ensuite Bathroom | $74.00 per night

• 4 Bed Female Shared | Maximum Occupancy: 4 People | Features Ensuite Bathroom | $21.00 per bed

All prices are based on July 24th, 2023 pricing and are subject to change.

The Quisby June '22 by Convention Strike

3. Public Transport

Alright, if you don’t ride an infamous New Orleans streetcar at least once, you’re missing out. Not only are streetcars absolutely picturesque and perfect for romanticizing, but a transport pass, called a Jazzy Pass, starts at $3.00 for unlimited rides on buses, streetcars, and ferries for a 24-hour window. Unlimited. If you’re staying in New Orleans for longer than a day, which I highly recommend, you can purchase a 3-Day Jazzy Pass for $8.00 or a 7-Day Jazzy Pass for $15.00. Youth and senior passes come at a discount. Learn more about the Jazzy Pass from the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority by following this link.

Again, I’m not a NOLA expert (not yet, anyway), so please make sure you’re doing your due diligence before going on any excursions. Remember: always read the fine print and verify details.

And to the New Orleans experts, what are your suggestions?