Weekend Getaway – How To Get From Lafayette to New Orleans
If you are here that means you are researching how to get from Lafayette to New Orleans because you are probably attending TBEX North America 2020 (Travel Blog Exchange).
Lafayette Tourism is hosting TBEX which is the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands and industry professionals.
If you are planning to attend TBEX there are several ways to get from Lafayette to New Orleans depending on your agenda, who you are traveling with and how long you will be staying in Louisanna after the TBEX conference is over.
First you have to decide if you will drive, fly or catch the train from Lafayette to New Orleans – there is so much to do and see in both Lafayette and New Orleans that you will want to travel the quickest way possible because there is a lot of ground to cover.
The trip from Lafayette to New Orleans is one of the best fall road trips you can take because it is 150 miles of stunning river views, bridges and gorgeous Louisiana scenery.
There are a number of options to help you get from Lafayette to New Orleans including Amtrak, Greyhound Bus and rental car.
I am going to help you determine which mode of transportation is best for your day trip to New Orleans from Lafayette.
Lafayette, LA
Distance from New Orleans: 135 miles West; 2.25-hour drive
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Lafayette to New Orleans – Amtrak
Amtrak operates a train from Lafayette Amtrak Station to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal 3 times a week. Tickets cost $30 – $45 and the journey takes 3h 25m.
The Amtrak service provider, the Sunset Limited provides transportation from Lafayette to New Orleans. The Sunset Limited offers Superliner Sleeping cum Dining Car accommodations along with the normal coach seater option.
The epic views from the Sightseeing Lounge Car is a special treat every traveler must experience once and you will step off the train right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
The journey from Lafayette to New Orleans takes around 3.5 hours and the tickets cost as less as $30 up to $125 depending on the seating options.
The LFT Amtrak station building has an enclosed waiting area but it does not offer Wi-Fi, ATM machines, ticketing counter, restrooms, payphones, elevator or passenger lounge. Make sure you have everything you need before going to the Amtrak Station.
Lafayette to New Orleans – Rental Car
Because it’s only 135 miles from Lafayette to New Orleans you can easily rent a car and be on Bourbon Street dranking cocktails and eating char-grilled oysters in no time at all.
All of the major rental car companies like Avis, Budget and Hertz offer round trip or one-way trip rental offers. You have the choice of dropping the vehicle at your final destination or returning the car from the orginal pick up location
If you decide to rent a car you can easily venture off on your own and explore the following off the beaten path destinations:
- Lake Arthur: This lake offers refuge, relaxation and plenty of recreation with a sandy beach, boardwalk and pier.
- Gueydan: The “Duck Capital of America” offers some of the best duck and goose hunting – or watching – in the country.
- Kaplan: See one of the oldest rice mills in the state, Liberty Rice Mill, and Le Musée de la Ville de Kaplan.
- Abbeville: A town where the old and new blend together with French-speaking residents, popular oyster bars and seafood restaurants alongside avant-garde artists.
- Erath: Home to the Acadian Museum of Erath and legendary Cajun musician, D.L. Menard.
- Delcambre: Home of one of the largest shrimping communities in South Louisiana, the fishing docks are a great place to take pictures or purchase fresh shrimp.
- Jefferson Island: Sitting atop a salt dome that rest on the shores of Lake Peigneur, Jefferson Island features 25 acres of lush, semi-tropical landscaped gardens and the 19th century Victorian home of Joseph Jefferson.
- Avery Island: Home of the world-famous Tabasco brand pepper sauce, Jungle Gardens and Bird City, one of the largest egret rookeries in the country.
Car rental charges from Lafayette to New Orleans range from $15 to $65 per day depending if you choose a basic economy car, spacious minivan or a convertable as you explore Louisiana on your road trip from Lafayette to New Orleans.
| Suggested routes: |
| I-10 E 135 mi. About 2 hours 10 mins |
| US-90 E/Hwy 90 E 153 mi. About 2 hours 33 mins |
| I-12 E and I-10 E 159 mi. About 2 hours 37 mins |
| 1. | Head west on W Vermilion St toward Lafayette St |
299 ft
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2. | Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Lafayette St |
0.2 mi
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3. | Turn right onto W Congress St |
318 ft
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| 4. | Continue onto W Second St |
381 ft
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| 5. | Continue onto E 3rd St/ Continue to follow E 3rd St
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0.4 mi
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6. | Turn left after AutoZone Auto Parts (on the left) |
1.8 mi
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7. | Merge onto I-10 E via the ramp to Baton Rouge |
32.1 mi
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8. | Keep left to stay on I-10 E |
24.1 mi
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9. | Keep right at the fork to stay on I-10 E, follow signs for New Orleans |
71.0 mi
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10. | Keep right at the fork to stay on I-10 E, follow signs for New Orleans Business District/ |
3.5 mi
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11. | Keep right at the fork to stay on I-10 E, follow signs for Slidell |
0.5 mi
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12. | Take exit 234B on the left for Poydras St toward Superdome |
0.2 mi
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| 13. | Continue onto Poydras St |
0.7 mi
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14. | Turn left onto Carondelet St
Destination will be on the left
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479 ft
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Lafayette to New Orleans – Greyhound Bus line
The cheapest way to get from Lafayette to New Orleans is by Greyhound Bus Line. Greyhound Bus line is one of the largest motor coach service providers in the United States and offers buses buses from Lafayette to New Orleans.
The bus ride takes approximately 4.5 hours because they bus is stopping along the way picking up other passengers and the tickets start from $19 for a one way.
The buses do offer free Wi-Fi and the seats are first come first serve which means there are not assigned seats but you do have the option to purchase priority boarding tickets.
Lafayette to New Orleans by Flying
The Lafayette Regional Airport (LFR) is located in Lafayette Parish of Louisiana. The three regional airlines serving Lafayette are American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express, currently use regional jets for their flights for flights from Lafayette, LA To New Orleans, LA
The airport has a business Center and free Wi-Fi service so you can get a little work done while you wait for your flight.
Airlines like American, United and Delta offer frequent flights from LFR to New Orleans with an average ticket price varying by carrier.
- Delta Airline – $274
- American Airline – $268
- United Airlines: – $287
The flights and time vary depending on the layover place but on average it takes about 4 1/2 hours to fly from Lafayette to New Orleans.
Things To Do in Lafayette
Because Lafayette is the heartbeat of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, there are a ton of things to do Lafayette from their rich cultural history, the delicious and amazing culinary scene to the Zydeco music there is something for everyone!
I’ve put together a list of culinary trails you must visit if you are visiting Lafayette for the weekend so I hope your taste buds are ready!
Click here to view a map of the Culinary Trails.
- CREOLE CRESCENT
Come taste why New Orleans is lauded for some of the most inventive and delicious food in America
- TAMMANY TASTE
A feast of fresh produce and seafood prepared by culinary icons
- CAPITAL CRAVINGS
Baton Rouge rallies local fare with worldwide flair
- BAYOU BOUNTY
Make room for a spicy adventure
- SEAFOOD SENSATION
Riding the Gulf waters, Southwest Louisiana brings trails of fresh seafood and boudin
- PRAIRIE HOME COOKING
A scenic byway of vintage towns packed with homestyle cooking and dance halls
- RED RIVER RICHES
Clear your calendar for an epicurean journey and sample a global menu
- DELTA DELIGHTS
Grab a map and head for the hills for a feast of southern delights
Conclusion of How To Get From Lafayette to New Orleans
I suggest either renting a car of taking the Amtrak to get to New Orleans. A road trip from Lafayette is a stunning drive filled with the state’s history, culture and culinary wonders.
The drive to New Orleans offers rural landscapes, historical homes and plantations so take your time slow down and really enjoy everything Lafayette has to offer.
DO YOU NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN TRAVELING THIS FALL?
YES! Travel Insurance is important no matter where you are traveling to because accidents happen and you should always travel with insurance.
I got extremely sick in the Czech Republic and that was the one time I decided to forego travel insurance and I racked up thousands of dollars in medical bills and they wanted their money before I would even be seen by the ER Doctors.
Ready to plan your trip, grab my FREE Vacation Planner to help you plan your trip in the time it takes to watch your favorite TV show!
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Best Places To see The Fall Foliage In Arkansas
How To Spend New Year’s Eve In New Orleans
12 Reasons You Need To Unplug From Technology
Have you start making plans to travel from Lafayette to New Orleans this October? I hope my guide to the best transportation methods to New Orleans has been helpful.
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