Partying to your heart's content is great, but you must get there first! Traveling to Mardi Gras is no different than traveling to any other big event except that Mardi Gras probably has more attendees - meaning more highway traffic and more crowding in the airport and rail terminal. In this section of the site, I'll give you some useful travel tips and information that will hopefully make your trip there and back "hassle-free."

I recommend that you make them at the same time you make your hotel reservations; hence, make them as far in advance as possible. If you plan to attend the next year's Mardi Gras and want to stay right in the middle of the action, make your travel and hotel reservations within ONE MONTH of your return from this year's Mardi Gras.  Many people use this approach, and hotels in the French Quarter become filled up surprisingly fast.

If you like the hotel you're staying in this year, and have the money for a down-payment, I would recommend that you make hotel reservations  for next year at the time you check out of the hotel this year.

Transportation, yes; available, maybe. Carnival is a very busy time of year, and available cabs & shuttle busses are few and far between. Allow yourself plenty of time to catch a cab or shuttle bus.  Upon arriving at the airport or rail terminal, I would recommend that you find some people who are going to the same area you are and see if you can split the cab or shuttle fare with them. You'll save money, and you'll be indoctrinated into the concept of being packed like a sardine - better get used to it.  Your hotel might offer shuttle service to/from the airport, so make sure to check on it!  If you came via train, the typical cab cost for one person and two items of luggage between Union Terminal and the Quarter is about $6 US, including a tip.

Use Mardi Gras Man's as your gateway!  The links below represent companies we've had good experiences with and fully endorse.

• Hotels:  TurboTrip.Com
• Air:  Southwest Airlines
• Rail:  Amtrak

If possible, stay until AFTER Ash Wednesday (Wednesday after Fat Tuesday). Checkout lines, taxis, airports, and rail terminals are EXTREMELY busy on Ash Wednesday because most people leave then. Try leaving on Thursday or Friday - you might even get better room rates!

That depends. Go with whatever your normal travel preference is, but keep in mind that the interstates (especially 55 and 10), the airport, and the rail terminal will be extra-busy during the Mardi Gras period. Give yourself plenty of time to drive or to check through airports and rail terminals.  If you're traveling by car, make sure your AC works...it gets very hot in New Orleans, even in February and March.  Generally, I recommend against driving to Mardi Gras.  This is because the parade routes and the crowd congestion in the Quarter make it nearly impossible to drive.

Here's a novel idea:  Take a cruise!  Cruises are lots of fun, and a number of the major cruise lines serve New Orleans.  Some cruises originate in New Orleans, while other make New Orleans a port of call.  Obviously, you will need to be sure your ship is scheduled to be in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday.   Check with your travel agent for more information!

What is the "Party Train," and how do I make reservations?

Amtrak's "City of New Orleans" train (the one made famous by Arlo Guthrie's song) runs special, "Mardi Gras Party Runs" from Chicago to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras period.  You will enjoy a huge Mardi Gras party from your boarding point all the way down to New Orleans. The "Party Train" is well-decorated for the occasion, and some people even wear costumes. There are contests, plenty of Cajun food, a live band, an extra lounge car, and enough alcohol to float a battleship. This year's "Party Trains" will depart Chicago at 8PM on March 3^rd and 4^th, and will arrive in New Orleans the following days around 3PM. Mardi Gras Man will be catching the March 3rd train in Memphis on the morning of the 4th.  For more info on the "Mardi Gras Party Train," visit the "City of New Orleans" Web site (also run by yours truly).