New Orleans question - rental car or public transit?

[lust2hart]

My DH and I will be flying into New Orleans on March 3. We'll be there March 3-5, then driving to Baton Rouge, and then driving back to New Orleans to fly out on the 7th.  

I'm trying to figure out if we should rent a car for the entire time. I was originally thinking yes, for the ease of just having it taken care of (vs. having to find a way from airport to hotel and then back to the airport on 3/5 to rent the car to go to Baton Rouge), and it would be nice to have our own transportation, but I don't know how much of a pain traffic/parking are - particularly because our plan is to just hang out in the French Quarter. I would hate to spend money on a rental car for the 2 days we're in the city and then not use it. 

We haven't booked our lodging yet but will probably be at the Super 8 which is about 6 miles from Bourbon St. The hotel doesn't have a shuttle but the airport does - it's about $40 each way to/from the hotel. 

Thanks!

[Mushe]

We didn't get a car when we were there, and got around fine, but we stayed right at the edge of the French Quarter, so we just walked everywhere. Walking was perfect for us, since neither of us wanted to be DD. Is that a concern?

[v]

I wouldn't want to drive to/from the French Quarter. When we were in NO we walked when we were in the French Quarter, and took cabs when going farther.

Question, though: if you plan on just hanging out in the French Quarter, why stay 6 miles away? I'd find a place in/close to the FQ.

[sparty04]

I agree with V. Last time I was there, we stayed downtown with a friend that is local and had a car. Parking was hard to find and pretty expensive. I've never needed a car there.

Also, I think it's cheaper and faster to taxi to/from the airport if you decide to go that route.

[Deleted]

Definitely public transportation will be all you need if you're not planning to leave the city. I've been two times and never felt like I needed a car.

Actually once when I was there we did one of those speed boat tours and they came to pick us up.

We just took a taxi from the airport and then walked or used the trolley to get places.

[dorothyinAus]

If you're planning on staying in the French Quarter, CBD, Warehouse District, or Uptown, and hitting mainly touristy areas, you won't need a car. It's expensive to park it most places anyway, and you probably won't want to move it once you do park.

If you staying out in Kenner, Metairie, or on the WestBank, you will absolutely, positively, without question, definitely NEED a car. As a local, I wouldn't consider any hotels in New Orleans East, but you will need a car if your hotel is in that area as well.

[rubytue]

Check out Priceline hotels. I've gotten the Marriott on Canal St for about what a Super 8 will cost you. A cab from the airport to FQ is a set rate (don't remember what is is, but pretty sure it was less than $40 2 years ago)