Top New Orleans Bus Tours

When it comes to bus tour options in New Orleans, you'll find no shortage of guided city tours and hop-on hop-off sightseeing excursions. To help you choose, here are the top tours currently available based on previous travelers' ratings and reviews.

• Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

• Three-Hour City Tour of New Orleans by Minibus

• New Orleans City and Cemetery Tour

• New Orleans City Tour: Katrina, French Quarter, Garden District

• New Orleans City and Cemetery 2-Hour Bus Tour

Yes, New Orleans bus tours are certainly worth it. They’re an easy and efficient way to see many of the city's sights beyond the French Quarter, including the Garden District, Esplanade Avenue, and Treme. Bus tours also provide interesting commentary on area highlights and allow for stress-free transportation between attractions.

Standard bus tour prices in New Orleans start at around US$40 per person, while full-day tours can easily exceed US$100. Expect to pay more for private and small-group bus tours, including plantation sightseeing excursions and airboat tours.

New Orleans bus tours vary in length depending on the type of tour and route chosen. Tours typically range from one to three hours, while specialized tours may last a full day. Hop-on hop-off bus tickets are typically valid for 24 hours, and multi-day options may be available.

New Orleans bus tours generally cover popular attractions such as the French Quarter, Treme, Esplanade Avenue, and the Garden District. However, some tours are dedicated to specific aspects of New Orleans history, such as cemetery ghost tours or plantation excursions.

Gratuities are not included in the cost of most New Orleans bus tours. Tipping between 15-20% of the tour cost is customary, depending on the level of service received. But a few dollars should suffice for sightseeing buses like the hop-on hop-off bus.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in New Orleans aside from bus tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Dinner Cruises

• Ghosts Tours

• Airboat Tours

• Plantation Tours

• Wine Tasting Tours

New Orleans bus tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Nola Party Bus Tour

• NOLA Distillery Tour

• New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

• New Orleans Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour

• Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

Start by choosing a tour that matches your interests. From city highlights and food tours to plantation experiences, there are a lot of New Orleans bus tours from which to choose. Some tours offer hotel pickup, while others require that you meet at a central location. Tour lengths vary from 1.5 hours to more than half a day, so check the duration before booking. If you’re traveling with kids or have mobility needs, confirm whether the tour is suitable, especially for smaller minivans or combo tours that may include boat rides.

Book early if you visit during busy times like Mardi Gras or festival weekends. Arrive at the meeting point with time to spare and wear weather-appropriate clothing—some buses aren’t fully climate-controlled. If the tour includes a local guide, stay engaged—they often share personal stories and local tips that go beyond the guidebooks. Finally, consider booking a combo city tour with a swamp or plantation visit to make the most of your time in New Orleans.

New Orleans bus tours are fun any time of year, especially in Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) when the weather is pleasant. Tours will fill quickly for popular events like Mardi Gras and Halloween, so book early. For fewer crowds, consider winter. If visiting in summer, choose shorter, air-conditioned tours for a more comfortable experience.