Scroll down for details on any of these options.
Click here for a printable version of the map.
Cabs to or from the Fest cost the meter rate, or $4 per person, whichever is higher, plus a $1/cab fuel surcharge. Meter rate from Downtown or the Quarter is usually around $10-12. Cost from the Garden District will be more. There are two cab stands at the Festival, marked as A and B on the map above. After the Fest, it's against the rules for cabbies to pick up fares except at these two spots. Expect 10-30 minute lines on most days to get a cab when Fest lets out.
Here's a hint if you leave using the Stallings Playground location (A on the map). To get on line, you will be directed into the playground at the corner closest to Fest. The line will eventually lead back out onto Gentilly, where they will load cabs from a half dozen spots along the curb. Once you get through the gate back onto the street, listen for the taxi folks to shout out to "move down", then move past the folks waiting at the first few spots, down to the end closest to where you entered the playground. Folks who don't know the procedure always back the line up for the first 2 spots, so groups that move down to the other end will save some time.
The Esplanade cab stand seems slightly better organized. If you're a small group (1 or 2), listen for calls for "quarter or downtown?" as you near the front of the line and be ready to step up, as they try to fill empty seats in cabs heading to the downtown area.
For 2008, the festival express shuttle bus (run by Grey Line) will cost $16 roundtrip per person (or $14 from the Marconi Meadows location), plus the cost of parking at the pick-up location. One way tickets back to downtown are sold at the Fairgrounds for $10; they do not sell one way tickets going to the Fairgrounds. See the table below for locations.
Info: http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html or call (504) 569-1401 or (800) 535-7786
2007 Festival Express Bus pick-up locations
Map # Pickup Location Address Notes 1 Marconi Meadows City Park, Marconi Dr @ Zachary Taylor Dr. Free parking, RV's okay 2 Sheraton 500 Canal St 3 Steamboat Natchez Dock Toulouse St @ Miss. River
Editorial Opinion: Having used both the Express Bus and Taxi in recent years, I just don't see many compelling reasons to opt for the bus if you are staying in the French Quarter or Downtown (CBD):
If you are driving from the suburbs and parking in the free lot in Marconi Meadows, the bus may make sense. Otherwise, Swag says: take a cab.
The Canal Streetcar is once again running out to the Fairgrounds. The Canal Street Streetcar line (#47) runs along the River adjacent to the French Quarter, then up Canal Street, with one spur that terminates at Beauregard Circle, at the edge of City Park, walking distance (0.7 miles) to the Fairgrounds. Streetcars tend to be slow, but if you have the time, this is a uniquely New Orleans way to get to the Fest. Expect about a 30 minute ride from Canal & the River. Heading to Fest, make sure you get on the car labeled "City Park" or "Museum". On the return from City Park, all streetcars go back downtown. For 2008, Fest service will cost $5 each way. The schedule is here (Fest stop is labeled "Museum").
Another option is the #48/91 or #42 city bus. For 2008, Fest service will cost $5 (exact change, coins or bills) each way.. On the map, the Fest bus stop is on Esplanade adjacent to taxi stand B.
To the Fest, the #42 (Canal) starts at Canal St. and the River. It runs up
Canal to Carrollton, to Esplanade, to the Fest bus stop near the B on my map.
Make sure you get on a #42 marked as Zydeco Special; other 42's do not go to
the Fest. On the return from Fest, it picks up at that same spot, and runs Esplanade
to Broad to Canal to the River.
To the Fest, the #91 starts at Rousseau & St. Andrew (near Jackson & Tchoupitoulas in the Garden District area). It then runs up Jackson to O.C. Hailey, crosses into the CBD and runs up O'Keefe to Common, then onto Rampart St. It then goes up Rampart along the edge of the French Quarter, and up Esplanade to Fest. (See the green line on my map for the CBD/FQ/Fest part of the route. For a map of the Garden District portion, see the map on the NORTA site). For the trip home, the wait may be as long as the cab wait, and buses are susceptible to getting stuck in traffic on Esplanade.
To meet demand on Fest days, they also run lots of extra buses on the French Quarter part of this route (between the Fest and Canal/Rampart). These are labeled #48. Coming home, if you need to go past Canal to the warehouse or garden districts, ask the dispatcher or the driver how far the bus is going.
When in doubt, remember: any bus or streetcar with the red & white "Zydeco Special" sign (pictured) on the front will get you to Jazzfest!
Note for veterans: Route 91 has replaced the old route 48. Unlike the #48, the #91 stays on Rampart and does not divert up to Basin.
For 2008, the RTA will run a bus from the park and ride at I-610 and Elysian Fields. Price is $5 each way.
Late News - For 2008, there will be no public parking on-site. Only VIP's with pre-purchased parking, and handicapped ($50, state-issued plates or id required) will be able to park on the Fairgrounds.
On site parking is very limited. To get a spot, arrive early, before
10 am on weekends. Take Gentilly Blvd. to Trafalgar St., just north of
the Fairgrounds, turn West onto Trafalgar, and get in line. No oversize vehicles
allowed. Cost for 2007 was $35.
I've never parked onsite, but I'm told that they will collect your tickets
as you drive in, and that they sell tickets outside on the street for those
that need them. If your tickets are at will call, I don't know if you
can get them there; consider another parking option for your first day.
Also, I'm told that once you are in the Fest, you are allowed to
exit back to the parking lot and then re-enter at no extra cost. They
will search vehicles for prohibited items, but you will have access during the
day to whatever is allowed through (for example, a cooler filled with bottled
water); or to drop off souvenir purchases.
For street parking, try to arrive early and just keep looking. Expect to end up
about a half mile from the entrance or farther. Note that it's illegal to park
within about a car length of a crosswalk, which means about 30 feet from the corner.
Most corners have this space marked with a painted diagonal line, but even if there's no
line or sign, it's still illegal. (I learned this the hard way).
Tow trucks are out in force during the Festival. If you are parked illegally, you can count on being be both ticketed and towed (personal experience). If you are towed, any cab driver will be able to take you to your car. Just tell them to take you to the city impound lot. They may laugh, but they'll know where it is (conveniently located halfway between the Fairgrounds and downtown). If I recall correctly, the cost of the tow plus the ticket is around $200.
Another option is to pay to park in a driveway or lot in the surrounding neighborhoods. Many schools, churches, and private citizens rent their spots to raise money. Expect to pay about $20.
Use common sense when selecting a spot. Our first year, we parked behind a small closed store, paying a fellow who did not look like he was affiliated with them. When we returned, our trunk had been broken into, along with several other cars parked there. Luckily, we didn't lose anything of value, but others were not so fortunate.
Some folks charge for the street spot right in front of their house, which belongs to the city. It's not quite legal, but what are you gonna do? Stiff them, and then leave your car there unattended for 8 hours? Not a good idea.
A great option, if you have access to a bicycle. It's about a 3 mile ride from the French Quarter, and there are bicycle racks at the Gentilly entrance. Bring your own lock. Some local shops rent bicycles, expect to pay about $20/day.