Help. Getting from BTR TO N.O

[Terry]

I have flyer miles with Frontier, but they only fly into BTR, and only available flight gets in after 11 pm. The only airport shuttle listed will drive me to N.O at that late hour for $135! Ouch.

Amazingly, or not so amazingly, if I were leaving in a few days, the better arrival times are available.One way car rental would be $105 plus fees, and I probably wouldn't be able to pick the car up until next morning.

My best thought at this moment is to make reservation with SWA when their new schedule comes out, and then if better arrival times appear as we get closer to Fest, being a senior I could cancel SWA. And if better arrival times do not come out, I would stick with SWA, ( I just might do that in any event) and use my 25,000 miles to fly to sunny Mexico during New Mexico's frigid winter. Frontier flys to several cities in Mexico.

What say you fellow threadheads to my dilemma.

Terry

[rosetree]

Did you check Greyhound?

[festivalgirl]

I know Amtrak offers bus service between the two cities. Give them a try.

[swag]

First thought is a one-way car rental. Pick up at BTR, drop off the next morning at MSY or at some New Orleans downtown location. I didn't find much on that, Thrifty has $56 base, that jumps to $113 total after drop off fee and taxes, etc. But if you dig, of if you have coupons, etc, you might do a lot better. I checked 4/24, but rates for your date might be better.

Second thought is same as Rosetree, Greyhound.

Third idea is that coming in that late, you won't likely do much in New Orleans when you get there. So consider spending the night in BTR (probably cheaper than New Orleans anyway), then coming to New Orleans in the morning when there may be more shuttle options. Or cheaper rental cars.

[sophisticated sissy]

Maybe Breambob can give you a ride.
Wait a minute...he's in Shreveport.
Scratch that one.
This is quite a quandry.
Have you tried craigslist? Post a listing there,rideshare or something, see what comes up.
I hope you come up with something in the next seven months, Terry! Good luck!

[Crawfish Fest]

http://www.relianttransportation.com/

i got that off the net, i have not used them
caveat emptor

[AtPontchartrain]

It is sinful that there is no Amtrak or other passenger train. The politicians have all talked about it like it's coming tomorrow, but it hasn't. (There is Amtrak from Hammond to N.O., which doesn't help here.)

However, there has been a $5 bus which was funded by FEMA. Its website looks like it is still operating. There are a couple of tollfree numbers which may be worth trying...

http://www.laswift.com/ 1-877-94-SWIFT (1-877-947-9438) and 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683).

Greyhound is near downtown Baton Rouge, so it would be a fairly short taxi ride (and looking at the maps and the airport's (http://www.flybtr.com)useless taxi info, about $10?... and it goes to Union Station in downtown N.O. near the Superdome, about $15 one way.

http://www.greyhound.com/home.asp

[festivalgirl]

It is sinful that there is no Amtrak or other passenger train. The politicians have all talked about it like it's coming tomorrow, but it hasn't. (There is Amtrak from Hammond to N.O., which doesn't help here.)

However, there has been a $5 bus which was funded by FEMA. Its website looks like it is still operating. There are a couple of tollfree numbers which may be worth trying...

http://www.laswift.com/ 1-877-94-SWIFT (1-877-947-9438) and 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683).

Greyhound is near downtown Baton Rouge, so it would be a fairly short taxi ride (and looking at the maps and the airport's (http://www.flybtr.com)useless taxi info, about $10?... and it goes to Union Station in downtown N.O. near the Superdome, about $15 one way.

http://www.greyhound.com/home.asp

We take Amtrak in and the Station to the Quarter is a 10 min. cab ride.

[Crawfish Fest]

the problem is the bus system down here is seen as a last resort to get somewhere, not like mass transit in the northeast where everyone takes it
i would love to be able to take a bus from hammond to nola, safely

[sophisticated sissy]

My best thought at this moment is to make reservation with SWA when their new schedule comes out, and then if better arrival times appear as we get closer to Fest, being a senior I could cancel SWA. And if better arrival times do not come out, I would stick with SWA, ( I just might do that in any event) and use my 25,000 miles to fly to sunny Mexico during New Mexico's frigid winter. Frontier flys to several cities in Mexico.

What say you fellow threadheads to my dilemma.

Terry


Plan "B" looks like a winner to me, especially the part about flying to "sunny Mexico during...frigid Winter"!

[Terry]

Did you check Greyhound?

Yes. $ 28 Round Trip. But would have to wait 'till next morning to catch it. I have an e mail into Airport Police to see if I might crash at airport for the night. Have also considered getting room overnight in B.R.but when I add the cost of hotel at airport $99 per night plus cost of cab to Greyhound, then cab from Greyhound in N.O. to hotel, I come to the conclusion that SWA might be better way to go, if I can get a decent fair.
Thanks for your thought.

[Terry]

I know Amtrak offers bus service between the two cities. Give them a try.

Thanks. I will check that out.
Terry

[swag]

but when I add the cost of hotel at airport $99 per night

But you're saving the cost of the hotel in New Orleans, aren't you? In any case, I'll bet Priceline or Hotwire could beat that $99 price.

Still, saving the miles for Mexico may be the way to go.

[ScoopJohnD]

I flew into Baton Rouge a few years ago and did the Greyhound. It was painless. But sitting in ANY bus station at that hour is not alot of fun, so I think the hotel in BR for one night and bus in the morning is a smart idea. Just put in some ridiculous low bids on Priceline for 1 night and maybe you'll luck out.

[grisgris]

Mr Terry, what day are you flyin in?

[Terry]

First thought is a one-way car rental. Pick up at BTR, drop off the next morning at MSY or at some New Orleans downtown location. I didn't find much on that, Thrifty has $56 base, that jumps to $113 total after drop off fee and taxes, etc. But if you dig, of if you have coupons, etc, you might do a lot better. I checked 4/24, but rates for your date might be better.

Second thought is same as Rosetree, Greyhound.

Third idea is that coming in that late, you won't likely do much in New Orleans when you get there. So consider spending the night in BTR (probably cheaper than New Orleans anyway), then coming to New Orleans in the morning when there may be more shuttle options. Or cheaper rental cars.

Thanks Swag. Re auto rental. I would probably have to wait 'till next morning to pick it up right? I will continue exploring this option.

I have checked out Greyhound,but I would have to catch it next morning, and when you add the cost of hotel overnite, cab to Greyhound, cab from Greyhound to hotel, and cost of Greyhound, $28 R.T. , which is great by itself, I am left wondering if I would just not be better off getting in on SWA best deals as soon as they go out to April for reservations, and then canceling that, in the event that Frontier comes out with decent arrival times shortly before Fest.That seems to be the pattern that I have seen in researching the matter. If they haven't sold seats as the departure date comes close, the good arrival times open up.I have SWA as my home page, and I am a very early riser, which might give me an edge, as it did with $39 per night deal, if they open their reservations very early in the am.

[Terry]

Maybe Breambob can give you a ride.
Wait a minute...he's in Shreveport.
Scratch that one.
This is quite a quandry.
Have you tried craigslist? Post a listing there,rideshare or something, see what comes up.
I hope you come up with something in the next seven months, Terry! Good luck!
What a novel idea. Couldn't hurt to check it out.
Thanks

[Terry]

http://www.relianttransportation.com/

i got that off the net, i have not used them
caveat emptor

Thanks. Got their number. They are closed now, but I will call them in am.

[Terry]

We take Amtrak in and the Station to the Quarter is a 10 min. cab ride.

LA SWIFT BEST IDEA YET. And they leave BR starting at 4:43 am and the next at 4:48am etc. And the $5 is in a class with the $39 deal.
I will call them in the am to make sure, it's still in effect, and if it is, hope that it's still available in April.

Amtrak wouldn't work as well as it doesn't leave BR until 9:05 am, but I will call them just to double check.

Thanks.

[swag]

Amtrak also isn't necessarily known for running on time.

[Carolina Beadhead]

LA SWIFT BEST IDEA YET. And they leave BR starting at 4:43 am and the next at 4:48am etc. And the $5 is in a class with the $39 deal.
I will call them in the am to make sure, it's still in effect, and if it is, hope that it's still available in April.

Amtrak wouldn't work as well as it doesn't leave BR until 9:05 am, but I will call them just to double check.

Thanks.

According to their website the state took over the funding to keep the busses running until at least June 30, 2008 so they still should be running during fest.

[Terry]

I would be arriving on Tue 4/22. My res. at Hol Inn starts Wed 4/23

[Terry]

You guys and gals are great. I love this board for all the help I have received from all of you, and esp. for Swag and his website....www.swagland.com ( just for anyone who may be new to board)
Good news #1. LA SWIFT is still running and will still be running next April.
The cost to go from B.R to N.O. as previously mentioned on board is $5,and the departure times will not vary much from what they are shown as on their website, with first one departing about 4:30 am. So I might spend the approximate 4 hours from landing until bus departure reading my Offbeat Fest profiles of acts and their picks, and reviewing my cubes picks etc. Thanks again for that tip.

Good news #2 Reliant Shuttle will take me directly to hotel for $98, which is considerably better than the previous quote from the listed airport shuttle of $135. In my researching this I came across another quote on the net of $ 90 but have lost track of who that was with. Thanks again to whoever suggested Reliant Shuttle.

I am very comfortable with either of those choices, and right now lean toward the shuttle as it will avoid two cab fares, one from BTR and the other to hotel, and any possible hassle involved in that.

The final question which I am sure some of you can help with, is what to do with myself from the time I arrive in N.O.,about 1:30 am,assuming I take the shuttle, until earliest time I can check in. Patry all night and next day until check in time? The spirit might be willing, but at 77, the body would not be up to it. Some thoughts that come to mind are some of the all night eateries in town, or Harrah's or crash in the Lobby, or ???.
Anyone know what time Cafe' Du Monde opens ?

And again, thanks to all of you who responded to my plea for help.

[bluesgirl]

Cafe' du Monde is open 24 hrs., I believe.

[festbabe]

Cafe' du Monde is open 24 hrs., I believe.

YYR - 24 hrs. I'd either hang out there and soak up the atmosphere, and get to an all-night eatery and have a bite to eat (if I was hungry).

[sophisticated sissy]

Terry, have you thought of booking a room? Just make sure your hosts are aware of your travel plans so they'll be sure to hold your accommodations. To save some cash, maybe you could stay at one of the hostels. I think there are two in New Orleans.
Since you'll be getting in so late, it might be nice to stretch out for a few hours before the festivites begin!

[festivalgirl]

Well, technically you'll get to the hotel on the 23rd. I'd see if you could get into your room. If it's empty when you get there, they may let you check in.

Play the "I'm 77" card. In the words of Max Bialystock - "If you got it, flaunt it baby"!!

[Terry]

Terry, have you thought of booking a room? Just make sure your hosts are aware of your travel plans so they'll be sure to hold your accommodations. To save some cash, maybe you could stay at one of the hostels. I think there are two in New Orleans.
Since you'll be getting in so late, it might be nice to stretch out for a few hours before the festivites begin!

That's a great idea. The first year I went to N.O. the hotel I was staying at told me I would need to make other arrangements for Sat, so I stayed at the hostel on Carondelet, The Marquette House,just one block off St Charles. and enjoyed the experience so much, meeting young people, mostly from foreign countries, that I never did go back to hotel, which wasn't anything to write home about, fire alarms at 3 am etc.
I think you can arrive at any time
I'll call them to confirm that. Why didn't I think of that? Thanks

[Terry]

Well, technically you'll get to the hotel on the 23rd. I'd see if you could get into your room. If it's empty when you get there, they may let you check in.

Play the "I'm 77" card. In the words of Max Bialystock - "If you got it, flaunt it baby"!!

If I do that, they may insist on seeing my I.D. Kidding, tho lucky for me, no one takes me for my age
My res. starts on 23rd, so what I just might do is fly in on 23rd and call the hotel before I leave home telling them that I will be arriving after midnight, so that way my room is sure to be ready, and I can be fresh as a daisy for Thur. I will also keep trying on a daily basis, on the net, to get a better arrival time when someone who is using flyer miles cancels. And I will have a SWA reservation as a back up,which, being a senior, I can cancel.