View Full Version : Jazz Fest Express Question
gladtobehere
01-26-2007, 05:39 PM
Howdy ThreadHeads!
First time poster but I have been lurking! and Fest Virigin introducing myself.
I am too excited about Jazz Fest as a HUGE music fan that finally gets to go to what I believe will be the ultimate musical experience.
Anywho, airfare and hotel in check. Want to order tickets for the fest and and express.
TM is confusing. The admission part is easy but is each Jazz Fest Express ticket good for only one day? So if I am going for two days I have to order two JFE tix? Also TM only lists the Sunday date for the JFE tix. Does this matter?
THANKS!
Marc
Carolina Beadhead
01-26-2007, 07:12 PM
Howdy ThreadHeads!
First time poster but I have been lurking! and Fest Virigin introducing myself.
I am too excited about Jazz Fest as a HUGE music fan that finally gets to go to what I believe will be the ultimate musical experience.
Anywho, airfare and hotel in check. Want to order tickets for the fest and and express.
Ticketba$tard is confusing. The admission part is easy but is each Jazz Fest Express ticket good for only one day? So if I am going for two days I have to order two JFE tix? Also TM only lists the Sunday date for the JFE tix. Does this matter?
THANKS!
Marc
You'll need one for each day. Here's the link to the JFE site:
http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html
I don't know how to help you navigate the TM site. I wouldn't think the dates would matter on the JFE ticket. In fact, I would be surprised if they were dated at all. Maybe the JFE site will help you figure it out.
ozzie
01-26-2007, 07:27 PM
Think this is what we did last year. We bought our shuttle tix at the Sheraton (can't remember but think we bought for the 3 days at once) and it was an easy way in and out each day.
I see they are selling shuttle and fest tix packages... night be worth looking at to save a few bucks. Enjoy!
ozzie
01-26-2007, 07:28 PM
Sorry.... 'they' being the JFE site CBH posted.
sushicoma
01-26-2007, 07:52 PM
you could buy them in advance but every year my folks just buy them once they get here from the desk or what ever at the Sheraton. Its very easy to buy once you get her - including the ticket including the fest ticket
I'm not really a fan of the Express bus, but even if you think you will take it, there's no reason to get those tix in advance. They aren't cheaper (and may be more expensive? Does TM charge fees for them). They don't sell out. On-site lines aren't too long.
Just buy them when you get to the bus location, and you're free to cab it if the bus line looks like a mobscene, and you're not left holding in the rare case that inclement weather cancels a day.
To answer your other question, it's one $16 ticket per roundtrip. They take half when you board the outbound, and the rest on the return. 3 days = 3 tickets.
ETinCali
01-26-2007, 10:56 PM
Think this is what we did last year. We bought our shuttle tix at the Sheraton (can't remember but think we bought for the 3 days at once) and it was an easy way in and out each day.
I see they are selling shuttle and fest tix packages... night be worth looking at to save a few bucks. Enjoy!
Let me tell what we finally figured out last year..and figured it out by accident really.
When you buy your Greyline bus ticket..they didn't take them and they were the same color everyday....so you could show it to get on the bus more than once...now, they might have figured this out by now..but we did it on the last day..those bus rides get expensive !!
festydave
01-27-2007, 01:53 AM
this year they will offer a one way back to downtown for $10 and the bus lines are always smaller than the cab lines heading home
They had the one-way back ticket last year, too.
Dave, why don't they offer a one-way ticket going TO the Fest?
Michelino
01-28-2007, 01:14 AM
Last year there was also another shuttle separate from the Jazz Fest Express. This we found out when staying at the Chateau Sonesta and at first we were confused about the two. Anyway this other shuttle left from Canal (near Ignatius land at around 800)and took us to outside the gates right by Liuzza's. The good thing about this shuttle is that the lines at the end of the day were MUCH shorter, although the Jazz Fest Express has always done a remarkable jobs considering how many people use it.
PaulC
01-28-2007, 01:56 AM
Many merlots and one good party later....
If you are stayin' anywhere near walkin' distance to the quarter the absolute best way (mostly fun,.. and always cheap) to get to the fest is by the city bus,... head north and walk on over (whistlin' all the way) to N. Rampart St. and catch the afore mentioned big thing with wheels.. it costs a buck and change.... if the buses are runnin' weird (easy enough to tell if the peeps are grumblin'),.. chat (while smilen') and then hijack a few grumblers (the nicest ones possible) who are waitin' and hail a cab (comes out to a few bucks a head)... if you have 3-4 people with you in the first place just hail a cab for ease sake (and almost a fest beer less per head than the shuttles)... If you are on your way to the bus stop and see a few people obviously festin' it,.. talk to them (smile) and hail a cab... the point is,... 3 people or less,.. city bus,.. 4 or more then cabs are the way to go (fastest).... City bus mode is always cheapest no matter what... unless you hitch a ride....
and then after the fest ends you party somewhere near Esplanade (all so many choices,.. shellfest anyone???),.. and 45 minutes later you head to a city bus stop,.. if there are no people there, then the bus may have just left (maybe not),.. if there are people there and they are complainin' about how long they have waited you flag down a cab and grab a few of them ( five to a cab works fine) and you pay athe same few bucks a head to get back...
It's really easy and a heck of a lot more fun then the moooo or baaaah lines that the more expensive transports offer.....
Staxsun
01-28-2007, 09:03 AM
Let me tell what we finally figured out last year..and figured it out by accident really.
When you buy your Greyline bus ticket..they didn't take them and they were the same color everyday....so you could show it to get on the bus more than once...now, they might have figured this out by now..but we did it on the last day..those bus rides get expensive !!
Probably taken the shuttle close to fifty times over the last fifteen years and this has never happened to me that they were the same color or weren't taken up.
Probably taken the shuttle close to fifty times over the last fifteen years and this has never happened to me that they were the same color or weren't taken up.
I've had them collected as well, but I have split a roundtripacross two days - used the outbound half on Sat and return on Sun - with no problem.
I think Mich's "other shuttle" and Paul's "city bus" are the same thing.
Here's the deal.
Before Katrina, the #48/#91 city bus ran along Rampart, down Esplanade, and dropped near the Mystery St. cab stand near Liuzza's. Regular fare $1.25 each way. During Fest, the city added lots of extra buses on those routes to serve the extra demand.
After Katrina, NORTA was broke, but FEMA was picking up the cost of running the buses as necessary emergency transport. The buses were free to ride. But FEMA decided that getting folks to Jazzfest did not qualify as an emergency need. So NORTA added four temporary lines, one of which paralleled the #48 route, and one of which ran down Canal St. They all dropped at that same spot near Liuzza's. These buses cost $3 each way. The regular #91, still free at the time, ran it's regular route and schedule, but that meant only one bus per hour on weekends.
No word yet from NORTA on this year, except that the free rides are over, so even if it returns to the pre-K system, it'll still be $1.25.
See http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html and http://swag.livejournal.com/19734.html for details.
PaulC
01-28-2007, 11:06 AM
Yes Swagman,.. only discovered that $1.25 thing about four years ago,.. spent the first 4 yrs. doin' the cattle cars,.. then we discovered the cabs were a heck of a lot quicker and much less per head... After about six years,.. once we found the city buses we got to enjoy them because it made us feel more local.. And it kinda made the first two plates of food feel like they came for free,.. free I tell ya'........
Last year we quickly got tuned into the "one per whenever they come along" schedule,.. and just as quickly adapted back to the cab routine... We would walk up to Rampart,.. check out the scene,.. if peeps were grumblin' we'd snag a few,.. hail a car,.. and bingo more peeps turned into happy cabsters... I forget what they charge exactly per car for special events but it sure adds up to a lot less per head than the cattle cars,.. and it's fast,.. and offers up a good chance of educational and entertainmet possibilites with the majority of drivers....
After the fest you can always buy a one way return on the big people movers... or just hang out some and relax,.. then grab any number of cabs... I personally love the after scene outside the gates,.. a big part of the fest for me... If you need to get back quicker,.. never get in the cab line,.. instead walk in the direction the cabbies are comin' from,.. they would rather avoid the lines too...
ETinCali
01-28-2007, 11:32 AM
Probably taken the shuttle close to fifty times over the last fifteen years and this has never happened to me that they were the same color or weren't taken up.
Well, every day last year, from in front of the Sheraton....always the same color tickets..we stayed at the Pelham, walked into the Sheraton and would check..yep, tickets were the same color for the buses.
Tried it the last day and no one even batted an eye, just clicked their clicker...same thing going home...even the year before no one took the tickets away.
So I can't speak for others....
But the city buses are fine too....we rode those quite a few days, our friends lived right off Canal on N Roman, not a bad walk...
mkraus
02-06-2007, 04:43 PM
Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...
Corona
02-06-2007, 09:27 PM
Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...
bwahahahahaha!!!!! :)
mightyradgumbo
02-07-2007, 12:04 PM
Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...Thank you for attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Jazzfest Express to your left. Taxis and RTA busses to your right...
Good one mkraus-LMAO
NeenAtlanta
02-07-2007, 12:42 PM
I stayed at the Sheraton the year before last. And always enjoyed walking past the line of people waiting out front for the shuttle bus, while I just strolled up about 5-6 blocks to Rampart to catch the $1.25 or often free city bus. Plus it lets out near Liuzza's which is where I want to go anyway before fest. There were 6 of us at Fest that year, and we saved a TON of money using city buses. More $$ to spend on food and drink and shows and crafts.
Orleansnj
02-07-2007, 02:46 PM
There is also the Streetcar -Canal line - from downtown. It's a little slower - but a whole lot cheaper and they run extra cars during the fest. If you have some time and are on a budget this might just work for you.....but a cab etc. is still very reasonable compared to other major cities.
Michelino
02-08-2007, 01:00 AM
I think Mich's "other shuttle" and Paul's "city bus" are the same thing.
You think wrong. The "other shuttle" was priced around $15 round trip and tickets were available from the concierge at the Chateau Sonesta. The tickets were different than Jazz Fest Express..but similarly did have a coupon for the return trip. Whoever was running it did not have permission to drop off in the fairgrounds. so they dropped us a block or so from the gates at a small parking lot where they were also selling water for $1 a bottle. Some of these other shuttles were just large vans. One day we stayed quite late talking to an artist. By the time we got to the shuttle return point...they were packing up and one of the ticket takers just drove us back in his car. In fact, the first day when I realized that we NOT using Jazz Fest Express, I felt a little deceived, until it was time to go and we walked out of the track passed hundreds waiting in line for the JFE and right onto the "other" shuttle. Next I bought the "other shuttle" tickets without question (BTW no long line to the fairgrounds either)
I stand corrected, Crabman.
Michelino
02-09-2007, 06:37 AM
I stand corrected, Crabman.
Well I think I might follow your advice and try the City buses or taxis instead. I was soured Taxis one year when it took over an hour to get one for the way back, but that might have just been a busy day. The Jazz Fest Express does a great job for the amount of people being shuttled. Still, I have now spent enough time in line for one lifetime
Staxsun
02-09-2007, 07:42 AM
Never had a long line to Marconi Meadows. Of course you have to have a car to make that worthwhile.
Bill/KC
03-02-2007, 01:27 AM
Be sure you have a JF ticket in hand before you get on the JF Express bus. You can buy them at the same place you buy your bus ticket. AND, best of all, you can charge the whole thing and save your cash for food and drinks at the Fest. I think it's still cash only at the Fairgrounds gates for JF tix.
Corona
03-02-2007, 07:58 AM
ooh, perfect!!! Thanks Festy!
steveo
03-02-2007, 02:39 PM
Cool Forum, my first post. second Fest , seventh time to NOLA, we took the street car a few years ago then walked a few blocks to the gate. I wasnt sure the street cars were running along canal yet. Does anyone know where we can buy nice chairs in New Orleans, my crapy chair I have is realy uncomfortable.
McGregor
03-02-2007, 03:05 PM
I think it's still cash only at the Fairgrounds gates for JF tix.
Can anyone confirm the cash only at the Fairgrounds for tix?
mariena
03-02-2007, 06:00 PM
Can anyone confirm the cash only at the Fairgrounds for tix?
I paid with a credit card last year at the gate.
Mariena
mariena
03-02-2007, 06:04 PM
And once you get inside, there are atms. So getting cash when needed, shouldn't be a problem.
Mariena
McGregor
03-02-2007, 06:04 PM
I paid with a credit card last year at the gate.
Mariena
Good deal, thank you!
Cool Forum, my first post. second Fest , seventh time to NOLA, we took the street car a few years ago then walked a few blocks to the gate. I wasnt sure the street cars were running along canal yet. Does anyone know where we can buy nice chairs in New Orleans, my crapy chair I have is realy uncomfortable.
The streetcars on Canal are running all the way to City Park/Museum, normally, but last year, on Fest days, they did NOT run the leg down Carrollton to the Fest. Something about congestion and construction.
No word yet on the service for this year. RTA usually announces Fest transit info in the first half of April.
Hello all,
This is only my 2nd JF (came for my honeymoon ,last year!). I didn't purchase everything in advance like I did last year, so I'm trying to figure it all out now...
I want to buy my JF tix at gate. Where is the ticket office? Also, want to buy the 1-way JF express tix, for ride back downtown. .. are those sold at same place? Thanks! You all are SO helpful!
~Mexi
Santa Barbara, CA.
No, not the same place.
At the end of the day, follow the signs towards the bus, and shortly before you get to the boarding area, there should be a small ticket booth off to the side.
Bill/KC
04-25-2007, 12:58 PM
I might be wrong, but I believe each gate has a ticket window for JF tix.
Mardigrasbaby35
04-25-2007, 02:30 PM
I might be wrong, but I believe each gate has a ticket window for JF tix.
Yep - each gate has a ticket window - $45.00 at the gate this year.
Thanks all for the info. This is an awesome resource for information from a hardcore dedicated group of folks! My kind of people......
~Mexi
GeminiTed
05-05-2007, 11:05 AM
... Does TM charge fees for them).
TicketBastard does charge a "convenience fee" (I think it was $3 per shuttle ticket) if you order them there with your JF ticket.
Their printed shuttle tix list both weekend dates, so you can buy them early for either or both weekends.
I believe that if they could, TB would charge you a $0.50 convenience fee for even viewing the website... :rolleyes: