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How to Book a Trip to New Orleans

How to · Travel

How to Book a Trip to New Orleans

Plan a New Orleans getaway for around $1,800 and pay it off in predictable chunks without interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $120.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,800 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

New Orleans is about live brass on Frenchmen Street, hot beignets at midnight, and some of the best food in the country. If you want the full experience without paying peak prices, late summer or early December right before holiday rates spike gives you smaller crowds and lower hotel rates.

A solid long weekend here usually runs around $1800 for flights, lodging, food, and music. Instead of draining your savings all at once, you can spread that cost across more than a year without paying interest.

Keep in mind that 0% intro APR is not free money; it is a strict deadline. If you do not pay off the full $1800 within the 15 months, the regular variable APR kicks in on whatever balance is left.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your window

    Aim for late summer if you do not mind the humidity, or early December before the holiday surge begins. Flights and hotel prices drop significantly during these two windows. You will get the music and food culture without the massive Mardi Gras markup.

  2. 02

    Choose the right neighborhood

    Skip the loud center of Bourbon Street and look for places in the Garden District, Marigny, or Bywater. You can easily walk or take the streetcar to the French Quarter whenever you want. You will sleep better and often save on nightly room rates.

  3. 03

    Map out your daily spending

    Set aside roughly half your daily spend for meals and club covers. Most music venues on Frenchmen Street have cheap entry fees or one-drink minimums. Mix casual po'boy spots with one or two nice Creole dinners to keep spending balanced.

  4. 04

    Spread the cost interest-free

    Put the $1800 trip on the Discover it® Cash Back, which offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Paying $120.00 per month clears the balance right before the promotional window ends. That keeps your cash in your account while avoiding interest completely.

  5. 05

    Book activities in advance

    Grab reservations for popular dinner spots and reserve any walking or swamp tours before you arrive. Group tickets and museum passes often offer small discounts online compared to walk-up prices. Booking ahead also helps you track your total spending before you land.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

When is the cheapest time to visit New Orleans?

Late summer and early December are typically the cheapest times to visit. Summer brings heat, but hotel rates hit rock bottom. Early December offers cooler weather and low prices right before holiday tourists arrive.

Do I need a car in New Orleans?

No, you do not need to rent a car. The city is very walkable, and streetcars, rideshares, or city bikes cover everywhere else easily. Skipping a rental car also saves you from high hotel parking fees.

How much should I budget for food and drinks?

Budgeting around $75 to $100 per person per day gives you plenty of room for great meals and drinks. You can grab cheap beignets and po'boys during the day and save room for nicer sit-down dinners at night.

What happens if I don't pay off the card in 15 months?

Any balance left over after the 15-month intro window begins accruing interest at the card's standard ongoing rate. To avoid extra costs, set up an automatic payment of $120.00 per month so the balance hits zero on time.