USA · Americas

Custom tours to New Orleans

Jazz, gumbo, and a city that refuses to sleep.

From 2,000/person·Best: February–May (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), October–November
Photo by Sade F. on Pexels

What is a custom tour to New Orleans?

A custom tour to New Orleans is a private, fully personalized itinerary built around your dates, interests, and budget. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you work with a local expert to choose experiences like Frenchmen Street jazz club night, Swamp airboat with Cajun guide, and Oak Alley plantation day trip. Travelers typically spend 7–10 days in New Orleans, visiting in February–May (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), October–November, with custom tours starting from around €2,000 per person.

A custom tour to New Orleans is not the same trip as a package. It's designed around you — your pace, your interests, your dates — with a local partner who lives there and knows which streets are worth the walk and which are worth skipping. A custom New Orleans tour books a Frenchmen Street jazz night that isn't Bourbon, a Garden District walk with an architectural historian, and a swamp airboat with a Cajun guide who knows the alligators by name.

New Orleans sits in USA in Americas, and rewards travelers who go beyond the highlights. Our custom itineraries start with the icons — Frenchmen Street jazz club night and Garden District architecture walk — then pivot to the kind of local moments that make a trip memorable: a morning with a private guide, a quiet hour at Cooking class — before the crowds arrive, and an evening chosen just for you.

Plan for February–May (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), October–November as the best window to visit. A one-week custom trip starts from €2,000 per person, including private guides, curated hotels, and flexible transport — peak weeks cost more, shoulder months less. New Orleans sits in the comfortable mid-range of our destinations for price.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

Our recommended months are February–May (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), October–November. Here's a month-by-month view with planning notes.

Jan
Low season — best availability and value.
Feb
Recommended
Low season; quiet and often cheaper.
Mar
Recommended
Shoulder; weather improves.
Apr
Shoulder; ideal weather begins.
May
Recommended
High shoulder; book early.
Jun
Peak; great weather, higher prices.
Jul
Peak; crowded but vibrant.
Aug
Peak; holiday month in much of Europe.
Sep
High shoulder; our favorite month.
Oct
Recommended
Shoulder; lovely light and smaller crowds.
Nov
Recommended
Low shoulder; quiet and atmospheric.
Dec
Low season except Christmas and NYE.

Top experiences in New Orleans

Hand-picked moments from our local operators. Every custom tour includes a selection of these, or something better if we find it.

Experience 1
Frenchmen Street jazz club night
The best version of this experience happens after the day-trippers leave. Booked at the golden hour with a local.
Experience 2
Garden District architecture walk
Led by a guide who knows the trails in every season. Rated for your fitness, with a surprise stop or two along the way.
Experience 3
Swamp airboat with Cajun guide
On the water is the best way to see New Orleans. Private charter, small group, and a route that skips the tourist queues.
Experience 4
Cooking class — gumbo and beignets
A meal doubles as a cultural immersion. We pair you with a chef or food writer who'll take you to the places locals actually eat.
Experience 5
Oak Alley plantation day trip
A full day outside the city with a private driver-guide. Small roads, local lunches, back for dinner.
Experience 6
Second-line parade (season)
A curated experience at the heart of why travelers choose New Orleans. Tailored to your interests, led by a local expert.

Sample itineraries

Two starting points — your real itinerary is custom. We build from here.

7-day classic

  1. 1
    Arrive in New Orleans
    Airport meet-and-greet, check-in, and a relaxed orientation walk in the evening. Welcome dinner at a local favourite.
  2. 2
    Frenchmen Street jazz club night
    Morning focus: Frenchmen Street jazz club night. Afternoon free — we'll suggest the best coffee spots, bookshops, or a spa slot nearby.
  3. 3
    Garden District architecture walk
    A half-day on Garden District architecture walk, with a long lunch stop built in and the rest of the afternoon yours.
  4. 4
    Swamp airboat with Cajun guide
    Full-day experience: Swamp airboat with Cajun guide. Evening at leisure — or we can arrange an off-menu dinner.
  5. 5
    Cooking class — gumbo and beignets
    Cooking class — gumbo and beignets — often the highlight day for most travelers. Private guide and transport throughout.
  6. 6
    Oak Alley plantation day trip
    Oak Alley plantation day trip, with an optional food- or culture-focused evening to round things off.
  7. 7
    Departure
    Late check-out, farewell breakfast, and a private transfer to the airport.

14-day deep dive

  1. 1
    Arrive in New Orleans
    Private airport transfer, check-in, welcome dinner at a curated restaurant.
  2. 2
    Frenchmen Street jazz club night
    Half-day on Frenchmen Street jazz club night. Afternoon free to settle in.
  3. 3
    Garden District architecture walk
    Full day: Garden District architecture walk, with a long lunch in a neighbourhood you'd never have found alone.
  4. 4
    Local pace day
    A slower day — coffee, markets, a cooking class, or a spa afternoon. Your call.
  5. 5
    Swamp airboat with Cajun guide
    Swamp airboat with Cajun guide, with time built in for photos and a leisurely stop.
  6. 6
    Half-day leisure
    Sleep in, breakfast slowly, and pick one short activity in the afternoon.
  7. 7
    Cooking class — gumbo and beignets
    A full day centred on Cooking class — gumbo and beignets.
  8. 8
    Regional extension — travel day
    Transfer to a nearby area chosen for your interests (coast, countryside, or another city).
  9. 9
    Regional extension — highlight
    The signature experience of your extension, with a local guide.
  10. 10
    Regional extension — free
    An open day in the extension — beach, hike, market, or just rest.
  11. 11
    Return to base
    Travel back to New Orleans. Afternoon free.
  12. 12
    Oak Alley plantation day trip
    Oak Alley plantation day trip — saved for later in the trip, now that you know the city.
  13. 13
    Second-line parade (season)
    Second-line parade (season) on your last full day, with a farewell dinner to match.
  14. 14
    Departure
    Private transfer to the airport. We stay in touch after you return.

Practical information

Visa
ESTA (US$21) for 38 countries; 90 days
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Language
English
Timezone
CST (UTC-6)

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?+

The best time to visit New Orleans is February–May (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest), October–November. These months offer the best balance of weather, availability, and pricing. Peak holiday weeks cost more and get crowded; shoulder months are often our favorite.

How many days do I need in New Orleans?+

Most travelers spend 5–8 days in New Orleans as a single destination, or 10–14 days when combining with nearby regions. A custom tour lets you stretch or compress based on what you want to see.

Do I need a visa to visit New Orleans?+

ESTA (US$21) for 38 countries; 90 days. Requirements change — always check with the local consulate or your country's travel advisory before booking flights.

How much does a custom tour to New Orleans cost?+

Mid-range custom tours to New Orleans start from around €2,000 per person for a 7-day trip including accommodation, private guides, and transport. Luxury and adventure packages scale from there.

What should I pack for New Orleans?+

Packing depends on season and activities, but always include comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing for temperature shifts, a universal adapter, and respectful clothing for religious sites. Your custom itinerary comes with a tailored packing list.

People also ask

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  • Can I combine New Orleans with another destination?

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