Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Rideshare pickup at MSY is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at MSY
UUber Pickup Zone
Level 1 Baggage Claim, middle curb, Zone 3 — exit Doors 9–11 for UberX and most Uber services
LLyft Pickup Zone
Level 1 Baggage Claim, middle curb, Zone 3 — exit Doors 7–9 for Lyft
In the app
Search 'Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)'; Uber routes to Doors 9–11 / Zone 3, Lyft routes to Doors 7–9 / Zone 3 middle curb
How to find the rideshare zone
Exit Level 1 Baggage Claim and head to the middle curb: Uber passengers use Doors 9–11, Lyft passengers use Doors 7–9 — both are Zone 3 on the middle curb.
Cell Phone Lot
Free Taxicab/Rideshare Staging Area & Cell Phone Lot at the corner of Airline Drive and Hollandey Street — up to 1 hour; combined taxi and rideshare driver staging area. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at MSY
When surge peaks: Surge peaks during Mardi Gras (February/March), Jazz Fest (April/May), Essence Fest (July), and New Year's Eve; MSY handles massive festival crowds and surge can reach 3–5× normal fares on peak days.
Wait tip
Uber Reserve is available up to 30 days in advance at MSY — pre-booking before your flight ensures a driver is waiting on landing; for same-day pickups, request only after stepping outside at the correct door.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at MSY including rental cars and public transit, see the MSY Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for MSY
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →