Budget — New Orleans

Reference budget €150-200/day/person in New Orleans — more affordable than NYC or California. Flights Paris-NOLA via Atlanta (Delta direct CDG-ATL 9h + ATL-MSY 1h45 = 12h, €700-1,200 return by season), NYC (Air France Paris-JFK direct 8h + JFK-MSY Delta 3h, 14h total). French Quarter accommodation: B&B €150-220/night (Olivier House, Place d'Armes, Andrew Jackson Hotel), boutique hotels €200-350 (1886 iconic Hotel Monteleone, Bourbon Orleans, Maison Dupuy, Royal Sonesta), luxury €300-500 (Windsor Court, 1893 Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria). Marigny €150-280. Garden District €150-280. CBD €180-300. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest +200-300%. Common French Quarter Airbnb €150-300/night. Food: Café du Monde beignet breakfast $8-12/person, po'boy sandwich at Domilise's or Mother's $10-18, Coop's Place jambalaya lunch $25-40, mid-range dinner $40-70/person pre-tip 18-20% (Acme Oyster House $30-50, Felix's $30-50), gourmet Commander's Palace brunch $50 jazz 25-cent martini or dinner $100-180/person (essential experience, 1 month ahead), Brennan's Bananas Foster $100-180, Galatoire's $80-150 dress code, Cochon modern Cajun $60-100, Mosquito Supper Club $100-150. Tip 18-20% + 9.45% sales tax (count +28% menu). Activities: Cabildo museum $8, Presbytère $8, Voodoo Museum $7, French Quarter Walking Tour $25-35, Frenchmen Street jazz club no cover charge (1-2 mandatory drinks $15-25), Preservation Hall ($25 per 45-min show, 3 shows/night), Mississippi Steamboat Natchez cruise ($35-55, 2h, live jazz), bayou airboat alligator tour ($35-70 half day), Oak Alley plantation $28, Whitney Plantation $25, WWII Museum $30. Transport: St Charles Streetcar $1.25/ride, RTA Bus $1.25, Uber/Lyft $5-15 typical ride, taxi $10-25, Algiers Point watertaxi $4. MSY airport → French Quarter flat taxi $36 or Uber $30-50 (35 min). Total 4 nights for 2 people excl. flights: €1,800-3,500 by category.