Austin
New Orleans
Many travelers compare Austin and New Orleans because both offer live music of the highest level and a strong dining scene, but with different identities: Texas BBQ and tacos on one side, Creole/Cajun and beignets on the other.The two cities are about 840 km apart via I-10 (8h30 by car) and are connected by nonstop flights on Southwest in about 1h15.Key differences: Austin is perfect from March to April and October for festivals like SXSW and ACL, with very hot summers (up to 36-40 °C); New Orleans shines between February–April (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest) and October–November, but has hurricane risk from June to November.In terms of costs, NOLA tends to have slightly more affordable lodging outside peak season, while Austin hits the budget on event weekends.In this guide you’ll find a comparison with prices in €, visit times for the main attractions, detailed transport to/from AUS and MSY, tips for families, and safety advice.It ends with a section on how to combine the two cities in a single itinerary by flights, bus, or Amtrak, and a clear verdict on which to choose based on your budget and interests.
Austin vs New Orleans
| Feature | Austin | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | Accommodation: hostels at €35-55 (e.g., Firehouse Hostel), 3* hotels €120-180 (Downtown/South Congress), 4–5* €220-380 (Fairmont Austin).Food: food trucks and tacos €10-15 per meal (Veracruz All Natural), BBQ plate €15-22 (Terry Black’s).Transport: bus €1,15 per ride or day pass €2,30 (CapMetro), Uber Downtown–SoCo €10-16.Estimated per day: budget €65-95, mid-range €200-275, luxury €330-520 with 1–2 paid attractions. | Accommodation: hostels €30-45 (e.g., HI New Orleans), 3* hotels €100-160 (CBD/French Quarter), 4–5* €180-320 (The Roosevelt).Food: po’boy €9-15 (Parkway Bakery), beignets €3,70 and coffee €2,55 (Café du Monde), Creole dinner €25-40 (Cochon).Transport: streetcar €1,15, Jazzy Pass 1 day €2,75.Estimated per day: budget €60-90, mid-range €180-255, luxury €320-520; watch out for Mardi Gras with hotel rates +40–70%.✓ Better |
| Main attractions | The Texas State Capitol (free, 45-60 min) offers historical tours.The Bullock Texas State History Museum costs about €12 (1.5–2 hours).The Blanton Museum of Art is €14 (1.5–2 hours) with European and Latin American collections.Outdoors: Barton Springs Pool €8-10 (1–2 hours) and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake at €14-19/hour.Free panoramic view at Mount Bonnell (30–45 min), 8 km from downtown, ideal at sunset. | The National WWII Museum costs about €30 and takes 3-4 hours.St.Louis Cemetery No.1 is only accessible with a tour (€23-27, 1 hour).Historic jazz at Preservation Hall with tickets €25-50 (45–60 min).Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez: €36 daytime or €51 with dinner (2 hours).Stroll around Jackson Square and St.Louis Cathedral (free, 30–60 min), and visit Mardi Gras World (€20, 60–90 min).✓ Better |
| Food and restaurants | World-class barbecue: Franklin Barbecue (brisket €26-32/0,45 kg), La Barbecue and Terry Black’s.Tacos from Veracruz All Natural or Torchy’s at €3-5 each.Food trucks on East 6th and South Congress.Craft beers at Jester King (30 km from downtown; pint €6-8).Brunch on South Congress €18-28.Vegetarians well catered for on North Loop (dishes €12-18). | Iconic Creole/Cajun: gumbo and jambalaya at Dooky Chase’s (dishes €18-32), muffuletta at Central Grocery (€12-21), po’boy at Parkway (€9-15).Beignets at Café du Monde (€3,70).Oysters at Acme Oyster House (€24-32 a dozen; happy hour often €1 each).Modern cuisine at Commander’s Palace (fixed-price lunch €35-45).Market: French Market for spices and pralines €10-15 per box.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time | Austin has a subtropical climate: January 6-17 °C, April 14-26 °C, July 24-36 °C (peaks 38-40 °C), October 16-28 °C.Heavier rainfall in May and October.Recommended periods: March–April (SXSW, bluebonnets) and October–November (ACL, dry weather).Avoid outdoor activities between 13:00–17:00 in July–August; hydration and SPF 30+ are mandatory.✓ Better | New Orleans is humid and rainy (about 1,500-1,600 mm/year).January 8-18 °C, April 15-26 °C, August 25-33 °C with high humidity, November 12-22 °C.Hurricane season: June–November (peak Aug–Oct).Best periods: February–April (Mardi Gras, 12–24 °C) and October–November (15–25 °C).In summer, plan indoor visits 12:00–16:00 and bring repellent for mosquitoes. |
| Transport and how to get there | Airport AUS 10.5 km from downtown: bus CapMetro 20 €1,15, 30–40 min; Uber €23-37, 20–25 min.In the city: bus €1,15, day pass €2,30 (lines 801/803).MetroRail Red Line useful for Q2 Stadium.E-scooter rental €0,25-0,33/min.From Europe often a connection via DFW/ATL; from NYC 4h, from LAX 3h.Downtown parking €10-25/day in garages. | Airport MSY 19 km from the French Quarter: bus RTA 202 €1,15, 35–45 min; Uber €32-42, 25–35 min.In the city: single streetcar €1,15, Jazzy Pass 1 day €2,75 (lines St.Charles, Canal, Riverfront).From Europe usually with a connection at ATL/IAH.From the French Quarter to the Garden District 20–25 min by streetcar; night taxi €12-18.Parking in the CBD €15-28/day.✓ Better |
| Nightlife | Daily live music on Sixth Street, Red River, and South Congress.Clubs like Continental Club, Mohawk, and ACL Live have covers €10-30.Craft beer €6-8 a pint; cocktails €11-15.Typical hours until 02:00.The Rainey Street area offers bungalow bars with food trucks; intra-downtown Uber €8-14 at night. | Intense nights on Bourbon Street (to-go drinks legal in plastic), jazz on Frenchmen Street (Snug Harbor, Spotted Cat).Cover €5-20; classic Hurricane at €9-12 (Pat O’Brien’s).Many venues close at 03:00–04:00.Evening cruises on the NATCHEZ (€51 with dinner).Taxi/FHV on weekend nights in the French Quarter €10-18 for short rides.✓ Better |
| For families with children | At Zilker Park (3.5 km) you’ll find miniature trains and Barton Springs (water at 20 °C).The Thinkery (5.5 km, €13-15) is a children’s museum.Stroller-friendly walks on the Lady Bird Lake Trail (3–10 km options).The Wildflower Center (16 km, €12 adults) offers easy trails.Family-friendly restaurants on South Congress; short Uber rides €8-12. | The Audubon Aquarium (€37-40, 2 hours) and the Audubon Zoo (€28-30, 2–3 hours) are top picks.The Louisiana Children’s Museum (€15-16) in City Park (6 km) has interactive spaces; near Storyland.Canal streetcar to City Park (€1,15).Many restaurants welcome families on Magazine Street.In summer, plan indoor time 12:00–16:00 and bring water and repellent. |
| Beaches and nature | No sea, but great green spaces: Barton Creek Greenbelt (6–12 km of trails), McKinney Falls State Park (16 km, parking €6, 2–3 hours), Lady Bird Lake for kayaking €14-19/hour.The Barton Springs Pool stays at 20 °C year-round.Urban view from Mount Bonnell (8 km).In summer, start at 08:00 to avoid extreme heat. | No swimmable city beaches, but the Gulf Coast is close: Gulfport 130 km (1h30), Biloxi 145 km (1h40), Grand Isle 170 km (2h40).Nature: Jean Lafitte Barataria Preserve 32 km (40 min, boardwalks 1–3 km) and Bayou Sauvage 24 km for birdwatching.Swamp tours €51-60 (4–5 hours with transfer).✓ Better |
| Shopping | Boutiques on South Congress (Allen’s Boots, boots €180-450; Tecovas), design in the 2nd Street District, and mall The Domain (16 km).Vintage on North Loop (western shirts €25-60).Pop-up markets at Mueller on weekends.Sales tax on purchases about 8.25% in Travis County. | Royal Street for antiques (prints €80-300), French Market for spices and souvenirs (magnets €4-8, pralines €10-15), and Magazine Street for local boutiques.Voodoo items in shops like Hex.Local art at Jackson Square (paintings €25-60).Sales tax around 9-10% in the city. |
| Safety and practical tips | Austin is generally safe; avoid crowded stretches of East 6th after 02:00 due to fights and pickpockets.Do not leave belongings in cars at Greenbelt trailheads.Tap water is potable; summers are very hot, bring electrolytes.Emergencies 911; for city info 3-1-1.Use only official apps for scooters and respect bike lanes.✓ Better | In the French Quarter watch for pickpockets and the “shoelace scammers.” Avoid poorly lit blocks of Central City and the 7th Ward at night.Open container allowed only in plastic (no glass).Emergencies 911.During hurricane season, monitor the NWS and keep an evacuation plan.Use taxis/Uber after 23:00 between Frenchmen and your lodging. |
| How many days do you need | Minimum 2-3 days: day 1 Downtown, Capitol and Blanton; day 2 Zilker, Barton Springs and live music on South Congress; day 3 East Austin and BBQ.Ideal 3-4 days including McKinney Falls or Jester King (half day).Intra-downtown travel times 10-20 min by Uber. | Minimum 2-3 days: day 1 French Quarter, Jackson Square, evening at Preservation Hall; day 2 WWII Museum and Garden District; day 3 NATCHEZ cruise or swamp tour.Ideal 3-4 days to include City Park and the zoo.Streetcars connect key areas in 15-30 min. |
| How to combine the two cities | Direct flight AUS→MSY 1h15 with Southwest/American; round-trip often €140-260, one-way €70-140.By car via I-10: 840 km, 8h30 plus stops (fuel about €65-90 total).Bus Greyhound/MegaBus 9-10h, €40-70.Amtrak train via San Antonio: 15-17h, €75-120.Tip: fly after lunch to arrive in NOLA by 18:00. | NOLA as final base: flight MSY→AUS identical in time/cost (1h15, €70-140 one-way).If driving toward NOLA, stop in Houston (265 km from Austin) or Lafayette (220 km from Houston) to break up the trip.The Amtrak “Sunset Limited” departs from San Antonio (I-35 from Austin 1h20-1h40).Book 2–3 weeks in advance to lock in low fares. |
The Verdict
Choose Austin
Choose Austin if you love live music every night, urban parks, and BBQ.Best time: March–April or October (12–28 °C).Mid-range budget: €200-275/day with a 3* hotel, 2 meals out, and 1–2 attractions.Quick 3-day itinerary: day 1 Capitol and Blanton + live show at Continental Club; day 2 Zilker, Barton Springs, sunset at Mount Bonnell, dinner at Terry Black’s; day 3 Lady Bird Lake by kayak and street art in East Austin.Get around with CapMetro 801/803 and short Ubers.
Choose New Orleans
Choose New Orleans for authentic jazz, Creole cuisine, and history.Ideal time: February–April or October (12–26 °C).Mid-range budget: €180-255/day with a 3* hotel, unlimited streetcars, and 1 premium attraction.3-day itinerary: day 1 French Quarter, Jackson Square, evening at Preservation Hall; day 2 National WWII Museum and Garden District; day 3 NATCHEZ cruise or a tour in the Barataria Preserve.Use the Jazzy Pass and book restaurants like Commander’s Palace in advance.