The Algiers ferry is a passenger boat that crosses the Mississippi River between the foot of Canal Street and Algiers Point, and for $2 it might be the best deal in New Orleans. The ride takes about five to ten minutes. You get the whole skyline from the middle of the river, and a quiet old neighborhood waiting on the other side.
We tell people about this ferry all the time. It's the thing we recommend when somebody asks for something to do that isn't Bourbon Street and doesn't cost much.
How to Ride the Algiers Ferry
The Canal Street terminal sits at the foot of Canal Street, right by the Aquarium. The Algiers side lands at Algiers Point. Ferries leave Canal Street at a quarter past and a quarter till the hour, and they leave Algiers Point on the hour and the half hour, according to New Orleans & Company.
The first boat goes at 6 a.m. from Algiers Point and 6:15 a.m. from Canal. The last one from Canal Street leaves at 8:45 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Plan on about half an hour from boarding to stepping off, with the crossing itself taking five to ten minutes.
The adult fare is $2, and reduced fares are available for youth and seniors, among others. You can pay with the RTA's Le Pass app. Check the RTA site before you go, since the Algiers terminal has been under construction and service has been suspended for short stretches during the work.
It Used to Be Free
There's been a ferry between Canal Street and Algiers since 1827, per Wikipedia's history of the line. For decades it was free. Then in 2014, the RTA took it over and a $2 fare came with it, and plenty of locals still bring this up any chance they get. Fair enough.
The terminals have their own drama. The first Algiers terminal collapsed into the river in 1920. Its replacement burned in 1952. The Canal Street side got a new terminal in 2023, and the Algiers side is being rebuilt now. Somehow the boats keep running.
What You See From the Middle of the River
This is why you go. Once you're out on the water, the city lays itself out in front of you: the French Quarter, the steeples of the Cathedral, the towers of the CBD and the long curve of the riverfront. The bridge sits off upriver. Big ships slide past closer than you'd expect.
The river is the whole reason New Orleans is here, and most visitors never get on it. Standing on the ferry is the fastest way to understand the shape of the city. You'll see the crescent. You'll see why we give directions by the water instead of the compass. Our River. Lake. Uptown. Downtown. shirt makes a lot more sense after this ride.
Here's a fun one for the boat. You're heading to the West Bank, which sits south and east of the Quarter. Locals like to say the sun rises over the West Bank. Don't let it ruin your day.
Algiers Point: A Small Town Inside the City
Algiers Point is part of New Orleans, even though it's across the river. Algiers was annexed into the city in 1870, and the Point itself came out of plantation land divided into lots in the 1840s, according to the Algiers Historical Society. The society has called it New Orleans' "best kept secret."
Step off the ferry and the noise of the Quarter is just gone. You've got old cottages and shotguns, quiet streets and big trees. People walk dogs. Somebody's always on a porch.
The best free thing to do is walk the levee. The path along the top gives you a straight-on view of the French Quarter across the water, and at sunset it's hard to beat.
Then wander. The neighborhood is small enough to see on foot in an afternoon, and the old houses are worth the walk on their own. Our older Neighborhood: Algiers profile has more of the history. If you want to stop for a drink or a bite, ask somebody on the street where they'd go. West Bank people are happy to give you an opinion.
Why Locals Love It
Plenty of locals ride the ferry to commute, and plenty more ride it just to ride it. It's a cheap date. It's also where you take your out-of-town cousin when you're tired of the Quarter but still want to show off.
It also shows up on our list of tourist traps locals skip and what to do instead. A riverboat dinner cruise is fine. The ferry gives you most of the same view for two bucks.
And there's a whole tradition of ferry jokes in this town. Our Rogue Ferry Tours shirt is for anyone who absolutely has to leave Chalmette: "We'll get you somewhere. Not sure where."
If you've got a friend on the other side of the river, send them our Wish Y'all Were Here Westbank Postcard. They'll get it.
Algiers Ferry: FAQ
How much does the Algiers ferry cost?
The adult fare is $2 each way, and reduced fares are available for youth and seniors, among others. You can pay with the RTA's Le Pass app. Check norta.com for current fares.
How long is the ferry ride from Canal Street to Algiers Point?
The crossing takes about five to ten minutes. Plan on about 30 minutes from boarding to getting off.
What time does the Algiers ferry run?
The first ferry leaves Algiers Point at 6 a.m. and Canal Street at 6:15 a.m. The last boat from Canal Street leaves at 8:45 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Check the RTA for service changes during terminal construction.
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