Bus Tours

Bus tours in Louisiana make up 17% of all tours sold in the state, with 120 options ranging from city highlights to swamp and plantation excursions. Most travelers book these to see more in less time, especially when covering New Orleans neighborhoods, cemeteries, or the bayou.

The median price for a bus tour is $125, much higher than the $31 median across all Louisiana tours. This reflects both longer excursions and bundled experiences, like combining a city tour with a swamp boat ride. With only 6% rated below 4 stars, most options satisfy, but the range of experiences and prices is wide.

With 120 bus tours on offer, this is one of Louisiana's largest categories—second only to walking tours. Prices start under $30 for basic city or ghost tours, but 36 tours cost over $250, often reflecting longer durations or bundled experiences. The median price within the category is $125, far above the $63 median for walking, cultural, or historical tours, and much higher than the destination-wide median of $31. This is due to the mix of short city loops and full-day trips that include transportation, admissions, and guided commentary.

Unlike walking tours, which cluster around $63, bus tours cover a wide spectrum. Nine tours are under $30, 34 fall between $30 and $60, and 30 are $60–$120. The higher end includes full-day excursions, often with multiple stops such as plantations and swamps. The price spread means travelers need to look closely at what's included and how much time they'll spend on the bus versus at attractions.

For travelers wanting a quick orientation or a themed experience, city loops and ghost tours dominate the lower price band. The Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans, for example, starts at $23 and focuses on nighttime stories and cemetery stops. However, some reviewers were disappointed when advertised access to multiple cemeteries was not delivered, or when guides were rude. This pattern appears in several night tours, where 6% of all bus tours are rated below 4 stars—higher than the average for the category.

Mid-range tours ($30–$60) typically offer a broader city overview, with hotel pickup and licensed guides. These suit first-time visitors who want to cover New Orleans highlights, the French Quarter, and cemeteries in a few hours. However, some reviewers on these tours found the commentary lacking in depth or cultural inclusivity, and a few mentioned issues with confirmation emails or pickup logistics. Most city tours do include at least one stop at a cemetery and a break for local treats like beignets.

Hop-on hop-off tours, priced from $38, are popular for flexibility but draw more critical reviews than other formats. Complaints include infrequent buses, unclear ticketing, and being left far from the original pickup point. If flexibility is your priority, check recent reviews for operational consistency.

For deeper exploration, higher-priced tours ($84 and up) bundle city sightseeing with visits to plantations or swamp boat rides. These tours tend to get the highest ratings, with the Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour scoring 4.76 from over 3,500 reviews. The main drawbacks here are long durations with limited stops for meals, and, in some cases, guides who are overly enthusiastic or repetitive. If you want to see more of Louisiana beyond New Orleans, these full-day tours are the best value, but plan for a full day and bring snacks.