Top 5 best scooter rentals in New Orleans

Skip the streetcar transfers and the hunt for parking near Bourbon Street — a scooter lets you slip through the French Quarter, cross into the Marigny for live music on Frenchmen Street, and still make it Uptown before dinner. New Orleans rewards this kind of freedom: you can duck down a side street off Jackson Square one minute and be riding the oak canopy along St. Charles Avenue the next, all at your own pace.

The city is flat, compact, and built on a grid that's just spread out enough to make walking tiring but a car pointless. Neighborhoods like the Garden District, Uptown, and Bywater sit close together but far enough apart that a scooter is the sweet spot — and it sidesteps the scarce, expensive parking that makes driving here a headache. That's why so many visitors choose scooter rental in New Orleans over renting a car or relying on the streetcar alone.

Top 10 things to see in New Orleans by scooter

1. French Quarter — the historic core, with Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and colonial architecture, is the natural starting loop for any ride.
2. Garden District — oak-lined streets and antebellum mansions, best explored slowly along Magazine Street and Prytania Street.
3. St. Charles Avenue streetcar line — ride beside the historic streetcar route under a canopy of live oaks from Downtown to Uptown.
4. Audubon Park — an Uptown green space with a scenic loop road, golf course views, and access to the Mississippi River.
5. City Park — one of the largest urban parks in the US, home to the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden, with wide paths made for easy loops.
6. Frenchmen Street — the Marigny's strip of live-music clubs, just a short hop from the Quarter and perfect for an evening ride.
7. Mississippi River Levee / Moonwalk — a breezy riverside path near the French Quarter with skyline and river views.
8. Bywater neighborhood — colorful shotgun houses and street art make this a favorite detour east of the Marigny.
9. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 — the iconic above-ground "city of the dead" tombs, a classic stop on an Uptown ride.
10. Crescent Park — a riverfront stretch through the Bywater and Marigny with a pedestrian- and bike-friendly path and downtown skyline views.

What do you need to rent a scooter in New Orleans?

Rules vary by state, but in Louisiana a low-powered moped (around 50cc or under, capped near 30 mph) can usually be ridden on a standard driver's licence, while a larger scooter typically calls for a motorcycle endorsement. An International Driving Permit isn't required. Most rental companies set their own minimum age, commonly 21, and will ask for a deposit or a credit-card hold in the renter's own name — the amount depends on the operator and the vehicle.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in New Orleans?

Average rental prices run from around USD 5 per day in low season up to USD 25-35 per day in high season, with premium models reaching USD 35-45 per day.

• Prices climb during February-March, when Mardi Gras and Carnival season bring crowds.
• Late April, around French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest, is another pricier stretch.
• July-August, despite the heat and humidity, is when tourism — and prices — dip lowest.

When to book a rental scooter in New Orleans?

High season runs roughly May to September, so book a few weeks ahead if you're planning a summer trip despite the heat, and further out if your dates land on Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest. Low season stretches through the cooler, quieter months, when prices drop and availability is easy to find with little advance notice.

Local traffic rules in New Orleans

Traffic in the United States drives on the right. Louisiana does not require helmets for riders over 21, though we always recommend wearing one regardless of the law. Speed limits are typically 25-35 mph on residential and urban streets, rising on highways outside the city. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.08% nationwide, with zero tolerance for riders under 21 — so save the Sazerac for after you've parked.

Most of our scooter rentals in New Orleans come from operators with years of local experience, and they'll hand you a well-maintained vehicle, a helmet, insurance, and friendly service. If you want to rent a scooter in New Orleans, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!