Krewe of Counselors Fly-In Program

We do things differently in New Orleans and our counselor visit program is no exception. We typically host this annual program in January or February to provide an immersive experience in Tulane and New Orleans culture right before Mardi Gras. Of course we will introduce you to all things Tulane, but we also want you to get to know our higher education neighbors in New Orleans by incorporating visits to Dillard University, Loyola University, and Xavier University into the program schedule. View a sample schedule.

We book flights via Tulane’s travel portal which provides numerous options for airlines and flight times within allowable fare limits. We coordinate with attendees to choose a preferred airline and schedule. Attendees may extend their stays on the front or back end of the program. We are happy to shift flight arrival or departure dates, but changes cannot be made after the flight has been purchased. Because people arrive at various times and our fly-in is limited to approximately 50 people each year, we allow attendees to arrange for their own ground transportation to and from the New Orleans airport via their preferred ground transportation (cab, airport shuttle, or uberX) at the times that work best with their schedules. However, we do have reimbursement limits on ground transportation to and from the New Orleans airport.

The host hotel is typically 15 miles and 25 minutes from the airport without traffic. Most hotels in the city are four miles and a 12-minute drive or a 35-minute St. Charles Avenue streetcar ride from Tulane. We choose a hotel each year that is in a popular area of the city and typically convenient to the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line.

Attendees can choose to take a cab, the Airport Shuttle, or ride apps, Uber and Lyft. The cab stand is located outside the baggage claim area. Airport Shuttle tickets can be purchases in advance on their website below or after arriving at the airport by baggage claim. If using a ride app, this information on the ride app process provides helpful directions. The fare from the airport to the hotel via a cab or ride app is a flat rate of $36 without tip and the Airport Shuttle charges $24 per person or $44 for a round-trip fare. The Airport Shuttle can be a more cost-effective option for solo travelers, but it will make numerous stops at various hotels in the New Orleans area resulting in a trip that could take 90 minutes instead of 25 minutes in a cab or other ride.

Airport Shuttle – (866) 596-2699

The first formal event is a dinner the first evening. We recommend flights that arrive at least two and a half hours before the first scheduled event to account for possible flight delays and traffic encounters. If taking an early morning flight, the hotel may be able to accommodate early check-ins. If the room is not ready, attendees can leave luggage at the front desk and explore the area on foot or by streetcar or bus. A Tulane tote bag with the agenda, snacks, and Tulane swag awaits attendees at the hotel.

The program concludes shortly before noon on the final day. We provide complimentary transportation on a shuttle bus departing late morning from the hotel with an expected arrival of around noon at the New Orleans airport. Arrival on the first day requires a cab, Airport Shuttle, or ride that may be arranged solo or shared. The departure on Tuesday has the option of a complimentary Tulane shuttle. We reimburse up to $50 in total for ground transportation to and from the New Orleans airport so attendees may wish to arrange for a flight departure time from New Orleans that coordinates with the shuttle bus arrival of around noon at the New Orleans airport for the return.

Attendees are provided with a private single occupancy room with most likely one king bed. We cannot guarantee a specific bed type, but we can guarantee that everyone will have their own room.

Attendees need to save, scan, or take pictures of receipts and send them via email to the Tulane counselor fly-in contact. The date of service, route, and total cost should be legible.

We reimburse up to $50 in total for transportation to and from the New Orleans airport. We cannot pay for any flight upgrades or baggage fees, nor reimburse for any tickets purchased with miles. The week after the fly-in, we begin working on the reimbursements so attendees should send all ground transportation receipts as soon as possible. A reimbursement check is mailed within four to six weeks of the fly-in. Checks can only be issued to attendees, so reimbursements to schools or organizations are made by attendees signing the check over to the school or organization.

We email a list of all attendees about three weeks before the fly-in so that you may coordinate shared transportation to and from the airport if you are arriving at similar times into New Orleans.

Possibly none! We cover dinner the first evening, three meals on day two, and breakfast the day of departure. We cover up to $50 for transportation to and from the New Orleans airport and to all scheduled activities. If attendees wish to experience some of the city’s nightlife after our scheduled activities conclude each evening, they may arrange for their own evening transportation at their own expense. If attendees indicated at the time of the RSVP that they wish to arrive one night early or stay one night longer, the charge for the extra night will be at their expense, but at the discounted rate that the hotel provided Tulane for the program. Attendees may have a separate reservation for any additional nights; however, they will not be required to change rooms. We send confirmation details for any additional nights about a month before arrival. Tulane covers the cost of accommodations for the two nights of the program. The availability of an extra night at the hotel is not guaranteed.

We recommend either the streetcar, Magazine Street #11 bus, a cab, or using a ride app like Uber or Lyft.

• The St. Charles Avenue streetcar and the Magazine Street #11 bus will take attendees uptown. The streetcar and bus are $1.25 per person each way and exact change is required. Or, payment may be made via the New Orleans RTA app, Le Pass. A one-day RTA unlimited ride Jazzy Pass is $3.
• United Cab (504) 522-9771, will provide transportation in the area to any destination requested. All cabs accept credit cards. Or, you may pay by using the United Cab app, Curb.

Attendees may wish to ride the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar uptown toward Tulane which is located at 6823 St. Charles Avenue and across the street from Audubon Park. Headed in the direction of Canal Street and the French Quarter, the ride would be extremely short (it’s better to walk the six blocks). The streetcar stops near most hotels in the downtown area outside the French Quarter. A popular area is nearby Magazine Street, which boasts a plethora of local shops and restaurants and is accessible by the #11 Magazine Street bus which picks up near many downtown hotels which are also about a 15-minute walk from the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.

Yes! The host hotel typically offers its own exercise facility. Tulane also offers the incredible Reily Recreation Center on-campus and a complimentary pass to Reily can be provided. Additionally, many locals jog on the median by the St. Charles Avenue streetcar tracks or in Audubon Park which boasts a 1.7-mile loop around its perimeter. The Moon Walk is a 1.3-mile path downtown along the Mississippi River and just a short walk from the hotel. Crescent Park along the Mississippi River is accessible via the red Riverfront Streetcar from downtown and boasts a 1.4-mile landscaped path.

While Mardi Gras day is typically two weeks after our program, the carnival season begins January 6 with parades, king cake, and other festivities. So, you are in luck and attendees can experience a Mardi Gras parade if they opt to arrive early as sometimes parades like Krewe du Vieux ride in the French Quarter the Saturday prior to the program. We can assist attendees in investigating the option of adding an extra night to the reservation we have at the hotel or attendees you may wish to make their own arrangements for the extra night.

To express interest, please submit the Krewe of Counselors Fly-In Interest Form. Submission of the form does not guarantee a spot, but it will get you looped into our counselor communications. Invitations typically drop in early November.