Packing list
What to Wear in New Orleans
New Orleans runs from 6 °C (43 °F) nights in January to 34 °C (92 °F) days in July, and August is the wettest month, with about 18 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.
What should you wear in New Orleans?
By the average daytime high in New Orleans.
May–Oct: highs 83–92°F (28–34°C)
Light, breathable fabrics: linen or cotton tops, shorts or light skirts, sandals.
Mar–Apr: highs 75–80°F (24–27°C)
Short sleeves by day, a light long-sleeve or thin layer for air-conditioning and evenings.
Nov–Feb: highs 64–73°F (18–23°C)
Layers: long sleeves or a light sweater, and a light jacket for the evening.
What should you pack for New Orleans?
Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.
Documents & Money
Check in online and save your boarding passes offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Before you go: lock up, unplug appliances, arrange pet and plant care, hold the mail, leave a spare key with someone
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Wallet with ID, driver's licence, health insurance card and payment cards
House and car keys, in your carry-on
Transit card: Le Pass · New Orleans
Clothing
Underwear ×8
Per person
Socks ×8
Per person
Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5
Per person
Comfortable walking shoes
Sleepwear
Light layer (sweater or hoodie)
One smart outfit and shoes for a dinner out
Change of clothes in your carry-on
Flip-flops or shower sandals
Swimsuit
Compression socks
Belt
Workout clothes and shoes (if you exercise on the road)
Light scarf, shawl or travel blanket for cold planes and buses
Tech & Accessories
Install local apps: Uber, Lyft
Phone charger, with USB-C and USB-A cables
Power bank, in your carry-on (never in a checked bag)
Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)
Laptop or tablet and charger (if you bring one)
Wired earbuds or a Bluetooth transmitter for the seatback screen
Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord
Camera with a spare battery and memory card
Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags
Health & Safety
Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
Toiletry bag: deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razor
Clear quart bag for carry-on liquids (100 ml / 3.4 oz each)
Prescription medication and daily vitamins (with a copy of the prescription)
Glasses or contacts, solution, eye drops and a spare pair (if you wear them)
Hairbrush or comb, and hair products
Face wash and moisturizer
Makeup and makeup remover (if you wear it)
Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine, cold medicine
Small first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Travel wet wipes
Earplugs
Sleep eye mask
Lip balm with SPF
Nail clippers, nail file and tweezers
Period products (if you need them)
Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm
Perfume or cologne (if you wear it)
Motion-sickness tablets or bands
Face mask for the plane
Gear & Activity
Reusable water bottle
Daypack
Zip bags in a few sizes
Packable tote or shopping bag
Laundry bag for dirty clothes
Luggage tags with your phone and email
Luggage lock
Mini sewing kit and safety pins
Small flashlight or headlamp
Extras
Travel neck pillow
Snacks and gum for the journey
Book or e-reader
Notebook or travel journal
Download or print this list
Weather gear by month
A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days (snow in a month below freezing on average is not rain), nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer; sun protection also marks every month in a city 2,500 m up or higher. Bug protection marks a month that is both hot and rainy, or every month where malaria or dengue is a risk.
| Month | Rain gear | Warm layers | Sun protection | Bug protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Feb | ✓ | · | · | · |
| Mar | · | · | ✓ | · |
| Apr | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| May | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jun | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| Jul | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aug | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sep | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oct | · | · | ✓ | · |
| Nov | · | · | · | · |
| Dec | ✓ | · | · | · |
Rain gear
- Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella
Warm layers
- Warm insulated jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Thermal base layer
Sun protection
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
- After-sun or aloe gel
- Handheld fan or cooling towel
Bug protection
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
- Bite relief cream
New Orleans weather by month
Average daily high and low, and days with rain or snow per month (a snowflake marks snow). Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.
New Orleans
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64°F / 18°C | 43°F / 6°C (cold) | 9 |
| Feb | 69°F / 21°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 |
| Mar | 75°F / 24°C | 54°F / 12°C | 8 |
| Apr | 80°F / 27°C | 59°F / 15°C | 8 |
| May | 87°F / 30°C (hot) | 67°F / 20°C | 9 |
| Jun | 91°F / 33°C (hot) | 73°F / 23°C | 14 |
| Jul | 92°F / 34°C (hot) | 75°F / 24°C | 17 |
| Aug | 92°F / 33°C (hot) | 75°F / 24°C | 18 |
| Sep | 90°F / 32°C (hot) | 72°F / 22°C | 10 |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 63°F / 17°C | 6 |
| Nov | 73°F / 23°C | 52°F / 11°C | 6 |
| Dec | 68°F / 20°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes in Apr–Sep, Dec–Feb: in those months at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain. Outside them a compact umbrella is enough.
In Jan, yes: nights average 8 °C (46 °F) or colder somewhere on this route, so pack an insulated jacket, hat and gloves.
In Apr–Sep, yes: those months are hot and wet somewhere on this route, which is mosquito season. Pack a DEET or picaridin repellent and bite cream.
Uber, Lyft.
Next: the trip itself
Going to New Orleans for 7 days? Get the day-by-day plan too.
Timed activities, restaurant picks, a budget that adds up, and a map for every day. What you told us is already filled in. Free, no sign-up.
Plan my New Orleans trip →Sample New Orleans itineraries
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Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated October 15, 2026.