New Orleans Per Diem Rates 2026 (FY2027)
The FY2027 GSA per diem for New Orleans, LA is $138 to $188 per night lodging (peak Feb–May) + $80 M&IE, $218 to $268 per day.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027. Covers Orleans / Jefferson Parishes.
$138–$188
Lodging per night
peak Feb–May
$80
M&IE per day
$60 on first/last day
$268
Max total per day
$188 + $80, peak season
+48%
Peak vs standard rate
standard $113 + $68 = $181
Lodging by season in New Orleans
Standard rate: $113/night (cities without their own listing)
- Oct 1–Jan 31$162
- Feb 1–May 31$188
- Jun 1–Aug 31$138
- Sep 1–Sep 30$162
Cheapest: $138 (Jun–Aug). Peak: $188 (Feb–May), $50 more per night.
Meals and incidentals in New Orleans: $80 a day
Breakfast
$20
Lunch
$22
Dinner
$33
Incidentals
$5
First/last day (75%)
$60
Example: Monday to Thursday in New Orleans
Mon, Nov 30, 2026 to Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 3 nights in the Oct 1–Jan 31 season ($162/night). Maximum allowance.
Lodging
$486
3 x $162
Meals and incidentals
$280
2 x $60 + 2 x $80 = $120 + $160
Total
$766
$486 + $280
Calculate your New Orleans trip
New Orleans, LA: 2 nights, 3 travel days
Maximum per diem for this trip
$524
Lodging
$324
Meals and incidentals (M&IE)
$200
First report free: log real expenses next to your per diem and export a PDF or Excel expense report.
Day-by-day breakdown
| Date | Lodging | M&IE | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | $162 | $60 | First day, 75% M&IE |
| Tue, Nov 10, 2026 | $162 | $80 | Full day, 100% M&IE |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | none | $60 | Last day, 75% M&IE |
| Total | $324 | $200 |
Lodging is the maximum nightly rate for the season that covers each night, not a flat allowance for hotel receipts. M&IE here is $80 per day at New Orleans, LA: breakfast $20, lunch $22, dinner $33, incidentals $5; first and last day $60.
Turn this into a trip report
Log expenses and receipts during your New Orleans trip and export a PDF and Excel report. Tracking is free and your first trip report is free; after that $3.99 per trip or $19 a year for unlimited reports.
New Orleans per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in New Orleans for 2026?
The FY2027 GSA per diem for New Orleans, LA is $138 to $188 per night lodging (peak Feb–May) + $80 M&IE, $218 to $268 per day. Fiscal year 2027 runs from Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027. The standard rate for places without their own listing is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
How is per diem calculated on the first and last day in New Orleans?
M&IE is paid at 75% on the first and last day of travel: $60 instead of $80 at the New Orleans rate. Full days in between get $80. Lodging is paid per night at the rate of that night's season.
Which counties does the New Orleans per diem rate cover?
The New Orleans rate applies to the area GSA lists as Orleans / Jefferson Parishes. Trips elsewhere in Louisiana use the standard rate unless that place has its own listing.
Does the New Orleans per diem change by season?
Yes. Lodging is $138 per night in Jun–Aug and $188 per night in Feb–May. All 4 seasons: Oct 1–Jan 31 $162; Feb 1–May 31 $188; Jun 1–Aug 31 $138; Sep 1–Sep 30 $162. M&IE stays $80 per day all year.
Data: GSA FY2027 per diem rates, effective Oct 1, 2026 (public domain; source gsa.gov). Last checked Sat, Oct 31, 2026. Easy Trip Expenses is not affiliated with the GSA. Results are the maximum allowance, not a guarantee of what your employer pays.