TRAVEL INFORMATION
FLIGHT INFORMATION
For flights, you have a few options depending on your preference and budget.
Flying directly into Lafayette is the easiest, but if you’re planning on renting a car, you may want to compare pricing with flying to larger airports and driving into Lafayette.
Airports in Louisiana
Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT)
- 8 minutes from HSI (3 miles)
- easy access
- small regional airport with 3 terminals
- less stress and less lines to wait in
- Airlines include: Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR)
- 1 hr from HSI (63 miles)
- about $50 less than flying into Lafayette
- Metro airport, can take 1-2 hours to get to HSI
New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- 1.5-2 hr from HSI (123 miles)
- about $100 less than flying into Lafayette
- International Airport, lots of airlines, food, fun
Airports in Houston, Texas
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- 3.5 hours from HSI (226 miles)
- about $100 less than flying into Lafayette
- will need to rent a car to drive about 4 hours to HSI
- United Airlines hub
- International Airport, lots of airlines, food, fun
William P. Hobby Airport
- 3.5 hours from HSI (219 miles)
- about $100 less than flying into Lafayette
- smaller airport
- will need to rent a car to drive about 4 hours to HSI
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
airport recommendation:
My favorite airport is our local Lafayette airport. Why? It’s small with 3 terminals, so less lines, less time, less stress. Traffic is quick, it only takes 10 minutes to drive to the Lafayette airport. It’s usually recommended to get to the airport about 2 hours before your flight.
how far ahead to purchase your flight:
The best time to book flights is about 8-12 weeks before the event. But in the summer, I recommend booking earlier because summer flights book fast. So, I’d recommend booking 2-4 months before the event.
best days to book your ticket:
Tuesdays are the cheapest day to buy tickets, Wednesdays are the second cheapest day.
best day to fly:
Flying in on a Tuesday is a great time! If you are staying a few extra days for fun, play with the dates to get a cheaper flight. Tuesdays to Thursdays are good days to fly in and out, they’re the cheapest.
Driving Tip:
Take this tip from me after traveling these roads all my life! Traveling through these large cities (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houston) can take longer with traffic, please leave extra travel time.
For example, it can take up to 1.5 hours to get to Baton Rouge. Even though it’s 1 hour from our location, sometimes traffic crossing two busy bridges takes longer. I always travel with Google Maps or Waze to give you alternate routes, just in case. Otherwise you could be stuck in traffic accidents and it could double your time!
Fun tip:
Those little toy airplanes in the gift shop make great miniatures for Sandtray fun!
WHERE TO STAY, EAT, AND PLAY
Various options are available for lodging as well as food and entertainment. Click the links for more details!
HOTELS & Lodging NEARBY
The Juliet Hotel
- 2 minute walk to HSI (0.1 miles)
- starting at $110 for a single occupancy room
The Bird’s Nest
- 4 minute walk to HSI (0.2 miles)
- starting at $110 for a single occupancy room
- located behind the Blue Moon Saloon, a live music venue
Cajun Complex
- Approximately 9 minute walk to HSI (0.4 miles, exact location given after booking)
- starting at $100 a night
- AirBnB, standalone 2 bedroom apartment behind a home
RESTAURANTS
Spoonbill Watering Hole & RestaurantRelaxed, retro-style eatery serving seafood mains, burgers & wraps, plus draft beer & cocktails. ($$)Pat’s DowntownCasual restaurant/bar with patio seating, serving sandwiches & Cajun classics like po’ boys & gumbo. ($)
Pop’s PoboysClassic Southern po’ boys are prepared along with modern takes at this hip cafe-style dining room. ($$)
Agave Mexican Grill & CantinaIndoor/outdoor cantina serving fajitas and other Mexican faves with a few local twists. ($$)
Reve CoffeeContemporary café serves in-house roasted coffee, traditional and nitrogen infused iced coffee, probiotic sodas on tap, specialty espresso drinks, house baked pastries, and delightful breakfast and lunch offerings. ($$)
La CarretaFajitas, burritos & tacos round out the menu at this casual Mexican eatery. ($)
Dwyer’s CafeLongtime spot offering homestyle diner classics & some Louisiana specialties for breakfast & lunch. ($)