Southern Sounds & Elvis: Self-Launched New Orleans to Nashville
8 days · New Orleans to Nashville, USA
Cosmos charges £1,780
No-markup version: ~£770 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trade the tour coach for Greyhound buses, rideshares, and rental cars as you trace the soul of American music from the jazz-soaked streets of New Orleans through the Mississippi Delta blues heartland and Elvis's Memphis, all the way to Nashville's country music scene. This self-launched version hits every iconic stop — the French Quarter, B.B. King Museum, Graceland, Beale Street, the Grand Ole Opry, and more — at a fraction of the Cosmos group tour price. Book individual activities via GetYourGuide or direct, stay in well-rated budget hotels or hostels, and move between cities on affordable intercity buses or shared transport. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in New Orleans — French Quarter First Impressions
New Orleans, Louisiana
Arrive into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and take the Airport Express bus (RTA Route 202, ~$2) or a rideshare (~$35) to your accommodation in or near the French Quarter. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace — wander the iconic streets, browse boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops along Royal Street and Magazine Street. As evening falls, soak up the live jazz spilling out of Frenchmen Street bars — entry is free at most venues, just grab a drink.
🚌RTA Airport Express bus (~£2) or rideshare (~£28) from airport
🛏India House Hostel (highly rated budget hostel, Garden District) or HI New Orleans Hostel (~£35–50/night for a private room)
- →Self-guided walk of the French Quarter
- →Browse boutiques and antique shops on Royal Street
- →Free live jazz on Frenchmen Street in the evening
New Orleans Deep Dive — History, Jazz & the Mississippi
New Orleans, Louisiana
Book a guided sightseeing walking tour of the French Quarter via GetYourGuide (~£20–25pp) covering St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and the famous above-ground cemeteries. In the afternoon, stroll or take the historic St. Charles Avenue Streetcar (£1.25 each way) down one of America's most beautiful boulevards. In the evening, consider an optional Jazz Dinner Cruise on a Mississippi paddle-wheel riverboat — book direct with Steamboat Natchez (~£50pp including dinner) for a classic New Orleans night.
🚌St. Charles Streetcar (~£1.25), walking
🛏India House Hostel or HI New Orleans Hostel
- →Guided French Quarter walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£22pp)
- →Visit St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square (free)
- →Self-guided tour of above-ground cemeteries (or guided tour ~£20pp)
- →Ride the historic St. Charles Avenue Streetcar (~£1.25)
- →Optional: Jazz Dinner Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez (~£50pp)
New Orleans to Indianola to Memphis — The Blues Highway
New Orleans → Indianola → Memphis
This is the longest travel day, retracing the legendary blues corridor through the Mississippi Delta. The most practical self-launched option is to rent a car for Days 3–6 (one-way rental New Orleans to Memphis, ~£120–150 total, split if travelling with others). Drive north on Highway 61 — the Blues Highway — stopping in Indianola, Mississippi, to visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Admission is ~£10pp. This museum is a genuinely moving tribute to the King of the Blues and the story of the Delta. Continue north to Memphis, arriving by early evening.
🚌One-way car rental New Orleans → Memphis (~£120–150 total for the rental period, Days 3–6), fuel extra
🛏Graceland's Guest House at Graceland (budget wing ~£60/night) or Arrive Memphis (boutique budget, ~£65/night)
- →Drive the legendary Highway 61 (Blues Highway) north through the Mississippi Delta
- →Visit B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, Indianola (~£10pp)
- →Arrive Memphis — check in and explore Beale Street by night (free entry to street)
Memphis — Soul, Sun Studio & Beale Street
Memphis, Tennessee
Start with a guided sightseeing tour of Memphis — book a City Highlights tour via GetYourGuide (~£25pp) or join a hop-on hop-off trolley. Then head to the legendary Sun Studio, birthplace of rock 'n' roll, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded. Book direct at sunstudio.com (~£13pp) — tours run every hour. In the evening, hit Beale Street for live music, BBQ, and the electric atmosphere that made Memphis famous. The street is free to walk; budget ~£20–30 for food and drinks.
🚌Car rental / walking / rideshare within Memphis
🛏Graceland's Guest House or Arrive Memphis
- →Guided Memphis city sightseeing tour via GetYourGuide (~£25pp)
- →Self-guided walk around Midtown and South Main Arts District
- →Sun Studio tour (book direct at sunstudio.com, ~£13pp)
- →Evening on Beale Street — live music, BBQ, and blues bars (~£20–30)
Memphis — Graceland & Elvis's World
Memphis, Tennessee
Today is all about the King. Drive or rideshare south down Elvis Presley Boulevard to Graceland. Book the Elvis Experience VIP Tour direct at graceland.com (~£35–45pp) which includes a guided audio tour of the mansion, the Meditation Garden where Elvis is buried, and access to his customised private jets (the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II). Allow a full half-day — the complex is larger than you expect. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (~£12pp, Smithsonian-affiliated) or catch the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (~£15pp) — a deeply powerful experience.
🚌Car rental / rideshare to Graceland (~£8 rideshare each way)
🛏Graceland's Guest House or Arrive Memphis
- →Graceland audio tour including mansion, Meditation Garden & Elvis's jets (~£40pp, book at graceland.com)
- →Optional: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (~£12pp)
- →Optional: National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (~£15pp)
Memphis to Nashville — Music City Arrival
Memphis → Nashville, Tennessee
Return your rental car in Memphis, or drive it to Nashville if your rental allows (check one-way fees — Hertz and Enterprise both offer Memphis–Nashville one-ways). Alternatively, take the Greyhound bus from Memphis to Nashville (~£25–35, ~4.5 hours). On arrival, pick up a self-guided orientation of Nashville: walk by Centennial Park and the remarkable full-scale replica of the Parthenon (free exterior, £6 interior), then stroll past the historic Ryman Auditorium — the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. End up on Broadway for Nashville's famous honky-tonk strip — live music is free in almost every bar.
🚌Greyhound bus Memphis → Nashville (~£30pp) or rental car drop-off + WeGo Nashville bus passes (~£4/day)
🛏Music City Hostel Nashville (~£30–45/night) or Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown (budget end, ~£80–100/night)
- →Travel from Memphis to Nashville by Greyhound bus (~£30) or rental car
- →Self-guided walk of Centennial Park and the Parthenon (~£6 interior or free exterior)
- →View the historic Ryman Auditorium exterior (free) or book a daytime tour (~£20pp)
- →Explore Broadway's honky-tonk bars with free live music
Nashville — Grand Ole Opry & Country Music Legends
Nashville, Tennessee
Today you'll experience Nashville's two most iconic music institutions. Book tickets to the Grand Ole Opry direct at opry.com — shows run Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, tickets from ~£30–60pp depending on seat. During the day, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (book via GetYourGuide or direct, ~£20pp) — an unmissable deep-dive into country music history. Optionally, add an excursion to the historic RCA Studio B in Music Row (~£20pp, often bundled with Hall of Fame tickets) where Elvis, Dolly Parton, and countless legends recorded. Grab dinner on the Gulch or in East Nashville for a more local vibe.
🚌WeGo Nashville buses (~£4 day pass) or rideshare
🛏Music City Hostel or Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville
- →Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (~£20pp, book direct or via GetYourGuide)
- →Optional: Historic RCA Studio B tour (~£20pp, often bundled with Hall of Fame)
- →Grand Ole Opry show in the evening (~£35–55pp, book direct at opry.com)
- →Optional: Johnny Cash Museum (~£18pp, arrange independently on free time)
Nashville — Final Morning & Depart
Nashville, Tennessee
Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Nashville. Grab breakfast at the Pfunky Griddle or Biscuit Love (a Nashville institution). If time allows, walk the 12South neighbourhood or visit the Bluebird Cafe, famous for songwriter showcase performances (check schedule at bluebirdcafe.com, ~£10pp cover). Head to Nashville International Airport (BNA) by rideshare (~£20–25) or WeGo bus route 18 (~£2). Consider extending your stay by a night or two — Nashville rewards extra time.
🚌Rideshare to BNA (~£22) or WeGo bus Route 18 (~£2)
🛏Check out — or extend for extra nights at Music City Hostel
- →Breakfast at a local Nashville diner (Biscuit Love, Pfunky Griddle, ~£10–15)
- →Optional: Walk 12South neighbourhood and visit local shops
- →Optional: Bluebird Cafe morning songwriter showcase (~£10 cover)
- →Rideshare or bus to Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Self-launched vs. Cosmos
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Cosmos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£770 | £1,780 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,010 per person (57%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Cosmos-style trips? Check them out here.~£770
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Southern Sounds & Elvis: Self-Launched New Orleans to Nashville cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £770 per person for 8 days in New Orleans to Nashville, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Cosmos?+
Yes — Cosmos charges around £1,780 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £770 — a saving of roughly £1,010 (57%) per person.
How long is the New Orleans to Nashville, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through New Orleans to Nashville, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, road-trip trip through New Orleans to Nashville, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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