inverness travel news

A weekend in Inverness: travel guide and things to do

Everything you need to know for a city break in the ‘capital of the Scottish Highlands’

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1. Why you should visit Inverness

2. top attractions: things to see and do, 3. hotels: where to stay, 4. restaurants and whisky bars: where to eat and drink, 5. transport: how to get there.

With a population of around 47,000 people, Inverness is known as the “capital of the Highlands”, said TrueHighlands.com . It may be smaller in comparison to its Central Belt counterparts, but the region’s only city has the “highest density of shops, cafes and restaurants” in the Highlands. With so much beautiful countryside nearby, if you choose to base yourself here, “we recommend exploring the surrounding area too”.

A weekend in Edinburgh: travel guide, attractions and things to do A weekend in Glasgow: travel guide, attractions and things to do

For a small city, Inverness “sure packs a punch”, said Mike MacEacheran in the Independent . It primarily attracts “monster hunters” on their way to Loch Ness, but more recently it has “developed an urban swagger”. As well as the “craggy castles” and “nostril-tingling distilleries” further afield, Inverness “oozes” with museums and art and is “awash” with “creative chefs” and “only-in-the-Highlands bars”.

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

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One of Scotland’s most iconic locations, Loch Ness is just a 30-minute car or bus journey south from Inverness. Take a boat trip to find “Nessie”, the Loch Ness Monster, and also pay a visit to the ancient ruins of Urquhart Castle. Extending for 37 kilometres, Loch Ness is the largest lake by volume in the UK.

River Ness and Ness Islands

You can go for a two-hour stroll starting from Inverness city centre along the banks of the River Ness to Ness Islands . Walk across the footbridges to explore both sides of the riverbank and also spot seals and seabirds between the two road bridges that run through the city. Other things to see include Inverness War Memorial and Inverness Cathedral. Did you know, but the first ever sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was not in fact in Loch Ness, but the River Ness, said TrueHighlands.com .

Overlooking the city from the highest point above the River Ness, Inverness Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in the city. Although access to the castle is restricted, the grounds are open to the public. Other historical landmarks to visit include the 18th-century fortress Fort George and the Clava Cairns Bronze Age cemetery complex.

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden Battlefield, six miles east of Inverness, is the site of one of the most pivotal moments in Scotland’s history. It was here on 16 April 1746 where the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head in one of the most harrowing battles Britain has ever seen. The battlefield is open daily and the visitor centre is open from 9am to 4pm.

North Coast 500 road trip

Beginning and ending in Inverness, this rugged Scottish coastal route is well worth the 500 miles it’s named after. Taking up to five days to complete, road trippers on the North Coast 500 can take in jagged mountains, historic fishing villages, Scottish architecture and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Shopping and markets

Inverness High Street is the “main retail artery” in the centre, said Hotels.com . Shops and boutiques line the street and besides international and national brands, the street also hosts a choice of small Scottish shops and independent businesses offering “unique local wares”. The Victorian Market in the centre of Inverness is a covered market that’s home to a wide range of independent shops, cafes and services. Here you can buy gifts from Inverness Souvenirs, clothing from Ness Ware or sweet treats from Story Chocolates.

Do you want a “window-wide-open peek” at Inverness Castle across the river? Then make sure to request a room with a view when booking at Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa , said Mike MacEacheran in the Independent . Other “best for” hotels on his Inverness list include Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel (best for quiet luxury), Mercure Inverness (best for style), and Kingsmills Hotel (best for spa and golf).

“City-centre pad” the Rocpool Reserve is “one of the most talked about hotels in Inverness”, said The Hotel Guru . This townhouse hotel is known for being “modern and luxurious”, and its Chez Roux restaurant is “highly recommended”.

With a 9/10 expert rating, Foyers Lodge offers a “sophisticated yet homely B&B experience”, said The Telegraph . And the views “aren’t bad either”. For those seeking a “romantic country house” with sweeping views over Loch Ness, Foyers Lodge “truly delivers”.

Restaurants

There are no Michelin-starred restaurants in Inverness, but the authoritative food guide does recommend Rocpool , which is located on the banks of the River Ness. Close to town and popular with locals, this family-owned and run restaurant has “wide-ranging menus” offering “vibrant, colourful dishes” that are “full of flavour and have a distinct Mediterranean edge”, said the Michelin Guide .

Inverness has some of the best restaurants in Scotland that will “satisfy even the most intense cravings”, said Kate Gazzard on Intrepid Travel . This breathtaking riverside city is full of “stomach-filling” restaurants to eat at after you’ve built up an appetite. For “a meal you won’t forget”, head to the “inherently Scottish” Dores Inn for “tasty food that’s light on fuss and big on flavour”. Or pay a visit to Café 1 , where the in-house chefs serve up dishes using the “very best of local Scottish ingredients”.

At River House Restaurant the cuisine is based on classic dishes where the “excellent quality of the ingredients is able to shine through”, said Matthew Keyte on Culture Trip . “Diners can expect wonderful fresh seafood and hearty meat dishes.”

Whisky tasting, bars and distilleries

No trip to the Highlands would be complete without sampling some of the delicious whiskies that are produced in the region. Held four nights a week at MacGregor’s bar, the Highland Malt Whisky Experience gives guests the opportunity to taste drams from local distilleries such as Glenmorangie, The Dalmore, Tomatin, The Singleton of Glen Ord, Dalwhinnie and Clynelish.

At The Malt Room , which has a bar and tasting room, the whisky menu is split into three categories: “Modest”, “Memorable” and “Magnificent”. You can also order flights of whiskies, including “Meet the Locals” and “The Tour of Scotland”.

Located nine miles north-east of the city, Inverness Airport is a busy hub serving the Scottish Highlands and islands. You can fly to Inverness from UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast. From Europe you can also fly from Dublin and Amsterdam. Stagecoach Inverness provides a direct connection from the airport to the city centre. Inverness Taxis are located outside the terminal building.

On Academy Street in the heart of the town centre you’ll find Inverness Station . Mainly served by ScotRail trains, there are frequent services connecting to Aberdeen (2h 12m), Glasgow (3h 13m) and Edinburgh (3h 33m).

If you’re travelling to Inverness by car, the distance to the city is 159 miles from Edinburgh, 169 miles from Glasgow, 282 miles from Newcastle and 568 miles from London.

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Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. 

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Inverness Travel Guide (including essential tips, itinerary & map)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 5, 2024

Our  Inverness Travel Guide  includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for the beautiful Highland city. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Inverness!

Plan your visit to Inverness

The Scottish city of Inverness is the perfect base to explore the Highlands of Scotland. If you enjoy road trips the North Coast 500 is recognised as one of the most spectacularly scenic drives around the world.

Inverness is one of our recommended top 19 attractions, sights and landmarks to see in Scotland.

What you will find in this complete Inverness Travel Guide

Map of Inverness

When is the best time of year to visit inverness, how many days do you need in inverness, what is the best way to explore inverness, 🚆 by train from london, 🚗 by car (road trip option), ✈️ fly to inverness airport, attractions and things to do in inverness, attractions and things to do in scotland, inverness accommodation quick picks, inverness travel guide -tickets, tours & attractions, best day trips from inverness, best multi-day tours from inverness, best pubs, cafes and restaurants in inverness, books to read before visiting inverness, enjoy your visit to inverness.

Inverness travel guide – Visiting Inverness FAQ’s

The best time to visit Inverness is during the late spring and summer. These are the busy times of the year with warmer weather and long light days.

If you prefer to avoid crowds aim for September and October. The weather can still be good during these months and you will find better deals on accommodation.

Make sure to pack for the weather – layers are always recommended (and waterproofs too) whatever time of year you plan to visit.

If you are visiting in winter note that the weather can be particularly brutal with low temperatures, snow and of course short dark days the norm.

Read more about the best time to visit the UK in my detailed guide.

Inverness is a fantastic base from which to explore the Highlands. Catch the train to Thurso and Wick or to the Kyle of Lochalsh for Skye and the Hebrides. Alternatively, pick up a tour to the Isle of Skye from Inverness.

The North Coast 500 begins in Inverness and follows a circular route through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Plan to spend at least 5 days to make the most of this fantastic Scottish road trip .

• Inverness is a compact, walkable city easy to get around.
• There is a hop on hop off bus available as well as taxis and buses to get you around the city.
• Hire a car from Inverness train station or Inverness airport. Alternatively, there are taxis available to transfer into the city or you can book a private transfer here .

🚗 There are a multitude of car rental companies to choose from in the UK. We recommend comparing prices and deals Discover Cars  before making your booking.

What is the best way to travel to Inverness from London?

For timetables and tickets, we recommend the trainline .

We recommend booking the Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness from London. Leave London in the evening and arrive in Inverness the following morning.

This is a fabulous trip and although not cheap it is the perfect way to travel between the 2 cities by train.

Alternatively, take the East Coast Mainline from London to Edinburgh. Once in Edinburgh, you have 2 options – read more in our guide to the top 10 scenic train journeys in the UK.

🔀 Distance from London : 715 km (444 miles)

🕐 Time taken by sleeper train: 11 ½ hours

📍 Leave from: London Euston (Caledonian Sleeper)

Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.

If you are taking a road trip around the UK and plan to include Inverness in your itinerary make sure you book hotels & accommodation well ahead of time especially if you are visiting during the busy summer months.

I recommend checking car hire options through  Rentalcars.com  who compare the prices from a number of companies to secure the best deal for you.

If you want to fly directly to Inverness from London Gatwick, Luton or Heathrow. We recommend checking skyscanner for flights,

Click here for transfers from Inverness airport

THINGS TO DO IN INVERNESS

BEST DAY TRIPS FROM INVERNESS

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

19 PLACES TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND

SCOTTISH ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

EDINBURGH TRAVEL GUIDE

NORTHUMBERLAND TRAVEL GUIDE

ISLE OF SKYE TRAVEL GUIDE

Accommodation in Inverness

There is a variety of accommodation options in Inverness to suit every budget. These are my choices of some of the best hotels in the city based on location and customer reviews.

Pentahotel Inverness

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Located 100 m from the city’s train and bus stations

Ness House B&B

Located in the centre of Inverness, Ness House has free WiFi and free private parking.

Wee Ness Lodge

Boasting a patio with river views, a garden and a terrace

➡️ Area and accommodation guide to Inverness

Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for Scotland.

This is our selection of the best tours and attractions available in Inverness .

Click here for more tickets, tours and attractions for Inverness

Best day & multi-day trips from Inverness

I have handpicked the best tours available from Inverness through Get Your Guide (we book most of our day tours and organised activities through Get Your Guide due to their great customer service and cancellation policy) and Viator (another tour company we have used during our travels).

You will find even more options to choose from in our guide to the best day trips and multi-day tours from Inverness.

There are so many fantastic places to eat in Inverness you are spoilt for choice. These are our top picks:

• MacGregors Bar – local and seasonal dishes
• Scotch and Rye – Gastropub with craft beers
• The Grumpy Chef – Best brunch in town
• The Mustard Seed – Beautiful food in a stunning setting
• Castle Tavern – Terraced beer garden with castle views
• Cafe 1 – locally sourced produce 

For more Scottish literary inspiration check out my selection of 25 of the best books to read before you visit Scotland.

This guide will provide inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Inverness . You will find more inspiration and ideas to help plan your travels around Scotland in these travel guides:

Best castle hotels in Scotland

Aberdeen Travel Guide

St Andrews Travel Guide

Glasgow Travel Guide

Edinburgh Travel Guide

Things to do in Edinburgh

10 virtual tours of famous landmarks in the UK

Northumberland Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)

Find more inspiration for your travels in my Scotland Travel Guide which includes information about what to see, where to stay, how to get around, travel tips, recommended reading and more to make the most of your trip.

Getty Images/EyeEm

Inverness has a great location astride the River Ness at the northern end of the Great Glen. In summer it overflows with visitors intent on monster hunting at nearby Loch Ness, but it's worth a visit in its own right for a stroll along the picturesque River Ness, a cruise on Loch Ness, and a meal in one of the city's excellent restaurants.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Ness Islands

The main attraction in Inverness is a leisurely stroll along the river to the Ness Islands. Planted with mature Scots pine, fir, beech and sycamore, and…

Inverness Museum & Art Gallery

Inverness Museum & Art Gallery has wildlife dioramas, geological displays, period rooms with historic weapons, Pictish stones and exhibitions of…

Inverness Castle

The hill above the city centre is topped by the picturesque Baronial turrets of Inverness Castle, a pink-sandstone confection dating from 1847 that…

St Andrew’s Cathedral

The red-sandstone towers of St Andrew’s Cathedral date from 1869.

Plan with a local

Experience the real Scotland

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Inverness

We've refreshed our website design so things may look a little different if you've been here before. We'll be making more improvements soon so watch this space.

Inverness Cathedral

Take a trip to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Explore this compact city and discover a slower way of life, but still with interesting things to do and events. Use Inverness as a base to explore Highland scenery, iconic castles, majestic mountains and unique wildlife, including the famous Loch Ness monster.

Find experiences

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Things to do in Inverness

Inverness has everything from history to wild landscapes on its doorstep. Explore distilleries and castles, and go looking for the famous Loch Ness monster.

11 Amazing Activities & Things to do in Inverness

Find out about attractions, activities, tours and more in Inverness.

Inverness by public transport with Good Journey

Take public transport to these Inverness attractions and you could get a discount on your tickets.

The Highlands movie map

Explore iconic locations across the Highlands that have starred in blockbuster movies.

See where to catch a glimpse of a variety of Scottish species including majestic red deer, black grouse, golden eagles, osprey and ptarmigan.

Explore further

Discover world-famous Loch Ness with holiday ideas, accommodation, travel and maps, tours, insider tips and fantastic things to see and do.

9 Hidden Gems You Mustn't Miss around Loch Ness

Discover the hidden gems of Loch Ness, and explore some of the best things to see & do in the area. From ancient mysteries, to enchanting forests.

The Loch Ness Monster - Is Nessie Real?

More information on the monster's background and potential whereabouts.

12 Top Things to Do in Moray Speyside

Find great things to do in Moray Speyside. Including towns to explore, towers to climb, castles to discover, and more!

Inspiration for Inverness breaks

Inverness Youth Hostel

Places to stay

City centre hostels, quiet apartments or comfortable hotels - find accommodation in Inverness for your break.

Clava Cairns, near Culloden

Tours, Routes & Trails

Plan a hike up a nearby mountain, or cycle around a nearby loch. Book a tour to learn more on everything from wildlife to history.

Map of Inverness

Explore inverness.

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Travel to and Around Inverness

Plan your trip to Inverness with our handy travel info, or check out Visit Inverness Loch Ness for more travel tips .

Getting to Inverness

Getting around inverness, bus and coach.

There are many frequent and affordable bus services that travel from various main cities to Inverness daily.

• Megabus to Inverness
• Scottish Citylink to Inverness
• Flixbus to Inverness

Inverness railway station is right in the heart of the city and has frequent fast and reliable services to and from major cities.

LNER trains run along the east coast from cities such as London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Book with LNER

ScotRail provides an express rail service direct to Inverness from many major cities.

Check ScotRail timetables

Inverness can also be reached overnight from London on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper

ScotRail are also offering a 20% discount on off-peak tickets for Caledonian Sleeper customers.

Inverness is linked to the rest of Scotland and UK by the A9. It is a great base for travelling further north or west into the Highlands, or for exploring Moray Speyside to the east.

• From Edinburgh or Glasgow - 3 hours
• From Manchester - 6 hours 30 minutes
• From Birmingham - 8 hours

Plan your trip with Traveline Journey Planner

Inverness Airport is located 9 miles north-east of Inverness. You can fly from a number of destinations across the UK and Europe.

You can travel from the airport to the city centre in around 30 minutes by bus, tram, taxi or car.

Find out more on getting to Inverness from the airport

Inverness is easily explored on foot with most key attractions within walking distance of each other. Attractions beyond the city centre can be reached cost effectively by public transport and again explored further by foot.

Find walks in and around Inverness

You can easily hire a bike in Inverness from  Ticket To Ride  or use the  Hi-Bike service . 

Check out the Hi-Travel active travel map for recommended routes | PDF 1.9MB

Stagecoach operate regular buses across the city of Inverness.

Plan your journey within Inverness with Stagecoach

Plan your journey around Inverness with Traveline Journey Planner

There are several taxi companies available in Inverness. There are also licensed taxi ranks at Inverness Airport, Inverness Bus Station and Inverness Train Station.

Want to relax and let someone else drive?

Book a tour and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide as they highlight points of interest, stop off at the best hidden gems and visit the iconic landmarks you’ve heard all about.

Search for tours in Inverness

What's on in Inverness

The Eden Court Theatre in Inverness

Check out what's on at the city's theatre, or get a flavour of traditional Scotland at the Inverness Highland Games. 

Places to eat in and around Inverness

Ness Walk Hotel and the Torrish Restaurant

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Food & Drink

Enjoy a tasty bar meal, dine in a luxury restaurant, or find a food truck serving fresh local produce. There are some great places to eat in and around Inverness.

A tip from your local expert

Loch Ness by Jacobite - 5 star cruises on Loch Ness.

Experience the splendour of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle by joining a cruise with Loch Ness by Jacobite. They offer a range of trips from a one-hour leisurely cruise to a six-hour coach and cruise combination.

Assistant iCentre Manager, Inverness

Other things you might like

The Highlands

Accommodation in Inverness

10 Hidden Gems In and Around Inverness

Hotels in Inverness

A First-Time Adventure to Caithness & Sutherland

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Traffic Inverness

•   Inverness
• Nearby: Inverness Invergordon Aviemore Elgin Lossiemouth Inverey

There are no current incidents or roadworks within a 20 mile radius.

Current traffic around Inverness

The following traffic incidents and congestion for Inverness have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

Traffic in Nearby Villages

• Crown (0.49mi)
• South Kessock (0.92mi)
• Clachnaharry (0.92mi)
• Merkinch (0.92mi)
• Ballifeary (0.96mi)
• Dalneigh (1.27mi)
• Culcabock (1.36mi)
• Craigton (1.57mi)
• Upper Drummond (1.57mi)
• Drummond (1.57mi)
• Lower Drummond (1.57mi)
• Hilton (1.6mi)
• Kinmylies (1.75mi)
• North Kessock (1.77mi)
• Beechwood (1.87mi)
• Charlestown (2.14mi)
• Lochardil (2.19mi)
• Resaurie (2.26mi)
• Leachkin (2.3mi)
• Ness (2.31mi)
• Drumsmittal (2.63mi)
• Culloden (2.87mi)
• Smithton (2.87mi)
• Westhill (3mi)

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Home   News

Inverness Sea Cadets to benefit from funding awards

Inverness Sea Cadets have been awarded £70,000 from two funds overseen by Highland councillors.

Part of Highland Council’s Inverness headquarters to be demolished after asbestos found

Staff will move out of one block to the rear of the main sandstone building by the end of the year.

City Seen Flashback: Pictures from Inverness in 2014

Today we go back to 2014

‘The Gathering Festival 2024, well that was a blast’ - organisers delighted with the one days festival in Inverness.

Organiser Dougie Brown says ‘we have got exceptionally lucky with the weather, everyone is in great form, lots of families’.

Goalkeeper confirms he is leaving Caley Thistle after almost two decades at club

Goalkeeper says it is time to move on.

Behind The Lens: The Legacy of a Highland news photographer

March 2022: The Hydro Ness on the River Ness in Inverness becomes operational.

Teenager (16) proud to score goal which gives club first point in Premiership

Youngster finds equaliser to give club first point of the season.

Scottish star of TV hit The Traitors Evie Morrison takes part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Inverness

She says ‘I’ll Race for Life in my grandparents’ memory but also to help people who are going through cancer right now’.

PICTURES: Race for Life enjoys good weather for its annual 5k raising cash for Cancer Research UK

Spokeswoman Lisa Adams says ‘Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives, but to save them’.

MOTORS: Lexus ventures into new territory with sights set on younger buyers

LBX is the smallest Lexus yet, designed to combine high quality with a casual feel, says our columnist.

PICTURE DETECTIVE: Do you recognise anyone in our latest mystery Highland photos?

Are you in our latest mystery photos, or do you know anyone who is? Do you remember any of the events?

Mental health charity Mikeysline moves to new base in Inverness city centre

A Highland mental health charity has relocated to a new base in Inverness city centre as its work continues to expand.

A three year old Highland lad raises more than £1900 for RNLI lifeboats because his Dad serves on one

Finlay smashed his original £1000 target after walking a mile everyday last month as part of the RNLI Mayday Mile challenge.

Former Caley Thistle boss ‘surprised and gutted’ over club’s plans to move training to Kelty

Former boss hopes club will reverse decision.

Team GB baton relay sets off from Inverness as bank raises funds for local charities

Inverness has been the first port of a call for a Team GB Baton Relay.

WATCH: ‘The politicians don’t care about this part of the world’ - reaction to Nairn Build the Bypass event

Hundreds of people from Nairn and surrounding areas attended The Inverness Courier’s Build the Bypass event on Friday night.

Triathletes cycle swim and run at Nairn Triathlon 2024

Nairn hosts annual triathlon.

YOUR VIEWS: Inverness Caley Thistle problems continue and Highland energy gripes

Readers respond to two of the biggest issues making headlines.

Three-vehicle crash leaves motorcyclist in hospital

A man was taken to hospital after a three-vehicle crash on the Black Isle.

WATCH: Drone footage of the Highland Hospice zipline on the shores of Loch Ness

The charity is expecting to ‘welcome more zipliners, along with our catapult participants’ today as well.

PICTURES: Pupils at Inverness primary school turn hall into art gallery

Pupils at an Inverness primary school have shown off their artistic talents after turning their school hall into an art gallery.

Christian Viewpoint: Learning to walk in company with God

The name intrigued me. ‘Godsman’s Walk’ – an Inverness right of way which runs parallel to Culduthel Road before emerging in Culduthel Gardens.

Donations plan sparks application at historic harbour

Ongoing work to repair a historic grade A-listed harbour is set to get help from the public after plans for a donation pillar at the site were lodged.

Highland Hospice stages ‘the ultimate bucket list experience’ with a Loch Ness bungee jump to raise vital funds

There were plenty of hardy fundraisers for one of the north’s most deserving charities willing to brave the 160ft elasticated drop.

WATCH: Alex Salmond says the SNP has failed to make the north a ‘priority’ as he hits the campaign trail

The former First Minister was staking his party’s claim with Alba’s Highland manifesto targeting housing, jobs, and independence.

The Gathering festival dubbed ‘amazing’ as the sun shone down on the Highland music festival

Organiser Dougie Brown says it is more than about the music but ‘a celebration of all that is great about Scotland and the Highlands.’

WATCH: Nairn community react to Build the Bypass event

Hundreds of people from Nairn and surrounding areas attended The Inverness Courier’s Build the Bypass event last night.

PICTURES: Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop hears passionate Nairnites on Bypass urgency

People living and around Nairn shared the real-life experiences of living without a bypass with transport secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Best of young Highland musicians to perform Beating Retreat at Inverness Leisure

Inverness Leisure is once again hosting the spectacle that is ‘Beating Retreat’, performed by High Life Highland’s (HLH) young musicians next month.

Travel Information & Maps

Here you will find the options for how you can travel to our destination, and once you arrive how to explore and discover Inverness, Loch Ness and the surrounding communities.

Travelling to Inverness and Loch Ness

Inverness is truly the heart and travel hub of the Scottish Highlands and being so close to the mysterious, legendary Loch Ness, it has become an iconic global destination.

Travelling to Inverness couldn't be easier! The city is well served with transport links, Inverness airport is just 10 minutes from the city centre, so it’s easy for visitors from all parts of the globe to get here by air. There are good inland road and rail links offering the opportunity to enjoy fabulous scenery en route. So even the journey here can be a special and memorable part of your experience.

See further down this page for more information on how to travel around the destination once you are here.

Travel by Air

Inverness Airport is located some 7 miles east of Inverness and 21 miles from Loch Ness.

To make your travel plans easier there are many direct flights into Inverness with Easyjet, British Airways , Logan Air , KLM . and more.

Flying from further afield we have fantastic connections through Amsterdam with KLM and London with British Airways and also Easyjet.

Local transport connections from Inverness Airport into the city are available from outside the airport terminal building. These include bus, train and taxis services. Local and national car hire is also available.

Visit the Inverness Airport website for full details!

Let the train take the strain

Travelling by train is one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to get here and is the ideal way to travel for those who are looking to be more eco conscious.

You can travel from within Scotland to Inverness with ScotRail , or directly to Inverness with LNER  London North Eastern Railway from dozens of stations across the East Coast Mainline of the UK like London King’s Cross, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh directly to Inverness taking in some of the best scenery the country has to offer along the way. You can sit back and relax and enjoy the comfort of the environmentally-friendly Azuma fleet in First Class or Standard alongside the offer of fine food and drink from a range of local suppliers from across the UK.

Travel overnight

A journey overnight in your own room with a bed. A relaxing and time-saving way to reach the Highlands. The Caledonian Sleeper , travels between London and Scotland.

Buses and Coaches to Inverness

National bus companies including

• Megabus  - with a huge amount of stops throughout the UK linking to Inverness.
• Citylink  - Connecting Scotland - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Oban, Skye, Dundee and Perth.
• National Express  - Hundreds of stops across the UK and Europe that connect to Inverness.
• Stagecoach  - Stagecoach operates across the UK.

will take you from major UK cities to Farraline Park Bus Station in the centre of Inverness..

Travel by road

The A9 is the main access road to Inverness from the south, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow and also from the north. The A82 is an alternative and more scenic route from the south (Glasgow) via Loch Ness through the Great Glen to Inverness. The A96 links Inverness to Aberdeen.

The B862 on the south side of Loch Ness links the small picturesque villages between Fort Augustus and Inverness, and also links to the A9 south to Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow and points further south.

The A887 is the main route to Inverness from the west coast and the Isle of Skye.

The Scottish Highlands has a reputation for some of the most spectacular roads to drive in the world! The North Coast 500, which starts and ends in Inverness, is a scenic route around the north coast, coined as “the ultimate road trip”.

Travelling in and around Inverness and Loch Ness

Once you are here there are many ways to get around Inverness and nearby Loch Ness.

We have listed below some helpful transport options for you to explore and whether you prefer to discover an area on foot, by bike, with public transport or to be guided around with a tour company there are options for everyone!

Don't forget you can use our interactive maps to discover all there is to see and do and where to stay .

Discovering by foot

If you like to discover an area by foot you will not be short of places to wander. You can use our online maps (links in the page header) to find your way around Inverness or use out "Things to do" map to help you uncover the many walkable gems to find in the city.

You can also choose to be guided on a walking tour,  Walk Inverness  and Walking Tours Inverness offer guided walks daily from the city centre.

Cycling Inverness and Loch Ness

If you love to travel on two wheels, there are lots of options for you in Inverness and Loch Ness.

In the city, if you don’t have your own bike with you, you can easily hire one from Ticket To Ride , 42 Cycling or use the Hi-Bike service . 

The best way to experience Loch Ness by bike, is on the brand new Loch Ness 360° Trail . This epic route around the whole of Loch Ness, starts and finished in Inverness. If you don’t have 6 days to complete the 72-mile trail, you can simply choose any one of the six sections. Why not be guided on a cycling tour around the route with 42 Cycling ?

If you are basing yourself in Drumnadrochit, you can hire e-bikes from the Loch ness Hub to get you about the area.

You can use the helpful Hi-Travel active travel map for all the recommended cycle routes and access the useful Active travel hub for walking and cycling advice for Inverness.

Public Transport

Local bus and train services are available to provide transport to and around Inverness, Loch Ness and Highland areas.

There is a great new app to help rural travel around Scotland launched by HITRANS and you can find more information HERE

You can also use the Traveline Scotland Journey Planner .

Taxis and Local Car Tours

There are a range of Taxi firms available in Inverness, Inverness Taxis and Inverness City Taxis to name a few.

There are licensed taxi ranks at Inverness Airport, Inverness Bus Station and Inverness Train Station. You can order local Loch Ness tour cars and taxis in advance. 

For guided car tours you can experience a bespoke itinerary in luxury vehicles with Grant Driving Tours  and half or full day guided car tours with Cath's Inverness Tours that can take you further afield to the wider Highlands.

City sight seeing bus!

A fantastic way to get around Inverness and the local area is with the City Sight Seeing Bus ! The two routes take you around the city and include stops at some of the best local attractions including boat tours on Loch Ness with Loch Ness by Jacobite , Culloden Battlefield and also to the harbour for some Wildlife and dolphin spotting with Dolphin Spirit!

Guided Bus Tours

There are a fantastic collection of local companies offering guided bus tours around the area. From fixed itineraries to personalised trips, and small mini buses to larger coach experiences. Here are a few companies who can help you with the perfect tour..

• Happy Tours
• Highland Explorer Tours
• Rabbies 
• Wow Scotland
• Grant Driving Tours
• D&E Coaches

Explore Loch Ness by Boat

The sixty mile long Caledonian Canal connects Loch Ness and the Great Glen to Inverness to the north and Fort William to the south. You can up your chances of seeing the Loch Ness Monster by hiring your own cruiser to sail where you want to go. There are piers, jetties and mooring places along Loch Ness. Most are free of charge. The hotels and pubs welcome boating visitors and there are well-stocked shops along the way with full services in some of the larger villages. If you don’t want to sail yourself, there are some excellent well established Loch Ness cruises that last from a couple of hours to all day (and overnight!).

If you want a personal cruise boat experience, look at Caley Cruiser's selection available to hire from Inverness.

Or if you want to cruise by boat but not be in charge of the sailing, there are some fantastic boating holiday companies to choose from

• European Waterways
• Spirit of Scotland
• Caledonian Discovery

Travelling in a campervan or motorhome

Exploring with the freedom of a campervan or motorhome is a very popular way to travel in the Highlands. If you are visiting Inverness and Loch Ness in a campervan take time to learn all the correct information and travel etiquette with regards to informal camping, waste disposal and safe driving. 

We recommend that you stay over night in a campsite and we have plenty of great options in the area >>> Local Campsites

Visit The Campervan and Motorhome Professional Association (CaMPA) website for lots of useful information and  Scottish Caravan and Camping Forum (SCCF) have this helpful leaflet. 

Looking to hire a campervan or motorhome for a trip? Highland Campervans have a range of luxury motorhomes to hire and are conveniently located near Inverness airport.

Road Safety

To help you have the most enjoyable trip exploring Inverness, Loch Ness and the greater Highlands, here are a few links that provide guidance for driving on rural and single track roads including some pointers on potentially hazardous things you may not be aware of that you may come across.

Police Scotland Safety Information

Scottish Caravan and Camping Forum (SCCF)  

How to drive on single track roads video

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Travel News

Online travel news for the latest UK travel headlines & PR. Latest news on airlines & airports, plus breaking stories on holidays, hotels & more.

Tag: Inverness

Loganair announces new services link for east midlands airport with brussels and inverness.

Scottish regional airline Loganair is launching new routes from East Midlands Airport to Brussels and Inverness from today, an online report said.

The airline will start an early morning and afternoon service to Brussels and a new route to Inverness, in the north east of Scotland. The routes are scheduled for both business as well as leisure customers. The East Midlands-based airline operated flights on routes to 25 European cities, including Aberdeen, Bristol, City of Derry, East Midlands, London Stansted and Newcastle.

Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Loganair said: ‘I am extremely pleased to announce the expansion of our route map while also beginning passenger services from East Midlands Airport.

‘Both of these convenient airlinks will benefit the overall region, connecting with Belgium’s largest city – home to thousands of multinational businesses while Scotland’s highlands are now just over 90 minutes away.’

The Brussels service will operate from Monday to Thursday, with afternoon services on Friday and Sunday. It will be operated on a 49-seat Embraer 145 and have a flight-time of around one hour and 10 minutes. Services between Brussels and East Midlands ceased on February 16 when flybmi collapsed.

Leon Verhallen, head of aviation development at Brussels Airport, said: ‘We are delighted that Loganair will restore flights to East-Midlands with up to two daily flights, including a convenient connection from and to Inverness, a city without direct services to Brussels.’

Karen Smart, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome a new airline to EMA. This is fantastic news for passengers who will have new routes to choose from. This is also important for the region as it enhances the connectivity between the East Midlands, mainland Europe and Scotland.’

The new route to Inverness takes one hour and 25 minutes, according to the online timetable, setting off at noon with a return service at 2.30pm. There will be six flights a week between East Midlands and the Scottish city on the Moray Firth.

Inverness Airport general manager Graeme Bell said: ‘This is excellent news for Inverness and the Highlands as Loganair’s service will enable passengers to quickly access England’s industrial heartland developing business opportunities or exploring the considerable leisure options in Midlands and the nearby Peak District.

‘It also makes our region more accessible to English visitors keen to discover all that the north of Scotland has to offer.’

British Airways commences new service between Inverness and London Heathrow

British Airways has commenced an early-morning flight between Inverness and London Heathrow – the first flight connecting the route for more than two decades.

The new morning service allows customers to travel between the two cities and return the same day, and will be supporting the business sector. Launched on March 28, the service was operated by an Airbus 319 aircraft. Departures from Inverness airport do not have Air Passenger Duty (APD), which also benefits the route.

The new Heathrow – Inverness schedule will see a 30 per cent increase in capacity on the route and brings the number of flights up to three return services on Saturdays and Sundays, with a double daily service Monday to Friday. From October, British Airways will operate a double daily service between the two cities seven days a week.

Phyllis Stuart, British Airways’ Airport Manager at Inverness Airport, said: ‘This is an important day for British Airways, for Inverness and for the Scottish Highlands and Islands. The introduction of our new and expanded schedule gives the people and businesses of Inverness and the Highlands and Islands even greater access to more than 150 destinations on our global network from Heathrow.

‘This is British Airways’ centenary year, so we were delighted that members of the Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band, which is also celebrating its 100th birthday, were with us today to mark the start of our new expanded schedule.’

Graeme Bell, General Manager at Inverness Airport, said: ‘The air link between these two cities goes from strength to strength and we very much welcome these additional flights. The new service will provide business travellers with more flexibility and connectivity between the two cities. The additional flights will also enhance worldwide connections to the Highlands and Islands, making the area even more attractive to overseas visitors keen to experience the best of what our region has to offer.’

British Airways announces plans to expand Heathrow -Inverness route

British Airways has said that it will expand its service between Heathrow and Inverness by operating two daily return services from Monday to Friday and three return services at weekends from summer 2019.

Starting March 31, 2019, the number of weekly flights that British Airways operates between the two cities during the summer season will increase from 10 to 16. The winter flying programme between Heathrow Terminal-5 and Inverness will double from seven to 14 return services a week, with the airline operating a double-daily schedule every day of the week from October 27, 2019.

Flights have also been re-timed to improve onward connections on to British Airways’ global network of more than 150 destinations worldwide, the airline said. Flights are available to book on ba.com, with each-way fares starting from £115 per person in Club Europe and £34 in Euro Traveller, each-way.

Phyllis Stuart, British Airways’ Airport Manager in Inverness, said: ‘We have been able to increase flights to Inverness because the airport is exempt from Air Passenger Duty. This outdated and unjustified tax stifles British Airways’ route development plans and costs the UK jobs and growth.

‘Since we reintroduced the daily service between Inverness and Heathrow we have seen steady growth in passenger numbers at both ends of the route and this further expansion is testament to the support our partners at Inverness Airport and the people and business community of the highlands and islands have given us over the past two years. The new schedule will bring greater economic benefits to the region and the extra flights on Saturdays and Sundays will cater for the number of leisure passengers travelling to the highlands and islands during the summer months.’

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of Highlands and Islands Airports, said: ‘The increased frequency of British Airways flights to Heathrow really is a game changer for Inverness and the Highlands and Islands. It opens up a host of new connections and destinations via one of the world’s great aviation hubs, meaning many more people can travel to and from our region on one ticket. Local businesses will benefit from greater connectivity with London and beyond and it opens up opportunities for visitors to access all that the area has to offer.’

To meet the increased services, British Airways will park an overnight at Inverness Airport and British Airways customers will be able to travel between the two cities, complete a full working day, and return home the same day, it said.

British Airways announces expansion to Inverness-Heathrow service

British Airways has announced recently that it is planning to expand its Inverness – Heathrow service from seven to ten flights a week, from March next year.

As per the plan, the airline will operate a double-daily service between Inverness and Heathrow on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from the week beginning March 25, 2018.

Phyllis Stuart, British Airways’ manager at Inverness said, ‘We’re delighted to be able to offer our customers more flights from the highland capital, offering more seats on the route after a successful first 18 months operating the route.

‘Our new schedule, which will come into operation at the beginning of the summer 2018 flying programme, will mean that on three days of the week, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, British Airways will offer customers a double daily service between the capital of the highlands and islands and London.

‘We, and our partners at Inverness Airport and the business communities in Inverness and the highland region, have worked tirelessly to encourage business and leisure travellers to use the new route for the benefit of the businesses and individuals in the region.

‘The increased frequency on the route is the result of that partnership and further demonstrates British Airways’ long-standing commitment to the highlands and islands of Scotland.’

Inglis Lyon, managing director of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) said: ‘This announcement is excellent news for the highland community and Inverness Airport.

‘We have worked closely with British Airways to further improve connectivity and the new schedule provides additional two-way connectivity with destinations such as Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, Berlin and Mexico City.

‘We can also anticipate more than ten per cent additional inbound passengers to the highlands and islands to experience all the north of Scotland has to offer.’

The new Inverness-Heathrow schedule, which will see a 30 per cent increase in capacity on the route, comes after the airline’s agreement with Scottish airline Loganair of an extended code share agreement, which came into effect at the beginning of September.

Heathrow announces return of Inverness link, opens up Highlands

Inverness and the Highlands are now reconnected to London Heathrow, the UK’s global gateway, via a daily service which will facilitate business growth in the north of Scotland, according to a release by Heathrow Airport.

This new daily service operated by British Airways reconnects the capital of the Highlands to Heathrow for the first time in almost a decade. With over 100,000 seats available annually, the service opens up profitable trade routes and 92 new onward long-haul destinations, enabling businesses and leisure passengers to more easily connect to markets around the world.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: ‘The Inverness-Heathrow route offers so much potential for the businesses and people of the north west of Scotland who for too long have been let down by the indecision on airport expansion. Today is a momentous day – Inverness joins Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle with a route into Heathrow and access to markets from Manila to Mexico City, from Chicago to Chengdu, from Hanoi to Houston. It means more growth and a more secure economic future for the Highlands and I’m delighted that we’re able to be a part of that future success.’

Stewart Nicol, Chief Executive, Inverness Chamber of Commerce said: ‘This is a very significant development for the Highland business community in terms of increasing the connectivity between Inverness, London and the South-East of the UK. This will make it much easier for Highland businesses to connect to markets across the world. It is also a significant endorsement of all that HIAL have done to secure the UK’s leading airline, and one of the world’s most iconic commercial airline brands, back to the city of Inverness. In addition to making it easier for Highland businesses to access global destinations from Heathrow, this route makes it much easier for tourists from across the world to get to Inverness.’

Sarah Medcraf, Chief Executive Officer, Moray Chamber of Commerce said: ‘We welcome the launch of this new service which will greatly enhance the options of travel, particularly for business travel connections. The continued investment of transport links in the Highlands, Islands & Moray will encourage economic development to show that this is the place to live, work and play.’

According to new economic analysis, the Inverness route will have a significant positive impact on the Inverness economy with benefits for regional industries such as life sciences, food and drink and tourism, the release noted.

easyJet launches new Inverness flights, unveils new tartan aircraft

easyJet, one of the UK’s leading airline, has announced the launch of new early morning flights between Inverness and London Gatwick, with the unveiling of a special edition tartan plane and easyJet tartan kilts.

easyJet will now offer six flights per day between London and the Highlands, including a convenient early morning flight enabling business travellers to travel to London in the morning and return the same day. Over 300,000 people are expected to fly on easyJet between the Inverness and London airports over the coming year, with fares starting from GBP17.99 one way.

To celebrate the occasion, easyJet unveiled the ‘Highland aircraft’ tartan in one of the most prominent orange designs. The easyJet tartan also features on a special edition Airbus A319 aircraft – named ‘Inverness’ – which will operate on easyJet routes across Europe to help promote the Highlands as a tourism destination.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s Head of Scotland, said: ‘Today we are here to celebrate the long term future of flights between the Scottish Highlands and London. We know the addition of this early morning departure is crucial for businesses in the Highlands and will be very much in demand with almost 200,000 passengers expected to use this flight each year.

The new schedule from Inverness to Gatwick will offer a day return for business travellers and easy, affordable fares to help boost tourism. It will be followed by four new Scottish routes this summerand in recognition of this we are proud to unveil a special edition tartan aircraft.’

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of Inverness Airport operator HIAL, said: ‘EasyJet’s success over the past decade has been instrumental in supporting business and tourism growth across the Highlands. The airline has helped revolutionise air travel to and from the Highlands, ensuring that business and leisure travellers are well connected to the UK’s main airports, including Gatwick, and providing access to key markets for businesses across the north of Scotland.’

Following the new Inverness flights, easyJet will launch four new routes this spring – Herakilon and Bodrum from Edinburgh and Spilt and Kos from Glasgow. In total, easyJet expects to carry over 5.3 million passengers on Scottish flights this year and will remain Scotland’s largest airline, it said.

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Highland firm rebrands as Murray Travel as it expands across Highlands and Moray

Highland capital based business Inverness Travel has unveiled a new name to reflect its expansion across the Highlands and Moray.

Now known as Murray Travel, the independent firm has previewed the new-look brand at its Inverness headquarters on Strothers Lane ahead if the opening of new branches in Forres and Elgin in the next few months.

The change comes after the company acquired two well-known north travel brands earlier this year.

Director Scott Murray, who runs Murray Travel with wife Sarah, said: “When we took over Alba Travel and Beaver Travel, and committed to maintaining a presence in Elgin and Forres, we quickly realised that we had outgrown the Inverness Travel brand.

"We are no longer a company serving only the Highland capital and we need a name that reflects that larger footprint.

“The new Murray Travel brand represents the family values that run throughout everything we do. As a family-run business – and one that values the relationships we build in our communities – we want our customers to know that we will take good care of their holiday arrangements, as we would for any member of our family.”

As work continues on securing new premises in Elgin and Forres, the Murray Travel team is working from its travel boutique in Strothers Lane, which has been designed to create a luxurious experience, reminiscence of a cross between an airport lounge and a hotel lobby. Instead of being presented with racks of brochures, potential customers are offered a drink from the free bar on arrival – instantly entering into the holiday mindset.

The new premises across the region will follow this format.

Mr Murray added: “When we started our business seven years ago, we could never have foreseen the challenges we would face – but the strength and dedication of our team has meant we have come out of the Covid pandemic stronger than ever.

“We’re now in a position to offer even more people expert travel advice, and to help organise unforgettable trips around the world for those looking to travel.”

Since its launch in 2014, Murray Travel has won numerous awards for its customer service and innovative business practices, and is a member of ABTA, AITO and the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association. Mr and Mrs Murray also co-founded Wanderluxe, a homeworking agency based in Sawbridgeworth, and Mr Murray is managing director of Highland hospitality group, Cru Holdings, which operates a number of bars and restaurants in Inverness and Nairn.

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The Ghost Ship of Inverness

The mysterious origins of the “Inverness Shipwreck”

I don’t remember exactly when the majestic ship Point Reyes came to rest in the tidal flats at the south end of Tomales Bay. It is so perfectly sited and in sync with its environs that it seems always to have been there. But those whose memories go back more than thirty years or so can recall an unobstructed view of the hills to the east from the parking lot of the Inverness Store. The only structure imposing itself on the scene back then was a pier—dilapidated even when I was a kid in the sixties—that jutted into the flats from the parking lot.

Although not a distinct memory, the appearance of the ghost ship no doubt would have been sudden for me, at that time an infrequent visitor to our cabin in Inverness. But even for locals who drove through or worked in town every day, it’s quite likely the ship appeared virtually overnight. Given the atmospherics in that area, it’s not hard to imagine the looming prow gradually resolving out of the mist one morning, almost as if the ship was still under way, to the surprise and delight of all.

The origin of the Point Reyes was never quite clear, at least to me. As I recall, the prevailing story was a common one in the boating world: a beautiful wooden boat with a noble history; a zealous rehabber with good intentions; benign neglect. In the final act, the Point Reyes may just have slipped her mooring and drifted onto the flats at high tide, settling in comfortably on her starboard side as the tides came and went over the weeks, then years.

She wouldn’t have been the first vessel to end its days on those flats or, in fact, in almost that exact spot. With wicked northwesterlies funneling down the narrow bay and little countervailing tidal surge, anything not firmly secured would inevitably end up there. I know this from personal experience.

Sometime in the years before the arrival of the Point Reyes , my father’s own Monterey Clipper, a beautiful traditional wooden work boat he co-owned with a friend, also slipped its temporary mooring while awaiting repairs and headed for the flats. In the end, a combination of her advanced age, her list of ailments, and the economic realities of salvage sealed her fate. As fates go, however, hers ultimately was a kind one: she was hauled onto the hard of the Inverness Store’s parking lot, braced, relieved of her sturdy Hicks engine and other potentially dangerous accoutrement, and for several years functioned as a playground for a generation of future skippers and pirates. The end of her tenure and the appearance of the Point Reyes may even have overlapped; I don’t quite recall.

Boats are not the only thing to have breathed their last on the flats of Tomales Bay. One day, probably a decade or so before the Clipper’s demise, a friend and I, while sailing, spotted a strange shape moving about farther up the bay, appearing and disappearing as we watched. We closed to investigate and ended up flanking a baby gray whale. I’m not sure another has ever ended up in the bay again; indeed, this one was thought to have mistakenly veered away from its mother while migrating up the coast.

We drew close enough to touch it—the bay not being deep enough for it to sound—and it began to follow us as we tacked up the bay. When we got back to the dock, we called the Park Service. In the ensuing days, several heroic attempts were made to coerce the calf out of the bay to the ocean, to no avail. Finally, exhausted and starving, the calf drifted downwind to the flats where it died, its final labored breaths, according to accounts at the time, sounding like a bus door opening and closing. Part of its skeleton is enshrined in the Bear Valley Visitor Center.

As the elements finish their work on what remains of the Point Reyes , as she succumbs to an earthbound gravity she was never intended to withstand and finally collapses around herself, many will mourn her passing. But if the years have taught me anything, it’s that something unexpected, mysterious, and wonderful will appear again (out of the mist) on the tidal flats of Tomales Bay. It’s just a matter of wind, tide, and time.

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Two dozen United Airlines passengers fell ill on flight; many had been on cruise

Around two dozen passengers fell ill on a United Airlines flight from Vancouver, Canada to Houston, Texas on Friday.

Approximately 25 people traveling in a group of 75 had nausea, according to Capt. Sedrick Robinett of the Houston Fire Department. HFD evaluated three passengers upon the plane’s arrival at George Bush Intercontinental Airport but none were transported to the hospital, he said.

“Several passengers who had been on the same cruise and did not feel well were on United Flight 1528 from Vancouver to Houston Friday night,” United told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The airline did not answer a question about what cruise line or ship the flyers had been traveling on before their flight.

“United Airlines is actively coordinating with health authorities to address the situation,” the airline’s statement continued. “As a precautionary measure, the aircraft will be removed from service and go through a deep cleaning before returning to service. Ensuring the health and safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”

Is there a doctor on board?: Usually, yes. Here's why.

The Houston Health Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The news comes after dozens of passengers on a Condor flight from Mauritius to Frankfurt, Germany mysteriously became sick with nausea and vomiting last month.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Bark Air, a new airline for dogs, set to take its first flight

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: May 23, 2024 / 10:57 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

Bark Air, a new airline that puts dogs before their human companions, will take its first flight Thursday. Its sold-out maiden voyage will depart New York for Los Angeles at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

Bark, a pet company founded in 2011 that sells dog food and other products, announced the new aviation experience for canines in April. It's the second air travel service to market itself as catering to pets before human passengers, recognizing how stressful and uncomfortable commercial air travel can be for animals . United Kingdom-based public charter operator K9 jets also lets passengers' pets travel next to them in the aircraft cabin, versus in crates in commercial aircraft cargo holds.

"We are excited to take the insights we've learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies," Bark co-founder and CEO Matt Meeker said in April. "We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand's mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the Bark family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world." 

The first flight from New York to Los Angeles Thursday is sold out, according to Bark's booking website. The company said it launched the air travel experience to make long-distance travel more comfortable for dogs that don't fit under the seats in front of passengers on commercial aircraft. 

"Too often, dogs are denied travel, confined to a duffle bag, or endure the stress of flying in cargo," the company said in announcing the flights in April.

Bark Air says it will offer "white paw service" to its canine customers — who'll even get to socialize with other dogs in what the company calls a "dog-centric" cabin configuration. Like first-class human passengers, dogs on board will be offered treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, a beverage of their choice and other surprises, the company said. 

Initially, the service will fly between the New York City metro area and Los Angeles, as well as from New York to London. More routes will be added soon, the company said. 

Bark Air will operate as a public charter service, flying on spacious Gulfstream G5 jets. It does not own or operate any aircraft. Each dog ticket comes with a pass for one human. Families may also purchase additional passes. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted aboard. There are no size or breed restrictions for dogs. 

The service doesn't come cheap. A one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles in June costs $6,000 for one dog and one human. A New York to London ticket costs $8,000. 

Meeker acknowledged the service's high cost in a May letter, but said he expects prices to come down as demand climbs.

"This is cost-prohibitive for most families, but less expensive than most options today. And this is also how most innovative products and services began," he said. "Televisions, telephones, VCRs and DVD players, to automobiles, train and boat travel, and, yes, even human air travel — all of these started with very high prices until demand was proven and the costs could be brought lower by serving the masses."

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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• International

Claudia Sheinbaum projected to be Mexico's first woman president

By Kathleen Magramo, Maureen Chowdhury, Matt Meyer and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Outgoing Mexican president congratulates Sheinbaum

From CNN's Mia Alberti

Mexico's President Andres Manuel López Obrador has congratulated Claudia Sheinbaum on her expected win in Sunday's presidential election. 

"With all my affection and respect I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum who came out victorious with an ample margin. She will be the first (female) President of Mexico... but also the President, possibly, with most votes obtained in all of the history of our country," he said in a video posted on X. 

López Obrador also congratulated the other presidential candidates and the Mexican people, saying he was proud of the large turnout.

Mexico's expected president Sheinbaum pledges to govern all Mexicans "without distinction"

From CNN's Michael Rios

Claudia Sheinbaum has responded to the announcement of her projected victory in Mexico's presidential election early Monday morning, saying her administration would govern all Mexicans “without distinction,” even though not everyone supports her policies.

“Our duty is and will always be to look after every single Mexican without distinction. So even though many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico,” she told supporters in a speech.

She also spoke about the historical significance of becoming the first female president of the country.

Sheinbaum said her two rivals in the race, Xóchitl Gálvez and Jorge Álvarez Máynez, had called to congratulate her on her projected victory.

Sheinbaum, the candidate from the ruling party, received the most votes in Sunday's elections, according to preliminary results from the National Electoral Institute.

The Electoral Court must validate the presidential election, and if confirmed, Sheinbaum will start her presidency on October 1.

Sheinbaum's large margin shows power of Mexico's ruling party, CNN journalist says

From CNN's Kathleen Magramo

Even though Claudia Sheinbaum was expected to win during campaign polls, her large margin in the votes came as a shock, CNN’s Gustavo Valdes reports from Mexico City.

Sheinbaum might get up to 60% of the vote, which is even higher than outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador when he was elected six years ago, Valdes said.

Sheinbaum is the candidate for the ruling Morena party.

"That gives you an idea of the political power that López Obrador has amassed over the past six years," Valdes told CNN's Rosemary Church.

Valdes said voters told CNN that a woman president would help change Mexico's image of being a "macho" country, where patriarchal culture impedes women's advancements.

"Mexico has actually changed its laws to encourage and actually force the parties to have more female candidates. So so there's a very equal division of power between many woman in congress and the governorships," Valdes said.

Sheinbaum projected to win Mexico's presidential election, official preliminary results show

From CNN en Español

Claudia Sheinbaum is projected to win Mexico's presidential election and become the first woman to lead the country's government, according to preliminary results reported by the National Electoral Institute (INE).

Sheinbaum, the candidate of Mexico's ruling party Morena, won between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to INE's quick count, a statistical method that predicts the trend in voting from a random sample of polling stations.

Opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez trailed Sheinbaum with between 26.6% and 28.6% of the vote.

The Citizen Movement candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez came in third place with between 9.9% and 10.8%   of the vote.

The Electoral Court must validate the presidential election. If it does, Sheinbaum will start her presidency on October 1.

Key things to know about Claudia Sheinbaum, who is projected to be Mexico's first female president

From CNN Español

Claudia Sheinbaum, the former head of the government of Mexico City and candidate for the ruling Morena party , is projected to be the country's first female president.

Sheinbaum, a former climate scientist, entered the campaign as the favorite, according to February and March polls by Mitofsky, Parametría, and De las Heras Demotecnia, which placed her support between 49% and 67% compared to her political rivals.

Sheinbaum holds a degree in physics and a master's and doctorate in energy engineering. She has received several accolades for her academic career.

Born in Mexico City in 1962, she has two children and one grandchild. Her partner, Jesús María Tarriba, whom she met at university while both were studying physics, is currently a financial risk specialist at the Bank of Mexico. 

In 2018, she became the head of government of Mexico City, the first woman elected to this position. Her desire to be part of Mexican politics began in 2000 when she was appointed Secretary of the Environment for the Federal District under Andrés López Obrador's administration until 2006.

In 2015, she became the first woman elected as the head of the Tlalpan borough, serving until 2017. In early 2018, she joined the government of Mexico City as head until June 2023, when she stepped down to run for the presidency with the Morena party, of which she is a founder, aiming to succeed her party colleague, López Obrador.

As part of her campaign within Morena, Sheinbaum is designated the coordinator for the Defense of the Transformation, whose mission, as stated on her LinkedIn profile, is to defend and promote the values of the Fourth Transformation of Public Life in Mexico, the central axis of López Obrador's policy. 

Much of her life has been dedicated to university teaching, focusing on renewable energy and climate change. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to which Sheinbaum contributed, received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sheinbaum is not only the first female president in Mexico, but the first president with Jewish heritage, although she rarely speaks publicly about her personal background and has governed as a secular leftist.

Translated by Karol Suarez. CNN’s Rey Rodríguez, Laura Paddison, Jack Guy, Fidel Gutiérrez, Krupskaia Alís, Aditi Sangal, Karen Esquivel and Carmen Sánchez contributed reporting to this post.

Elected president will have to act quickly on crime and security issues, analyst says

Frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum will have to act quickly on Mexico's organized crime and security issues if she wins the presidency, said Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"The biggest challenge facing the country does come from organized crime, the expanding territorial control of cartels and gangs, that will be something Sheinbaum will need to make progress on early," Freeman told CNN's Michael Holmes.

Freeman also said Sheinbaum would inherit a rising fiscal deficit, stemming from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's big spending campaign, as well as long term issues such as migration and climate change.

Sheinbaum is the candidate for the ruling Morena party under López Obrador, and Sunday's election is seen by some as a referendum  on the policies of the outgoing president.

López Obrador's popular social welfare has helped poorer Mexicans but his "hugs, not bullets” policy of not confronting cartels has not stopped criminal violence. Mexico’s  homicide rate  is among the highest in the world, and  more than 100,000 people remain missing in the country.

"It's stunning that the governing party could win re-election by a landslide as it seems... given the sweeping violence, the thing is the opposition didn't seem to put together a much more credible set of proposals about what they would do," Freeman said. "What scares me the most is that it could be that no political figure in Mexico go has a viable plan to reclaim security, to rebuild the state's control over all of its national territory."

Sheinbaum comes with a team from her time as Mexico City mayor that has a proven record on improving security but it remains to be seen if she can replicate that on a national scale, Freeman said.

Election officials postpone press conference on preliminary results

Mexico’s election officials postponed a press conference in which initial preliminary results based on a small percentage of the votes were expected to be announced, CNN’s Gustavo Valdes in Mexico City reports.

Claudia Sheinbaum has emerged as the frontrunner of the presidential vote, and reporters at her campaign headquarters say her team is gearing up for a celebration, Valdes said.

"Thousands of them are already in Zócalo, which is the main square in Mexico City, but there's nothing official," he said.

Mexico awaits confirmation of its first female president. Here's what has happened so far

From CNN staff

Mexico is awaiting for results confirming the win of its first female president, which would mark a remarkable achievement in a country known for its patriarchal culture.

The two leading presidential candidates are women: Claudia Sheinbaum from the leftist Morena party and Xochitl Gálvez , from the conservative PAN party, who is representing a coalition of opposition parties. The third candidate is Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who is representing the center-left Citizens’ Movement.

Their respective parties have made early claims of victory, even though official results have not yet been announced by the National Electoral Institute (INE).

Sunday’s election was the largest in the country’s history. Over 98 million voters were registered to cast a ballot in Mexico and more than 20,000 positions are set to be filled.

• Vote counting: Polls began to close at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET) and Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE) opened its preliminary electoral results program (known as PREP) on Sunday night, which is expected to be open for 24 hours. Official results have not yet been announced, though Sheinbaum emerges with an early lead. You can track the latest results here.
• Security on the ballot: Violence has loomed large in this election, the bloodiest in Mexico’s history. Dozens of political candidates and applicants have been killed by criminal organizations  trying to influence  those coming into power.
• Immigration concerns: Immigration is also another top concern for voters amid Mexico’s broader security crisis. Mexico is grappling with a surge of migrants and asylum seekers entering and crossing its own territory, while it contends with external policies on migration.
• US watches closely: Mexico is a key US ally  on a range of issues, from trade to cracking down on drug trafficking to managing migration. US officials are closely monitoring Mexico's election results, as they prepare a border executive action that could be announced  as early as Tuesday.
• Why Mexico matters: The US and Mexico are both heading to the polls this year, something that happens only once every 12 years – and comes at a time of transition in the relationship between the two countries.The neighboring countries have to cooperate and address issues spanning migration, the fentanyl and drug trade, and their tightening economic relationship.

Read more about today's historic election here.

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