Introducing the ultimate itinerary for exploring the world of Harry Potter by train!
This legendary loop through the United Kingdom will immerse you in the real-life settings of the film without ever leaving the rails.
The stops on this tour are: Paris-London-Oxford-Edinburgh-Glasgow-Fort William-London-Paris.
Duration of the trip: you can complete this trip in 7 days if you have a week to spare, but to really enjoy it, we recommend allowing around ten days!
High speed train
(≈ 2h21)
Regional train
(≈ 00h52)
Regional train
(≈ 1h37)
Regional train
(≈ 3h49)
Regional train
(≈ 1h00)
Regional train
(≈ 4h00)
Night train
(≈ 10h40)
High speed train
(≈ 2h18)
The route in detail :
1️⃣ To get started, to London by Eurostar. It's the perfect place to visit Warner Bros. Studios, and of course, don't miss King's Cross Station! By the way, if you're a Club HOURRAIL! You can save 25% on your Eurostar journeys!
2️⃣ Then take a regional train to Oxford in less than an hour ! This is where you'll find the Bodleian Library, the Hogwarts Infirmary and, of course, Christ Church College.
3️⃣ Then back up to Edinburgh (via a Wolverhampton connection), where it all began. You can stroll through the cobbled streets that inspired the Chemin de Traverse and warm up in the cafés where J.K. Rowling wrote the saga.
4️⃣ Next step : Glasgow ! To discover the Gothic architecture of its university, which gives the impression of being in the corridors of the school!
5️⃣ Then head for Fort William The West Highland Line, with its breathtaking views of moors and lochs, is one of the most beautiful routes in the world.
6️⃣ And now it's time for the most magical moment of the trip! Climb aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express. You'll cross the famous Glenfinnan viaduct and discover the film's wild settings, including Quidditch matches and Hagrid's cabin.
7️⃣ Once you're back in Fort William, all you have to do is hop on a exceptional night train: the Caledonian Sleeper to wake up in London the next morning, before taking the Eurostar back to France.
And if you want to extend your immersion in Scotland in the footsteps of our favorite heroes, we've written a complete article on iconic locations from our cult films and TV series to visit by train in Scotland (Indiana Jones, Disney, Outlander...)!
You probably already know this, but as of today, Eurostar is the only train company connecting France and Belgium to the United Kingdom via the Channel Tunnel.
As for fares, I recommend booking at least a month and a half in advance if you want to find a round-trip ticket for under €100.
Another important point: since the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area, passport and security checks can take quite a bit of time. It’s recommended to arrive at least an hour before departure.
And the good news is that if you're a member of Club HOURRAIL!, you can enjoy an exclusive discount on your Eurostar tickets (25% off)!
To get to Fort William from Glasgow, there are direct services from Glasgow Queen Street station.
What if you wanted to take the famous Jacobite Steam Train (Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express)?
Yes, you can also make this journey via the famous Jacobite. But be warned: the Jacobite runs from April to October, and tickets are sold on a round-trip basis only.
If you can't reserve a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train, don't panic! You can take a regular ScotRail company. It uses exactly the same railway line, passes over the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, and costs even less!
To find out more about the Caledonian Sleeper (comfort on board, cost, frequency, timetables...), don't hesitate to read our dedicated article : The Caledonian Sleeper: the night train between Scotland and London.
Our tips for the road :
And the good news is that if you're part of the Club HOURRAIL! you can take advantage of an exclusive discount on your Eurostar tickets (25% off)!