For millions of Harry Potter fans across the globe, the idea of riding the Hogwarts Express isn’t just a travel experience - it’s a dream come true. With sweeping Scottish landscapes, a vintage steam engine, and the now-iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct (aka the Harry Potter Bridge), the real-life journey from Fort William to Mallaig by rail is as close to stepping into J.K. Rowling’s world as you can get.
But the burning question remains: Can you ride the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh?
Let’s board the train, figuratively and literally, to discover how you can make your own magical journey through Scotland on the legendary Harry Potter Train in Scotland
The Hogwarts Express: From Fiction to Reality
The Hogwarts Express, as every witch and wizard knows, famously departs from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station in London, ferrying young students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But while that platform may be invisible to Muggles, the train that appears in the films is very much real.
The Jacobite Steam Train, operated by West Coast Railways, is the authentic steam engine and carriages used in the Harry Potter films.
Dubbed the Harry Potter Train in Scotland, this train ride travels an 84-mile round trip between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Railway, offering passengers stunning views of mountains, lochs, and coastlines - and of course, the unforgettable curve over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Where is the Harry Potter Bridge?
The famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, affectionately known by fans as the Harry Potter Bridge, is arguably the most iconic piece of railway architecture in cinema history. It’s the majestic structure that appears as the Hogwarts Express curves across a highland valley on its way to school, smoke billowing dramatically into the crisp Scottish air.
This famous viaduct is located in the Scottish Highlands, just outside the small village of Glenfinnan, roughly 17 miles west of Fort William. With its 21 stone arches and backdrop of Loch Shiel, it’s not just a star in the Harry Potter movies - it’s a Scottish landmark in its own right.
Can You Ride the Hogwarts Express?
The answer is a resounding yes. You can absolutely ride the train that served as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
While you won’t find chocolate frogs hopping around the carriage or a trolley witch offering up Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, you will experience something equally magical - epic scenery and a true steam-powered journey through some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes.
The ride from Fort William to Mallaig by rail is frequently cited as one of the world’s most scenic train routes. The Jacobite Steam Train runs seasonally from spring to autumn, offering both morning and afternoon departures, and features first-class compartments that replicate the feel of those seen on-screen.
Though the train doesn't depart from Edinburgh, getting to Fort William is an adventure of its own - and one that is a full-day magical experience.
Hogwarts Express Tour from Edinburgh
So, how do you ride the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh?
You won’t be catching it directly from Waverley Station, but the one-day Jacobite Steam Train Experience Tour from Edinburgh, combines a scenic road trip through the Highlands with a one-way ride on the Jacobite Steam Train. It’s the perfect day touring experience.
Departing from Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile you’ll be whisked northward past lochs, castles, and Highland scenery, seeing notable Harry Potter filming locations along the way - like Rannoch Moor (seen from the Hogwarts Express window), dramatic Glen Coe (featured in several film scenes), and Loch Shiel (aka the Black Lake).
The end of the Line
After reaching Mallaig, there is time to explore this charming fishing village before boarding the Jacobite Steam Train for the iconic journey to Fort William.
On arrival the return to Edinburgh is via coach through even more stunning Highland scenery, rounding off a truly spellbinding day.
Some longer itineraries even span two or three days, with overnight stays in the Highlands and added stops like the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, and even filming sites from Outlander and James Bond movies - making the experience even more enchanting.
It's possible to join a 5-day semi-independent tour from London that includes the hogwarts express and the scenic highlands day tour from Inverness as well as time to investigate many of Edinburgh's Harry Potter connections.
Harry Potter Tours Edinburgh
Before even heading north, Edinburgh itself is a veritable treasure chest for Potter fans. J.K. Rowling famously wrote much of the early books in cafes around the city, and her influence is woven into the cobbled streets, gothic architecture, and atmospheric closes of the Scottish capital.
Several Harry Potter Tours in Edinburgh explore the city’s magical connections, including:
- The Elephant House Café – One of Rowling’s early writing haunts.
- Greyfriars Kirkyard – The gravestones of Thomas Riddell and William McGonagall are believed to have inspired key characters.
- Victoria Street – Said to be the real-life Diagon Alley with its colourful facades and quirky shops.
- George Heriot’s School – With its turreted towers and house system, it’s a likely inspiration for Hogwarts.
Joining a walking tour adds a fascinating context to your visit, offering facts, trivia, and storytelling that bring Rowling’s world to life on the very streets that inspired it. It’s an experience experts highly recommend.
Fort William to Mallaig by Rail: The Journey Itself
Now, back to the main event. The Jacobite Steam Train departs from Fort William, a town nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain. The train chugs past Loch Eil, where reflections of mountains shimmer on still waters, and soon begins its climb toward Glenfinnan.
As it approaches the Harry Potter Bridge, cameras flash and hearts race. The conductor may even slow down so you can enjoy the view from both sides. The sound of the engine echoing through the glen is enough to awaken the most dormant imagination.
After crossing the viaduct, the journey continues west, hugging cliffs and lochs until it reaches Mallaig, a coastal village with seafood restaurants, gift shops, and views across the sea to the Isle of Skye. Passengers can grab lunch, shop for souvenirs, and even take a short walk along the harbour before the return trip.
Ride the Hogwarts Express with Scottish Tours
While you can’t travel on the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh, the journey to reach it - combined with the unforgettable ride itself - makes a magical experience, whether you’re a lifelong Potterhead or a curious traveller drawn to scenic landscapes.
Not only can you ride the train on a one-day tour from Edinburgh, but also from Glasgow and Inverness too. Check out our wide selection of tours that include a trip on the Harry Potter Train in Scotland here. Book your tour today.