Experience the Hogwarts Express Journey in Scotland

If you’ve ever dreamt of going to Hogwarts, here’s your chance to catch your train.

A “real-life” Hogwarts Express is running between April and October to take all Potterheads on a journey through the Scottish countryside, as reported by Travel Pirates.

Sadly, the train doesn’t depart from the “real” Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station. Instead, the train, operated by West Coast Railways, leaves from Fort William, about a two-hour drive from Glasgow, and runs to Mallaig in the Highlands of Scotland.

Even though you’re not exactly going to a wizarding school, the train is the company’s famous Jacobite Steam Train, which resembles the train from the Harry Potter films. Feel free to live out your wizard fantasies.

Moreover, this isn’t the only Hogwarts Express train in the U.K. Another train, operated by the North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway Trust, also treats passengers to a Harry Potter experience, including a stop at Goathland station, which was featured as “Hogsmeade Station” in the films.

Interestingly, Philadelphia had its own Hogwarts Express back in 2017, departing from Jefferson Station to a special Harry Potter-themed event.

If you’re a Potterhead in Scotland, you can always plan your own self-guided Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, where J.K. Rowling drew much of her inspiration for locations in the books.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the West Coast Railways Hogwarts Express are $50 for an adult and $28 for a child (up to age 12). Furthermore, there will be two services per day from May to September. For more information, visit the West Coast Railways website.