A steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands

Harry Potter days out

Harry Potter days out for the whole family

From the real film sets in Leavesden to Hogwarts castles in Orlando and a steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct: the best Harry Potter days out, and how to pay less for the magic.

Studio Tour tips Filming locations Universal Orlando

Photo: Jack Anstey on Unsplash

Scout’s verdict

Scout’s verdict on Harry Potter days out

The Studio Tour in London is the one most fans should do first: real sets, props and costumes, and children aged 4 and under go free. Don’t expect a discount code. The best saving is booking direct, early, on a term-time date.

Best for: Ages 5+ and grown-up fans
Free option: Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross
Watch out: No tickets sold on arrival

The best Harry Potter days out

A Platform 9¾ sign for the Hogwarts Express

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Studio tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Leavesden, near Watford, England

Walk through the real sets, costumes and props from the films, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9¾.

Ages 5+Pre-book onlyUnder-5s free

Children aged 4 and under go free, but still need a ticket
Book direct on the official site to avoid reseller mark-ups
Tickets can’t be bought on arrival, and school holidays sell out early

Scout says: Allow at least 3–4 hours. Save room for Butterbeer, and don’t rush the Gringotts and Hogwarts model sections at the end.

Studio Tour tips wbstudiotour.co.uk ↗

A red steam locomotive on a railway line

Photo: B K / Unsplash

Free photo spot

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross

King’s Cross station, London

A luggage trolley disappearing into the wall at King’s Cross station, with a themed shop next to it. Taking your own photo is free.

All agesFreeQueues at peak times

Free to visit: you only pay if you want the official photo or shop souvenirs
Go early in the morning to beat the queue

Scout says: A fun free stop on a London day out. Combine it with the free museums in South Kensington.

Free London museums

Photo: Ian Murphy / Unsplash

Castle & film location

Alnwick Castle

Northumberland, England

The castle used for Hogwarts exteriors in the first two Harry Potter films. Families can join broomstick training in the very courtyard from the movies.

Ages 4+Film locationBroomstick training

Check whether tickets can be upgraded to an annual pass for free on the official site
Pair with Alnwick Garden next door

Scout says: Broomstick training is pure joy for young witches and wizards. Check session times when you arrive.

Filming locations alnwickcastle.com ↗

Photo: Jack Anstey / Unsplash

Heritage railway

The Jacobite steam train

Fort William to Mallaig, Scotland

The steam train that crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films. It runs seasonally and sells out well ahead.

All agesSeasonalBook early

You can watch the train cross the viaduct for free from the Glenfinnan viewpoints
Book as early as possible for summer dates

Scout says: Can’t get tickets? Watching it cross the viaduct from the hillside is free and just as photogenic.

Steam train days out westcoastrailways.co.uk ↗

USA

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Theme parks

Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe (opened 2025), plus Volcano Bay water park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is spread across all three theme parks.

Ages 5+Harry PotterEpic Universe

Multi-day tickets are better value per day
For 2026, 3-day-plus tickets include Epic Universe visits; 2-day tickets don’t, so check before you buy
You need a park-to-park ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two original parks

Scout says: Harry Potter fans: Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are in different parks. Get a park-to-park ticket or you’ll miss half the magic.

Harry Potter guide universalorlando.com ↗

Worldwide

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Studio tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter

Tokyo, Japan

Opened in 2023, Tokyo’s Studio Tour brings sets, props and costumes from the films to Japan. Book in advance.

Ages 5+Pre-bookAsia

Book direct on the official site for timed entry

Scout says: Visiting Japan? Universal Studios Japan has its own Wizarding World too.

wbstudiotour.jp ↗

Harry Potter savings that actually work

Searching for a “Harry Potter World discount code”? Genuine public codes for the Studio Tour are rare. These savings are real:

Book direct

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Book direct, and under-5s go free

Children aged 4 and under go free with a ticket. Booking on the official site avoids reseller mark-ups. Transport packages cost more.

No code needed

Advance booking only: no tickets on arrival. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

Studio Tour tips wbstudiotour.co.uk ↗

2FOR1

National Rail Days Out Guide

Travel by train and check the Days Out Guide

The Days Out Guide lists rail-ticket offers at attractions. Check the live listing for current London and Hertfordshire offers before you travel.

No code: voucher or booking reference

Valid National Rail ticket needed. Oyster, contactless and TfL tickets don’t qualify. Some offers need pre-booking. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

How it works daysoutguide.co.uk ↗

Free

Glenfinnan viewpoints

Watch the “Hogwarts Express” for free

The Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct on its seasonal runs. Watching from the viewpoints costs nothing.

Free to watch

Seasonal timetable. Car parks get busy. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

Jacobite timetable ↗

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: the essentials

Where: Leavesden, near Watford, about 20 miles north-west of central London. Shuttle buses run from Watford Junction station.
Tickets: timed entry, booked in advance only. Children aged 4 and under go free, but still need a ticket.
How long: most families spend 3 to 4 hours.
When: school holidays and weekends sell out early, so book as soon as you know your dates.

Read Scout’s full Studio Tour tips for families. Visiting from the US or Europe? You’ll need a UK ETA before you fly.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter parks

Universal runs Wizarding World areas in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan. In Orlando, Hogsmeade is at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley is at Universal Studios Florida, and the newest land (the Ministry of Magic) is at Epic Universe. See our Epic Universe family guide, and compare Orlando holidays on TravelDeals.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is there a discount code for the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

Genuine public discount codes are rare. The most reliable savings are booking direct on the official website (avoiding reseller mark-ups), choosing an off-peak date and remembering that children aged 4 and under go free with a ticket.

Can you buy Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets on the day?

No. Tickets must be booked in advance online for a timed entry slot. Popular dates, especially school holidays, can sell out weeks or months ahead.

Is the Studio Tour suitable for young children?

Children of any age can visit, and under-5s go free. It’s a walking tour of sets and props rather than rides, so it suits children who know the films, usually from about age 5 upwards.