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The Ultimate 7-Day Harry Potter Travel Itinerary

May 10, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Sep 13


Steam train curves across a stone viaduct through misty Scottish hills, with passengers leaning from maroon carriages.
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland

Step into the magical world of Harry Potter with this fast-paced European adventure, covering the must-see filming locations across London and its surroundings, with a taste of "Hogwarts" further north.


This travel itinerary is designed for all Harry Potter enthusiasts who want to experience the magic beyond the books and films.


Whether you follow the full itinerary or use it as a foundation for a shorter trip, this guide gives you the route, recommendations, logistics, and booking options you need to put your journey together.


To begin, simply expand the sections below one by one.


Hi, my name is TJ, and I work as a Europe itinerary specialist.


I've spent long hours researching the Harry Potter filming locations across England and Scotland, mapping out the best way to connect them and selecting the experiences worth making time for.


Think of this itinerary as a practical resource for exploring the world of Harry Potter across the UK, giving you a clear route to follow while leaving you free to shape the trip around your own plans.


You may also explore my dedicated 30-day itineraries for England and Scotland.

Destination

England & Scotland · United Kingdom


Duration

7 days


Transport

Trains · Underground · Buses · Walking


What You'll Experience

London:

Harry Potter Filming Locations · Platform 9¾ · Warner Bros. Studio Tour · Wizarding World Landmarks


Beyond London:

Hogwarts-Inspired Castles · Scenic Train Journeys · Scottish Landscapes · Historic Towns


Harry Potter Magic:

Film Sets & Props · Iconic Locations · Magical Architecture · Behind-the-Scenes Experiences

This 7-day travel itinerary connects London, Oxford and the surrounding Harry Potter filming locations before heading north to Alnwick and Edinburgh.

You may star this map to view it in Google Maps.


(R) Relaxing: Focus on atmosphere, themed shopping, re-watching films!


(M) Moderate: Mix of Potter-themed sightseeing, local walks.


(A) Active: Packed days, significant walking, Studio Tour intensity.


(T) Travel: Focus on arrival/departure or train travel for day trips.

How to use this itinerary

  1. Go through the day-by-day breakdown below to plan your trip.

  2. When you're ready to book, head to the Booking Hub where all hotels, transports, and experiences have been compiled and organised in the same order as the itinerary.


Day 1: Arrival in London & Platform 9¾ (T/R)


Day 2: Dive into the Making of Harry Potter (A/T)

  • This is THE ULTIMATE POTTER DAY! Dedicate most of the day to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. (this tour includes travel from/to London)

  • See the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest and Gringotts Bank, plus original props, costumes and behind-the-scenes effects. Try the green-screen broomstick experience and Butterbeer. Allow 4-5 hours, plus travel time.

  • Important: Book months in advance!

  • Return to London and relax at your hotel.


Day 3: London Filming Locations & Magical Shopping (M)

  • Morning: Explore London's Harry Potter filming locations. Consider a guided Harry Potter Walking Tour, or explore independently:

    • Leadenhall Market: Diagon Alley / Leaky Cauldron exterior.

    • Borough Market: Leaky Cauldron scenes.

    • Millennium Bridge: Death Eater attack in Half-Blood Prince.

    • Piccadilly Circus: Death Eaters attack in Deathly Hallows Part 1.

    • Westminster Tube Station: Mr. Weasley struggles with the barriers.

  • Afternoon: Visit the House of MinaLima in Soho, created by the films' graphic designers. Entry is free.

  • Shop for Harry Potter merchandise at Hamleys or Forbidden Planet.


Day 4: "Hogwarts" in Oxford Day Trip (A/T)

  • Take a train from London (approx. 1 hour) or the Oxford Tube coach (approx. 1.5-2 hours) to Oxford.

  • Christ Church College: See the Great Hall staircase and dining hall that inspired Hogwarts. Check visitor hours.

  • Bodleian Library: Visit the Divinity School, used as the Hogwarts Infirmary.

  • Best to cover all locations on a single guided tour.

  • New College: See the cloisters used as Hogwarts corridors and the tree from the Malfoy-as-ferret scene.

  • Explore Oxford before returning to London.


Day 5: Journey North to "Hogwarts" Exterior & Edinburgh Approach (T/M)

  • Travel: Take an LNER train from London King's Cross to Alnmouth (approx. 3-4 hours).

  • Take a pre-booked taxi or local bus from Alnmouth to Alnwick. Check routes and timings carefully.

  • Alnwick Castle: Explore the castle grounds and State Rooms, including the Outer Bailey where broomstick flying lessons were filmed. Pre-book entrance ticket.

  • Late Afternoon/Evening: Return to Alnmouth and take a train to Edinburgh Waverley (approx. 1-1.5 hours).

  • Check into your Edinburgh accommodation.

  • Where to Stay

  • Alternatively, if Alnwick logistics are too tight: Spend the morning in London, fly to Edinburgh and explore Edinburgh earlier in the day.


Day 6: Edinburgh's Magical Inspirations & Castle (M/A)

  • Morning: Explore Edinburgh locations linked to J.K. Rowling and the books:

    • Victoria Street: Often cited as an inspiration for Diagon Alley.

    • The Elephant House: Exterior view of the café associated with Rowling's early writing. Check its current status.

    • Greyfriars Kirkyard: Look for gravestones associated with Tom Riddell and McGonagall.

    • George Heriot's School: Possible inspiration for Hogwarts' architecture; view from outside.

  • Afternoon: Visit Edinburgh Castle. Book tickets online. Explore the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and National War Museum, then walk part of the Royal Mile.

  • ALTERNATIVE:

    • If the "Hogwarts Express" is one of the highlights you're hoping to see, consider a day tour from Edinburgh to Glenfinnan Viaduct, where the train scenes were filmed.

    • Remember that this tour takes most of the day, so it's worth considering only if the Hogwarts Express experience appeals to you more than exploring Edinburgh.


Day 7: Final Magical Souvenirs & Departure (R/T)

  • Morning: Shop for final Harry Potter souvenirs around the Royal Mile and Victoria Street. If returning to London, visit the Harry Potter Shop at King's Cross instead.

  • Travel to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) for departure, or take the train back to London (approx. 4.5-5 hours) for a London airport departure.

🚆 Transport

Book UK train tickets in advance for the best fares. Use contactless payment or an Oyster card for London transport. A BritRail Pass is unlikely to be worthwhile for this itinerary.


🏡 Accommodation

Book well in advance, especially for London and Edinburgh during peak periods and school holidays.


🎟️ Tickets

Book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour months ahead. Christ Church, Bodleian Library tours, Alnwick Castle and Edinburgh Castle should also be booked in advance.


🎒 Packing

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket for the UK's changeable weather.


💷 Currency

Pound Sterling (£). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful.


⏱️ Pacing

This is a packed highlights itinerary with several long travel days. For a slower trip, focus on London & the Studio Tour, or London & Oxford.


🛎️ Book Your Complete Harry Potter Trip


Alright, I hope this itinerary makes your trip easier to plan and gives you confidence along the way. Planning a Harry Potter journey across the UK can feel overwhelming, but you now have a clear route covering the most iconic filming locations, Hogwarts-inspired sites and magical experiences.


To keep your planning stress-free, remember to use the chronological booking hub included in this guide. You'll find the recommended hotels, trains, attractions, tours and other booking options organised in the same order as the itinerary. Use it to secure the key reservations while keeping the rest of your trip flexible.


This is a fast-paced journey, so feel free to adjust the itinerary around the experiences that matter most to you. Spend longer at the places you love, skip anything that doesn't interest you, or simply leave some time to enjoy the magic along the way.


Mischief managed! ⚡


Safe travels,

TJ


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