How many times growing up did you want to board the magical Hogwarts Express and set off on a journey to Hogwarts?
If the answer is all the time and you still want to… I can absolutely relate!
But did you know that this spot from the films actually does exist in real life? And the train as well?
The Jacobite Steam train aka the real Hogwarts Express is a train journey that you can book that travels from Fort William to Mallaig.
And along the way, just 30 minutes into your journey you will cross over the Glenfinnan Viaduct! If you want to read more about The Jacobite steam train journey and how to book it, visit this post for all the details.
It was such a dream to visit this absolutely magical location in Scotland. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is iconic.
And is super famously known for featuring in the Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express travels to Hogwarts at the start of the school term. I remember watching the steam train on screen as a kid and thinking how incredible it must be to travel this way. And to get to school that way?! Wow.
Or imagine Ron and Harry driving the blue Ford Anglia right in front of this?! Yikes!
Anyways! In my ever expanding journey and quest to visit all of the Harry Potter filming locations, visiting Glenfinnan Viaduct has been a huge must on my Harry Potter travel bucket list.
Everything you need to know about visiting the Harry Potter Glenfinnan Viaduct
Where is the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
It’s located just a half hour drive west from Fort William.
I really would recommend hiring a car if you are visiting the Scottish Highlands and want to be on your own schedule as things are quite spread out.
However, there are also so many options for tours from major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow too.
Book your Glenfinnan adventure:
What time does The Jacobite Express cross the viaduct?
This is what you REALLY want to know. The Jacobite steam train travels over the viaduct four times a day.
Twice heading out to Mallaig and twice heading back to Fort William. Which means that you will only be able to actually get these iconic angles twice a day on the way out route to Mallaig.
📸 Get this angle and iconic photo shot twice a day around 10:45am and 1:20pm.
It takes roughly a half hour for The Jacobite steam train to get from Fort William to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, so be sure you are set up where you want to be near the viaduct well before 10:45am or 1:20pm.
And be sure to LISTEN out for the train approaching. The train is sometimes a bit earlier or later. It arrived a bit early and I was totally scrambling to get my shots my first time around!
Is it crowded at the viewpoint?
Yes! Depending on when you go, I’m sure this changes but we went in the height of summer and the hill where you go to watch the train was pretty crowded.
As it’s on a hill though, it’s fairly easy to set up an angle to get photos and videos of the train without anyone else in them. But I would recommend getting there early to get the exact spot that you want.
Unrelated but also important depending on the time of year you go… wear bug spray! The midges are no joke and you are literally right in the woodland grass.
Is it a long walk from the car park to the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
No. It’s not a long walk or even a particularly difficult walk.
It probably takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from the car park area to the main viewing point. It is so obvious where you need to go when you arrive at the car park that I don’t need to give you a step by step guide to get to the viewpoint.
You’ve got this!
Most of the walk is flat but when you get to the side of the viewing point it is a pretty uphill walk. I would absolutely recommend wearing trainers/sneakers or at least very comfortable shoes.
Can you park there?
Yes! The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a hugely popular spot.
They have a visitor centre with a café, shops and toilets (important!) and a fairly large car parking area. Though I’ve seen grumblings that it can fill up so I’d get there early with plenty of time to spare so you don’t miss out on getting parking.
You also do need to pay to park. It is £3.50 for the day.
A smart way to do make the most of the experience is to arrive in the morning to see The Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express) and then you can return in the afternoon again if you want to catch it a second time.
We popped over to Loch Eilt, another famous Harry Potter site to visit Dumbledore’s Grave in the meantime.
TL;DR A few tips for visiting the Glenfinnan Viaduct ⤵️
🚗 Arrive early to the Glenfinnan Viaduct carpark area. It does get quite crowded!
💰 Pay to park costs £3.50 for the day
⏱ It’s also a short walk from the carpark to the viewing points, so give yourself plenty of time to walk and set up
🥾 Wear sensible shoes! This viewing point is up a big hill, you’ll thank me later
🚂 The Jacobite steam train travels over the viaduct four times a day (out and back twice)
📸 Get the angles I shot in this post shot twice a day around 10:45am and 1:20pm
🚂 Have your camera ready to go prior to the arrival times of 10:45 and 1:20. The train is sometimes a bit earlier or later. It arrived a bit early and I was totally scrambling to get my shots!
🥰 Have fun and be patient. You get to see something so cool but it can get quite crowded. Just enjoy the moment, you’re all there to see one thing together.
And if you’re looking for more incredible Harry Potter locations, check out my real life stay at Hagrid’s Hut.
Kelly xoxo
