Wanna go to the famous Harry Potter Studios in London? This Harry Potter London guide will cover everything you need to know before you go.
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I myself am a big fan of the whole Harry Potter universe and have both read the books and seen all the movies many times.
So it’s with great pleasure that I present this guide to help you plan the trip to Harry Potter studios in London – the big Harry Potter exhibition.
I have received many questions from travelers who are going to London and want to visit the Harry Potter studios.
The questions are numerous:
- Where is Harry Potter studios?
- What can you see at the Harry Potter World?
- Is it a Harry Potter theme park?
- How to get from London to Harry Potter studios?
- Should you book your hotel close to Harry Potter studios?
- How do I buy Harry Potter world tickets?
- Are there any Harry Potter attractions in London itself?
In this guide to Harry Potter’s London, I will answer these questions and give advice on how to purchase tickets before your trip.
First, here’s a couple of facts about the Harry Potter Studios:
- It is a relatively expensive to visit
- It is not located in London, but in Watford, north of London
- You must buy Harry Potter studios tickets online in advance
- It is not an amusement park, but rather a form of interactive Harry Potter museum
- The tour guides on site knows everything about Harry Potter so you should really ask them if you’ve got any questions at all
- You get the opportunity to purchase the famous Butterbeer
Contents
- Harry Potter Studios = Harry Potter World in London ⚡️
- How to get to the Harry Potter Studios from Central London
- Harry Potter Studios tickets incl. transport from London
- More Harry Potter activities in London
- Harry Potter bus tour in London
- Harry Potter walk in London
- Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Potter World in London
Harry Potter Studios = Harry Potter World in London ⚡️
The correct term is actually Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios, but for convenience we’ll just call it Harry Potter Studios.
It is basically a huge ‘Harry Potter museum’, where you can come aboard the original Hogwarts Express, walk down Diagon Alley and see the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts.
In other words – you get the opportunity to step directly into the amazing world of Harry Potter.
Just take a look at how Diagon Alley looks in this photo:
A trip to the Harry Potter studios is a must for all Harry Potter fans who travel to London. With modern technology it is even possible to try a ride on a broomstick.
You don’t actually get to fly (unfortunately) but it almost feels like it – and it will definitely look like it if you get your friends or family to take a photo.
Magic is everywhere in the Harry Potter studios and therefore there is of course also an exhibition of the most famous wizards wands – including those on the dark side!
This means that you can for see wands that belonged to Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy.
After you have enjoyed some hours in the Studios you get to the souvenir shop where you can buy all sorts of Harry Potter merchandise.
Have you ever wanted to taste multi flavour beans or have you always longed for a Gryffindor scarf?
Then you can look forward to visiting the Harry Potter souvenir shop after.
Check out my video and get a feel for the tour:
How to get to the Harry Potter Studios from Central London
The studios are not in London itself, so you need to sort out transportation from Central London to the city of Watford where the Harry Potter studio is located.
See the location on the map below:
So how do you get from Central London to Harry Potter Studios?
The trip can be done be by train from Euston Station to Watford Junction and then you have to proceed with a shuttle bus to the Harry Potter studios.
However, there is a simpler alternative which is to buy tickets for the Harry Potter studios with GYG, where transport from London to the exhibition is included in the price.
Harry Potter Studios tickets incl. transport from London
First of all: you have to buy Harry Potter studios tickets before you get there – and preferably as soon as you know you want to visit the studios.
Harry Potter studios is one of the most visited attractions in London and so the tickets are always sold out, so it’s a very good idea to buy tickets as soon as possible.
I recommended to buy Harry Potter studios tickets in advance at GetYourGuide.
Read more & buy your tickets here.
This tickets gives you free transport from Central London directly to the studios in Watford included in the price.
It is simply much easier than having to first go by train to Watford and then by shuttle bus to the studios.
The prices for tickets to Harry Potter studios incl. transport from London are as follows:
- Adult: £69
- Children (5-15): £64
- Toddler (3-4 years): £20
- Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £256
Where to get on the bus in London?
The bus runs from Victoria Coach Station, located right next to the Victoria Station in central London.
See the location on the map below:
With a Harry Potter studios ticket from GYG, there is no need to book a stay at any hotel near the studios or think more about transport from London.
You’ll get easy access to the studios from Central London and you’ll go back to Central London after spending 3,5 hours at the Harry Potter studios.
This special ticket with transport included makes it easy to visit the Harry Potter studios and look forward to a good experience.
Get an idea of the tour of the studios in the video below:
Plan your own visit to the Harry Potter studios
It is of course also possible to plan the visit yourself, where you take the train to Watford Junction and from there take a shuttle bus to the studios.
If you want to plan your visit to Harry Potter studios do the following:
Buy tickets online at wbstudiotour.co.uk
Take the train from Euston Station north to Watford Junction Station. The fastest train (direction Birmingham New Street) is operated by London Midland and the trip takes about 15-20 minutes.
The London Overground also run to Watford Junction, but then it takes about 50 minutes because this train stops at several stations on the way from Euston to Watford Junction.
Tickets for the train can either be purchased from home at Train Genius, but it is far smarter for your whole trip if you buy either a Visitor Oyster Card or a Travelcard, which both can be used for all public transport in London. Both cards can also be used on this trip.
The cards must be purchased from home at VisitBritain.
Link to the Visitor Oyster Card here
Visitor Oyster Card is a travel card, which can save you 50% when traveling by public transport compared to buying single tickets
The price of the trip from Euston to Watford Junction with a Visitor Oyster Card is £5 (£8.10 if you travel in peak times)
Travelcard offers ‘free’ unlimited travel on public transport in London.
Be aware that Watford Junction is in Zone 6.
From Watford Junction runs a shuttle bus to the Harry Potter studios. This bus will cost £2.50 per person and it runs about every 15 and 20 minutes. Remember cash for the shuttle bus.
Price for a trip to Harry Potter studios if you plan it yourself:
Ticket: £48.95
Train trip / return: £16.2 (at peak times)
The shuttle bus trip / return: £5
Total: £70.15
Therefore, I recommend buying tickets to Harry Potter studios at Visit Britain, where transport from Central London is included in the price and you don’t need to think about taking the train and a shuttle bus.
The choice is yours and I wish you a great trip to the magical Harry Potter World.
More Harry Potter activities in London
If a trip to Harry Potter studios are not enough or I prefer to stay inside the London, there are still many activities to get to grips with.
Below we take a look at the Harry Potter related activities that can be enjoyed in the English capital.
Harry Potter bus tour in London
Go on a sightseeing bus tour of London, which differs from the classic bus tours by focusing on Harry Potter related sights.
On this bus tour you will go past the following Harry Potter related sights (and some other as well)
- The entrance to the Ministry of Magic (as seen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
- Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station, where you can try to “push through the wall”
- The house that was used as headquarters for the Order of The Phoenix
- The building that was used as Gringotts Bank
The bus journey takes just under 3 hours and cost £27 for adults (over 13 years) and £20 for children.
Here is a good way to see a lot of London, but with a focus on the Harry Potter attractions.
You can book tickets from home at GetYourGuide here.
Harry Potter walk in London
If you do not want to board a bus, then there is also a Harry Potter walk in London, which is cheaper than the bus trip.
On the walk we see among others the following locations:
- The Leaky Cauldron (the locations of the two pubs that have been used in the films)
- Millennium Bridge (which is destroyed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – do you remember that scene?)
- The Ministry of Magic entrance
You could obviously take this walking your by yourself, but consider taking the organised trip as the tour guides are very knowledgeable.
See more about which sites are visited and book tickets at GetYourGuide here.
I hope you find this guide to Harry Potter’s London interesting and that you now are ready to experience the magic of the English capital. I hope that you do go to the Harry Potter Studios (remember to buy tickets well in advance!) and that you’ll enjoy your time in London.
If you’ve got any questions about Harry Potter studios, Harry Potter sights in London or London in general you’re more than welcome to post a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Potter World in London
Unfortunately, tickets for Harry Potter Studios cannot be purchased on the day of your visit. All tickets must be booked in advance. It’s recommended to book your tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment, as they tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak season.
The studios are open from 9:30 in the morning and close at either 20:00 or 22:00, depending on what day of the week you visit.
The first tour buses from London start running at 8:00.
They’re actually not located in London, but in the city of Leavesden right outside of Watford. You can reach Watford Junction in about 20 minutes from Euston Station in Central London.
Or you can book an all-inclusive Harry Potter Studios ticket with bus transport from London included.
There are no age restrictions for visiting Harry Potter Studios. The attraction is suitable for all ages and has something for everyone to enjoy.
However, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during their visit. Additionally, some parts of the tour may be a bit scary for younger children, so it’s always best to use your judgement as a parent or guardian when deciding whether or not to bring young children along.
Usually you wouldn’t spend more than around 3 to 4 hours in the Studios. On my first visit I was there for just under 3 hours and I’m a massive Harry Potter fan who absolutely loved every minute.
In my opinion it really is. If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter universe then you’re gonna love the Harry Potter studio tour.
Although Harry Potter World in London is not currently open for overnight stays, that may change in the future. While there are no plans to make Harry Potter World an overnight stay destination at this time, it is possible that this could change in the future.
So if you’re hoping to spend a night at Hogwarts, keep your fingers crossed that the powers that be make it happen!
Yes, several food and drink options are available at Harry Potter Studios. The attraction has a number of cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat or something to drink throughout your visit.
You can even try some of the famous wizarding treats, like butterbeer!
Remember that outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the studios, so if you want to bring your snacks or drinks, you’ll need to leave them in your car or backpack.
Yes, there is a gift shop at Harry Potter Studios where you can purchase all sorts of Harry Potter merchandise, from wands and robes to books and souvenirs.
The shop is at the end of the tour, so you can browse and buy on your way out. Remember that the prices can be steep, so if you’re looking for more affordable options, you may want to consider shopping online or at other retail stores that carry Harry Potter merchandise.
The easiest way to get to Harry Potter Studios by public transport is by taking the train or bus. If you’re coming from London, you can take a direct train from Euston Station to Watford Junction, which takes about 20-25 minutes.
You can catch a shuttle bus from there that will take you directly to the studios in about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the 724 Green Line bus from central London, which stops at the studios. Keep in mind that both options may require some walking and waiting time, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Absolutely! Harry Potter World can be done in one day.
Most visitors find that spending around 3-4 hours at the studio is enough to fully enjoy and explore the Harry Potter films’ magical sets, props, and behind-the-scenes secrets.
While Harry Potter World doesn’t have rides as you’d find in a traditional theme park, it offers a truly magical and immersive experience. You’ll get to explore the incredible sets, see authentic costumes and props, and discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter films.
It’s an unforgettable experience for fans of the series, but if you’re looking for rides, consider visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Hollywood, or Japan.
Hey Kristoffer
Going to London in a couple of months and we’re gonna do quite a lot of Harry Potter sightseeing while we’re there as my kids are CRAZY about Harry Potter 😀
A question about the Harry Potter Studios tour with transport included from London:
How long time do we have in the Harry Potter Studios if we book the ticket that includes transport from London to the studios?
Thanks matey 😀
Hey Harry Potter fans! 😀
You and your kids are gonna have an amazing time in London – it’s definitely the best place to do Harry Potter sightseeing.
To answer your question: you’ll have 3,5 hours in the Harry Potter Studios if you buy the GYG ticket with transport from London included. That is without a doubt enough to soak up the incredible atmosphere in the HP Studios.
If you have any more questions about Harry Potter sightseeing in London or your trip to Harry Potter Studios then you know what to do 😉
Hi I want to buy a ticket for the Harry Potter Studio tour for my daughter, she would be traveling from Dublin. So if she flys into say Gatwick? She can get the bus transfer, but how long does it take by bus from central London please
Thanks
Hi Sharon
From Gatwick Airport to Victoria it’ll take 30 mins. The bus to the Harry Potter Studios runs from Victoria St so that is perfect. The bus from Victoria to the Harry Potter Studios can take from 1 to 2 hours.
If you’ve got any more questions feel free to ask 🙂
Hi Kristoffer
We are in London on 29th April 2018 on a tour, however we want to exit our tour itinerary & visit H.P Studio on 30th April 2018, but the tickets are full on the official website, and on other website, the prices are double ( with transportation ), is it possible to get tickets without transportation ? As we are planning to exit from our tour from WINSOR PALACE & go to H.P.S post lunch hours…
Please guide us, we are family of Four.
Hi Vipul
Thank you for your comment about the Harry Potter Studios.
I just had a look at a few different websites and I’m afraid it looks like tickets to Harry Potter Studios are completely sold out on the 30th of April…
Sorry I couldn’t help – I hope you have a nice trip to the UK anyways and that you can visit the Harry Potter Studios on another trip.
Thank you very much. Your guide was extremely helpful!!! 😀
Happy to help! 😀
Enjoy Harry Potter Studios 😉
Hi
We will travel to London from 30th July until 10th Aug 2018, we would like to book the Harry Potter ticket but all sold out in the official website. Kindly guide us where to purchase the ticket? We have 4 adults and 4 children in our group.
Hi Carina
If they’re sold out, they’re sold out. I’m sorry…
Hi
I have booked the Harry potter ticket for 9th Feb 2019
But I need to check for the transport from central London.
Can I take only transport from visit Britain ?
Or will it be better for me to travel by public transport ?
Hello Kris
We are going to travel from Austria to London in December (hopefully). Is the Harry Potter Studios open again now after corona?
Hi Anna
Yes, Harry Potter Studios in London are open again and have been for a couple of months now. The situation in England is pretty much as before covid struck. I was there last week and really enjoyed my time 😀
So you should be able to visit Harry Potter Studios on your trip to London in December.
Have a great trip 😀
Hello. I love Harry Potter so much and have been wanting to go to London to visit the Harry Potter Studios for so long… Now that the pandemic finally looks like it’s over me and my family are planning a trip to London in April. So just to confirm: we can definitely buy ticket to Harry Potter Studios and visit all the other grat Harry Potter attractions in London?
From the news here in Sweden I can see that England should be almost as before the pandemic? Only need to wear mask a few places, but apart from that we can enjoy the city as we used to..?
Thanks for a very good guide about the Harry Potter Studios and sights in London!!
Hi Lena (and the kids) 😀
Thank you so much for your kind words about my Harry Potter London guide.
Yes, London is 100% open. You can enjoy nice restaurants, all the major attractions, concerts, musicals and so on. And yes: The Harry Potter Studios in London are open and have actually been for quite some time.
So there should be absolutely no problem. You just need to buy your Harry Potter Studios tickets as soon as possible as they usually get sold out. And I expect that there will be a lot of tourists coming to London this spring…
I wish you a nice trip to London and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy Harry Potter Studios ⚡️
Hello Kris,
We’ve bought tickets for the tour in a few months but I was wondering would entry to the studio be included with tour or we need the tickets for adults n kids separately for the studio entry.
I am confused and wanted to clarify this specifically.
We watched the Youtube video on your page and are very excited to go.
Thanks,
Vandana
Hi Vandana
If you’ve bought the Harry Potter World tickets I recommend in this guide, then you’ve got a ticket that includes transportation and entry to the studios. Here’s the link: https://londontravelhacks.com/link/harry-potter-studios-tickets
So any ticket to the Harry Potter Studios you buy from the recommended platform will be with entry to the Studios included.
Hope that helps
Have a great trip to Harry Potter’s London ⚡️
I have been a big fan of Harry Potter series and London Harry Potter Studios is an outstanding opportunity to live my childhood days again. Thanks you so much for this post. I loved it!!! I will definitely visit the studio in next month with my family.
Have a nice time