Platform 9¾ is where Harry boards the Hogwarts Express each year, marking the start of his magical journey. Though not a real platform, King’s Cross Station honors the story with a special trolley installation between Platforms 9 and 10. Fans visit to pose with the half-vanished trolley, just as if they were headed to Hogwarts themselves, making it one of London’s most photographed Harry Potter spots.
Highlights of the Harry Potter King’s Cross Station
Trolley Wall
You will find the Platform 9¾ trolley wall near the Harry Potter shop, in the Western departures concourse at King’s Cross Station. It is clearly marked and easy to access without a train ticket. A professional photographer is often on-site, though you can also take your own pictures. Expect waiting times during busy hours, especially in summer or around school holidays.
Located next to the trolley wall, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ offers official merchandise including house robes, wands, plush toys, and collectibles. The store is themed like Ollivanders and provides a strong retail experience for fans. It is a great place to pick up souvenirs before or after visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.
Harry Potter filming connections at King’s Cross Station
King’s Cross Station features in several Harry Potter films, but not exactly as shown in the books. Due to platform design, early scenes with the Hogwarts Express were filmed between platforms 4 and 5. The station’s arched roof and busy concourse appear briefly, but the exterior scenes in Chamber of Secrets were filmed outside St Pancras, chosen for its more dramatic architecture. The full Platform 9 3⁄4 set, including the train and platform, was later built inside Warner Bros. Studio for more controlled filming conditions.
Recreation of King’s Cross Station at Warner Bros Studio in London
The King’s Cross section of the Studio Tour features the full Platform 9¾ set used in the later Harry Potter films. Built for filming at Leavesden Studios, it includes the life-sized Hogwarts Express and accurate replicas of key props. While King’s Cross Station appears briefly in early movies, most scenes were recreated on this set, allowing for detailed and consistent production throughout the series. You can walk through the carriages and take photos, offering a different experience from the real-life location.
How to reach the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio from King's Cross Station?
Why choose: Fastest route
Duration: 60-mins
Start at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Take the official shuttle bus from the Studio entrance to Watford Junction, which takes approximately 15 minutes. From Watford Junction, board a direct train to London Euston, with a journey time of about 20 minutes. From Euston, take the Underground (Northern or Victoria Line) to King’s Cross Station, which takes around 10 minutes. Total journey time is usually about 1 hour, depending on connections.
Why choose: Cheapest
Duration: 40-45 mins
Start at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Take the official shuttle bus to Watford Junction, which takes about 15 minutes. A small shuttle fee applies. From Watford Junction, board a direct train to London Euston, with a journey time of around 20 minutes. From Euston, take the Northern Line to King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground Station, which takes about 2 minutes, or walk in approximately 10 minutes.
Why choose: Convenient
Duration: 40-45 mins
From Warner Bros. Studio Tour, head toward the Hunton Bridge roundabout and join the A41 toward London. Merge onto the M1 southbound at Junction 5 and continue for about 24 kms. Exit near Pancras Road to enter central London. The route covers roughly 30 miles and typically takes 30 to 40 minutes, though traffic may extend travel time.
Tips for potterheads visiting King’s Cross Station
If you want a professional photo at the trolley wall, arrive before 9 am. Staff usually appear by then and queues are shorter before the shop fully opens.
The queue for the trolley photo operates separately from general station crowds, so don’t worry about navigating through busy train traffic. It’s tucked to the side near the Harry Potter shop.
There are house scarves available at the photo spot for free use during your turn. You do not need to bring your own or buy one in advance.
If you’re planning to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour the same day, aim to visit King’s Cross early or after the tour to avoid time pressure and crowds.
The station has free public toilets, but they’re not near the trolley photo zone. Use the ones by the main concourse before queueing to avoid losing your spot.
Google Maps may show the Harry Potter trolley spot as inside the ticketed platform area. It’s actually in the open concourse near the Harry Potter shop, free to access.
Nearby Harry Potter Spots
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
Distance: 50 m away from the station
Used as the exterior for King’s Cross Station in Chamber of Secrets, this Victorian hotel appears in the scene where the Weasleys’ flying car takes off. Its grand Gothic architecture provided a more cinematic backdrop than the actual station.
Australia House
Distance: 2.8 km away from the station
The interior of Australia House on Strand served as the filming location for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the first film. Its marble columns, chandeliers, and ornate detailing were used for scenes inside the goblin-run wizarding bank.
Reptile House
Distance: 2.8 km away from the station
Located in the London Zoo, the Reptile House is where Harry first speaks Parseltongue in Philosopher’s Stone. The scene was filmed next to the enclosure of a black mamba, though a Burmese python is featured in the story.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Harry Potter King’s Cross Station
No, the trolley wall photo spot is in the main concourse next to the Harry Potter shop. You don’t need a train ticket to access it.
Yes, many fans visit both. The Studio Tour has the full set and train carriages, while King’s Cross offers the real-world location and photo spot.
No, the trolley wall is a replica for photo purposes. The train, carriages, and many props used in filming are part of the Studio Tour.
Staff keep the line moving, but you're allowed a quick personal photo and one taken by the official photographer. You can’t pose multiple times per visit.
Not entirely. Some items overlap, but both locations have exclusive merchandise. The King’s Cross shop often carries travel-themed and station-specific collectibles.
No, visiting both is free. You’ll only pay if you purchase a professional photo or buy merchandise inside the shop.
No, the actual train platforms are behind ticket barriers. Some scenes were filmed between Platforms 4 and 5, but access is for ticketed passengers only.
Yes. Travel to Euston by Underground or walking, then take a direct train to Watford Junction. From there, use the official Studio shuttle bus.
Yes, the photo spot and shop are on the ground floor of the main concourse, with step-free access and wide walkways for wheelchairs or strollers.
Explore Warner Bros. Studio London tickets & tours
Ensure your entry tickets are on hand for a smooth experience.
What's not allowed
Avoid bringing large bags or suitcases on the tour.
Accessibility
Most parts of this experience are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Additional information
You will have approximately 4 hours to explore the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Guests under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Facilities such as cloakroom, restaurants, and washrooms are available at the venue.
Inclusions
#
Entry ticket to The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Access to the Magical Mischief event (Jan 24 to Apr 27, 2026)
Round-trip transfers to the studios either via coach, train, or hotel pick up (as per option selected)
Round-trip coach transfers from Victoria Station, Baker's Street, King's Cross, Paddington Station, near the British Museum, or Marble Arch (as per option selected)
Round-trip train transfers between Euston and Watford Junction Station [Get directions] and then a shuttle service to the Studios (as per option selected)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from central London (as per option selected)
Guided tour of Warner Bros. Studio (as per option selected)
English-speaking guide (as per option selected)
Small group of 8 or fewer people (as per option selected)
Exclusions
#
Personal expenses
Lunch
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
City Tours
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From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Day Trip to Oxford
Pair Warner Bros. Studio entry & a guided Oxford tour in one day, with roundtrip coach included.
Day out to: Oxford’s historic university city for a walking tour, then five unhurried hours inside the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden.
You’ll get: A guided tour around Oxford, coach travel from Central London, access to real Harry Potter film sets and studio props & free time at both sites.
Oxford: Walk through ancient college quads, see the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera, and hear stories from centuries of academic life in Oxford.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Explore everything from the Great Hall to Platform 9 ¾ & see how the Harry Potter world was built from script to screen.
Inclusions
#
Full-day tour of Oxford and Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio
Guided walking tour of Oxford
Entry tickets to the Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio
Round-trip coach transfers from Gloucester Road Tube Station
What to bring
Ensure your entry tickets are on hand for a smooth experience.
What's not allowed
Hot food & beverages are not allowed on the coach.
Accessibility
There is limited accessibility at Oxford University.
Most areas at the Warner Bros. Studio are accessible to wheelchairs.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Additional information
Facilities at Warner Bros. Studio: cloakroom, changing rooms, and free Wi-Fi.
The pickup and drop off are at the same location, which is Gloucester Road Tube station.
You can cancel these tickets up to 14 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Tickets
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From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Coach Transfers
Ensure your entry tickets are on hand for a smooth experience.
What's not allowed
Hot food & beverages are not allowed during this experience.
Accessibility
Most of this experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Additional information
Guests under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.
The experience, including round-trip transfers from London, lasts approximately 7 hours. Inside the Studio, you will spend up to 4 hours.
The last pick-up is at 8am, and your drop-off is at 3-3:30pm.
If your booking is made less than 2 days prior to travel, you will need to make your way to International Student House, 229 Great Portland Street, for collection. When making your booking, please note this as the pick-up address when prompted.
Facilities: cloakroom, restaurants, washrooms.
Inclusions
#
Half-day tour of The Making of Harry Potter™ at Warner Bros. Studio
Entry to Harry Potter™ at Warner Bros. Studio
Round-trip hotel transfers from Central London
Shuttle and professional driver
Small group of max. 8 people
Exclusions
#
Guided tour
You can cancel these tickets up to 14 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.
