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Warner Bros. Studio London

Platform 9¾

Included with Warner Bros. Studio London tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5 hours

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Platform 9¾ – Home of the Hogwarts Express

As one of the most iconic locations in the Wizarding World, this permanent set at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London offers a recreation of the gateway to Hogwarts. Home to the original 1937 GWR locomotive used in the films, the set allows fans to walk the very boards where Harry, Ron, and Hermione began their magical journeys.

Where is it located?

Platform 9¾ is situated inside Soundstage J of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden, located approximately 20 miles northwest of central London.

How to access?

Access to the platform is included in all standard admission tickets to the Studio Tour. It is a walk-through section of the linear tour, typically encountered about halfway through the experience.

Is this different from the King’s Cross photo spot in London?

Many visitors confuse the two, but they’re very different experiences. The Studio Tour features the full Platform 9¾ film set, complete with the actual train and filming props. The King’s Cross location offers only a themed wall for souvenir photos and is not a working set or part of the film’s production locations.

Person posing with luggage cart at Platform 9 ¾, King's Cross Station, London.
See the King’s Cross location

Things to know before booking Platform 9¾ tickets

  • Included access: You do not need a separate ticket for Platform 9¾; it is a core part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London experience.
  • One-way flow: The Studio Tour operates on a one-way system. Once you leave the platform area to head toward the Backlot Café or the Forbidden Forest, you cannot return to take more photos.
  • Photo ops: While posing with the luggage trolley is free using your own camera, there is often a queue. Professional photo packages are available for purchase on-site.
  • Accessibility: The platform itself is fully accessible, but please note that the interior aisle of the Hogwarts Express carriage is narrow, which may limit access for some wheelchair users.

Platform 9¾ in a nutshell

Hogwarts Express train on platform at Harry Potter London tour.
  • Must-see highlights: The "Olton Hall" steam engine (the real Hogwarts Express), the disappearing luggage trolley, and the interior carriage sets.
  • Unique facts: Most of the platform scenes in the first films were shot on location at King’s Cross Station, but this massive replica was built for The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 to allow for more controlled filming.
  • Year opened: This permanent expansion was officially opened to the public in March 2015.

Your Platform 9¾ ticket types

Ticket typeIs Platform 9¾ access included?Why go for it?Starting price
Standard admission

Yes

Budget-friendly/Self-paced

From £101.25

Studio tour + transfer

Yes

Hassle-free travel from London

From £101.25

Fully guided tour

Yes

Expert trivia and history

From £150

Exploring Platform 9¾

Hogwarts Express in Harry potter wizarding world
Harry Potter film set tour in London featuring iconic locations and props.
Harry Potter Studio Shop merchandise display with wands and Hogwarts house scarves.
Platform 9¾ sign at Harry Potter Studio, London, with luggage trolley halfway through the wall.
Visitors exploring Platform 9¾ at Harry Potter Studio Tour, London.
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The Hogwarts Express

Board the train to walk through the interior carriage. Each compartment is dressed with props from a different movie, showing the progression of the trio from kids to young adults.

The disappearing trolley

The ultimate photo-op. Multiple trolleys are embedded into the brick wall, allowing you to recreate the moment students "vanish" into the magical platform.

Movie-accurate props

Look closely at the trunks tagged with character names, owl cages, and striped scarves scattered across the platform. These were carefully matched to specific houses to maintain continuity between filming sessions.

The carriage windows

Look out for the digital "windows" in some sections that use CGI to simulate the journey through the Scottish Highlands.

The Railway Shop

A themed souvenir shop located right on the platform where you can buy platform-exclusive merchandise, train tickets, and apparel.

Shops at the Studio

Behind-the-scenes facts

Real steam engine

The train used for Platform 9¾ scenes is a real GWR 4900 Class locomotive named Olton Hall. It was repainted and renamed Hogwarts Express exclusively for the Harry Potter films.

Moving backdrops

To simulate travel during compartment scenes, filmmakers used rolling scenic backdrops outside the windows and gently rocked the carriage. This helped replicate realistic movement without requiring the train to be in motion.

Special effects

Haind-painted bricks

Every brick on the Platform 9¾ set was individually hand-painted to resemble aged Victorian brickwork. This detail ensured the platform looked authentic even during close-up shots and wide-angle camera work.

Practical trolley trick

In the disappearing trolley scene, Daniel Radcliffe ran towards a movable wall. The seam was later erased digitally, but the actual trolley was split in half to create the illusion practically on set.

Aged signage

The Platform 9¾ sign was custom-built with painted wood and mounted on iron brackets. Set designers added weathering effects to help it blend into the aged look of the station set.

Props at the Studio

Controlled lighting rigs

Adjustable lighting rigs were installed above the replica platform set. These allowed the crew to simulate different times of day consistently, avoiding reliance on unpredictable natural light conditions during filming.

Architectural highlights of Platform 9¾

Hogwarts Express train at Platform 9 ¾, King's Cross Station, London.
  • Victorian industrialism: The set meticulously recreates the 1850s Victorian style of King’s Cross, featuring ornate iron pillars and deep red brickwork.
  • Hand-aged details: Every brick on the set was hand-painted by artists to look soot-stained and weathered, mimicking decades of steam engine exhaust.
  • The glass roof: While the "sky" is actually studio lighting, the ironwork of the roof was designed to match the specific geometry of the real London station to ensure continuity between location shots and set shots.

Historical and cultural significance

The platform represents more than just a train station; it is the cultural symbol of the transition between the "Muggle" world and the "Wizarding" world. In the history of the franchise, the filming of the final scenes on this very set marked the emotional conclusion of a decade of filmmaking for the cast and crew.

Know before you go

The platform is open during standard Studio Tour hours, usually from 9am to 8pm (though this varies by season). Because it is halfway through the tour, expect to reach the platform about 90–120 minutes after your entry time.

​Detailed timings

Located within the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden. If driving, use postcode WD25 7LP. If taking the train, head to Watford Junction, where a dedicated shuttle bus runs to the studio.

​Get directions

  • Photo crowds peak: This area gets very busy, especially around the photo-op trolley wall. Expect crowds during weekends and afternoons, so early morning slots offer a better chance for clear photos.
  • Time allocation: Set aside at least 15–20 minutes to explore this set. Between interactive photo spots and the detailed compartments, it’s worth slowing down and absorbing every small feature.
  • Trolley photo advice: The disappearing trolley is free to photograph with your own camera. However, professional photos are also available at the marked photo station just beside the arch wall.
  • No queue re-entry: Once you move past Platform 9¾ and onto the next section, you cannot double back. Take all your photos and time here before continuing the tour.
  • Lighting for photos: Lighting in this section is designed to mimic daylight, but overhead lights and steam effects can create glare. Use HDR mode or adjust the angle to reduce reflections.
  • Theming continues nearby: Props and signs from the platform extend slightly beyond the train area. Don’t rush out because there are character trunks, owl cages, and signs even near the exit walkway.

​Plan your visit

Frequently asked questions about Platform 9¾

No, access is included with your general admission ticket to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.