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If you are a Harry Potter fan, riding the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland (also known as the Hogwart’s Express) is such an amazing experience! It is considered one of the top 10 train rides in the world. Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, it is worth it. It is a gorgeous – and magical – train ride.
I love Harry Potter, so this was a bucket list experience. There are two options for experiencing the train: either by riding the train, or going to the Viaduct and watching the train pass by. I decided to ride the train because it was easier than trying to drive there by myself.
The company I decided to book with was Highland Explorers. They were the only group that I could find that offered a 2 day tour with a Jacobite Steam Train ride
If you want to watch the train pass over the Viaduct, there are other tours that will take you to see the train pass by. Unfortunately I could only find tours that would offer this during a 3 day trip, and I only had 2 days to spare! I also spent some time in Edinburgh – read about what to do here.
Riding the train with a tour group was one of my favourite activities that I did during Scotland! The guide was hilarious, I met other travelers, and we had seats at the VERY back of the train (this is where the best seats are on the train)! We also got to explore the Scottish Highlands, which is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.
What I liked about traveling with a group was that I had other people’s company to enjoy while we traveled through beautiful scenery. We had traveled as a group the day before, so we had already gotten to know each other. It felt like going on a train ride with family!
Even if you go completely alone or are shy, don’t worry. You can just admire the scenery. Honestly, half the time I wasn’t even in my seat!
Before you board the train, you will have time to get to the front to take pictures of the train. Our guide took pictures for us, and everyone was polite and let everyone else take turns taking pictures.
The train has different classes and sections to sit in. We sat in normal coach, so I can’t comment on what the experience in first class is like. I personally didn’t feel like I missed out, and had a fabulous time. In our section, there was a trolley that came around where we could buy drinks and snacks.
The train ride is 2 hours one way, and will take you to a little seaside town called Mallaig. You will have 2 hours there, which gives you enough time to eat and wander around. More on Mallaig later on in the post! Then, you take the exact same 2 hour route back.
Steam Train information card - the Harry Potter Train Ride in Scotland" width="" height="" />
Our tour group had seats at the very back of the train, which is the best place to be! On the way back from Mallaig, they move the engine from the front of the train to the back. So on your way back from Mallaig, you will suddenly be sitting in the front! It was fun to get both experiences.
The best place to sit while traveling to Mallaig is on the left hand side. On your way back from Mallaig, the best place to sit is on the right hand side.
If you don’t have a seat on the best side, don’t worry! Our group leader told us in advance to switch sides on our way back from Mallaig so that we could experience both sides of the train. There is also a window at the back of the carriage (near the toilets) that open all of the way, so you can look out of the window there too (which is what I did)!
If you don’t have prime seating, don’t worry! There is a spot at back of the carriage (near the toilet), where you can open the window all the way and stick your head out. This was my favourite place to be for the majority of the train ride!! If you go there early enough, you will have a chance to get your photo of the Viaduct there.
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but just in case: stick your head out of the window WHEN IT’S SAFE! Don’t stick your head out the window when there are trees or rocks around because you could get seriously hurt. Only do it when there is wide open scenery and nothing will hit you.
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The moment we have all been waiting for – what it is like riding the Jacobite Steam Train when you cross the Viaduct? Honestly, it’s chaos. It’s like the Hunger Games. Ok, so I’m exaggerating a little bit – but it certainly gets more hectic compared to the rest of the ride!
Before you get to the viaduct, an announcement will be made to let you know the Viaduct is coming up.
On our way to Mallaig, I had a seat on the left hand side. Prime viewing location! However, the windows that you sit in front of only have a tiny little section that will actually open. You can look out your window and see the Viaduct, but the windows are a bit smudgy and not the best for taking pictures.
Steam Train in Scotland (also known as the Hogwarts Express or Harry Potter Train Ride)" width="" height="" />
For some reason, even though I had a seat on the left hand side, I went to the back of the carriage to the window that opened all the way. Maybe I did this because it was my favourite place to look at the scenery? Who knows!
Our guide said that the train would slow down so we could have turns getting a photo. There was someone already standing there (from our group) and she would NOT move out of the way and let others have a turn. There were quite a lot of people around her waiting for a turn. I kind of had to be a bit rude and stick my camera out in front of her and quickly take a couple of shots. Then I moved out of the way to let others have a turn.
The train does slow down, but the moment went by so fast that I didn’t really get the time to truly appreciate it.
If I could go back in time, I would have stayed in my seat to get a picture from that teeny tiny window that opened. I had a prime viewing seat, so I could have stood up and taken the picture easily. Then, I could have sat down and admired the view from my somewhat smudgy window (but with an unobstructed view!).
I still got the photo, but learn from my mistake: if you have a window on the best side of the train, don’t leave it while you’re crossing the Viaduct!
If you aren’t in a good seat, then the best place to go is at the window that goes all the way down (near the toilets). That’s where I went. BUT if you don’t get to that window early, you won’t be able to see out of it because it will get crowded!
But don’t worry! If you didn’t get a photo of the Viaduct on the way to Mallaig, you will have another chance on the way back! On the way back, the ideal side to be sitting on for pictures of the Viaduct is on the right hand side.
On our way back from Mallaig, our group switched sides on the train so I was sitting on the left hand side on the way back. This was ok with me, since I had gotten my prized photo already.
Unfortunately, a few people did not get a photo on the way to Mallaig, so I decided to hang back and let others try and get a photo.
If you don’t get your photo at all, there are other bridges that the train goes over which are photogenic as well. It’s also not as hectic either, so you will have plenty of opportunities to take lots of lovely photos out of the window.
Also, I read that a lot of people will walk to the back of the train during the train ride. This isn’t entirely accurate because you can’t walk the entire length of the train during your journey. I tried to do this to find an empty window, but I was only able to walk through a couple of carriages before I came across a locked door.
Mallaig is a small seaside village, which is quite charming to walk around. Mallaig is quite small so it is easy to walk around, eat and window shop within the 2 hours.
The best thing to do when you first arrive is to find somewhere to eat. Our guide recommended we eat at The Chalachain Inn for the fastest service. It was good food, and not very busy.
After food, there is a Harry Potter shop worth checking out. It gets busy, but we were finished eating before most people so the shop was quite empty!
The million dollar question is if riding the Jacobite Steam Train is worth it. That is up to you to decide! There were lots of people in our group who weren’t Harry Potter fans that enjoyed the train ride. I mean, it is one of the top 10 train rides in the world. It’s very scenic and a great way to see the countryside. I really enjoyed myself.
If you are going on the train solely for the Viaduct, then it might not be worth it. Going over the Viaduct is a very small part of the train ride. It can be hard to get that photo!
Another option is seeing the train cross the Viaduct. I personally think it would be quite spectacular to see the train cross the Viaduct!
While we were crossing the Viaduct, I could see lots of people outside taking pictures of the train. It was cool to think that we were actually INSIDE of the train, on our way to Hogwarts (well, Mallaig).
One of my favourite memories of the train is sticking my head out of the window. Only when it was safe to, of course! Meeting and traveling with the other people in my group – especially as a solo traveler – was a great experience too!
Steam Train in Scotland (also known as the Hogwarts Express or the Harry Potter train ride)" width="" height="" />
Hopefully my experience riding the Jacobite Steam Train helps you decide whether you want to ride it or not! Overall, it’s a very scenic and beautiful ride, even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan. Yes, it did get pretty hectic while we crossed the Viaduct, but it was still really fun and worth it! Since I went with a tour group, it was fun to experience the train ride with them. I was able to visit the Scottish Highlands too, which you must do if you are traveling to Scotland!
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