This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2018. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
As a long-term Harry Potter fan, I was insanely excited to see the Hogwarts Express train at Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland.
You know when you build an experience up in your mind, and it ends up being disappointing because it’s not what you thought it would be in real life? I was a little worried that this would be one of those experiences, but watching the Jacobite steam train make its way over Glenfinnan Viaduct was every bit as magical as I hoped it would be!
As soon as I spotted the hints of steam billowing in the distance, I nearly squealed in excitement. The train came through the valley and tooted its horn on approach, and then slowed down as it crossed the bridge to let everyone at the viewpoints snap a few photos. All the kids (and some adults!) on the train waved at us as they passed by, then the train disappeared behind a hill as it journeyed towards Glenfinnan Station for its next stop.
When researching activities for our Scotland road trip, I struggled to find useful information on the best way to see the Jacobite steam train as it crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct. If you’re wondering where to see the Hogwarts Express in Scotland, here’s a rundown of my experience watching the Jacobite steam train at Glenfinnan Viaduct along with some tips on how to see it for yourself!
Quick summary:
Want to see the real-life Hogwarts Express in action? This guide covers everything you need to know to watch the Jacobite steam train cross the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland — including how to get there, the best viewpoints, parking tips, when to go, and extra experiences nearby. Pure magic for Harry Potter fans!
Recommended tours & tickets:
🚐 Day Trip from Inverness – Small group tour including Glenfinnan Viaduct
🚍 Day Trip from Glasgow – Experience the highlands in just one day
🚌 Day Trip from Edinburgh – See the scenic Scottish Highlands from Scotland’s capital
🛥️ Glenfinnan Cruise on Loch Shiel – See HP filming locations and local history by boat
How to get to Glenfinnan Viaduct:
Glenfinnan is easiest to access from the town of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. If you’ll be driving, the journey from Fort William takes about 30 minutes.
You can also catch a public bus from Fort William to the Glenfinnan Visitor Center, or a train from Fort William to Glenfinnan Station, though do keep in mind that these options are fairly infrequent.
🚌 If you’re short on time and want to jump on a Glenfinnan Viaduct tour from one of Scotland’s major cities, you can book a day trip from Inverness, a day trip from Glasgow, or a day trip from Edinburgh to visit the Scottish Highlands.
When to be there:
The Glenfinnan Viaduct train timetable changes depending on the season, so be sure to check the schedule before you go. Throughout the summer months (June to September) there will usually be two daily services on the Jacobite train schedule – a morning service and an afternoon service. In the shoulder months (April, May, and October), it might be just a morning service.
As per the Jacobite timetable, the morning service departs Fort William at 10:15 AM, and the afternoon service departs at 12:50 PM. The train should cross the viaduct around 30-40 minutes after it departs Fort William. You can also see the train cross the viaduct on its way back from Mallaig – this should happen about 45 minutes before the train is due back in Fort William.
To ensure you have time to find a parking spot and walk to one of the viewpoints without missing the action, plan to arrive at Glenfinnan at least 30 minutes before the Hogwarts Express steam train is due to pass over the viaduct.
Glenfinnan Viaduct map guide:
V – Viaduct
P – Parking lot
1 – West Viewpoint (most popular)
2 – East Viewpoint
3 – Visitor Centre Viewpoint
Where to park at Glenfinnan Viaduct
There are multiple parking lots to choose from, which I’ve marked as ‘P‘ on the above Glenfinnan Viaduct map. Some are paid parking, and some are free. If you’re driving from Fort William, the first one that you’ll come across is the Glenfinnan Visitor Center car park, which is on your right as you approach the viaduct.
This Glenfinnan Visitor Center car park was rather small when I visited in 2018, but I’ve heard that as of 2025, it’s been expanded and there is now a second car park that can fit hundreds of vehicles. It’s a pay-and-display lot with a flat fee of a few pounds. This car park is closest to viewpoint 3 on the map, though you can use it to access all of viewpoints.
There used to be a small gravel lot northeast along the A830 (located at one of the trailheads to the viaduct), but I’ve received news that this is now closed during the peak season and may be permanently shut for visitors looking for parking areas.
The last two parking options are at Glenfinnan railway station. This is a lot further away from the viewpoints, but if you’re interested in incorporating a short hike into your Hogwarts Express experience, there’s a walking path from here to viewpoint 1. I’m not entirely sure how long it takes, but I think I read somewhere that it’s about 45 minutes.
Getting to the Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint
When I visited in 2018, there was a gated driveway that mets the road which led to the base of the viaduct. After about 10 minutes of walking, you’ll come across a signpost pointing left to a dirt path (which can be muddy so bring appropriate footwear). It’s another 5 minute walk uphill to the viewing area.
I’ve heard that there’s now a bridge across the river that makes it much easier to walk directly from the expanded Visitor Center to the Glenfinnan Viaduct photo spots. Just follow the crowds and you’ll find the start of the walking trail.
Viewpoint number 1 on my map is the most popular place to see Glenfinnan Viaduct. It’s not defined as a particular location along the path, so you can settle anywhere on the hillside. There will probably be a few tourists already waiting for the train to come by, but luckily it’s a large area so hopefully you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good spot.
The walking path does continue up the hill, so if you want to avoid the crowds, you might come across a few more good viewing spots if you walk a bit further. My husband explored up there and said he had a slightly more elevated view of the viaduct.
We were aiming to see the train on its morning service, so we arrived at the viewpoint around 10:30 and waited 15-20 minutes for the train to come by. It appeared in the valley around 10:50 AM, then took a few minutes to slowly make its way over the bridge.
Other viewpoints at Glenfinnan Viaduct
There’s a second viewpoint (number 2 on my map) on the east side of the viaduct, which offers a more side-on perspective of the train as it crosses the bridge. If you’re going to be visiting when the train is coming from Mallaig towards Fort William, you might prefer this viewpoint as you’ll get to see the train coming towards you from this angle.
The third viewpoint (number 3 on my map) is located near the visitor center. I’ve seen photos that were taken from this viewpoint, and while the viaduct still looks cool, I’d argue that the view is not quite as good as you’re further away from the action. If you do end up choosing this one, it would be a good idea to take a telephoto lens for your camera.
Is it worth riding the Jacobite steam train?
🚂 Of course, you can also choose to book a ride on the Jacobite steam train instead of seeing it from the viewpoints at Glenfinnan. I chose not to do this as the return journey from Fort William to Mallaig and back takes a good 6 hours, but if you have the time, I’m sure this would be a great experience!
Other experiences at Glenfinnan:
🛥️ You might enjoy a Glenfinnan Cruise on Loch Shiel to see some of the local Harry Potter filming locations and get an explanation of the area’s history. Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to do this Glenfinnan Viaduct Harry Potter tour, but it looks amazing!
Glenfinnan Station also has a totally adorable dining car cafe. We drove up here afterwards and stopped in for coffee and scones, arriving just as the steam train was pulling away from the station.
There is a small museum and gift shop inside the station itself. While we didn’t go in, it might be worthwhile if you want to learn more about the history of the viaduct and train.
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