The Jacobite Steam Train, aka the Harry Potter train in Scotland, is perhaps the most beautiful train journey in the world. Before it rose to worldwide fame thanks to the Harry Potter films, this train journey was already one of the Great Railway Journeys Of The World due to its stunning scenery that weaves through the rugged Scottish highlands. romantic Highland history. taking passengers on a journey through one of the remotest areas in Scotland.
I rode the Jacobite Steam Train with my family in October. We did the return trip in one day and we all agreed it was a fantastic journey!
I’ve written this guide to help you plan your adventure on the Jacobite Steam Train. I will take you through the process of purchasing your tickets, give my best tips for riding the train, and talk about the best things to do in Mallaig– where the Jacobite stops for 90 minutes.
If you don’t want to ride the Jacobite Steam Train but want to take that iconic photo of the train on the Glenfinnan Viaduct, I’ve also included a section that tells you everything you need to know to nab the perfect shot.
Read on for my complete guide to the Harry Potter train in Scotland!
All aboard the Hogwarts Express!
Riding the Harry Potter Train in Scotland
Riding the Jacobite Steam Train had been on my Scottish family’s bucket list for years, and so the Haggis and I purchased tickets for everyone one Christmas!
Seven of us made the journey together (including the Haggis’s 90-year-old granny!) and we reserved two tables in Standard Class.
In my experience, here are some of my best tips for booking the train and what you can expect from the journey.
Where is the Harry Potter train in Scotland located?
The Harry Potter train is located in Fort William, at the railway station in the heart of the town. There are actually two trains and two services that run daily.
We caught the morning train from Fort William; we arrived the day before and spent the night at the Premier Inn Fort William. It was just across from the train station, so it was a super handy location.
I do recommend overnighting in Fort William the day before you ride the train. There are plenty of fun things to do in and around Fort William, and it also means you have more time to get organised for your trip.
Here’s a list of more recommended accommodations in Fort William, within walking distance of the train station:
- Old Whisky Distillery Apartment – sleeps 2
- Maclean Guest House – sleeps 2-4 (has family rooms)
- The Craigs Studio – sleeps 2
- The Duplex Apartment – sleeps up to 8 (5 bedrooms)
That evening, we had dinner at the Nevis Bank Inn and the food and service was great! I had the steak and it was superb.
How much does it cost to ride the Harry Potter train in Scotland?
It costs £69 for a Standard ticket for an adult and £105 for a First Class ticket for an adult. For children aged 16 or under it costs £39 for a standard ticket and £69 for a First Class ticket.
It’s not a cheap journey- so if you are on a budget you could catch the Scotrail train instead. It follows the exact same route, it’s quicker, and it’s also much cheaper. The only difference is that you are not in a heritage steam train! Tickets for this train are available for sale 12 weeks in advance.
How long is the Harry Potter train ride in Scotland?
The journey on the Jacobite Steam Train is 84 miles and takes just over 2 hours to make its way from Fort William to Mallaig. The journey from Mallaig back to Fort William is slightly shorter. This is because the train stops at the Glenfinnan station for around 15 minutes on the Fort William to Mallaig leg, so travellers can stretch their legs and explore the small shop at the station.
Allow one full day to ride to Mallaig and back; the train departs Fort William at around 10 am and returns to Fort William at around 4 pm.
I’ve included the schedule further down in this guide so you can see the exact timings.
You could also spend a night or more in Mallaig, which is something I highly recommend if you have time. From Mallaig, you can do a boat trip to Knoydart- possibly the most remote peninsular in Scotland. It’s only accessible by the sea or a challenging 16-mile hike- so this would be a wonderful experience to add to your trip!
If you do plan to do the Jacobite return trip in one day, be aware it’s a long day, and I recommend either overnighting in Fort William again, or staying nearby. You don’t want to add a long drive to your day after being on the train!
When is the best time to ride the Harry Potter train in Scotland?
Personally, we chose to ride the Jacobite Steam Train during the first week of October so we could experience the journey surrounded by the beautiful autumn foliage. Because the Jacobite Steam train runs from April to October, there really isn’t a bad time to ride the train, however, I do think late September/ early October is a great time to ride the train because of the pretty autumn colours!
Does the train make any stops?
The train stops at the Glenfinnan station for around 15 minutes on the Fort William – Mallaig leg. There is a small gift shop at the station that sells general tourist souvenirs. I purchased some pretty cool old-style railway prints that now hang in my living room.
There is also a small shop on the train selling Harry Potter merchandise that you can browse when the train stops in Glenfinnan.
The train doesn’t stop on the Mallaig to Fort William leg.
How far in advance should I buy my tickets for the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland?
Tickets for the Jacobite Train tend to be released for the following year sometime around November. They do sell out fast, so my recommendation is to sign up for their mailing list so you’re the first to know when they go on sale. You can sign up to the mailing list and purchase your tickets for the Jacobite Steam Train online from West Coast Railways.
We booked our tickets for the start of October in April, but the trip is beautiful any time of year!
Jacobite Steam Train schedule
Here’s the Jacobite Steam Train schedule:
Sunday to Friday Service
| Morning Service | Afternoon Service | |
| Depart Fort William | 10.15 am | 12.50 pm |
| Arrive Mallaig | 12.26 pm | 3.06 pm |
| Depart Mallaig | 2.10 pm | 5.00 pm |
| Arrive Fort William | 4.03 pm | 6.52 pm |
- The morning service runs from Monday 7th April to Friday 24th October 2025 (seven days per week)
- The afternoon service runs from Monday 5th May to Friday 26th September 2025 (seven days per week)
Tip: If you are driving to Fort William from Edinburgh or Glasgow, you will drive through the valley of Glencoe. Be sure to stop at The Three Sisters car park to get a photo of the mountains there!
Arriving in Mallaig
Mallaig is a bustling fishing port and is the ‘other’ gateway to the Isles, as it runs a ferry service to the Isle of Skye and neighbouring islands.
Originally the town was a farmstead called Mallaigvaig, owned by Lord Lovat (a colourful character, if you’re into your Scotish history!). He eventually subdivided the land and sold the plots to folk living in Morar, and the fishing village was established in the 1840s.
A railway was established in 1880, bringing more visitors to the area, and in 1984, the Jacobite Steam Train began its journey to Mallaig from Fort William, bringing more tourism to the area!
When you arrive in Mallaig, you have just 90 minutes to explore the town, so I recommend booking a table for lunch to help save time and stress. There are also plenty of takeout options if you’d rather eat on the go (or take back on the train) if you’d rather explore the town.
Mallaig is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants, but there are options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.
Restaurants in Mallaig for a sit down meal:
- The Tea Garden – a licensed cafe that sells sandwiches, soup, burgers, fish and chips and sweet treats.
- West Highland Hotel – a great option for a sit-down meal with friends or family.
Takeaway options if you’d like to explore:
- The Bakehouse – one of my favourite bakeries in Scotland! Be sure to have your fill of pastries and sourdough (and take some home on the train).
- Bloom and Graze – tucked away in a horsebox on Main Stree- grab a coffee and some delicious tray bakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Tell Brogan, the owner, I say hi!
- The Fish Market Deli – located on Station Road, the deli sells a selection of fresh seafood sourced from the seas of Scotland.
Public Toilets in Mallaig
There are public toilets located across the road from the train station in the main car park. You will see them from the left side of the train as you pull into the station.
The toilets are unisex and cost 30p to use, payable by contactless card (cash is not accepted). Before you complain about having to pay to use the toilet, it’s important that they charge a fee because it costs £45 per day just to run them- and the council only subsidises a small amount. So think of your wee payment as supporting the community.
More Tips for Riding the Jacobite Steam Train
- Bring snacks with you. The trolley didn’t reach us until the end of our journey, and by then weren’t far off having lunch in Mallaig.
- I mentioned this before but, book a table for lunch in Mallaig in advance! It saves you from wasting precious time trying to find somewhere to eat when you arrive.
- Travel First Class if possible. The general area of the train is a little dated, and you have easier access to food and beverages when you travel First Class. Plus you get free tea and coffee with a First Class ticket!
- For the best view, sit on the left side of the train. You will have to request this at the time of booking, because your seats are allocated when you receive your tickets via email a few weeks before your trip.
Photographing the Jacobite Steam Train
One of the most iconic photos in Scotland is the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct with a trail of puffy, white smoke trailing off into the surrounding mountains.
Some folk would rather see the train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, or are on a budget and want to see the train, rather than pay to ride it. Fair enough!
Before I rode the train, I watched it cross the viaduct from the ground. To be honest- both views from the train and from the ground are spectacular, so I recommend doing both!
The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct twice a day:
- 30 minutes after departing Fort William
- 45 minutes after departing Mallaig
I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the train is due to arrive on the bridge (roughly at the same time as the train leaves the station).
Obviously, how you photograph the iconic snap of the train crossing the Viaduct depends on the weather and the light available, but these are the camera settings I used to give you a general idea:
- 24-70mm lens at 35mm
- ISO 400
- Shutter speed 1/320s
- Aperture f/7.1
Read More: 50 Travel Tips for Scotland
Luckily, the train stops briefly in the middle of the bridge to give everyone time to admire the view and snap a photo.
There is parking at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre, but this can fill up fairly quickly. It’s not uncommon to see people parked on the side of the road. Be careful when driving around this area- there are usually kids about!
The Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct from Viewpoint 2
Where is the best place to photograph the Jacobite Steam Train?
There are two locations where you can photograph the Jacobite Steam Train. I’ve indicated these on the map below:
Viewpoint #1 is located after walking a short trail. This is probably the best place to get a photo of the Jacobite Steam Train.
Viewpoint #2 is more easy to access, as it is right next to the Visitor’s Centre.
No matter which viewpoint you choose, be sure to wear waterproof shoes, or lightweight hiking boots as this area can be boggy if it has been raining.
Don’t want people to feature in your photo? The general rule of thumb is the higher you can get, the less likely other people will get in the way of your shot.
Where is the best place to take a photo inside the train?
If you’re doing the Fort William to Mallaig leg, I recommend sitting on the left-hand side of the train so that when you go over the Glenfinnan Viaduct you’ll get the best photo of Loch Shiel and the curve of the train.
There are small windows you can open from your seat, however, the best place to get a photo of the train is from the bigger windows that can be found between the carriages. You can open these too, and you will get a wonderful view of Loch Shiel and the viaduct.
The train will pause briefly on the viaduct, so you can snap a few photos. It did not stop on the afternoon journey from Mallaig to Fort William, so make sure you’re quick if you want to photograph the train on this leg.
Jacobite Steam Train Tours
If you don’t have a car and you want to either ride or view the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, there tours you can book. All of these tours have excellent ratings.
- Edinburgh to Fort William tour (ride the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig)
- Inverness to Mallaig, via Glenfinnan (watch the train cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct)
Has my guide helped you to plan your adventure on the Jacobite Steam Train? Drop me a comment below!
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