The Harry Potter Studio Tour
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies, visiting the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour while in London is a must.
These are the actual studios where they shot the majority of the movies (there are other filming locations you can visit throughout the UK as well!).
The Harry Potter Studios are huge, and are therefore set 20 minutes outside of central London. If you have a car, you can drive there, but it is pretty easy to get to the Harry Potter Studio tour from London using public transportation (provided the Underground line you need isn’t shut down—like it was for us…).
- Good to Know: If you don’t want to get to the Harry Potter Studio tour on your own, you can also book a tour with transportation from London, but this will cost more than doing it yourself.
Year Visited: 2022 & 2026
Time of Year: May & April
What’s in this Article:
How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour from London
- Note: If you’d prefer the video version, you can watch my video of how to get to the Harry Potter studio tour on my Youtube channel.
London to Watford Junction:
To get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour from London, first take the London Underground to Euston Station.
Once you arrive at Euston Station, follow the signs leading up to the National Rail service (if you need help finding where to go, just ask any of TFL [Transport for London] employees who will be at the station).
You have two options from London Euston: You can take the Overground line, or you can take the rail line to Watford Junction.
The Overground will take about an hour to get to Watford Junction, because it will stop at every station between central London and there. But you can also get a direct 20 minute train from London Euston to Watford Junction. As it’s about the same price, I would suggest just taking the train.
You do not need to book this ahead of time. Just check the upcoming departure times when you arrive at London Euston Station. You can access the Lioness Overground Line here, or find a train heading to Watford Junction. Because Watford Junction is within the main London zones, you can just tap in and out with an Oyster Card or a bank card (AKA credit card).
- More Info: Read more about using London public transportation.
Can you use your Oyster card to get to Watford Junction from London?
Yes, you can use your Oyster card on the Overground from London to Watford Junction. You will not need to purchase a rail ticket for this journey. You can also use it for a rail journey (direct train, not the Overground Line), because it is within the London zones.
- Good to Know: If you don’t have an Oyster card, you can also just tap in and out with your bank card/credit card. My first trip to London, I used a Visitor Oyster card. On my last trip, I just used my credit card.
Watford Junction to the Studios:
Once you arrive at Watford Junction, exit the train station and cross the parking lot to bus stop 4 on the far side of the parking lot.
There are plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction, and posters for the studio tour at the bus stop, so you will know you are at the right one. Chances are there will also be someone dressed as a wizard…
The bus to the studio tour is a large, double-decker, usually with Harry Potter advertisements on the side. This bus will take you directly to the studio tour.
Do you have to pay for the studio tour shuttle bus?
You do not need to pay for the bus from Watford Junction to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. You just need to show a valid ticket for that day to the tour.
However, there is a tip jar for the driver.
The Studio Tour back to London:
Once you’re done at the tour, head back to the bus stops where you were dropped off. Keep in mind that there are multiple bus stops here, so make sure you get in the line for Watford Junction (thankfully, there are signs. However, I maaaaay have walked right past them).
At Watford Junction, just grab whichever train comes next back to London.
What if the line from Euston to Watford Junction is shut down?
It happens. In fact, it happened when we were in London, over a bank holiday weekend.
TFL will periodically shut down lines for maintenance work, typically on Sundays or Bank holidays, when there isn’t the mad rush into the office (yes, even in post-2020!).
If the line you need is shut down, there will be replacement buses available to get you to your destination.
The most important thing to remember if this happens is that it will take you a lot longer to get to the studios. It took us an hour and a half to get from London to Watford Junction. So make sure to give yourself enough time.
- An easy way to check your route is on the TFL app.
- You can also ask at a station in London, and they will help you figure out where to go.
To get to Watford Junction we took:
- The Underground to Queen’s Park.
- The Overground to Harrow & Wealdstone.
- A rail replacement bus to Headstone Lane.
- A second rail replacement bus to Watford Junction.
We followed this journey from the app, and asked each of the station attendants along the way to make sure we ended up in the right place.
The way back ended up being a lot easier. We got a bus at Watford Junction that went directly to Stanmore, an outlying Underground Station.
- Good to Know: It is important to be familiar with the Underground Stations. We almost missed this bus because we didn’t recognize the name of its destination station. Again, always ask the attendants, who will help you know exactly where to go.
The Harry Potter Studio Tour
Arriving at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
When you first arrive at the Harry Potter Studio tour and pass through security, there will be a lobby with the restrooms, and the information booth.
There is a free coat check at the information booth, so you can leave anything here that you don’t want to have to carry around with you through the whole tour. You also can pick up an audio guide (for a fee) here.
I highly suggest picking up a free “passport” at the information booth. There will be stations throughout the tour where you can stamp the passport. It’s a super fun and free souvenir to take home with you, and no, it’s not just for kids! So be sure to go up to the information desk and ask for the passport!
After that you will pass into the main lobby, a large open area that will lead off to the Harry Potter tour, the gift shop, and three of the four restaurants. You can visit these either before or after your tour.
- Entryway Area:
- Bathrooms
- Water fountain
- Free Coat check
- Free Passports
- Audio guides (fee)
- Main Lobby
- Starbucks
- Chocolate Frog Cafe
- Main dining hall
- Gift shop
- Studio Tour entrance
How much time do you need at the Harry Potter tour?
We spent 2 hrs. walking through the studio tour (not counting time spent eating). You can spend longer or shorter, depending on how much you want to see.
After the initial start of the tour, you wander through at your own pace. There are a lot of photo op stops which we did not take advantage of because we didn’t want to wait in line.
You could easily spend 3 hours on the tour, plus the cafes and gift shops. I would plan to spend between 3-4 hours here, total.
Can you start the tour early or late?
Because transportation can be unpredictable, you should give yourself plenty of time to get to the studios. And because I’m me… I’ve arrived both an hour late and an hour early!
On my first visit, we arrived about an hour before our tour was scheduled to start. We were able to get in line as soon as we arrived, even though our tour didn’t start for an hour.
On my second visit, I arrived an hour late… And again went right into the line.
- Good to Know: When I arrived late, anyone with a ticket time of 3 pm or earlier could get into line (mine was 2 pm), but later times had to wait.
- When I arrived early, it wasn’t busy, so we were allowed right in line. If it is busy, you cannot get in line early.
What to do if you arrive early?
If you arrive before your scheduled tour, and can’t get in line early, you can get something to eat while you wait. There are three food options available in the lobby area before (and after) you go on the tour.
- The Hub Cafe (Starbucks)
- The Chocolate Frog Cafe (desserts)
- The Food Hall
The food was surprisingly good, especially the ice cream at The Chocolate Frog Cafe!
I believe you can also enter the main gift shop before your tour.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour
At the start of the tour you wait in a long line (basically the epitome of Disney World) until you get up to the theater where you will watch two videos and enter the Great Hall. After that, you can ramble through the tour at your own pace.
The tour showcases actual sets and costumes used for filming, as well as props/special effects and how they were made.
There are a lot of photo op stops where you can take pictures. These include on the Hogwarts Express and at Platform 9 and 3/4, so if you didn’t get a picture at King’s Cross Station, don’t fret.
There are several gift shops along the tour with specialized products, like the Christmas gift shop, so be sure to check these out before you exit the tour. The main gift shop is at the end of the Harry Potter tour.
- Good to Know: You cannot come back to the in-tour gift shops after you have exited into the main gift shop, so if you see something you want to buy, you should!
- There are different presentations throughout the tour that change from season to season. So even if you’ve been before, you will still see different things each time you visit (I’ve been twice)!
Eating on the Tour
You can eat in the main food hall either before or after your tour, but if you get hungry or thirsty during your tour of the Harry Potter Studios, you can eat at The Backlot Cafe. This cafeteria is about halfway through the tour, and there are also bathrooms available here.
- Pro Tip: If you want to try a butterbeer, be sure to get one at The Backlot Cafe. This is the only place at the tour where you can get butterbeer.
- They have butterbeer ice cream and cupcakes as well as drinks. Be sure to look out for the “Butterbeer Bar.”
Food at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
As I’ve mentioned above, there are several different places to eat on the Harry Potter Studio Tour. There are different options at each location, so if you see something you want, be sure to get it while you can!
About halfway through the tour is the Backlot Cafe. They have quick service items like hot dogs, burgers, fries, and of course Butterbeer.
- Good to Know: This is the only place to get Butterbeer on the tour. However, be on the lookout for the “Butterbeer Bar,” which I totally missed… They have all the Butterbeer flavored treats you can imagine.
The other three food options are in the main lobby. There is a Starbucks when you first enter. And then further back there is the Chocolate Frog Cafe, selling desserts and milkshakes, and the main dining hall, with a variety of food options.
I’ve eaten in the Food Hall both times I visited. They have soups, pizzas, salads, fish and chips, and more. The last time I was there they had a Butterbeer pancake special. The prices are also very good.
Finally, if you’re feeling up for a splurge, you can book an afternoon tea under the floating candles! As I am always up for a splurge, I did try to book this on my last trip… But since it was a solo trip, I unfortunately couldn’t book for just one person (but yay for saving money!).
- Good to Know: They also have special breakfast and dinner packages available, in addition to afternoon tea.
Harry Potter Studio Tour Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to all the questions I had before visiting the Harry Potter Studio tour from London:
Do people dress up at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
Yes! There are definitely people at the Harry Potter tour in full on wizarding gear.
I just chose to wear my house colors, so I could still blend in with the muggles… But I wish I had worn my Hufflepuff scarf though (I did wear it for my second visit)!
So if you want to dress up, do it! You will not be the only one.
Can you eat during the tour?
Yes, in addition to the three food options in the main lobby of the Harry Potter Studio Tour, there is The Backlot Cafe, about halfway through the tour.
Can you get Butterbeer at the Harry Potter Studio tour?
Yes, but be aware, you can only get butterbeer at The Backlot Cafe on the tour.
Is the Harry Potter Studio tour outside?
The majority of the Harry Potter Studio tour is inside, but there are a few things to see outside.
Just after the Backlot Cafe, there is an outdoor courtyard you have to walk through to get to the rest of the tour. You will see a few more sets in this courtyard, including the Knight Bus, the Hogwarts Bridge, and Number 4 Privet Drive.
If you don’t want to stay outside (if it’s pouring rain or freezing cold), you can quickly walk through the courtyard to continue on your way.
Can you sit under the enchanted ceiling?
If you look at the Harry Potter Studio tour website, there is a picture of the enchanted ceiling with floating candles at the main food hall.
This is only open for the afternoon tea, so if you are just eating at The Food Hall, you do not get to sit under the ceiling.
- They also now have special breakfast and dinner packages available, in addition to the afternoon tea.
Do you need a tour ticket to do the afternoon tea?
Yes, unfortunately you cannot come to the Harry Potter Studios in London just for the afternoon tea, or even just to shop in the gift shop. They consider all of these things to be part of the experience, and thus you need an actual tour ticket to get in to the building. Then you will also need an additional ticket for the afternoon tea.
Does it cost money to check your coats?
No, you can check your coats and bags for free at the information desk when you first walk in! So be sure to take advantage of this.
Are the passports just for kids?
No! Pick up a FREE souvenir “passport” at the information desk when you first walk in. This is a fun activity, and it is not just for kids (although sometimes you will have to wait a while for your stamp, because children do not understand the concept of lines, and as a 30 year old it is apparently frowned upon to shove the 10 year olds out of the way, even if you were there first…).
Can you visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour more than once?
Yes, absolutely! You can visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour more than once. I personally have been twice, and I no people who have been at least three times.
There is so much to see that we missed some things on our first visit, so I made sure to check those out on my second. I also noticed that many of the costume displays in each set had changed since my first visit.
Plus, there is always a different theme on. For example, during my most recent visit, it was “Magical Mischief.” So there were special displays and demonstrations happening that I did not see on my first visit.
Any more questions?
Don’t hesitate to email me or comment below with any other questions you may have about visiting the Harry Potter Studio tour from London.
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Julia is a travel blogger with a Bachelor’s Degree in photography from Indiana Wesleyan University. She worked as a professional photo-retoucher for seven and a half years, before leaving the company to work in the travel industry. She now works at a historic 1800’s hotel. When she’s not working, she’s reading fantasy novels or classic literature, and planning trips to magical destinations.
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