How to visit Platform 9 3/4 at London King's Cross Station

Discover the magic of Harry Potter at London King’s Cross Station

For anyone familiar with Harry Potter, Platform 9 3/4 is instantly recognisable. For those who aren't, this fictional spot at London King's Cross train station is the departure point for the train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In both the books and the films, Harry and his friends have to run through a brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10 to board the Hogwarts Express – the train which takes young witches and wizards to magic school.

And due to popular demand, King's Cross installed a Platform 9 3/4 sign to honour J.K. Rowling’s beloved series, under which fans can take photos complete with a disappearing luggage trolley!

There are multiple ways for you to get to and from Platform 9 3/4 in London's King’s Cross Station, with the simplest option to hop on a tube or train.

Popular trains to London King's Cross to see Platform 9 3/4

Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

Monday 11 Nov 2024
From
£32.80
7x greener than a car

Leeds to London Kings Cross

Monday 2 Dec 2024
From
£22.50
7x greener than a car

Newcastle to London Kings Cross

Monday 11 Nov 2024
From
£26.30
7x greener than a car

These percentages were calculated using our Carbon Calculator.

View more journeys

How to get to Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station?

King’s Cross Station is one of London’s major national rail stations, with direct trains from other UK cities like Edinburgh, York, and Newcastle, and its own tube station.

King’s Cross Underground Station is connected by the Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria tube lines, meaning you can easily stop by if you’re exploring other parts of London.

King's Cross Station is also served by a number of bus routes, as well as a taxi rank outside the Great Northern Hotel on Pancras Road and Santander Cycles for easy public bike hire.

If you want to get to London King’s Cross by car, the nearest car parks are located on Judd Street, York Way, and North Gower Street. However, it's worth noting that London King’s Cross Station is on the edge of the Congestion Zone and driving through London may result in a charge depending on your route.

Once you’re at King’s Cross Station, you'll want to follow the signs to Platforms 9 to 11. Go past the ticket office, then turn right at the Disabled Meeting Point sign. Keep going straight, and you'll find the Platform 9 3/4 sign on the right underneath the footbridge. You won't need to buy a train ticket to visit, and be sure to stop off at the nearby Harry Potter Shop to pick up a magical souvenir!

When is Platform 9 3/4 open and how much does it cost?

You can take a look at the Platform 9 3/4 sign and the trolley-through-the-wall beneath it anytime during London King’s Cross Station’s opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 05:00 – 01:40
Saturday: 05:00 – 01:11
Sunday: 05:30 – 01:36

You're free to take your own photos at any time, or if you’re interested in having a professional photo taken, you’ll need to be there up to an hour before the Harry Potter shop closes:

Monday to Saturday: 08:00 – 22:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 20:00

4 other Harry Potter related attractions you should visit

Explore more of the enchanting world of Harry Potter with other filming locations and attractions along LNER's train route.

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral’s Chapter House served as the classroom where Professor McGonagall instructed young wizards in transfiguring animals. The cathedral’s cloisters were also used in the first film where Harry first released Hedwig, as well as in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets during Ron Weasley’s mishap with the slug-vomiting curse.

Trains from London King’s Cross to Durham run regularly and take an average of less than 3 hours.

Edinburgh's Elephant House Cafe

While the Elephant House in Edinburgh wasn't a filming location, it's undoubtedly one of the most magical Harry Potter attractions in the UK. The cafe, which is just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle, was one of the cafes where J.K Rowling created her world of witches and wizards.

Edinburgh is reachable by direct train from London King’s Cross, and the Elephant House Cafe can be found on Victoria street about 10 minutes' walk from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle starred as the magical school, Hogwarts in the firs two Harry Potter films. In the first film, the Outer Bailey was used when Harry and his friends learned to fly broomsticks. In the second film, the courtyards and baileys formed the backdrop for Harry and Ron’s crash landing of the invisible car, as well as for daily activities of the young witches and wizards.

The East Coast mainline stops at Alnmouth station, with trains running directly from King’s Cross to Alnmouth. You can take a taxi or bus (the X18 or X20) from Alnmouth station to Alnwick Castle, with a journey time of just 10 minutes.

Goathland Station

In the final scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States), Harry and his friends are seen boarding a train at Hogsmeade station. And while Hogsmeade doesn’t exist in the real world, the station where it was filmed does.

Take the train from London to York where you can take the 840 Coastliner bus to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where you can take a ride through picturesque countryside from Goathland Station.

Experience the magic of Platform 9 3/4 with LNER!

Taking the family to see the Platform 9 3/4 sign is easier and cheaper with LNER.

Around 80 LNER trains arrive at London King's Cross Station a day, and our Family Tickets will save you an average of 65% when travelling with up to two adults and four children.

And be sure to check out LNER's London guide for more fun things to do in the capital while you're there!