Photo of Platform 9¾ in Greater London
Trains & Railways

Platform 9¾

📍 London, Greater London

3.8(3,467 Google reviews)

The iconic Harry Potter filming location inside King's Cross Station. Staff provide house scarves and wands for photos. Expect a 10–30 minute queue. Adjacent merchandise shop stocks exclusive items. Free if you use your own phone camera.

Harry Potter fansFriendly staffFree phone photosMerchandise shopQueues expectedEasy to find
★★★★★Featured review by Dudhaiya Bhavik

King’s Cross Station is located just opposite St Pancras International Station, making it very easy to find. As soon as you enter King’s Cross, look to your right side and you will see stairs going down towards the Underground station. Near this area, you will find the famous Platform 9¾, a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans. Another exciting highlight nearby is the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which is also visible from this area. This hotel is well known among Harry Potter fans as it appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where the flying car scene was filmed. Platform 9¾ can get very busy, especially during peak tourist hours, but it is absolutely worth visiting if you are a Potterhead. There is a professional photo setup where friendly staff members help visitors take pictures. They even provide a Gryffindor scarf and guide you with the correct pose while pushing the trolley into the wall. You are allowed to take photos using your own mobile phone, which is great. If you want a professionally clicked photo, you can also purchase it from the Harry Potter shop right next to the platform. The store is filled with a wide range of Harry Potter merchandise, including scarves, wands, souvenirs, and gifts, making it a perfect place to shop for fans. Overall, Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross is a magical experience and a must-visit attraction in London, especially for Harry Potter lovers. Try to visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid long queues.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for Harry Potter fans of any age wanting an authentic photo moment at the real filming location. Weekday mornings deliver the shortest queues. Children who want to browse the shop should be prepared for premium pricing. The attraction is free to experience without buying professional photos — a good option for families on tighter budgets.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Visit on a weekday morning to keep queue times around 10–15 minutes
You can use the scarves and props for a free phone photo — no purchase required
🎟️The adjacent shop has exclusive items not available at other Harry Potter retailers
🚗Located inside King's Cross, making it easy to combine with onward train travel

💬 What Families Are Saying

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3.8

3,467 Google reviews

Authentic Harry Potter experience45%
Friendly staff with props30%
Queues and crowds15%
Expensive merchandise10%
D

Dudhaiya Bhavik

3 months ago

King’s Cross Station is located just opposite St Pancras International Station, making it very easy to find. As soon as you enter King’s Cross, look to your right side and you will see stairs going down towards the Underground station. Near this area, you will find the famous Platform 9¾, a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans. Another exciting highlight nearby is the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which is also visible from this area. This hotel is well known among Harry Potter fans as it appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where the flying car scene was filmed. Platform 9¾ can get very busy, especially during peak tourist hours, but it is absolutely worth visiting if you are a Potterhead. There is a professional photo setup where friendly staff members help visitors take pictures. They even provide a Gryffindor scarf and guide you with the correct pose while pushing the trolley into the wall. You are allowed to take photos using your own mobile phone, which is great. If you want a professionally clicked photo, you can also purchase it from the Harry Potter shop right next to the platform. The store is filled with a wide range of Harry Potter merchandise, including scarves, wands, souvenirs, and gifts, making it a perfect place to shop for fans. Overall, Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross is a magical experience and a must-visit attraction in London, especially for Harry Potter lovers. Try to visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid long queues.

D

Debora Chaitlall (Debs)

6 months ago

If you’re a major Harry Potter fan—or even just a millennial—you’ll definitely want to check this place out! It’s located right in the train station, and if you don’t want to pay for the photo frames, you can simply ask someone to snap a photo from your phone. You can still use the scarves from each house for your picture, which makes it super fun. After the photos, you walk straight into the store, packed with merch and goodies from the movies—warning: you might want to buy everything! My friends and I did all four photos and were amazed at how they came out. They print them and place them in booklets, making the perfect keepsake. Definitely a must-visit, and the staff are incredibly friendly!

M

Miroslava Jacková

4 weeks ago

Yes, there were quite a lot of people, but we didn’t have to wait long about 10–15 minutes. I think it’s great that they protect this place and don’t allow everyone to enter freely, so it doesn’t get damaged. I also recommend taking a good look around the shop. They have interesting products you won’t find elsewhere, including special edition wands. For a true fan, it’s a great place to visit.

S

Shreya Mathew

2 months ago

I visited on a weekday and the wait time was around 10 minutes, although the queue for professionally taken photos was quite long. It’s located inside King’s Cross Station, which makes it easy to find. There’s also a Harry Potter shop right next to the attraction, which is fun to browse. It’s a nice stop for fans, but be prepared for crowds, especially if you’re hoping for photos.

Reviews from Google

Overview

Platform 9¾ recreates the departure point from the Harry Potter films inside King's Cross Station. Staff hand out house scarves and wands for the photo, making the experience feel authentic. Professional photos are available for purchase; you can also have someone photograph you with your own phone using the same props at no charge. The dedicated Harry Potter shop next door stocks exclusive merchandise not found in other stores.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday09:00 – 20:00
Tuesday08:00 – 22:00
Wednesday08:00 – 22:00
Thursday08:00 – 22:00
Friday08:00 – 22:00
Saturday08:00 – 22:00
Sunday08:00 – 22:00

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