It’s a Scotland bucket list activity, especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan, so fortunately it’s possible to do a 1 day Jacobite steam train tour from Edinburgh to ride the famous steam train!
Following an 84-mile route, the Jacobite steam train runs from Fort William to Mallaig on the Scottish coast.
The train runs daily but only between early April and the end of October. Tickets to ride the Jacobite train can sell out fast as do spots on the Jacobite steam train tours from Edinburgh.
Fortunately, the Jacobite train tours from Edinburgh have a certain number of tickets pre-allocated to them each season, so this means that you’re more likely to find a ticket via the Jacobite train tours for your specific dates – especially if you’re booking more last minute.
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A brief history of the Jacobite Steam Train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Jacobite steam train has been in operation since 1984. It is currently operated by West Coast Railways but has had several operators over the years.
The 84 mile route runs from Fort William, beside the tallest mountain in Scotland – Ben Nevis. It then travels to Mallaig on the coast, taking in stunning scenery, lochs, rivers and mountains with stops at the following villages along the way: Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig being the final destination.
Interestingly, Arisaig is also Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station.
The train and the route itself are also often called The Hogwarts Express, thanks to the use of the train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the world-famous Harry Potter movies.
You cross Glenfinnan Viaduct in the early part of your journey, as you reach the first stop of Glenfinnan from Fort William.
The Viaduct is Victorian and was built between 1897 and 1901. It sits at the top of Loch Shiel – another filming location used in the Harry Potter movies.
A Jacobite steam train day tour from Edinburgh
There are a limited number of Jacobite train day tours from Edinburgh, particularly ones that are at an affordable price. But this Jacobite train tour day trip from Edinburgh provides excellent value for money.
The tour includes a friendly and knowledgeable local tour guide who even manages to make the long coach journey entertaining!
The tour includes:
- Return tickets for the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William
- Transport for the whole day by luxury coach which has toilets on board
- Packed breakfast
- Stops in Glencoe to see the magnificent Highlands on the way
- Stop at Pitlochry on the return
- Knowledgeable tour guide on the coach and the train with you
The best part of this tour (apart from riding the famous steam train of course!) is the local guide who is particularly entertaining and has so much knowledge about the history of Scotland, the Highlands but also Harry Potter filming locations and James Bond too!
How long is the Jacobite train tour from Edinburgh?
To reach the Jacobite train from Edinburgh, the drive is approximately 3.5 hours from Edinburgh to Fort William, so it’s not short.
Your day starts at the meeting location in Edinburgh at 6am and you return to Edinburgh around 8pm, depending on traffic conditions.
Breakfast is included but taking snacks is definitely a good idea too for the journey out to the Jacobite steam train from Edinburgh.
You’ll be able to stop for lunch in Mallaig before boarding the train for the return journey to Fort William, followed by the bus journey back to Edinburgh.
Stopping at Mallaig
The train journey takes around 2 hours each direction so you are on the train for about 4-4.5 hours of the day, so Mallaig is essential for stretching your legs before the return journey!
Mallaig is a beautiful port town on Scotland’s west coast and it’s just a shame you can’t stay for longer there.
With just one and a half hours between the train arriving and your departure, it’s just enough time to grab some tasty fish and chips, enjoy a stroll around the harbour and through the town itself before heading back to the station for your return journey.
Is this just a Harry Potter themed tour?
No not at all!
Obviously there are a lot of Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland and the movies are the reason most people know of the steam train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, but it’s not a Harry Potter themed tour – you can enjoy it whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not!
If you are looking for a Harry Potter train tour from Edinburgh then this is a good option as you’ll also see the filming locations like Loch Shiel used in the Chamber of Secrets and Rannoch Moor where scenes from the Prisoner of Azkaban were filmed. But the franchise definitely isn’t a big focus from the tour guides.
However, as stated above, the tour guides are local guides with a vast knowledge of Scotland’s history and the local area, not Harry Potter specialists, so the tour is great for everyone.
Riding the Jacobite Steam Train
Your tickets included on this tour are for the standard class ticket, so it’s important to note that the interior of the standard class isn’t anything special – you’re there for the scenery and the experience, not the interior of the train!
The luxury compartments and First Class tickets start from £79.50 and can be booked here.
The best side to sit on the train (if you’re able to!) is on the left side as you face the direction of travel. This allows you to see the curve of the Viaduct ahead of you as you round the hills and onto the Viaduct section of rail.
Also note that the train doesn’t ‘turn around’ for the return journey, only the locomotive moves to the front of the carriages. So you will be sitting on the same side on the return journey if you’re in the same allocated seats.
Alternative Jacobite Steam Train day trips
If you’d prefer to see different attractions on route or you’re starting from a different city or location, check out these alternative tour options:
- An alternative Harry Potter train tour from Edinburgh – this does the same journey in reverse
- Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Inverness
- Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Glasgow – they recently stopping running the Glasgow tour that includes the train ticket, this tour is similar but only includes seeing the stream train and famous viewpoint, NOT riding the train itself
- Jacobite Steam Train, Isle of Skye and Highlands 3 day tour – if you want more bang for your buck, check out this 3-day tour which includes the train ride, the Isle of Skye and more, departing from Edinburgh
Summary: 1 day Jacobite Steam Train tour from Edinburgh
Jacobite steam train day trips from Edinburgh are a great and affordable way to see this iconic Scotland attraction, experience the steam train journey and be able to do so in a short space of time to maximise your trip to Scotland.
It’s also a great option for an Edinburgh Harry Potter train tour for fans of the wizarding world but without overdoing it too much! Think of it like a happy medium if you and your party are a mixture of Harry Potter fans and non-fans!
A day tour is the ideal option especially if you are wanting to experience more of the Scottish Highlands but don’t have a vehicle to use yourself. It also takes the hassle out of having to drive and having to book train tickets, car rentals etc separately.
Book the Edinburgh Jacobite Train Tour here.
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