The 15 Best Harry Potter Tours in Edinburgh

1.Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,236 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19Our pick

Walk about 1.5 miles through Edinburgh’s Old Town and beyond, following Harry Potter connections with guides such as Robbie, Jenny, Orla, and Xander. Expect quizzes, Rowling trivia, castle views, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and stories about the city that shaped the books.

“Orla was very friendly and she gave us great background information about Harry Potter. She was also patient with us :)”

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2.The Potter Trail Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,353 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $104

Follow a private guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town to explore gravestones, streets, schools, and cafes linked to JK Rowling’s Potter inspirations. Guides such as Caroline, Charlie, Christine, and Allister add stories, humor, trivia, and spells. Bring a pen or umbrella as your wand.

“Our guide, Roisin, was so engaging. She shared lots of fun stories and the time flew by. Highly recommend this tour for Potter enthusiasts.”

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3.Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,114 reviews · from $262

Leave Edinburgh early for Pitlochry, Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Glencoe, with a one-way Jacobite Steam Train ride from Mallaig to Fort William. Guides such as Teigan, Tim, and Cara add stories and local context, but the train is a regular service, not a full Harry Potter attraction.

“It was an incredible time in Scotland. We love Harry Potter and we really enjoyed all the landscapes!”

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4.3-Day Isle of Skye, ‘Hogwarts Express’ Train and Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 972 reviews · from $926

Travel from Edinburgh to Portree with an English-speaking guide, two nights in a 3-star hotel or B&B, and a Jacobite steam train ride across Glenfinnan Viaduct. You’ll see Skye’s Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle, Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, and more without driving.

“Every stop is picturesque and well planned! While some bus tours can be very “touristy”, this one is subtle touristy. You hit all the proper notable spots but it doesn't feel like your being force feed the big ticket items.”

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5.Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 662 reviews · 13 hours · from $268

Travel from Edinburgh by comfortable coach through Fife, Perth, Glen Coe, and Rannoch Moor, then board the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William. Guides such as Charlie, Louise, Cara, and Connor add Scottish history, film lore, music, and humor to a very long but memorable day.

“Tom was absolutely fantastic driver and guide, we got to stop at some of the most stunning areas in the highlands and especially loved the Jacobite Train journey back down to Fort William.”

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6.JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 547 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a Harry Potter guide who connects J.K. Rowling’s life to Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirk, character names, and the city’s darker past. The two-hour English tour costs $24.19, starts at 3:30 pm on the Royal Mile, and returns to its meeting point.

“I chose this tour specifically because it didn't seem cheesy. I was with my adult daughters, and we didn't want to play trivia games, wear a silly hat or deal with lots of little kids. It was perfect! There were a couple kids, but the tour was info-packed, briskly paced and mercifully cheese-free. We also learned a lot about Scottish history, which was great. We only had one day for sightseeing -- we were in town for a Uni graduation -- so we only did this tour and the castle tour, and they dovetailed perfectly. A big shout-out to our guide, Sarah! She was exceptional -- energetic, knowledgable, great with…”

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7.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream. You’ll see Harry Potter filming locations, hear lively border history, and have time for castle grounds, gardens, and coastal views. Guides may include Connor, Cara, Heidi, or Tom.

“Our guide and driver Connor gave fascinating stories along the way. Alnswick castle is a good place for family to spend a day to visit the artisans, dragon exhibit and broom flying lesson.”

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8.2-Day Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 428 reviews · 35 hours · from $481

Spend 35 hours touring the Highlands by bus, staying overnight in Fort Augustus, and riding the Jacobite steam train across Glenfinnan Viaduct. English-speaking guides such as Steven B, Iain, Ben, and Keith bring Scottish history, music, humor, and local stories to the journey.

“We had a fantastic time with Steven B as our guide! I learned so much throughout the journey.”

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9.Harry Potter Tour & Edinburgh Castle Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $102

Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Old Town, Greyfriars Cemetery, Victoria Street, and other Harry Potter-related sights with a guide such as Jackson, Hazel, Paul, or Kristy. The four-hour experience includes a two-hour walking tour and self-guided entry to Edinburgh Castle.

“I really enjoyed our tour and our tour guide was fantastic! He had a great sense of humor and had a smooth flow throughout the tour. He had a great Harry Potter spirit. I unfortunately cannot remember his name. The tour itself highlighted a lot of J.K. Rowlings life and inspiration of her book during her time in Edinburgh. It’s a great walk around the city. There is a lot of walking at in incline, stairs, and uneven pavement so I would say wear good comfortable shoes. If you are going during late November definitely dress really warm with a hat, scarf and gloves because it was cold and windy…”

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10.2-Day Jacobite Experience including the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $492

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group with a guide such as Paul, Steven B, Ian, or Jamie. Visit Culloden, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, Mallaig, and Glencoe, then ride the Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig. Overnight accommodation and breakfast are included.

“Ian our tour guide was fantastic! He had all of the details handled and we were truly able to just enjoy. It was a great way to see the sights outside of Edinburgh. Ian was knowledgeable and super friendly. We had an issue with the bus, but the tour company took care of it.”

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11.Edinburgh’s Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour – Kids Free!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 238 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Follow an English-speaking guide through Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Victoria Street, and other Rowling landmarks. Guides such as Benjamin, Jackson, Kirsty, Paul, Hazel, and Kristy mix Harry Potter facts with city history. The two-hour walk costs $20.80 per person, and children join free.

“Kristy was so up beat and cheery! You could tell her love for Harry Potter shined through the tour. This is the perfect tour for the first day because you’re also able to get a lay of the land and was able to walk the city afterwards.”

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12.6 Day Outer Hebrides, Isle of Skye & optional ‘Hogwarts Express’

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 6 days (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe, Lewis, Harris, Skye, and the Highlands in a small group of up to 30. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving, ferries, and route, with five nights of B&B accommodation included. Add the Jacobite steam train when booking.

“Tour guide Sophie made this an amazing trip. Not only was she an amazing driver but she was knowledgable,kind and made the driving time so fun. Some on the tour stayed at actual B&B which i was expecting but the hotels did serve breakfast. All with friendly and accommodating staff.”

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13.JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter 4½hrs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 213 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join guide Sam for a 4.5-hour walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, linking J.K. Rowling’s life and ideas with Harry Potter locations, writers, schools, cemeteries, and streets. Expect 5 to 6 km of hills, book spoilers, interactive touches, and plenty of Rowling biography rather than a simple movie-location tour.

“Tons of info about JK Rowling and a great walking tour of the city that included places we would not have visited other wise.”

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14.Isle of Skye and Hogwarts Express 4-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 142 reviews · 83 hours · from $1,071

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and the Isle of Skye in a small group of up to 16. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the roads, stories, ferries, and one-way Jacobite Steam Train ride, with three nights of breakfast accommodation.

“Our guide John did a wonderful job of helping us experience all the beauty and history of Scotland. I highly recommend this tour.”

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15.Guided Harry Potter Tour in French

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 57 reviews · from $43

Join a French-speaking guide for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, following places linked to JK Rowling, from cafés and winding lanes to a local graveyard and her hand prints. The $43 tour returns to the Royal Mile and suits fans who also want city stories.

“Very interesting. We discover the city at the same time as JK Rowling's anecdotes.”

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