Top 5 Rail Journeys in Edinburgh

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

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

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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2.Magical Highlands Tour with Jacobite Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 726 reviews · 13 - 14 hours · from $80Best value

Travel from Edinburgh to Glencoe, Fort William, Mallaig, and Glenfinnan with an English-speaking driver-guide. The optional Jacobite train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, while guides such as Ian, Brendan, Brian, and Dougie add Scottish history, film facts, and useful local tips.

“It was a brilliant mix of Scottish history places of interest and Harry Potter theme with many of the inspirations for JKR and also places of filming. Watching the steam train at Glenfinnan and then riding it from Mallaig was the icing on the cake. Plus also the visit to Hamish and Honey the hairy coos. Our guide Ian was fantastic”

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3.Scotland in 5 Days Including Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · from $1,330

Travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe, Skye, Loch Ness, and Culloden with a Scottish guide, four nights of B&B or hotel stays, breakfasts, ferry crossings, and the Jacobite Steam Train. Expect small-group coach travel, long days, flexible stops, and memorable scenery.

“This was a great way to see Scotland in a short time. The scenery and history of this beautiful land was fantastic. Our guide Ryan was extremel knowledgeable with the history and landscape of this beautiful place.”

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4.The Magical Highland Tour Including the Jacobite Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $262

Spend about 13.5 hours touring the Highlands from Edinburgh by coach, then ride the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig. Your English-speaking tour manager points out Harry Potter filming locations, with photo time at Glenfinnan Viaduct and a short stop in Pitlochry.

“El tour es 100% recomendable! Vale cada € que cuesta!!! Espectacular día!!! :) El viaje en tren fue mágico y ver el tren desde fuera tambien y todos los puntos en los que paramos y nos contaba el guía cosas!”

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5.4-Day Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train (train ride included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,096

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to 16, with a guide such as Craig, John, Rose, Cameron, or Stefan. Visit Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, and ride the Jacobite Steam Train in summer. B&Bs, breakfasts, and transport are included.

“Fantastic 4 days enjoying Isle of Skye and surroundings. Cameron is a great driver and expert tour guide, full of energy, information, stories. Our days were filled with amazing sights and adventures, never a boring minute. We had a chance to go to Glenfinnan viaduct but missed the train by two minutes. Is doable and proper planning would have given us the opportunity to see the train go by. Clarification of the end point would be helpful. We were dropped off on the other side of Waverly station and all of us had a long walk to the hotels near Royal Mile where the tour started.”

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