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Calling All Potterheads! This California Train Ride Takes You Into The Wizarding World

Tourists can take part in an interactive show, enjoy a round-trip journey aboard the Harry Potter train and take multiple photos.

by Tanvi Shrivastava
Calling All Potterheads! This California Train Ride Takes You Into The Wizarding World
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Melissa

Travel experiences can sometimes make an ordinary trip feel straight out of a storybook. For Harry Potter fans visiting California, a themed train adventure offers the chance to step into the wizarding world and experience Hogwarts-inspired magic on the move. Recently, a content creator posted a video online, sharing her experience of a themed train. Read on to know more about it.

California Has A Harry Potter-Themed Train

Content creator Melissa recently shared a glimpse of the experience on Instagram, giving fans a look at what they can expect. The adventure begins at Platform 9¾ before taking tourists aboard a moving train for an immersive theatrical journey inspired by the Harry Potter universe. Sharing the video with her followers, she wrote, “All aboard the Hogwarts Express — This new Harry Potter train experience in California is only 1.5 hours from LA! You’ll walk through Platform 9 ¾, and step into a magical world of Hogwarts. It’s a full interactive theatrical adventure on a moving train.”

The Harry Potter-themed experience is hosted at the Southern California Railway Museum. Rather than being a simple train ride, the attraction combines live theatre, interactive elements and a moving train to create an immersive adventure for visitors.

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Tourists can take part in an interactive show, enjoy a round-trip journey aboard the train and stop at several photo opportunities along the way. After the ride, visitors can browse Harry Potter-themed merchandise and grab a serving of Butterbeer, adding another touch of the wizarding world to the experience. The entire visit takes around two hours, covering pre-boarding activities, the train journey and post-ride experiences.

What Are The Ticket Prices And Timings Of The Train?

Tickets need to be booked in advance through the official Harry Potter Train Adventure website. Standard tickets cost approximately ₹7,300 for adults and ₹6,400 for children aged 2 to 11. During peak periods, prices increase to around ₹8,200 for adults and ₹7,300 for children. Departure slots vary by date, with options including 12 pm, 2 pm, 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

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The experience is available only until September 27, so fans planning to add this magical train ride to their California itinerary should check the available dates and secure their tickets ahead of time.

All Harry Potter fans, would you ever take a trip on this themed train?

Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Melissa

FAQs

What is Harry Potter's train called?

Harry Potter's train is called the Hogwarts Express in the story, and the real-life steam train used for the films is the The Jacobite in Scotland.

Is platform 9 3/4 real?

Platform 9 ¾ is a fictional location from the Harry Potter series, but a real-life photo spot and themed shop exist for fans at London King's Cross Station.

Is the Hogwarts Express still running?

Yes, the real-life Hogwarts Express—known as The Jacobite steam train operated by West Coast Railways—is running again in Scotland after a delayed start to the 2026 season.

Tanvi Shrivastava | Sub-Editor

Tanvi Nalin Shrivastava is a Sub-Editor at Curly Tales with 5 years of experience in digital journalism and content creation, with expertise spanning beauty, food, travel, fashion and entertainment. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Mumbai. When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her reading, talking to the camera or just binge-watching rom-coms.

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First Published: September 07, 2026 1:04 PM