The Hogwarts Express Ride Overview
Hop aboard the Hogwarts Express at London’s Kings Cross Station or Hogsmeade Village and travel just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their way to Hogwarts. The ride also serves as a transportation shortcut between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village.
Plus, each direction of the journey provides a different ride experience, so make sure to ride both ways! Although, guests must have a park-to-park admission ticket or annual pass to experience this attraction.
Page Contents: Location | Basic Information | Our Recommendations | Photo Galleries | Fun Facts | Explore More
Location
The Hogwarts Express is a ride and form of transportation that connects Universal Studios Florida to Universal’s Islands of Adventure via two train stations. Guests can board the train at London’s King Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida or Hogsmeade Station at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Basic Ride Information
Ride Type: Train
Thrill Level: Low – Fun for all ages.
Ticket Requirement: A park-to-park admission ticket or annual pass is required to experience this attraction.
Height Requirement: No minimum height requirement, but guests under 48 inches (or 122 cm) require a supervising companion.
Child Swap: Not available.
Test Seat: Not available.
Save Time in Line: This ride accepts Universal Express passes, but does not offer a single rider line.
Ride Photo: This attraction does not offer an on-ride photo.
Loose Articles: Guests may bring loose articles and bags with them.
Accessibility:
- The queue accommodates both wheelchairs and ECV’s. Also, guests may remain seated in standard wheelchairs on the ride.
- Learn additional accessibility information on Universal Orlando’s website here.
Our Recommendations
Ride Priority: High – Plan this into your day, as long as you have a ticket that allows you to ride.
Best Time to Ride: For the shortest wait, ride during the first two hours of the day. Most guests visit this ride in the afternoon or evening as they want to switch parks and visit other attractions.
Best Seats in the House: All train cabins and accompanying seats provide the same experience.
The Hogwarts Express Photo Gallery – King’s Cross Station
(All photos copyright United Thrills.)
The Hogwarts Express Photo Gallery – Hogsmeade Station
(All photos copyright United Thrills.)
The Hogwarts Express Fun Facts
- For guests riding from Hogsmeade Station towards London’s King Cross Station, the train actually moves backwards.
- The attraction boasts two replica trains built in Switzerland and designed to look as identical as possible to the train used in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Explore Other Rides in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Diagon Alley)
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Hogsmeade)
- Flight of the Hippogriff (Hogsmeade)
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Hogsmeade)