Jacobite Steam Train Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Jacobite Steam Train. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour From Edinburgh

• 3-Day Isle of Skye, 'Hogwarts Express' Train, and Highlands Tour

• 6 Day Outer Hebrides, Isle of Skye, and Optional 'Hogwarts Express'

• The Magical Highland Tour Including the Jacobite Steam Train Journey

A ride on the Jacobite Steam Train, which only runs at warmer times of year, costs £69 for an adult day return or £105 in first class, and £39 for children aged 16 or less (£69 in first class), plus a £3.75 booking fee. Many travelers opt to view the train as it steams along the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a scene that’s instantly recognizable as the Hogwarts Express—and completely free to enjoy.

Yes, the Jacobite Steam Train is certainly worth seeing. Train enthusiasts love to spend the day traveling from Fort William to Mallaig and back through sculpted Highland scenery. Watching the train chunter along the Glenfinnan Viaduct as it curves past Loch Shiel is not just a rite of passage for Harry Potter fans but one of the signature Highland photo opportunities. Joining a tour with a guide who understands traffic and the train schedule can help ensure you capture the moment (when the train is running) and also open up other top Highland attractions.

Per one customer who booked the Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, and Fort William tour, "The entire tour was an absolute marvel of an experience. Yes it was long and yes it did rain but that did not stop the group and myself from having a blast! Tour was riddled with jokes and vast amounts of Scotland information from our outgoing tour guide throughout the trip. Each stop was a story of its own, from seeing the fluffy cows, or the stunning highland glens, to seeing the Hogwarts Express go by. 1000% recommend this tour and I hope you can experience it better!!"

Yes, the Jacobite Steam Train is round-trip. The entire journey covers 84 miles (135 kilometers) and takes you through some of the most scenic parts of the western reaches of Scotland, including Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. It also passes by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland.

The round-trip ride on the Jacobite Steam Train takes about four hours, or two hours for the outbound portion and two hours for the return. However, the train ride includes a 90-minute break in the town of Mallaig. Budget around six hours for the complete experience.

You can book Jacobite Steam Train tickets online or over the telephone. It's a good idea to book in advance. Occasionally you can buy same-day tickets for the train, depending on availability. You can buy same-day tickets directly from the guard on the platform, but only with cash.

Yes, you can bring your own food aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, and eating is allowed onboard. If you forget to pack something or prefer to see what the train has to offer, head to the buffet carriage, where you can buy tea, coffee, and snacks.

Yes, there are toilets on the Jacobite Steam Train. All carriages have toilets on each end, and all are equipped with sinks and soap. Just note that you won't be able to use the toilet while the train is stopped at stations, except in emergency cases.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done with the Jacobite Steam Train. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Scottish Highlands:

• Isle of Skye

• Glencoe

• Fort Augustus

• Loch Ness

• Cairngorms National Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Scottish Highlands.