Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 is an Inexpensive Alternative to Hogwarts

What better place to begin your tour of London than Harry Potter’s Secret Hogwarts Express entrance at Platform 9 3/4.

How and where do I find Platform 9 ¾?

The Harry Potter books place Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station in London.

King’s Cross Station is where Harry Potter and the gang access the Hogwarts Express Train on their journey to The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

First we need to find out if there is an actual train station with this name or if it’s a fictional name decided upon by the J.K. Rowling, the author.

Is King’s Cross an actual train station in London?

Looking at a map I see that King’s Cross Station does exist so let’s start there.

I’m not staying in London, but in a East Grinstead, a village on the outskirts of London. With London’s fantastic train system there’s no need to rent a car or take a bus. The train station in this little town connects directly with London.

50 minutes later I arrive at King’s Cross Station.

Now I need to locate Platform 9 and ¾.

Hmmm…where could Platform 9 3/4 be? I’m thinking… perhaps between Platform 9 and 10?

I follow the platform numbers and as I approach Platform 9, I spot a line of people. Yes, that’s it. A line has formed under a sign on the brick wall which marks the location of Platform 9 and 3/4.

Under the Platform 9 3/4 sign sits the back half of a luggage laden trolley. What’s this for?

Ah ha! It’s a trolley made to look as if the other half has gone through the magic entrance. People are in line are waiting to snap a photograph of themselves rolling the trolley down platform 9¾ hoping to make it through the magical entrance.

You see, Platform 9 3/4 is used exclusively by the Hogwarts Express train to transport students and staff to the Hogwarts School of Wizardry.

Students and staff load their luggage onto trolleys and make a mad dash towards the brick wall. It magically opens for wizards only!

Muggles (people with no magical powers) can’t get through, but it doesn’t stop us from trying.

If you, or anyone you know, is a Harry Potter fan it’s definitely worth the wait to take this iconic photograph.

You’ll choose from one of four scarves to wear in the photo. Each scarf has a specific representation.

Let me explain.

When a student first arrives at Hogwarts School they are sorted into four groups called houses.

The houses compete with each other through quidditch games and other measures of competence.

Each house looks for students with specific personal qualities.

• House Gryffindor: Bravery. …
• House Hufflepuff: Empathy. …
• House Ravenclaw: Intelligence. …
• House Slytherin: Ambition.

If you are taking the photo for a special child in your life, make sure you first find out to which Hogwarts house they belong. This is very important!

Harry Potter fans are very particular about which house they belong to. Don’t get yourself in trouble by choosing the wrong one!

For the best effect, jump, or raise up one leg so it appears that you are flying. Try to make your scarf look as if it’s billowing and allow it to trail behind you.

As of this writing, you are allowed to take your own photo or pay a fee to have a professional photographer memorialize the moment. The fee structure may change so check before you go.

Once you’ve taken your photo, walk next door to the Harry Potter store.

Harry Potter fans can easily spend an hour perusing all the fun items.  The layout of the store makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. Start at the back wall. It’s arranged by houses.

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Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Gryffindor Slytherin

Of which house do you see yourself a member? Show your house pride and outfit yourself in full house garb.

Start at the back wall where each house presents its own en clave. This is the Gryffindor’s.

I’m partial to Gryffindor, so I’ll begin my transformation to Hogwarts student with the iconic robe embellished with Gryffindor’s crest, then add a sweater with Griffindor’s colors of burgundy and gold. Next, I finish off my outfit with Hogwarts iconic striped scarf, hat and gloves. 

I sling my Gryffindor themed backpack over my shoulders and grab a Gryffindor umbrella.  I’m now ready to step out onto Britain’s rainy landscape as a full-fledged student of Hogwarts.

(Actually I didn’t buy any of these things I was just trying to present a visual.)

There is more! Other than the clothing, the Harry Potter store at Platform 9 and 3/4 sells themed collectibles on many Harry Potter icons.

Even Dobby the house elf has his own collection including a Dobby doll

You can find t-shirts, totes, pens, socks, you name it, on the following themes.

• Dobby
• The Marauder’s Map
• Fantastic Beasts
• Cursed child
• Enchanted key collection
• Deathly Hallows
• Hedwig

Choose something from the selection of collectibles, souvenirs, memorabilia, and more.

Many of the products are exclusive, and can only be found in this location, so get them while you can!

I’d like to get myself an outfit just for fun, but if you’re a lightweight traveler using only a small backpack as luggage you know that it’s just not feasible.

Not wanting to come out of the store empty-handed, I opted for a collection of pencils being sure to include a few from each house.

Harry Potter pencils make lightweight and inexpensive gifts

Would you like to add some whimsy to your travel? Adorn your luggage with a Platform 9 and 3/4 luggage tag for less than $10.

Or purchase a Travelling to Hogwarts passport cover for under $20. (Note that travelling is spelled with two L’s because that’s the British spelling, whereas the American English uses only one L.)

The Harry Potter Shop is a fun and memorable experience, but I’m off to see what else London has to offer. As I exit the train station I find out that I came on the right day.

Once a week you can find the Real Food Market stationed outside King’s Cross. 

A dozen or so vendors sell their homemade fresh, top-quality artisan food. Choose from cured meats, brownies, breads, pies and decadent pastries.

Check before you go to see which day of the week presents these offerings.

Depending on what time of the day you visit Platform 9 and 3/4, the artisan market is the perfect place to stop for breakfast or lunch.

Not quite ready for a meal, or you missed the market?

Continue down the street and grab a meal and a pint at this unusual lunch spot, a place where you will want to spend several hours. You can read all about it in my next post.