So, you’re standing in the middle of King’s Cross Station, looking like a bit of a lost tourist with your phone out. You're looking for it. That specific brick wall. Honestly, you aren’t alone. Thousands of people descend on this London landmark every single day specifically to find a platform that, technically, shouldn't be there. Platform 9 3/4 has become more than just a bit of trivia from a book series; it’s a full-blown cultural pilgrimage site.
But here’s the thing: most people actually get the location wrong. Or at least, they get the history of the location wrong.
Where is Platform 9 3/4 actually located?
If you walk into the main concourse of King's Cross today, you’ll see a massive queue of people. They’re waiting to grab a scarf, hold onto a luggage trolley that’s "vanishing" into a wall, and get a professional photo. This spot is located in the Western Concourse. It’s right next to the Harry Potter Shop.
It’s convenient. It’s free to visit. It’s great for the 'gram. But it isn't where the movies were filmed.
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See, back when the first film was being made, the crew realized that Platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross were actually separated by tracks, not a brick wall. That makes running through them a bit... terminal. To fix this, they actually filmed the scenes between Platforms 4 and 5. If you have a train ticket and head over to those platforms, you’ll see the sturdy brick arches that look exactly like the ones Harry and the Weasleys ran through.
Why the Western Concourse?
The station underwent a massive renovation that finished around 2012. Before that, the "trolley in the wall" was moved around a few times. It used to be in a much more cramped, dingy hallway. Now, it has its own dedicated space under the fancy semi-shell roof of the new concourse. It’s much easier to find, though the wait times can be brutal. If you’re visiting on a Saturday afternoon, expect to wait an hour or more just for that ten-second photo op.
J.K. Rowling’s hilarious geographical mix-up
There is a bit of a legend regarding how the platform number came to be. Rowling has admitted in several interviews—including a famous one for the BBC—that she actually confused King’s Cross with Euston Station.
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She was living in Manchester at the time and was visualizing the layout of Euston when she wrote about Harry’s first trip to Hogwarts. In Euston, platforms 9 and 10 are adjacent and separated by a wall. In the real King’s Cross? Not so much. But "Platform 9 3/4 at Euston" just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
King's Cross is the much more beautiful building anyway. Especially that Victorian facade. Funnily enough, even the movies cheated a bit here. When you see the exterior of the station in the films (like when the Ford Anglia takes off in Chamber of Secrets), you’re actually looking at St Pancras International, the red-brick gothic masterpiece right next door. King’s Cross has a much more "functional" look from the outside, which apparently wasn't "magical" enough for the big screen.
Tips for visiting without the stress
If you’re planning to go, don't just wing it.
- Timing is everything. The official photo spot with the professional photographers (and the free scarf-throwing assistants) usually operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (closing a bit earlier on Sundays).
- The "Secret" Photo. You don't actually have to pay for the professional photo. You can have a friend snap one on your phone for free while the pros are doing their thing. They’re surprisingly chill about it.
- Skip the line. If you just want to see the spot and don't care about being in the photo, you can just walk up and look. There’s no gate or fee to just stand in the concourse.
- The Shop. The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 is designed to look like Ollivander’s. It’s tiny and gets packed. If you’re claustrophobic, maybe skip the interior and just look at the window displays.
Basically, if you go at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday, you’ll have the place almost to yourself. If you go at 2:00 PM on a bank holiday? Good luck. You'll be surrounded by hundreds of people and probably a few very confused commuters trying to catch their actual train to Cambridge.
What most people get wrong about the "Wall"
In the books, the barrier is described as a solid metal barrier, not necessarily just a brick wall. In the movies, they went with the brick archway because it looks more cinematic. Because of this, the "official" tourist spot is a brick wall.
It's also worth noting that the station staff are very used to this. If you ask a random platform guard "Where is Harry Potter?" they will point you toward the Western Concourse with a practiced, slightly tired smile. They've heard it a million times.
Actionable steps for your visit
If you're actually going to King's Cross to find Platform 9 3/4, follow these steps to make it worth the trip:
- Arrive via the Underground. Take the Tube to King's Cross St. Pancras. Follow the signs for "National Rail" and "Platforms 9-11."
- Check the queue first. If the line is past the "Disabled Meeting Point" sign, you're looking at at least a 45-minute wait. Decide if the photo is worth it or if you'd rather just browse the shop.
- Visit the real filming spot. If you have a valid train ticket (or a cheap platform ticket), head over to the area between Platforms 4 and 5. This is where the actual movie magic happened. It's much quieter and feels more "authentic" to the films.
- Walk over to St Pancras. Once you're done at the platform, walk outside and look at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. That’s the "Hogwarts" exterior you recognize from the flying car scenes.
- Check the shop hours. They usually align with the photo spot, but it’s best to double-check on the official Harry Potter Shop website if you're looking for specific merchandise like personalized wands or house robes.