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From Privet Drive to Gringotts: A Magical Day at Harry Potter Studio Tour London

05 Dec 2024 by Bella

My journey into the Harry Potter world began 24 years ago, when my uncle gifted me the first book when I was 12. He worked in a bookstore at the time and gave me the first book – it was considered quite a luxury back then, so I was eager not to miss out.

After finishing the first one, I was hooked and wanted more. But the only copies available at that time were in English – so as the books got thicker, reading in my second language became more difficult. But luckily they started turning them into films, haha!

Fast forward to today, and when I finally landed in London for the first time, I convinced my husband to visit The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour. I’ll tell you what – I was one lucky Muggle! There was no way we could get tickets during the high season, but two people decided to cancel, and that’s how we got ours. The tickets are not cheap, especially when you convert them to Indonesian rupiah – it was over IDR 1 million each *crying in parseltongue*. But boy, was it worth it!

It was a dream come true for me! And in this article, I’ll share everything you need to know: ticket tips, costs, and why this magical London attraction is worth every Galleon.

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Unfortunately, the expense didn’t stop at the tickets. We also had to take a train out of London, which cost £20 per person. But the tickets did include a bus pick-up from the train station to the studio. On the bus, Draco Malfoy greeted us on screen, which definitely added to the excitement! (Not sure why him though, where’s Harry!).

The tickets have time slots, and since we arrived early, we headed to the cafeteria for some soup served in a cauldron! We were also given a passport with interactive tasks, like collecting stamps and finding golden snitches. You can choose to use an audio guide, available in several languages – and I wonder why I didn’t ask for mine in Bahasa Indonesia, just for fun, lol.

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So, we started the studio tour in the Great Hall, and then it took us through everything you could possibly imagine from the films! From Harry’s cupboard under the stairs, to Gryffindor’s common room, Hagrid’s hut, Professor Dumbledore’s office, and even the Forbidden Forest! I got to meet Aragog and the Hippogriff (and I wasn’t surprised to see all the nerdy Potterheads bowing to it, haha).

There’s also an outdoor area where you can visit Harry’s aunt and uncle’s house on Privet Drive, and the plant room where they grow Mandrakes! It was raining and cold, but that didn’t stop anyone – certainly not me, from exploring. I treated myself to some Butterbeer. You can clean the mug and take it home! Then, I continued my journey through Platform 9¾, Diagon Alley, and Gringotts. No wonder the website says it’s at least a 3-hour tour!

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It was one of the best days ever! It brought back so many wonderful childhood memories. If you’re ever in London and are a Harry Potter fan, I can’t recommend the studio tour enough. It’s totally worth the splurge. Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly!

Harry Potter Studio Tour London Summary

Planning Your Visit

Ticket Price: More less IDR 1,000,000 each
How to Save: Book 3-4 months early – slots sell fast!
Getting There: Take a £20 (approx. IDR 400,000) train from London + free shuttle bus

Magical Highlights

The Great Hall: Walk under floating candles and house banners
Privet Drive: Recreate Harry’s iconic cupboard-under-the-stairs moment
Butterbeer: Sip the creamy drink and keep the souvenir mug!
Diagon Alley & Gringotts: Walk through the dragon-guarded bank and Ollivanders’ wand shop.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely! For Potterheads, the Harry Potter Studio Tour London is a nostalgic journey through Hogwarts, Dumbledore’s office, and the Forbidden Forest. Just budget for tickets + train fares.

Bella’s Tips

Skip the audio guide (you will be visually pleased the whole time – and save money)
Arrive early for cauldron soup at the cafeteria
Wear layers in autumn/ winter – the outdoor Privet Drive area gets chilly!

Click here to buy the tickets.

Isabella – Hufflepuff

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