9.1/10
Harry Potter Studio Tour
From £86 · 3–4 hours
Yes — book the round-trip transfer ticket, allow 3–4 hours inside, and take the earliest morning slot you can on a weekday. School holidays push wait times up.
Harry Potter Studio Tour vs Madame Tussauds London: which is worth it?
Side-by-side verdict, prices and tips. We pick a winner — but both have a place if you have time.
The verdict
Winner: Madame Tussauds London
If you only have time for one, pick Madame Tussauds London. Madame Tussauds is worth it if you have kids or want a fun, low-effort London afternoon. Always book Fast Track or a combo with the London Eye — never pay walk-up rates. Harry Potter Studio Tour is still must-do, just rank it below.
6.8/10
Winner
Madame Tussauds London
From £29 · 90 mins – 2 hours
Madame Tussauds is worth it if you have kids or want a fun, low-effort London afternoon. Always book Fast Track or a combo with the London Eye — never pay walk-up rates.
Side-by-side
| Spec | Harry Potter Studio Tour | Madame Tussauds London |
|---|---|---|
| TripScore | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Verdict | Must-do | Worth it, if… |
| From | £86 | £29 |
| Value (score per £) | 0.11 | 0.23 |
| Time required | 3–4 hours | 90 mins – 2 hours |
| Setting | Indoor | Indoor |
| Best time today | 8:30am opening | 10am opening (weekdays) |
| Value for money | 8.4/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Experience | 9.6/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Crowds & wait | 7.5/10 | 5.0/10 |
Who should pick which?
Pick Harry Potter Studio Tour if…
- ✓The actual sets used to film the movies — Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express platform.
- ✓The 1:24 scale Hogwarts castle model alone is worth the trip — visible from multiple angles.
- ✓Hands-on experiences: ride a broomstick, mix potions, walk through the Forbidden Forest.
- ✓Among the highest-rated London experiences on every booking site (4.9/5).
Pick Madame Tussauds London if…
- ✓250+ wax figures including the Royals, Beckham, Taylor Swift, Marvel and Star Wars characters.
- ✓Spirit of London ride is a genuine highlight — not just a wax-figure walk-through.
- ✓Interactive zones (Marvel 4D experience, Star Wars) keep kids engaged longer.
- ✓Big combo discounts pair well with the London Eye and Sea Life.