The cheapest and fastest buses from Edinburgh to Reading
Cheapest price
$48
Average price
$109
Fastest journey
12 h 39 m
Average duration
13 h 38 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
521 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Edinburgh to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Reading will cost around $109 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 5 buses that leave Edinburgh for Reading on Sat, Jun 20, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 521 km distance in an average of 13 h 38 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 12 h 39 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 15 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
9:40 PM15h25Edinburgh1:05 PMReading$481One-way0 transfers
9:25 PM12h48Edinburgh10:13 AMReading$921One-way0 transfers
10:05 PM12h39Edinburgh10:44 AMReading$1061One-way0 transfers
10:35 AM13h40Edinburgh12:15 AMReading$1131One-way0 transfers
9:35 AM13h40Edinburgh11:15 PMReading$1831One-way0 transfers
10:05 PM12h39Edinburgh10:44 AMReading$1061One-way0 transfers
9:25 PM12h48Edinburgh10:13 AMReading$921One-way0 transfers
10:35 AM13h40Edinburgh12:15 AMReading$1131One-way0 transfers
9:35 AM13h40Edinburgh11:15 PMReading$1831One-way0 transfers
9:40 PM15h25Edinburgh1:05 PMReading$481One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, flight, and train for Edinburgh to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $25. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $25, and a train costs an average of $58.
Distance: 323 miles (521 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$115 Average price | $146 Average price | $67 Average price Cheapest | $197 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 56m Average total duration 10h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 11m Average total duration 5h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Reading:
A flight is $48 (€39) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Edinburgh to Reading costing on average $115 (€94).
A flight is $79 (€64) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Reading costing on average $146 (€120).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 41m.
Bus takes on average 10h 26m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Edinburgh to Reading Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 13h40 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $183 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:35AM | Arrival Time 12:15AM | Duration 13h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 10:25AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $110 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 01:05PM | Duration 15h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 11:25AM | Duration 13h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $105 |
Live departures
Edinburgh to Reading bus times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Reading buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX591 · NX025 · RRRA1 | 10:35 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 13h40 | 12:15 AM Reading, Blagrave Street | 2 transfers | |
NX591 · NX030 · RRRA1 | 10:35 AM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 13h40 | 12:15 AM Reading, Blagrave Street | 2 transfers | |
NX598 · NX035 · RRRA1 | 10:05 PM Edinburgh, Bus Station | 12h40 | 10:45 AM Reading, Blagrave Street | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Reading by bus, flight, or train
Compare bus, flight, and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Why should you book Edinburgh to Reading buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Megabus or National Express to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Reading.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus, flight and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Edinburgh to Reading.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Megabus or National Express to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Reading.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, flight and train to find the ideal travel option from Edinburgh to Reading.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Edinburgh to Reading
Buses from Edinburgh to Reading run on average 4 times per day, taking around 10h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) but you can travel from only $25 (€20) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 02:24, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 323 miles (521 km) distance in 12h 35m.
Distance 323 miles (521 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 12h 35m |
First bus 2:24 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Megabus, National Express from Edinburgh to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Edinburgh to Reading with FlixBus, Megabus, National Express for as low as $25 (€20). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
FAQs: Bus from Edinburgh to Reading
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Reading by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Reading, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Megabus
- Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Megabus
- Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
- National Express
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Megabus
- One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Megabus
- Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Edinburgh to Reading
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Sandwich Shop (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station
- Bus: 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 26, 44 Trams: T50 Trains: Edinburgh Waverley Station
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Reading
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


