London Stansted Airport to Reading bus with National Express

Sat, May 02
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The cheapest and fastest buses from London Stansted Airport to Reading

Showing times and prices for May 02

Cheapest price

$68

Average price

$73

Fastest journey

3 h 10 m

Average duration

4 h 17 m

Buses per day

4

Distance

98 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from London Stansted Airport to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from London Stansted Airport to Reading will cost around $73 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $68.

Fast buses

Of the 4 buses that leave London Stansted Airport for Reading on Sat, May 02, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Sat, May 02 the direct buses cover the 98 km distance in an average of 4 h 17 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 10 m .

On Sat, May 02 the slowest buses will take 5 h 20 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.

  • National Express
    7:15 PM3h21
    London Stansted Airport
    10:36 PMReading
    $681One-way
    0 transfers
  • National Express
    2:30 AM3h10
    London Stansted Airport
    5:40 AMReading
    $731One-way
    0 transfers
  • National Express
    10:45 AM5h20
    London Stansted Airport
    4:05 PMReading
    $761One-way
    0 transfers
  • National Express
    10:50 AM5h15
    London Stansted Airport
    4:05 PMReading
    $761One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus and train for London Stansted Airport to Reading

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Stansted Airport to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 2m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $26, and a bus costs an average of $64.

Distance: 60 miles (98 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train

$73

Average price

$60

Average price

Cheapest

3h 7m

Average total duration

2h 37m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 32m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 2m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

Greater Anglia

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

London Stansted Airport to Reading Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
02:30AM
Arrival Time
05:41AM
Duration
3h11
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$93
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
04:45AM
Arrival Time
08:17AM
Duration
3h32
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$75
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
06:40AM
Arrival Time
10:05AM
Duration
3h25
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$78
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:00AM
Arrival Time
12:05PM
Duration
3h05
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$76
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
10:15AM
Arrival Time
01:26PM
Duration
3h11
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$83
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
01:15PM
Arrival Time
04:49PM
Duration
3h34
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$84
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
02:55PM
Arrival Time
06:09PM
Duration
3h14
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$76
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
05:15PM
Arrival Time
08:47PM
Duration
3h32
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$76
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
07:25PM
Arrival Time
10:46PM
Duration
3h21
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$72
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
11:50PM
Arrival Time
05:11AM
Duration
5h21
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$76

Live departures

London Stansted Airport to Reading bus times

The table below shows live departures for London Stansted Airport to Reading buses for today, Friday, May 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_express10:20 AM London Stansted Airport
5h08
3:28 PM Reading0 transfersDirect
national_express10:40 AM London Stansted Airport
5h29
4:09 PM Reading0 transfersDirect
national_express10:50 AM London Stansted Airport
5h19
4:09 PM Reading0 transfersDirect
national_express2:55 PM London Stansted Airport
3h14
6:09 PM Reading0 transfersDirect
national_express11:50 PM London Stansted Airport
5h20
5:10 AM Reading0 transfersDirect
national_express2:30 AM London Stansted Airport
3h10
5:40 AM Reading0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets London Stansted Airport to Reading by bus or train

Compare bus 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.

Sat
May 02
Sun
May 03
Mon
May 04
Tue
May 05
Wed
May 06
Thu
May 07
Fri
May 08

Why should you book London Stansted Airport to Reading buses with Omio?

National Express operates all buses services from London Stansted Airport to Reading.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London Stansted Airport to Reading.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • 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 National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London Stansted Airport to Reading.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from London Stansted Airport to Reading.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from London Stansted Airport to Reading run on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 37m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $64 (€51) but you can travel from only $26 (€21) by train.

The earliest bus runs at 02:30, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 60 miles (98 km) distance in 3h 5m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from $26 (€21)
Distance
60 miles (98 km)
Average bus duration
2h 37m
Cheapest ticket price
$64 (€51)
Buses per day
13
Fastest bus
3h 5m
First bus
2:30 AM
Last bus
11:50 PM
Cheapest Month
Mar
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Mon
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from $26 (€21)

Bus providers: National Express from London Stansted Airport to ReadingYou can travel by bus between London Stansted Airport to Reading with National Express for as low as $26 (€21). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 5m
Cheapest Price
$64 (€51)
National Express frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

FAQs: Bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Stansted Airport 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.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from London Stansted Airport to Reading can start from as little as $64 (€51) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for London Stansted Airport to Reading is $73 (€59) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading is 3h 5m to travel the 60 miles (98 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading leaves at 2:30 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading leaves at 11:50 PM.
There are 13 buses a day from London Stansted Airport to Reading which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
When taking a bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Reading. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between London Stansted Airport and Reading and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A trip to Reading from London Stansted Airport is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3h 5m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London Stansted Airport and Reading including taking a bus and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading for bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from London Stansted Airport to Reading depends on the bus companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from London Stansted Airport to Reading:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from London Stansted Airport to Reading:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading with the following bus company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading with the following bus company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from London Stansted Airport to Reading with the following bus company: National Express.
Since neither London Stansted Airport nor Reading are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from London Stansted Airport to Reading among Omio's users.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Reading, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in crowded areas and on public transportation. Common scams include overcharging by taxis and unofficial tour guides. Staying vigilant in busy spots and using licensed services helps ensure safety.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from London Stansted Airport to Reading

London
Reading
Reading, Blagrave StreetAccessibility
Amenities at bus station
AccessibilityAccessibility
information
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
HomeBusesBuses in United KingdomBus tickets to ReadingLondon Stansted Airport to Reading bus

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