- Must visit
Reading Museum
Reading's main museum, famed for the Bayeux Tapestry replica, local history, Huntley & Palmers displays, and Abbey galleries.
Cheapest price
Kč407
Average price
Kč1255
Fastest journey
2 h 41 m
Average duration
2 h 50 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
61 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Luton to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Reading will cost around Kč1255 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only Kč407.
Of the 8 buses that leave Luton for Reading on Wed, Aug 05, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 61 km distance in an average of 2 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 41 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 3 h 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from Kč464. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 24m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of Kč464, and a bus costs an average of Kč380.
Distance: 37 miles (61 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
Kč1373 Average price | Kč1000 Average price Cheapest | Kč350 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 42m Average total duration 2h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Luton to Reading:
A train is Kč373 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Luton to Reading costing on average Kč1373.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 12m.
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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50AM | Arrival Time 05:11AM | Duration 3h21 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1297 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:50AM | Arrival Time 05:42AM | Duration 2h52 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price Kč1203 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:35AM | Arrival Time 06:47AM | Duration 3h12 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price Kč1440 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:50AM | Arrival Time 06:42AM | Duration 2h52 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price Kč1205 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 07:47AM | Duration 3h12 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price Kč1361 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00AM | Arrival Time 07:40AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price Kč1426 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:35AM | Arrival Time 08:17AM | Duration 2h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1617 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:05AM | Arrival Time 09:06AM | Duration 3h01 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price Kč1393 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 09:12AM | Duration 2h52 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price Kč1458 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 11:15AM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price Kč1393 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:40AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1297 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 02:16PM | Duration 2h56 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price Kč1558 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:25AM | Arrival Time 02:06PM | Duration 2h41 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1297 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 03:28PM | Duration 3h13 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1617 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:49PM | Duration 3h19 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1425 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:25PM | Arrival Time 06:46PM | Duration 3h21 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price Kč1425 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price Kč1426 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price Kč1297 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 07:09PM | Duration 2h59 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price Kč1458 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 07:38PM | Duration 2h28 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price Kč1458 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 08:02PM | Duration 2h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price Kč1393 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 08:47PM | Duration 2h47 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price Kč1440 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 09:47PM | Duration 2h47 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1297 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 12:15AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price Kč1308 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:10PM | Arrival Time 12:15AM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1425 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price Kč407 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 04:11AM | Duration 5h36 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price Kč1655 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:35PM | Arrival Time 05:11AM | Duration 5h36 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price Kč1393 |
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Reading buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX230 · RRRA1 | 3:25 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h21 | 6:46 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · RRRA1 | 4:05 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h20 | 7:25 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · RRRA1 | 5:20 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h42 | 8:02 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 transfer | |
NX230 · RRRA1 | 7:00 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h47 | 9:47 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 transfer | |
NX231 · RRRA1 | 9:10 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h05 | 12:15 AM Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 transfer | |
NXA2 · NXA40 · RRRA1 | 11:35 PM Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h36 | 5:11 AM Reading, Blagrave Street | 2 transfers | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 2:50 AM Luton | 2h52 | 5:42 AM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:35 AM Luton | 3h12 | 6:47 AM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:50 AM Luton | 2h52 | 6:42 AM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:35 AM Luton | 3h12 | 7:47 AM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:40 AM Luton | 3h05 | 12:45 PM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:25 AM Luton | 2h41 | 2:06 PM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Buses from Luton to Reading run on average 18 times per day, taking around 2h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at Kč380 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 37 miles (61 km) distance in 2h 37m.
Distance 37 miles (61 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price Kč380 |
Buses per day 18 |
Fastest bus 2h 37m |
First bus 12:50 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Reading — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Reading trip today.
Reading's main museum, famed for the Bayeux Tapestry replica, local history, Huntley & Palmers displays, and Abbey galleries.
Modern art gallery in the civic centre showing changing exhibitions by regional and national artists in a central, accessible space.
University museum with strong agriculture, countryside, and design collections. Popular for families and one of Reading's standout visits.
Large central park with formal gardens, Thames views, and the iconic Maiwand Lion. A classic place to stroll or relax near downtown.
Historic quarter around the Abbey ruins, museum, and Forbury Gardens. Ideal for understanding Reading's origins on a compact walking route.
Riverside nature reserve and meadow walk beside the Thames. Peaceful paths and wildlife make it a favorite local escape close to the centre.
A Berkshire classic of smoked haddock in a creamy parsley sauce. Traditionally linked to Windsor and widely associated with the wider county.
A rich fruit cake made with currants, butter, eggs, sugar and mixed spice. A long-standing Berkshire tea-time bake.
A soft yeasted bun spiced with caraway and filled with currants, candied peel and sugar. Traditionally baked in Berkshire and nearby counties.
Polished fine dining restaurant known for seasonal British tasting menus and refined service in an elegant central Reading setting.
Popular Reading institution for Lebanese and Middle Eastern plates, known for generous mezze and a lively, casual atmosphere.
Well-regarded independent restaurant serving British and European dishes with seasonal ingredients in a relaxed modern dining room.
Reading is pricier than many UK towns. Hotels and dining are above average, but rail and local buses are manageable for most visitors.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafes usually do not require tipping.
Official public transport app
Reading, Blagrave Street -> Reading Station, Reading
National Express is the sole provider of buses from Luton to Reading. Monday to Friday, the company lays on around 40 departures a day, starting at 2:05 a.m. and continuing to 10:05 p.m. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. there are three departures an hour, dropping to roughly one an hour from 6:30 p.m. onwards. Weekends follow a similar pattern but the last bus is earlier at 8:10 p.m. Journeys generally involve one change and take about 3 hours.
Buses from Luton to Reading depart from the National Express Luton Town coach stop, located at the town centre Bus Interchange, next to the railroad station, within easy walking distance of the Mall Shopping Centre, and 5 minutes by bus or bicycle from the University of Bedfordshire campus. Being based at the Interchange, the Luton Town coach stop is readily accessible by numerous bus routes across the local area. The bus service ceases operation between 12:15 am and 5:46 am.
Reading is a thriving university town, with a well attended music festival which takes place every year on the August bank Vacation weekend, an annual five day beer festival, and a vibrant performance arts scene. Buses from Luton terminate at the RailAir Coach Stop, which is situated near the South-West entrance to Reading railroad Station at the end of Gerrard Street. The station is centrally located for the town's attractions, with the Riverside Leisure Centre and Oracle Shopping Centre both within a 10 minutes' walk or short bus ride away, and the University of Reading's London Road Campus less than 1 mile to the south. Directly opposite the coach station there are three bus stops and more slightly further on, on Station Road, while cabs can be found at the rank by the railroad Station's Caversham Road exit.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton 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.

Most Luton to Reading buses use the Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Luton and Reading bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Luton, Station Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food options nearby.
WiFi is available at nearby facilities. ATMs are aTM available within short walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Station Interchange.
Available at Luton, Station Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Station Interchange: Ramps and accessible routes available for wheelchairs.
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) is 3 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney). ATMs are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Limited accessibility.
Reading, Blagrave Street has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading, Blagrave Street: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need