- Must visit
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Leicester's flagship museum and gallery, known for dinosaurs, German Expressionism and broad collections for first-time visitors.
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Reading to Leicester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Nov 03
- Cheapest price on Nov 03
- €49
- Average ticket price on Nov 03
- €50
- Fastest journey on Nov 03
- 5 h 5 m
- Average journey duration on Nov 03
- 5 h 21 m
- Buses on Nov 03
- 2
- Distance
- 132 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Reading to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Leicester will cost around €50 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €49.
Fast buses
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 2 buses from Reading to Leicester, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 the direct buses cover the 132 km distance in an average of 5 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 5 m .
On Tue, Nov 03 the slowest buses will take 5 h 37 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.
5:25 AM 5h05 Reading 10:30 AM Leicester €49 1 One-way 0 transfers10:03 PM 5h37 Reading 3:40 AM Leicester €50 1 One-way 0 transfers
5:25 AM 5h05 Reading 10:30 AM Leicester €49 1 One-way 0 transfers10:03 PM 5h37 Reading 3:40 AM Leicester €50 1 One-way 0 transfers
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Reading to Leicester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Reading to Leicester run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €41 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 82 miles (132 km) distance in 4h 2m.
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
Distance 82 miles (132 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price €41 |
Buses per day 15 |
Fastest bus 4h 2m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 days |
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
Frequently asked questions about your Reading to Leicester trip
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Reading to Leicester.
Cheap bus tickets from Reading to Leicester can start from as little as €41 when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Reading to Leicester is €59 ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The earliest bus from Reading to Leicester leaves at 12:45 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Reading to Leicester leaves at 11:45 PM.
There are 15 buses a day from Reading to Leicester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer buses.
Reading to Leicester Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €55 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price €49 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 11:35AM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €65 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:22AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 5h03 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:25AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 05:05PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:25PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €78 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:44PM | Arrival Time 08:55PM | Duration 5h11 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €72 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €65 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:43PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 5h17 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:31PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 5h04 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €85 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:03PM | Arrival Time 01:55AM | Duration 4h52 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price €47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:03PM | Arrival Time 03:40AM | Duration 5h37 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:03PM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 10h12 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price €56 |
Live departures
Reading to Leicester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Leicester buses for today, Monday, November 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:03 PM Reading | 4h52 | 1:55 AM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 10:03 PM Reading | 5h37 | 3:40 AM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, November 3 | |||||
| 5:25 AM Reading | 5h05 | 10:30 AM Leicester | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Why should you book Reading to Leicester buses with Omio?
National Express operates all buses services from Reading to Leicester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Reading to Leicester.
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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Reading to Leicester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Reading to Leicester.
Bus providers: National Express from Reading to LeicesterYou can travel by bus between Reading to Leicester with National Express for as low as €41. 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 National Express Duration
4h 2m
Cheapest National Express Price
€41
National Express frequency
15 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.
Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Reading and Leicester
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
When taking a bus from Reading to Leicester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Leicester. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Reading and Leicester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Reading to Leicester:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Reading to Leicester for bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Reading to Leicester 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 {providersWithBike}.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Reading to Leicester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Reading to Leicester:
- 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 Reading to Leicester:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Reading to Leicester.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Reading to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Reading to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Reading to Leicester with the following bus company: National Express.
Complete guide to Leicester
Things to do in Leicester
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
- Must visit
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Dedicated to the 2012 discovery of Richard III, this award-winning museum uses immersive displays to tell a remarkable royal story.
- Recommended
Abbey Pumping Station
A grand Victorian pumping station with working steam heritage displays, making industrial history surprisingly engaging for all ages.
- Must visit
Old Town
Revived historic quarter around Leicester Cathedral and the Richard III story, packed with lanes, heritage sites and independent venues.
- Must visit
Abbey Park
Leicester's best-known green space, offering formal gardens, boating, sports facilities and a lively urban park atmosphere.
- Recommended
Town Hall Square
Main civic square framed by key institutions and events, useful as a central meeting point and starting place for exploring.
Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
A flaky pastry pie from nearby Melton Mowbray, traditionally made with uncured pork. It is one of Leicestershire’s best-known foods and widely eaten in Leicester.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Red Leicester Cheese
A hard, crumbly red cheese from Leicestershire with a nutty, mellow flavour. It is one of England’s oldest named cheeses and a proud regional staple.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Stilton
A blue-veined Stilton-style cheese made in Leicestershire. Rich and creamy, it is strongly linked to the county’s cheesemaking tradition.
John's House
Modern British fine dining with tasting menus in an intimate setting. One of Leicester’s most acclaimed restaurants for special occasions.
Herb
Well-known modern Indian restaurant serving refined regional dishes and grills in a smart, contemporary dining room.
Shivalli
Long-established vegetarian Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile, known for Gujarati snacks, thalis and a lively casual atmosphere.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for most visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.50-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is not expected, but small change is appreciated.
Plan your visit to Leicester
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Leicester.
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 Leicester, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like markets and public transport. Common scams include overcharging by taxi drivers who are not licensed and street vendors selling counterfeit goods. Staying vigilant in busy spots and using licensed services helps ensure a safer visit.
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.
FAQs: Bus from Reading to Leicester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Reading and Leicester including taking a train and bus.
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.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Reading to Leicester
Most Reading to Leicester buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Leicester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Reading
Arrival bus stations in Leicester
Which Reading station do buses to Leicester leave from?
Buses from Reading to Leicester leave from Reading, Blagrave Street. The station is from Reading city centre at Reading RG1 1PZ, UK.
Reading, Blagrave StreetReading RG1 1PZ, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Reading, Blagrave Street from Reading city centre
Bus19a, 19c · 1h 21m · €2
Reading, Blagrave Street bus station facilities and services
Reading, Blagrave Street has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading, Blagrave Street: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station
City-centre transport
Getting to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station from Leicester city centre
BusHop · 0m · €2 · every ~14 min
26 · 1m · every ~10 min
21 · 4m
Most popular bus connections from Reading
More options for your journey from Reading to Leicester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Leicester and Reading
Most popular bus connections to Leicester
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