- Must visit
The Beatles Story
Acclaimed branch of the Imperial War Museums covering modern conflict, personal stories, and the impact of war in a dramatic dock building.
Cheapest price
€20
Average price
€68
Fastest journey
7 h 55 m
Average duration
8 h 13 m
Buses per day
7
Distance
256 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Reading to Liverpool is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Liverpool will cost around €68 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €20.
Of the 7 buses that leave Reading for Liverpool on Tue, Aug 04, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 04 the direct buses cover the 256 km distance in an average of 8 h 13 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 55 m .
On Tue, Aug 04 the slowest buses will take 8 h 30 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Liverpool among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €19. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 15m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €19, and a train costs an average of €26.
Distance: 159 miles (256 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€71 Average price Cheapest | €90 Average price | €57 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 11m Average total duration 6h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 45m Average total duration Fastest 3h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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 Reading to Liverpool:
A bus is €20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Liverpool costing on average €90.
Other travel options to Liverpool take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 41m.
You'll arrive about -3h -40m sooner (6h 41m by bus vs 4h 1m by car) and save roughly €-13.89 compared to fuel and tolls (€71 vs €57). 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 Megabus.
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 FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 12:50PM | Duration 9h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:25AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 9h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €63 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:55AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €108 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 03:05PM | Duration 9h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €61 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:05AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €61 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:21AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 9h09 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €58 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05AM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €59 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:23AM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 10h02 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 10h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €56 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:56AM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 9h54 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €79 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:43AM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 10h07 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €50 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €58 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:56PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 7h49 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €74 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:03PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 8h37 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €54 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:05PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price €88 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 01:35AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €66 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:26PM | Arrival Time 01:00AM | Duration 7h34 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €111 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:43PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 8h17 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price €60 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:26PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 7h34 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €59 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 9h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price €19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:03PM | Arrival Time 05:05AM | Duration 8h02 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €84 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:03PM | Arrival Time 06:05AM | Duration 8h02 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price €68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:03PM | Arrival Time 08:35AM | Duration 9h32 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price €53 |
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Liverpool buses for today, Monday, August 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RRRA1 · NX210 · NX541 | 4:20 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 9h15 | 1:35 AM Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 2 transfers | |
RRRA1 · NX210 · NX421 | 11:03 PM Reading, Blagrave Street | 9h32 | 8:35 AM Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 2 transfers | |
| Tuesday, August 4 | |||||
![]() | 3:45 AM Reading | 9h05 | 12:50 PM Liverpool | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:55 AM Reading | 8h20 | 2:15 PM Liverpool | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:45 AM Reading | 8h30 | 8:15 PM Liverpool | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Reading to Liverpool run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 41m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €19 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:41, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 159 miles (256 km) distance in 7h 34m.
Distance 159 miles (256 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price €19 |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 7h 34m |
First bus 12:41 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Liverpool — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Liverpool trip today.
Acclaimed branch of the Imperial War Museums covering modern conflict, personal stories, and the impact of war in a dramatic dock building.
Large free museum covering archaeology, natural history, world cultures, and planetarium shows. Excellent for broad insight into the region.
Modern museum telling Liverpool’s story from port city to pop culture capital, with social history, transport, and riverfront galleries.
Scenic riverside promenade with Mersey views, public art, and access to major museums. Ideal for a relaxed walk along the waterfront.
Historic commercial street with restored warehouses, boutiques, and nightlife. Great for architecture, independent shops, and city atmosphere.
Creative district known for independent venues, street art, and converted warehouses. A good area to explore Liverpool’s contemporary culture.
A hearty beef and vegetable stew long linked with Liverpool's seafaring history. It is the city's signature comfort food and gave Liverpudlians the nickname 'Scousers'.
A baked potato filled with corned beef, a classic Merseyside chip shop and pub snack. It is a simple local favourite tied to everyday working-class food culture.
A dense spiced fruit loaf or cake served sliced with butter. Popular across Merseyside, it is a traditional teatime bake with a long local following.
Elegant fine dining restaurant by Chef Paul Askew, known for seasonal British tasting menus and polished service in a refined city-centre setting.
Stylish modern restaurant in the Baltic Triangle serving small plates and seasonal British cooking in a relaxed but ambitious setting.
Historic dining room in the Philharmonic pub, celebrated for classic British dishes and a grand traditional atmosphere with strong local character.
Moderate for UK city breaks: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while transit and casual meals are fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service is not included. Taxis: round up or add about 10%. Cafes and pubs: no tip expected, small change appreciated.
Official public transport app
Liverpool One -> Liverpool Lime Street Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Liverpool 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 Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Liverpool buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place station pair, with some services arriving at Liverpool, Liverpool One. Use this guide to compare Reading and Liverpool bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the Station (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place.
Available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Elevators, ramps.
Liverpool, Liverpool One is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, Liverpool One has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Pret A Manger (in the station), Costa Coffee (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, Liverpool One.
Available at Liverpool, Liverpool One: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, Liverpool One: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need