- Must visit
Reading Museum
Reading's main museum, famed for the Bayeux Tapestry replica, local history, Huntley & Palmers displays, and Abbey galleries.
Cheapest price
$145
Average price
$159
Fastest journey
5 h 26 m
Average duration
6 h 29 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
521 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 $159 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $145.
Of the 5 trains that leave Edinburgh for Reading on Sat, Aug 29, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 29 the direct trains cover the 521 km distance in an average of 6 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 26 m .
On Sat, Aug 29 the slowest trains will take 7 h 36 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 Edinburgh to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $38. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 5m. 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 bus costs an average of $38, and a flight costs an average of $30.
Distance: 323 miles (521 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$181 Average price | $298 Average price | $115 Average price Cheapest | $202 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 49m Average total duration 5h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 2h 5m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 12h 25m Average total duration 11h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | 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 bus is $66 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Reading costing on average $181.
A bus is $187 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Reading costing on average $302.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 19m.
Bus takes on average 11h 55m.
The journey is about 2h 5m faster (5h 19m by train vs 7h 24m by car) and roughly $20 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($181 vs $201). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Reading trains for today, Friday, August 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G01180+ G08175 | Delayed 8:36 AM 7:00 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 6h06 | 1:06 PM Reading station (RDG) | 1 transfer | |
G01184+ G08186 | Delayed 10:36 AM 9:00 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 6h06 | 3:06 PM Reading station (RDG) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, August 29 | |||||
![]() | 7:00 AM Edinburgh | 6h53 | 1:53 PM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 AM Edinburgh | 5h26 | 1:26 PM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:05 AM Edinburgh | 7h36 | 3:41 PM Reading | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Reading run on average 8 times per day, taking around 5h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $63 but you can travel from only $30 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 02:24, the last at 23:00. The fastest train covers the 323 miles (521 km) distance in 4h 48m.
Distance 323 miles (521 km) |
Average train duration 5h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 4h 48m |
First train 2:24 AM |
Last train 11:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
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 Station -> Broad Street, Reading
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Reading by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Reading, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Reading trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Reading station pair, with some services arriving at Reading Green Park. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Reading train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Haymarket is 1 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Haymarket has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Haymarket.
Wi-Fi is available at Haymarket. ATMs are available at Haymarket.
Ticket office support is available at Haymarket. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Haymarket: Parking, WC.
Available at Haymarket: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Haymarket: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Edinburgh Gateway is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Gateway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh Gateway. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Parking, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Gateway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Reading has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Reading.
ATMs are available at Reading.
Ticket office support is available at Reading.
Available at Reading: Parking, WC.
Available at Reading: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: platforms can be reached via lift and bridge, ticket office is step free, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Accessible low-level Pay Phone is available at the station main concourse. Please request staff assistance if you need to, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxi are available at the station entrance. please request staff assistance if you need to, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office and at the car park, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Reading Green Park is 3 km from Reading city centre. Public transport options include:
Reading Green Park has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading Green Park.
Reading West is 1 km from Reading city centre. Public transport options include:
Reading West has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Reading West.
Ticket office support is available at Reading West.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Reading West: Parking.
Available at Reading West: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading West: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category B3 - This station has a degree of step free access but only to Platform 1 and only if accessed via Tilehurst Road. Otherwise this station can be classified as Category C. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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