4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Manchester to Reading
Cheapest price
$15
Average price
$107
Fastest journey
3 h 12 m
Average duration
3 h 15 m
Trains per day
26
Distance
241 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Reading will cost around $107 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $15.
Of the 26 trains that leave Manchester for Reading on Wed, Jul 15, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jul 15 the direct trains cover the 241 km distance in an average of 3 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 12 m .
On Wed, Jul 15 the slowest trains will take 3 h 16 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.
G010241:25 PM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)4:40 PMReading station (RDG)$151One-way0 transfers- G010272:25 PM3h19Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)5:44 PMReading station (RDG)$151One-way0 transfers
- G010099:25 AM3h12Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:37 PMReading station (RDG)$311One-way0 transfers
- G010058:25 AM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)11:40 AMReading station (RDG)$311One-way0 transfers
W34267+
V00805+
Tube from London Euston to London Paddington4:14 PM3h23Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)7:37 PMReading station (RDG)$691One-way2 transfers
- G010099:25 AM3h12Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)12:37 PMReading station (RDG)$311One-way0 transfers
- G010058:25 AM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)11:40 AMReading station (RDG)$311One-way0 transfers
- G010241:25 PM3h15Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)4:40 PMReading station (RDG)$151One-way0 transfers
- G010354:25 PM3h16Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)7:41 PMReading station (RDG)$811One-way0 transfers
- G010323:25 PM3h16Manchester Piccadilly (MAN)6:41 PMReading station (RDG)$811One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Manchester to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $20. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. 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 $20, and a flight costs an average of $87.
Distance: 149 miles (241 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$92 Average price | $64 Average price Cheapest | $165 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 37m Average total duration 3h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 31m Average total duration 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | 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 Manchester to Reading:
A bus is $28 (€23) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Reading costing on average $92 (€76).
A bus is $101 (€83) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Reading costing on average $165 (€136).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 7m.
Bus takes on average 6h 1m.
You'll arrive about 36m sooner (3h 7m by train vs 3h 43m by car). Tickets start at around $92 (€76) compared to roughly $81 (€67) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Cross Country.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Manchester to Reading train times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Reading trains for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W33952+Tube from London Euston to London Paddington+W35417 | On time 8:14 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h21 | 11:35 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2 transfers | |
| G01005 | On time 8:25 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h15 | 11:40 AM Reading station (RDG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01178+ G38870+ C16923 | Delayed 9:33 AM 8:30 AMManchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h35 | 12:05 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2 transfers | |
| W34104+G14958+Tube from London Euston to London Paddington | On time 8:34 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h19 | 11:53 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2 transfers | |
| W33888+Tube from London Euston to London Paddington+Y15402 | On time 8:54 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h22 | 12:16 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2 transfers |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Reading by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
Jul 15
Jul 16
Jul 17
Jul 18
Jul 19
Jul 20
Jul 21
Why should you book Manchester to Reading trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Manchester to Reading.
- 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Manchester to Reading.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Avanti West Coast or Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Manchester to Reading.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Manchester to Reading.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Manchester to Reading?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Manchester to Reading
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Manchester to Reading run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€25) but you can travel from only $20 (€17) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:07, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 149 miles (241 km) distance in 3h 12m.
Distance 149 miles (241 km) |
Average train duration 3h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€25) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 3h 12m |
First train 12:07 AM |
Last train 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 days |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country from Manchester to Reading trainsCrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country trains will get you between Manchester and Reading from $20 (€17). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Avanti West Coast
Cross Country
FAQs: Trains from Manchester to Reading
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester 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 popular train connections from Manchester
More options for your journey from Manchester to Reading
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Reading and Manchester
Most popular train connections to Reading
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