The cheapest and fastest trains from Reading to Bolton
Cheapest price
$80
Average price
$210
Fastest journey
4 h 46 m
Average duration
5 h 23 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
256 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Bolton will cost around $210 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $80.
Of the 3 trains that leave Reading for Bolton on Mon, Dec 22, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 22 the direct trains cover the 256 km distance in an average of 5 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 46 m .
On Mon, Dec 22 the slowest trains will take 6 h 33 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.






Reading - BoltonCompare CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast


Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Reading to Bolton
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €60. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €60, and a flight costs an average of €60.
Distance: 159 miles (256 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€118 Average price | €71 Average price Cheapest | €164 Average price |
3h 54m Average total duration 3h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 13m Average total duration 4h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Reading to Bolton train times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Bolton trains for today, Sunday, December 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C72315+ L08399 | On time 11:15 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h51 | 3:06 PM Bolton station (BON) | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, December 22 | |||||
![]() | 1:24 AM Reading | 6h33 | 7:57 AM Bolton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:31 AM Reading | 4h50 | 8:21 AM Bolton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:35 AM Reading | 4h46 | 8:21 AM Bolton | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Reading to Bolton 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.
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Why should you book Reading to Bolton trains with Omio?
CrossCountry as well as Avanti West Coast and Cross Country offer trains services from Reading to Bolton. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Reading to Bolton.
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 and Cross Country to find the best option for your trip from Reading to Bolton.
- 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 Reading to Bolton.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While CrossCountry tickets can be bought on CrossCountry's website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Avanti West Coast and Cross Country to help you choose the right option for your journey from Reading to Bolton.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Reading to Bolton.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Reading to Bolton
Trains from Reading to Bolton run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $80 (€64) but you can travel from only $75 (€60) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 02:24, the last at 20:12. The fastest train covers the 159 miles (256 km) distance in 3h 39m.
Distance 159 miles (256 km) |
Average train duration 3h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price $80 (€64) |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 3h 39m |
First train 02:24 |
Last train 20:12 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country from Reading to Bolton trainsCrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country trains will get you between Reading and Bolton from $75 (€60). 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 Reading to Bolton
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Reading to Bolton
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:15 - 22:45 Saturday 05:30 - 22:45 Sunday 07:15 - 22:45 Please note: Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Mon - Sat 08:00 - 20:00 and Sun 09:00 - 20:00
- Car Park: Multi Storey Car Park
- 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
- Toilets Location: Toilets are located on Station Platforms and in The Brunel Arcade building
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front of station, underground short stay car park and long stay car park.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the North side of the station
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 10:45 Saturday - Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Towards Reading: Bus Stop on Oxford Road under Railway Bridge. Heading away from Reading Bus Stop on Oxford Road, outside McDonalds.
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:00 - 21:00 Sunday 08:15 - 19:30
- Type of shops available: Newsagent
- Car Park: Parking is not available.
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A Station, this station is scooter friendly, a scooter permit is required for travel, Level access through the ticket barriers to an overpass and via lifts to all platforms. Lifts available from first to last trains
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: A key is available from the Station Supervisor and at the News Stand upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: platforms 3 & 4
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Newport Street stop, at stand AA
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category C Station, Platforms are both accessed via a long set of step from street level, there is no step free route to the platforms.
- Accessible public telephones: The highest operating part of the telephone is 1140 mm above floor level.
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Onward travel information: On Crompton Way for buses to Bolton or Halliwell. Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at bus stops on Crompton Way, under railway bridge (Nearside for Blackburn, Farside for Bolton)
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday 06:25 - 19:35 Saturday,Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category B station, Level access from car park (22 paces, 1:12 slope) and Booking office to Bolton/Manchester platform. For services to Preston, separate ramped access (96 paces, 1:10 slope) from Rumworth Road overbridge onto the platform.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Onward travel information: There are no bus stops at or nearby this station. Busline 0871 200 2233
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up at the top of the station car park.
- Metro: GMPTE 0161 228 7811
Most popular train connections from Reading
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