- Recommended
Gatwick Aviation Museum
Local aviation museum at Gatwick displaying airport and aircraft history. A strong choice for understanding the area’s defining industry.
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Reading to Horley among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $38 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 0m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $38, while a bus costs an average of $64.
Distance: 40 miles (65 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$38 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price | $19 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 17m Average total duration 1h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Horley:
A train is $26 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Reading to Horley costing on average $64.
Other travel options to Horley take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 47m.
Tickets start at around $38 compared to roughly $19 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-19.10. The journey takes 1h 30m versus 1h 17m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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.
Trains from Reading to Horley run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $38 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:14, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 40 miles (65 km) distance in 1h 15m.
Distance 40 miles (65 km) |
Average train duration 1h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 1h 15m |
First train 12:14 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Horley — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Horley trip today.
Local aviation museum at Gatwick displaying airport and aircraft history. A strong choice for understanding the area’s defining industry.
Major county museum in nearby Reigate with archaeology, art, and local history collections in a historic setting.
Museum in Crawley tracing local heritage from ancient times to the new town era. Good for broader regional context.
Horley’s principal green space with play areas, sports facilities, and paths. A popular everyday park for relaxing outdoors.
Landscaped park with lakes and walking routes beside Gatwick. Excellent for plane spotting, exercise, and accessible fresh air.
Riverside green corridor with paths and wildlife interest. A pleasant local walk that contrasts with nearby airport activity.
A classic full English breakfast with eggs, sausages, bacon, beans, mushrooms and toast. A staple across Surrey and Sussex area pubs, cafés and hotels.
Beer-battered local cod or haddock with chips. A beloved British comfort meal commonly eaten in Horley pubs and takeaways near Gatwick.
Sausages served with mashed potatoes and onion gravy. This hearty pub dish is a long-standing everyday favourite in southern England.
Well-regarded contemporary Indian restaurant serving polished curries and tandoori dishes in a smart, comfortable setting in Horley.
Historic pub and hotel in central Horley known for British pub classics, cask ales and a traditional atmosphere close to the station.
Popular Turkish restaurant offering grilled meats, meze and warm service in a relaxed dining room near Horley town centre.
Moderate for South East England. Hotels near Gatwick can be pricey, but dining and local transit are generally similar to other UK airport towns.
Restaurants often add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, round up or tip 10%. Taxis: round up. Cafes: small change optional.
Official public transport app
Horley Railway Station -> Horley Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Horley 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 Horley, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Horley trains use the Reading to Gatwick Airport station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Horley train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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 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.
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.
Horley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Horley.
Wi-Fi is available at Horley. ATMs are available at Horley.
Ticket office support is available at Horley.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Horley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Horley: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Horley: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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