The cheapest and fastest trains from Reading to Liverpool
Cheapest price
$80
Average price
$119
Fastest journey
3 h 27 m
Average duration
3 h 45 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
256 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 $119 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $80.
Of the 5 trains that leave Reading for Liverpool on Sat, Dec 13, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Dec 13 the direct trains cover the 256 km distance in an average of 3 h 45 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 27 m .
On Sat, Dec 13 the slowest trains will take 4 h 9 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.










Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Reading to Liverpool
Omio recommends booking the bus 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 €49. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 17m. 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 €49, and a train costs an average of €49.
Distance: 159 miles (256 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus |
|---|---|
€96 Average price | €69 Average price Cheapest |
3h 47m Average total duration Fastest 3h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 11m Average total duration 6h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Reading to Liverpool train times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Liverpool trains for today, Friday, December 12. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C23376+ L33131 | On time 8:15 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h27 | 11:42 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 1 transfer | |
P08564+ Tube from London Paddington to London Euston+ W09869+ G55656 | On time 8:18 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h41 | 11:59 AM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
P08504+ Tube from London Paddington to London Euston+ W09541 | On time 8:30 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h33 | 12:03 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
P08432+ Tube from London Paddington to London Euston+ P00473 | On time 8:58 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h37 | 12:35 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 2 transfers | |
C23380+ L33136 | On time 9:15 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h27 | 12:42 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 1 transfer | |
P08565+ Tube from London Paddington to London Euston+ W09871+ G55659 | On time 9:16 AM Reading station (RDG) | 3h43 | 12:59 PM Liverpool Lime Street (LIV) | 4 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Reading to Liverpool by train or bus
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.
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Journey information
Overview: Train from Reading to Liverpool
Trains from Reading to Liverpool run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $61 (€49) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 01:35, the last at 20:58. The fastest train covers the 159 miles (256 km) distance in 3h 27m.
Distance 159 miles (256 km) |
Average train duration 3h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $61 (€49) |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 27m |
First train 01:35 |
Last train 20:58 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country from Reading to Liverpool trainsCrossCountry, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country trains will get you between Reading and Liverpool from $61 (€49). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
West Midlands Trains
Avanti West Coast
Cross Country
FAQs: Trains from Reading to Liverpool
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Liverpool 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 Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Reading to Liverpool
- 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 - Friday 06:25 - 12:55 Saturday 07:00 - 13:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step free Category C - This station does not have step free access to operational platforms
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible taxis: Accessible Taxis available at this station Please call our free help line for assistance.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: No
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: Platforms 2/3
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Adjacent entrance to station
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses starting/terminate at Tilehurst: Station forecourt All other buses: A329 Oxford Road bus stops near the station
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:02 - 00:02 Sunday 08:04 - 00:02 Monday - Friday 05:53 - 00:02 Saturday 05:53 - 00:02 Station staffing times may vary, please visit Merseyrail.org for up-to-date times.
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A: “This station has step free access to all platforms / the platform”Access to the Ticket Office is step free. Hunts Cross bound access is via a ramp. Liverpool bound access is via street level
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: adjacent to booking office
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0151 555 1111
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Sefton Street,Liverpool
- Type of shops available: News agent
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A: “This station has step free access to all platforms / the platform”The Ticket Office is step free via James Street only and platforms can be accessed via lifts
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: N/A
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0151 555 1111
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: James Street Station, James Street, Liverpool
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 05:25 - 00:16 Sunday 07:45 - 00:16 Station staffing times may vary, please visit Merseyrail.org for up-to-date times.
- Type of shops available: Shoe repairer Wide range of shops Convenience store Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Category A: “This station has step free access to all platforms / the platform” All platforms can be accessed via lift
- Accessible ticket machines: There are no 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on the Station Concourse. The National key toilets are located next to the public toilets on the Station Concourse; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Next to Mail entrance
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0151 555 1111
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: 32 Great Charlotte Street, Liverpool 1
Most popular train connections from Reading
More options for your journey from Reading to Liverpool
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