Cheapest
Average
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to London is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
This is the last train of the day.
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Fastest Journey
29 m
Average
55 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
59 km
Of the 5 trains that leave Reading for London every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
Distance | 36 miles (58 km) | |
Average train duration | 1 h 27 min | |
Average train ticket price | $36 (€33) | |
Train frequency | 206 a day | |
Direct train | Yes, there are 206 direct trains a day | |
Train providers | TfL Rail, South Western Railway or Great Western Railway |
Trains from Reading to London cover the 36 miles (58 km) long trip taking on average 1 h 27 min with our travel partners like TfL Rail, South Western Railway or Great Western Railway. Normally, there are 206 trains operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this trip for as low as $33 (€29), but the average price of train tickets is $36 (€33). Travelers depart most frequently from Reading and arrive in London Victoria.
You can travel by train between Reading and London with South Western Railway for as low as $33 (€29). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best trip.
South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.
Getting from Reading to London couldn't be simpler, and taking the train is the best way to travel. Trains from Reading to London leave extremely frequently, with as many as 8 trains per hour during the day. Services run direct, so there's no need to change. And with durations as short as 25 minutes, travelers can be in central London in no time.
The Reading to London route is one of the most popular journeys in the UK, and finding departure times won't be hard. Passengers can expect a choice of over 50 trains every single day, including weekdays and weekends. The frequency varies a little, but from 8:00 a.m. until around 8:00 p.m., there should be 4-8 options per hour. Early morning trips are possible, with the first trains leaving around 6:00 p.m. Travelers can leave it late, too, with the last train from Reading to London departing close to midnight.
Reading and London aren't far apart, but the journey duration varies substantially from train to train. The fastest train from Reading to London reaches London Paddington in around 25 minutes, which is much faster than any alternative transport option. Other direct services can be far slower, though, with durations rising to 1 hour 30 minutes in some instances. So check before traveling if time is short.
Departure train station: Every train from Reading to London will leave from Reading Station, which is located in the city centre. Walking is usually a good option from central locations, while Reading's bus network provides excellent coverage when arriving from the suburbs. The station features shops and a cafe, along with WiFi, restrooms, and ticket booths, so preparing to travel won't be hard.
Arrival train station: Most trains from Reading to London will arrive at London Paddington in north-west London. From there, metro services allow travelers to reach the West End, Westminster, and the City of London in 20-30 minutes, and attractions like London Zoo or Madame Tussauds are nearby. Paddington is one of London's larger terminals, with news vendors, pharmacists, eating spots, restrooms, and much more. Some services run to Waterloo, south of the River Thames. If passengers need to reach south London, that could be a better bet.
The Reading to London route is covered by a couple of carriers. Passengers can currently book tickets with either Great Western Railway or South Western Railway.
Great Western is the best carrier to choose if time really matters, as the company's trains can reach Paddington in 25 minutes. The company runs express trains every hour, along with options which take around 45 minutes, so may still be viable alternatives.
South Western runs slower stopping services, which terminate at London Waterloo. Trains leave less frequently (around once per hour at peak times), and will take just over 1 hour 20 minutes in most cases. However, they can be cheaper than those offered by Great Western.
Both Great Western and South Western allow customers to book First and Second Class seating. Expect extra-wide seats, personal power sockets, complimentary coffees, unlimited WiFi, and quiet spaces in First Class - ideal for getting some work done. Both companies are also flexible regarding luggage. Just use the special luggage racks to avoid blocking the aisles, and there should be few issues. South Western allows bikes between 10:00 a.m. and 16:45 p.m. on Waterloo bound services, while Great Western requires a reservation for bikes, which must be stored in particular carriages. As many as two dogs can be taken on South Western and Great Western, while smaller animals need to be stored in safe containers (and all dogs must be leashed). Both companies also cater for those with limited mobility. Travelers can book help via Passenger Assist if they let either company know before 10:00 p.m. on the day prior to boarding.
Traveling by train from Reading to London shouldn't be an expensive option, and savings are often available. Firstly, it's worth knowing that Great Western's express trains are more expensive than South Western's stoppers. So if travelers don't mind a slightly slowe journey, savings can be made. Otherwise, advanced booking always delivers savings on the UK rail network. There may also be seasonal savings, as well as group tickets. So explore the options via Omio, and seek out the best possible fare.
When departing from Reading, you have various train station options to start your route from including Reading, Reading West and Reading Green Park. When arriving in London, you can end your trip in train stations like London Victoria, London St Pancras International and London Euston.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Reading, which is located around 0.2 miles (417 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at London Victoria, located 1.8 miles (2.9 km) away from the city centre.
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