The cheapest and fastest trains from Reading to Plymouth
Cheapest price
$92
Average price
$133
Fastest journey
2 h 34 m
Average duration
2 h 41 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
253 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Plymouth is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Plymouth will cost around $133 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
Of the 6 trains that leave Reading for Plymouth on Tue, Jul 21, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jul 21 the direct trains cover the 253 km distance in an average of 2 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 34 m .
On Tue, Jul 21 the slowest trains will take 2 h 45 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.
W3479711:29 AM2h44Reading station (RDG)2:13 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$921One-way0 transfers
G1498312:31 PM2h42Reading station (RDG)3:13 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$921One-way0 transfers
C48562 · W34817 · W348191:11 PM5h06Reading West (RDW)6:17 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$931One-way2 transfers
W3479110:29 AM2h34Reading station (RDG)1:03 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$1391One-way0 transfers
W347828:29 AM2h41Reading station (RDG)11:10 AMPlymouth station (PLY)$1901One-way0 transfers
W3479110:29 AM2h34Reading station (RDG)1:03 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$1391One-way0 transfers
W347828:29 AM2h41Reading station (RDG)11:10 AMPlymouth station (PLY)$1901One-way0 transfers
G1498312:31 PM2h42Reading station (RDG)3:13 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$921One-way0 transfers
W3479711:29 AM2h44Reading station (RDG)2:13 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$921One-way0 transfers
G149899:29 AM2h45Reading station (RDG)12:14 PMPlymouth station (PLY)$1901One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Reading to Plymouth
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Plymouth among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $54. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 47m. 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 train costs an average of $54, and a bus costs an average of $23.
Distance: 157 miles (253 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$86 Average price Cheapest | $99 Average price | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 17m Average total duration Fastest 2h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 19m Average total duration 5h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg 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 Plymouth:
A train is $13 (€11) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Reading to Plymouth costing on average $99 (€81).
Other travel options to Plymouth take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 49m.
You'll arrive about 44m sooner (2h 47m by train vs 3h 31m by car). Tickets start at around $86 (€71) compared to roughly $65 (€53) 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 Great Western Railway (GWR).
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
Reading to Plymouth train times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Plymouth trains for today, Monday, July 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G14983 | On time 12:31 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h42 | 3:13 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34809 | On time 1:29 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h44 | 4:13 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C48564 · W34817 · W34819 | On time 2:11 PM Reading West (RDW) | 4h06 | 6:17 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 2 transfers | |
W34814 | On time 2:29 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h43 | 5:12 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34819 | On time 3:29 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h48 | 6:17 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C48569 · W34827 | On time 4:14 PM Reading West (RDW) | 4h01 | 8:15 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 1 transfer | |
| Tuesday, July 21 | |||||
W34782 | 8:29 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2h41 | 11:10 AM Plymouth station (PLY) | 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 Plymouth by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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 21
Jul 22
Jul 23
Jul 24
Jul 25
Jul 26
Jul 27
Why should you book Reading to Plymouth trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Great Western Railway?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Great Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Reading to Plymouth.
- 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 Great Western Railway with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Reading to Plymouth.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Reading to Plymouth.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Reading to Plymouth
Trains from Reading to Plymouth run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $54 (€45) but you can travel from only $23 (€19) by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:12, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 157 miles (253 km) distance in 2h 42m.
Distance 157 miles (253 km) |
Average train duration 2h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price $54 (€45) |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 2h 42m |
First train 12:12 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 7 days |
Train companies: Great Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Reading to Plymouth trainsGreat Western Railway, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Reading and Plymouth from $23 (€19). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR)
FAQs: Trains from Reading to Plymouth
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Plymouth 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 Plymouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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