- Must visit
The Box
Plymouth’s main museum, gallery, and archive. It covers local art, natural history, and maritime stories in an impressive contemporary cultural hub.
Cheapest price on Sep 04
$92
Average ticket price on Sep 04
$138
Fastest journey on Sep 04
2 h 34 m
Average journey duration on Sep 04
2 h 41 m
Trains on Sep 04
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 $138 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
On Fri, Sep 04, we found 6 trains from Reading to Plymouth, including 6 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 04 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 Fri, Sep 04 the slowest trains will take 2 h 44 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.
W34797
G14983
W34808
W34790
G14989
W34790
W34782
G14983
W34797
W34808Omio 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 bus, with an average ticket price of $101 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 21m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $101, while a train costs an average of $114.
Distance: 157 miles (253 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$114 Average price | $101 Average price Cheapest | $67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 21m Average total duration Fastest 2h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 25m Average total duration 6h 55m 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 bus is $13 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Plymouth costing on average $114 (€92).
Other travel options to Plymouth take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 55m.
You'll arrive about 40m sooner (2h 51m by train vs 3h 31m by car). Tickets start at around $114 (€92) compared to roughly $67 (€54) 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, 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.
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Plymouth trains for tomorrow, Friday, September 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34782 | 8:29 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2h41 | 11:10 AM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G14989 | 9:29 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2h45 | 12:14 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34790 | 10:29 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2h34 | 1:03 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34797 | 11:29 AM Reading station (RDG) | 2h44 | 2:13 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G14983 | 12:31 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h42 | 3:13 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34808 | 1:29 PM Reading station (RDG) | 2h44 | 4:13 PM Plymouth station (PLY) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Reading to Plymouth run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 51m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $55 (€45) if you book in advance.
There are 7 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 34m.
Distance 157 miles (253 km) |
Average train duration 2h 51m |
Cheapest ticket price $55 (€45) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 2h 34m |
First train 12:12 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Plymouth — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Plymouth trip today.
Plymouth’s main museum, gallery, and archive. It covers local art, natural history, and maritime stories in an impressive contemporary cultural hub.
Interactive aquarium on the waterfront with ocean habitats, conservation displays, and a huge tank. A popular family attraction with strong educational value.
Tudor merchant’s residence in the Barbican, furnished to evoke historic domestic life. A compact museum ideal for understanding old Plymouth society.
Large waterfront parkland with sea views, monuments, and lawns. It is Plymouth’s classic promenade and a prime place to start exploring the city.
Historic harbourside quarter of cobbled lanes, old buildings, galleries, and maritime atmosphere. It is among Plymouth’s most characterful walking areas.
Broad city-centre avenue rebuilt after the Second World War. Shops, civic buildings, and public art make it useful for understanding modern Plymouth.
A classic Devon cream tea of scones, jam and clotted cream. In Devon, the cream goes on before the jam, making it a proud local ritual.
A traditional South West pasty with beef, potato, swede and onion in pastry. Common across Devon and Cornwall and a familiar local grab-and-go meal.
Fresh fish landed from Plymouth's historic fishing port, often grilled or battered. The city's waterfront location makes local seafood a signature choice.
Refined fine dining restaurant known for modern British tasting menus, polished service and a special occasion atmosphere near Plymouth Hoe.
Long-established market café famous for generous breakfasts, sandwiches and casual local dining in Plymouth Market.
Historic waterside pub in the Barbican serving seafood, local ales and hearty British dishes in a traditional, characterful setting.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels are often cheaper than London, while dining and local buses are fairly priced for tourists.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Plymouth Railway Station -> Plymouth City Centre
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.

Most Reading to Plymouth trains use the Reading to Plymouth station pair, with some services arriving at Devonport. Use this guide to compare Reading and Plymouth 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.
Plymouth has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Plymouth.
Wi-Fi is available at Plymouth. ATMs are available at Plymouth.
Ticket office support is available at Plymouth.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Plymouth: Parking, WC.
Available at Plymouth: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Plymouth: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free access to all platforms via lifts and the station subway. 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 car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Station pay phones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance, 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, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Devonport is 2 km from Plymouth city centre. Public transport options include:
Devonport has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Devonport.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Devonport: Parking.
Available at Devonport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Devonport: Staff help available: No, Step free access note: Step-free category B3 station – “Some step-free access, may be in one direction only.” Step free access possible to South bound platform, there is no step free access for services to Plymouth. 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 not available, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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