- Recommended
Wheal Martyn Clay Works
Excellent museum on Cornwall's china clay industry, with historic machinery, rail exhibits, and strong local context.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to St Austell among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $28 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, while a flight costs an average of $430.
Distance: 182 miles (294 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$118 Average price | $430 Average price | $28 Average price Cheapest | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 11m Average total duration 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 7h 5m Average total duration 6h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to St Austell:
A bus is $90 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to St Austell costing on average $118.
A bus is $402 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Reading to St Austell costing on average $430.
Other travel options to St Austell take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 41m.
Bus takes on average 6h 35m.
You'll arrive about 25m sooner (3h 41m by train vs 4h 6m by car). Tickets start at around $118 compared to roughly $77 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.
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.
Compare bus, train, and flight 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 St Austell run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $106 but you can travel from only $28 by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:49, the last at 22:47. The fastest train covers the 182 miles (294 km) distance in 3h 37m.
Distance 182 miles (294 km) |
Average train duration 3h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price $106 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 3h 37m |
First train 12:49 AM |
Last train 10:47 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of St Austell — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St Austell trip today.
Excellent museum on Cornwall's china clay industry, with historic machinery, rail exhibits, and strong local context.
Harbour-side museum in a listed former storehouse, covering local shipwrecks, trade, and maritime life in Charlestown.
Gallery space within a major attraction, showing changing exhibitions linked to plants, landscape, and environmental themes.
World-famous biomes and vast reclaimed landscape with global plant collections, art, and sustainability themes.
Renowned restored gardens with romantic paths, productive plots, and atmospheric history hidden after decades of neglect.
Historic harbour village known for tall ships, film locations, waterfront walks, and distinctive Georgian character.
A classic Cornish bake of beef, potato, swede and onion in pastry. It is Cornwall’s signature handheld meal and strongly tied to local mining history.
Small pilchards caught in Cornish waters, usually grilled or fried. They are a long-standing local coastal staple with a rich regional fishing heritage.
Mussels harvested from Cornish waters, often served steamed in cider, wine or cream. They are prized locally for freshness and strong seaside character.
Well-known brewery venue serving local beers, pub classics and Sunday roasts in a traditional inn setting linked to St Austell brewing heritage.
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant at Carlyon Bay Hotel with polished service, seasonal tasting menus and elegant sea-view surroundings.
Popular seafood-focused restaurant in Charlestown known for fresh local fish, harbour atmosphere and dependable modern British cooking.
Moderate for UK seaside towns. Lodging rises in summer, but dining and local transit are generally manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is not expected, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
St Austell Railway Station -> St Austell Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to St Austell 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 St Austell, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to St Austell trains use the Reading to St Austell station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and St Austell 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.
St Austell is 1 km from St Austell city centre. Public transport options include:
St Austell has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at St Austell.
Wi-Fi is available at St Austell.
Ticket office support is available at St Austell.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at St Austell: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at St Austell: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at St Austell: 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 both platforms via a liftbridge. 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 can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Self service Ticket Machine is located at the entrance to platform 2, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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