- Must visit
Gladstone Pottery Museum
Outstanding pottery museum with working bottle kilns, period workshops and live demonstrations. The best place to understand Stoke-on-Trent's ceramic story.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Stoke-on-Trent among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $32 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 4m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $32, while a bus costs an average of $66.
Distance: 118 miles (191 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$32 Average price Cheapest | $66 Average price | $52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 4m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 22m Average total duration 7h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Stoke-on-Trent:
A train is $34 (€27) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Reading to Stoke-on-Trent costing on average $66 (€53).
Other travel options to Stoke-on-Trent take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 52m.
The journey is about 21m faster (2h 34m by train vs 2h 55m by car) and roughly $20 (€16) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($32 (€26) vs $52 (€42)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Cross Country.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
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.
Trains from Reading to Stoke-on-Trent run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€25) if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:54, the last at 22:53. The fastest train covers the 118 miles (191 km) distance in 2h 33m.
Distance 118 miles (191 km) |
Average train duration 2h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€25) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 2h 33m |
First train 3:54 AM |
Last train 10:53 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Stoke-on-Trent — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stoke-on-Trent trip today.
Outstanding pottery museum with working bottle kilns, period workshops and live demonstrations. The best place to understand Stoke-on-Trent's ceramic story.
Excellent city museum and art gallery with the world's largest public Spitfire collection plus Staffordshire ceramics, archaeology and natural history.
Award-winning visitor centre inside a working factory, exploring Wedgwood design, craft and collections. Strong choice for ceramics and design fans.
Award-winning lakeside estate with formal gardens, woodland walks, shopping village and seasonal events. One of the area's most popular leisure destinations.
Large Victorian park with lake, bandstand and landscaped grounds near Hanley. Ideal for a scenic walk and classic city-park atmosphere.
Historic former pottery district with independent shops, heritage buildings and a strong artistic identity. Great for exploring local character.
A famous oat-based savoury pancake from The Potteries, usually filled with cheese, bacon or egg. It is Stoke-on-Trent's best-known traditional street and breakfast food.
A hearty North Staffordshire stew of slow-cooked beef, root vegetables and stock. It is a traditional local comfort dish often served in pubs and homes.
Crumbly white cheese made in Staffordshire and nearby Cheshire. It is a classic regional dairy product, often eaten with bread, oatcakes or salads.
Popular local oatcake kitchen serving classic Staffordshire oatcakes with varied fillings. Casual, affordable and strongly associated with Potteries food culture.
Refined modern British dining in a polished setting. Known for high-quality tasting menus and one of the area's strongest fine dining reputations.
Well-regarded Indian restaurant with a long-standing reputation for quality curries and attentive service. Comfortable venue suited to a relaxed dinner.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and meals usually cost less than in London or Manchester, and local buses are fairly affordable for visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up taxi fares. Cafes usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station -> Hanley Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Stoke-on-Trent 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 Stoke-on-Trent, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Stoke-on-Trent trains use the Reading to Stoke-on-Trent station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Stoke-on-Trent 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.
Tilehurst is 4 km from Reading city centre. Public transport options include:
Tilehurst has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Tilehurst.
Wi-Fi is available at Tilehurst.
Ticket office support is available at Tilehurst.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Tilehurst: Parking, WC.
Available at Tilehurst: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tilehurst: 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.
Stoke-on-Trent has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Stoke-on-Trent.
Wi-Fi is available at Stoke-on-Trent. ATMs are available at Stoke-on-Trent.
Ticket office support is available at Stoke-on-Trent. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Stoke-on-Trent: Parking, WC.
Available at Stoke-on-Trent: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Stoke-on-Trent: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: By the North end of platform 1, 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: Yes.
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