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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for London to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $42 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 10m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $42, while a bus costs an average of $50.
Distance: 36 miles (59 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price | $33 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 10m Average total duration Fastest 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 22m Average total duration 1h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg 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 London to Reading:
A train is $8 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from London to Reading costing on average $50 (€42).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 22m.
You'll arrive about 36m sooner (40m by train vs 1h 16m by car). Tickets start at around $42 (€36) compared to roughly $33 (€27) 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.
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.
Travel optionsfrom London to Reading
How to get from London to Reading by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from London to Reading is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
L807774:53 PM1h42London Waterloo (WAT)6:35 PMReading station (RDG)$181One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- L807774:53 PM1h42London Waterloo (WAT)6:35 PMReading station (RDG)$181One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- Y154454:50 PM0h23London Paddington (PAD)5:13 PMReading station (RDG)$291One-way0 transfers
Other options
- L807865:22 PM1h43London Waterloo (WAT)7:05 PMReading station (RDG)$181One-way0 transfers
- L807684:22 PM1h43London Waterloo (WAT)6:05 PMReading station (RDG)$181One-way0 transfers
- L8069612:24 PM1h41London Waterloo (WAT)2:05 PMReading station (RDG)$261One-way0 transfers
- NX030 · RRRA18:00 AM2h13London, Victoria Coach Station10:13 AMReading, Blagrave Street$461One-way1 transfer
- NX030 · RRRA110:00 PM2h15London, Victoria Coach Station12:15 AMReading, Blagrave Street$461One-way1 transfer
- NX030 · RRRA14:00 PM2h43London, Victoria Coach Station6:43 PMReading, Blagrave Street$461One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from London to Reading
Travel to Reading easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Reading.
This is compared to other travel options from London to Reading:
A train is $8 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from London to Reading costing on average $50 (€42).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 22m.
- Around 35 buses per day.
- Around 11 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Reading as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from London Paddington (PAD) and arrive in Reading station (RDG).
- Buses mostly depart from London, Victoria Coach Station and arrive in Reading, Blagrave Street.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Reading by bus.
- Travel with Great Western Railway, Elizabeth line, South Western Railway to go to Reading by train.
- 0 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 10 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway, Elizabeth line, South Western Railway.
Travelling from London to Reading: related information
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