4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Manchester to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $77 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 31m. 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 $77, while a flight costs an average of $380.
Distance: 149 miles (241 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$132 Average price | $77 Average price Cheapest | $380 Average price | $81 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 31m Average total duration Fastest 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 47m Average total duration 6h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 53m Average total duration 1h 53m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Manchester to Reading
Compare the available ways to get from Manchester to Reading, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Reading:
A bus is $55 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Reading costing on average $132.
A bus is $303 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Reading costing on average $380.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 53m.
Bus takes on average 6h 47m.
You'll arrive about 42m sooner (3h 1m by train vs 3h 43m by car). Tickets start at around $132 compared to roughly $81 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 Manchester to Reading
How to get from Manchester to Reading by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Manchester to Reading is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
2:30 PM 8h45 Manchester 11:15 PM Reading $60 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
2:30 PM 8h45 Manchester 11:15 PM Reading $60 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
5:15 AM 8h11 Manchester 1:26 PM Reading $63 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
3:45 PM 8h30 Manchester 12:15 AM Reading $64 1 One-way 0 transfers1:30 PM 8h46 Manchester 10:16 PM Reading $67 1 One-way 0 transfers2:00 PM 9h15 Manchester 11:15 PM Reading $68 1 One-way 0 transfers
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 Manchester 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 Manchester to Reading.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Reading:
A bus is $55 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Reading costing on average $132.
A bus is $303 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Reading costing on average $380.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 53m.
Bus takes on average 6h 47m.
- Around 15 flights per day.
- Around 15 buses per day.
- Around 9 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and Reading as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in London Heathrow Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) and arrive in Reading station (RDG).
- Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Coach Station and arrive in Reading, Blagrave Street.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway to go to Reading by train.
- Travel with British Airways, Loganair, BA Cityflyer to go to Reading by flight.
- Travel with National Express to go to Reading by bus.
- 3 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
- 7 direct flights per day with British Airways, Loganair.
Travelling from Manchester to Reading: related information
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