4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Reading to Edinburgh
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $121 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 50m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $121, while a flight costs an average of $281.
Distance: 323 miles (521 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$184 Average price | $281 Average price | $121 Average price Cheapest | $178 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 52m Average total duration 5h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 12h 24m Average total duration 11h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Edinburgh:
A bus is $64 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Edinburgh costing on average $184.
A bus is $160 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Reading to Edinburgh costing on average $281.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 52m.
Bus takes on average 12h 24m.
You'll arrive about 2h 3m sooner (5h 22m by train vs 7h 25m by car). Tickets start at around $184 compared to roughly $178 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 Reading to Edinburgh
How to get from Reading to Edinburgh by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Reading to Edinburgh is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
U26017:15 AM1h20London Luton Airport8:35 AMEdinburgh Airport$891One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- U26017:15 AM1h20London Luton Airport8:35 AMEdinburgh Airport$891One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- BA14669:50 PM1h15London Heathrow Airport11:05 PMEdinburgh Airport$2751One-way0 transfers
Other options
- C01953+
Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+
C486074:55 AM5h46Reading station (RDG)10:41 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1141One-way2 transfers - Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+G80202+C486085:43 AM5h55Reading station (RDG)11:38 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1261One-way2 transfers
- Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+G80219+W345549:14 AM5h30Reading station (RDG)2:44 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)$1581One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX032 · NX5945:49 PM13h31Reading, Blagrave Street7:20 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station$971One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX025 · NX5945:49 PM13h31Reading, Blagrave Street7:20 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station$1011One-way2 transfers
- RRRA1 · NX035 · NX5986:50 PM12h50Reading, Blagrave Street7:40 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station$1051One-way2 transfers
- U23089:05 AM1h20London Stansted Airport10:25 AMEdinburgh Airport$921One-way0 transfers
- U28088:20 AM1h30London Gatwick Airport9:50 AMEdinburgh Airport$1131One-way0 transfers
- U28297:05 AM1h30London Gatwick Airport8:35 AMEdinburgh Airport$1161One-way0 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 Reading to Edinburgh
Travel to Edinburgh 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 Reading to Edinburgh.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Edinburgh:
A bus is $64 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Edinburgh costing on average $184.
A bus is $160 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Reading to Edinburgh costing on average $281.
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 52m.
Bus takes on average 12h 24m.
- Around 35 flights per day.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Reading and Edinburgh as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Reading station (RDG) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
- Buses mostly depart from Reading, Blagrave Street and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
- Travel with easyJet, BA Cityflyer, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Baltic, Loganair, British Airways, Ryanair, Edelweiss Air to go to Edinburgh by flight.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, Lumo, Caledonian Sleeper to go to Edinburgh by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Edinburgh by bus.
- 28 direct flights per day with easyJet, BA Cityflyer, Loganair, British Airways, Ryanair.
Travelling from Reading to Edinburgh: related information
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