Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Reading to Swansea
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Swansea among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 53m. 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 $25, while a train costs an average of $79.
Distance: 128 miles (206 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$79 Average price | $25 Average price Cheapest | $54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 53m Average total duration Fastest 2h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 5m Average total duration 4h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg 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 Reading to Swansea:
A bus is $48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Swansea costing on average $79.
Other travel options to Swansea take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 39m.
You'll arrive about 26m sooner (2h 23m by train vs 2h 49m by car). Tickets start at around $79 compared to roughly $54 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 Swansea
How to get from Reading to Swansea by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Reading to Swansea is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
9:03 PM5h47Reading2:50 AMSwansea$721One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
9:03 PM5h47Reading2:50 AMSwansea$721One-way0 transfers
Fastest
9:03 PM5h47Reading2:50 AMSwansea$721One-way0 transfers
Other options
8:03 PM5h47Reading1:50 AMSwansea$761One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Reading to Swansea
Travel to Swansea 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 Swansea.

This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Swansea:
A bus is $62 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Swansea costing on average $93.
Other travel options to Swansea take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 39m.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Reading and Swansea as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Buses mostly depart from Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride and arrive in Swansea, Quadrant Bus Station.
- Trains mostly depart from Reading station (RDG) and arrive in Swansea station (SWA).
- Travel with Great Western Railway to go to Swansea by train.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Swansea by bus.
- 5 direct trains per day with Great Western Railway.
Travelling from Reading to Swansea: related information
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