4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Southampton to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $31 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 25m. 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 $31, while a bus costs an average of $73.
Distance: 42 miles (68 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$31 Average price Cheapest | $73 Average price | $18 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 25m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Southampton to Reading
Compare the available ways to get from Southampton to Reading, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Reading:
A train is $43 (€36) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Southampton to Reading costing on average $73 (€61).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 48m.
You'll arrive about 22m sooner (55m by train vs 1h 17m by car). Tickets start at around $31 (€26) compared to roughly $18 (€15) 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 Southampton to Reading
How to get from Southampton to Reading by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Southampton to Reading is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 5:25 AM2h46Southampton8:11 AMReading$621One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 5:25 AM2h46Southampton8:11 AMReading$621One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 6:00 PM2h41Southampton8:41 PMReading$801One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 2:05 AM3h05Southampton5:10 AMReading$681One-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
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.
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FAQs: Travel from Southampton 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 Southampton to Reading.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Reading:
A train is $43 (€36) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Southampton to Reading costing on average $73 (€61).
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 48m.
- Around 11 buses per day.
- Around 7 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Southampton and Reading as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Southampton Central (SOU) and arrive in Reading station (RDG).
- Buses mostly depart from Southampton, Coach Station and arrive in Reading, Blagrave Street.
- Ferries mostly depart from Fishbourne and arrive in Portsmouth Harbour.
- Travel with CrossCountry, South Western Railway, Great Western Railway to go to Reading by train.
- Travel with National Express to go to Reading by bus.
- 3 direct trains per day with CrossCountry.
Travelling from Southampton to Reading: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
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