Trains to Reading
Home of the world-famous Reading Festival, there's much more to this fun-loving city than a yearly dosage of mud, rock, and roll. With shopping to rival most big cities, a thriving university and the nationally respected Victorian Forbury Gardens in its very heart, Reading will have you wide-eyed and giddy by the time you make it to the ancient Reading Abbey. Offering charming riverside walks and thriving cafe culture, Reading is one city you simply don't want to miss.
Popular train journeys to Reading
Frequent train services operated by Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, South Western Railway and TfL Rail run to Reading from major destinations around the UK. Have a look at our table below for more details about the most popular train routes to Bristol, or you can search for your station of interest in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train company |
| London to Reading | 21m | Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, TfL Rail |
| Oxford to Reading | 21m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway |
| Bristol Temple Meads to Reading | 56m | Great Western Railway, South Western Railway |
| Birmingham to Reading | 1h 27m | CrossCountry |
| Bath to Reading | 52m | Great Western Railway, South Western Railway |
| Slough to Reading | 10m | Great Western Railway, TfL Rail |
| Basingstoke to Reading | 15m | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway |
| Maidenhead to Reading | 9m | Great Western Railway, TfL Rail |
How to find the cheapest train tickets to Reading
Finding cheap train tickets to Reading is probably easier than you might think. Not only that but there are more ways than one to travel to Reading by train for less and we've highlighted them below. Whether you're getting a train to Reading for work or leisure, our Journey Planner can help you find the cheapest available tickets on the days you want to travel.
You can get cheap train tickets to Reading by using a national Railcard. If you travel more than a few times a year, buying an eligible Railcard can allow you to save up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets*, meaning you can spend more on food, somewhere to stay and entertainment during your time in this charming part of southern England. To see the different types of Railcards, eligibility requirements and to purchase one online, check out our Railcards page.
Book early and pay less by getting an Advance ticket. In most cases, the earlier you book Advance tickets, the more you will benefit from cheap fares to Peterborough. Advance tickets typically go on sale 12 weeks in advance, so if you're off to Peterborough for a step back in time or to visit friends and family, be on the lookout for “Advance tickets” when you search for tickets using our Journey Planner, or sign up to our Ticket alert to find out as soon as your tickets go on sale. Make sure you book these tickets as early as possible, because the longer you wait, the more the price could go up.
If your travel times aren't set in stone, why not travel during Off-Peak periods, or buy Return train tickets instead of two singles or even catch the train in a group of three to nine people and benefit from a GroupSave discount. To find out more, visit our train ticket types page and discover other useful ways to get the best value train fares.
Want even more handy hints on how to save money on train tickets? Look at our cheap train tickets page.
*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some railcard types.
Visiting Reading
Simply wandering through the streets of Reading is a treat. Look out for the marvellous Norman cathedral, the City Hall clock tower and the cobbled streets of Elm Hill, Timber Hill and Tombland.
Founded in the 11th-century, Norwich Market is now the largest undercover market in Europe and is a treasure trove of local foods and unusual trinkets. Open Monday to Saturday, it has an atmosphere to be savoured, with its stalls set out under bright, colourful canopies. If you're looking to get out of the city for a while, head to Mousehold Heath to the northeast of the centre.
A mix of heath and woodland with an easy-to-navigate network of paths, it also has superb views of Norwich - this is the place to be if you want to take in the skyline of the cathedral, castle and City Hall. If you're after a place to kick back, Belgian Monk is one of the best pubs in Britain and has an amazing range of Belgian beers, stouts and ales. Find it in the heart of historic Potter Gate Street.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get cheap train tickets to Reading?
It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Reading. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can.
Are trains running to Reading?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Reading, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Reading.
How long does it take to get to Reading by train?
You can view train timetables and travel times to Reading in our Journey Planner. Reading is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Reading?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Reading, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.