Reading Travel Information

Reading is one of the best-connected towns in the UK, offering lots of travel options and excellent transport links, whether you’re travelling by car, bus, train, coach, bike, on foot – or even on the water! Plus, it’s just 22 minutes from London and on the Elizabeth Line, making it an ideal base to visit the Capital, as well as exploring the wider Thames Valley and South of England.

Bus
Reading’s award-winning buses (Reading Buses) serve every inch of the region, so travelling by bus is a great option for those looking to avoid parking costs and reduce their carbon footprint. Students can get a boost card for discounts.

Train
Reading’s state-of-the-art train station is right at the heart of the town, with a second station located to the west of the town centre (Reading West). Offering links locally and all over the country (22 minutes from London), travelling to Reading by train couldn’t be easier. and Reading is now the western terminus of the Elizabeth Line.

Cycle
Nowhere in Reading town centre is more than a 30-minute cycle and with plentiful cycle parking, travelling to and around Reading by bicycle makes an ideal sustainable travel option.

Walking
With a fully walkable town centre and miles of Thames Path to enjoy on its doorstep, Reading is a great place for walking, catering for everything from afternoon shopping strolls right through to riverside rambles.

Car Parks
Although not cheap, there is plenty of parking in and around Reading, with many multi-storeys right in the town centre.

Car
Whether you’re coming from the north, south, east or west, it’s easy to get to Reading by car – but like any other large town and city, it’s best to plan ahead and avoid driving at peak times!

Airport
Being on the M4 corridor, the UK’s major international airport, Heathrow, is our local airport – and is just 25 minutes’ drive from Reading.

Park and Ride
Why not use one of Reading’s Park and Ride services when you travel to Reading and avoid traffic stress? Parking is free! 

Coach Parking
Travel to Reading by coach, with National Express and RailAir coaches both offering a service to all parts of the country and Heathrow Airport.

Taxis

You'll find lots of taxis at both the north and south exits of Reading Station. On the town centre side (south), the main rank is down the stairs/ramp to your right as you leave the station. There are also taxis straight ahead as you walk towards the town centre.

Travelling the Great West Way
Reading is sits on the Great West Way, 125-mile-long national trail, stretching all the way from London to Bristol. Reading is proud to be featured at the centre of this route of discovery. So, if you fancy exploring our town as part of a road, rail, hiking or boat trip or just basing yourself here at one of our great hotels, the Great West Way is your ultimate guide.

Travelling the St James’ Way
The St James’s Way is a long-distance walk of 68 miles running from Reading Abbey to Southampton, and part of the Camino Ingles/English Way, the network of pilgrimage trails that run as far north in England as Durham to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where St James is buried. Start at St James' Church in the Abbey Quarter and get your passport stamped in the church office. Our map guide will show you where all the places of historic or pilgrim interest can be found.