Trains to Reading

Reading Train Station originally opened in 1840. Since then, it has undergone many redevelopments, most recently between 2009 and 2015. Today, Reading is the ninth busiest railway station and the second busiest interchange outside London. Around 13.5 million passengers used Reading Train Station between April 2023 and March 2024.

Because of its proximity to central London (it’s only thirty-six miles from London Paddington Station), it’s usually filled with commuters on weekdays. At weekends, it’s packed with people heading into London for a bite to eat, going shopping, or just enjoying their time off. At the end of August, during the bank holiday weekend, you’ll find the station thronged by festivalgoers heading to Reading Festival, which is only a short walk from the train station.

There are many amenities at Reading Train Station, including:

• A ticket office is situated in the Brunel Arcade (opening times: Monday to Saturday: 6.15am – 10.00pm; Sunday: 7.15am – 10.00pm). You can book train tickets as well as monthly and annual season tickets at the ticket office.
• Self-service ticket machines and accessible ticket machines. Plus, you can collect tickets you have bought online from the self-service machines.
• Step-free access to all platforms.
• Boards to check the real-time train timetable.
• ATMs, shops, and hospitality.
• Public Wi-Fi, accessible public telephones and post boxes.
• 344 bicycle stands at the front of the station, underground short stay car park, and the long stay car park.

Reading Train Station is conveniently situated on the northern edge of the centre, and there are many local buses directly opposite the station’s entrance. Taxi ranks are located at both entrances to the station.

If you need to get to Heathrow Airport, change onto the luxury coach service ‘RailAir’, which runs every twenty minutes on weekdays or every half an hour on weekends. It’s also a stop on the way to Gatwick Airport with Great Western Railway (GWR).

Reading Train Station predominantly offers extensive rail services into central London and other major cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. It also serves towns in the surrounding area.

London Paddington to Reading

GRW runs a widespread service between London Paddington and Reading. Each journey takes between twenty-three to thirty-eight minutes.

Bristol to Reading

The journey from Bristol Temple Meads to Reading takes around one hour and ten minutes with GWR. Services depart around every hour.

Manchester to Reading

Trains to Reading from Manchester depart from Manchester Piccadilly. The journey takes around three hours and fifteen minutes to reach Reading with CrossCountry.

Gatwick Airport to Reading

Great Western Railway provides services to Reading from Gatwick Airport. This trip typically takes around one and a half hours. Direct services leave Gatwick Airport every thirty minutes.

GWR, South Western Railway, and CrossCountry are the main operators at Reading Train Station. GWR runs many services from Reading, including the Night Riviera, one of the only sleeper services in the UK between Penzance and London. It also runs many trains on the Great Western Mainline, which runs from London Paddington all the way west to Bristol Temple Meads.

Meanwhile, CrossCountry runs services between Bournemouth and Manchester and Reading to Newcastle.

Reading Train Station places you right in the centre of the town. Immediately across the road from the station’s exit you’ll find a bus station that can take you anywhere in Reading.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, Harris Arcade, The Oracle, and Broad Street Mall are right up your alley. If you want something a little more quaint, Forbury Gardens and Reading Abbey Ruins might provide you with some much-needed serenity after all that shopping.

If you’d like to head further afield, you could follow the Thames Path, visiting the picturesque villages dotted along Berkshire’s tranquil waterways. Catch the train to either Pangbourne or Goring-on-Thames. The Thames Path runs between the two train stops. Sit back and relax with a pint and a pub lunch once you’re finished, you deserve it!

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What’s the postcode for Reading Train Station?

Reading Train Station’s address is Station Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LZ.

Does the Elizabeth Line go to Reading?

Yes, the Elizabeth Line goes to Reading.

Is there more than one station in Reading?

Reading has three train stations. Reading Train Station, Reading West, and Theale Station.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.