Reading travel guide

Reading Tourism | Reading Guide

You're Going to Love Reading

With a population of 244,070, Reading is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Reading deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, CAU Reading (The Oracle Shopping Centre) and Forbury's Restaurant (One Forbury Square) are great picks. For delicious green meals, London St Brasserie (Riverside Oracle 2-4 London Street) and The Pack Saddle at Mapledurham (Chazey Heath) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Reading.

When to visit Reading

Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$123
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$123
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Reading

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 30 miles from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 27h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around $62 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Norwich, expect to pay about $56 for a 1h 50m trip. Located 6 miles from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 37 miles from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 95 miles and will cost you around $11. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $7 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 30 miles from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 27h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around $62 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Norwich, expect to pay about $56 for a 1h 50m trip. Located 6 miles from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 37 miles from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 95 miles and will cost you around $11. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $7 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Reading

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (4,684 reviews)
KLM
Good (849 reviews)
SWISS
Good (944 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,551 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,618 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,301 reviews)
Air France
Good (983 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (489 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,591 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,968 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,118 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,457 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,882 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (873 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,179 reviews)
LOT
Good (683 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (818 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,674 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $150 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $216 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Crescent Hotel and Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$186+
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$149+
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$116+
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$170+
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$83+

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.06 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $36.68 and $48.91. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Intermediate (Skoda Octavia Combi or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard car hire (Class Commercial Truck or similar) is, on average, 51% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.06 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $36.68 and $48.91. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Intermediate (Skoda Octavia Combi or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard car hire (Class Commercial Truck or similar) is, on average, 51% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Reading