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
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$127
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 31h 40m.

Train

Eurostar is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 27m and costs around $85 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $66 for a 1h 34m 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, Megabus and FlixBus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 120 miles and will cost you around $24. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $22 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 31h 40m.

Train

Eurostar is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 27m and costs around $85 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $66 for a 1h 34m 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, Megabus and FlixBus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 120 miles and will cost you around $24. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $22 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 (7,356 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,417 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,799 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,717 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,762 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (9,630 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (933 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,673 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,622 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,754 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (10,082 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (4,159 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (7,353 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,407 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,332 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,331 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,986 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,367 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,286 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $174 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $225 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading and Crescent Hotel.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$199+
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$159+
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$114+
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
$177+
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$85+
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7, Good reviews)
$90+

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.19 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 $38.21 and $50.94. 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 Compact car hire (Vauxhall Astra or similar) is, on average, 41% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.19 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 $38.21 and $50.94. 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 Compact car hire (Vauxhall Astra or similar) is, on average, 41% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Reading