Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

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. Consider staying at least one whole day in Reading to see all of its attractions.

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Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bel and The Dragon - Reading (Blakes Lock Gas Works Road) and Rosebourne - Aldermaston (Basingstoke Rd, Aldermaston) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Clay's Kitchen & Bar (22-24 Prospect Street) and Flavour of Mauritius (143-145 Caversham Rd) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Reading.

When to visit Reading

Reading in November
Estimated hotel price
$139
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in November
Estimated hotel price
$139
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 49 km from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 32h 40m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 33m and costs around $60 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Brussels, expect to pay about $77 for a 2h 01m trip. Located 10 km from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of DRIVALIA and GREEN MOTION , among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 209 km and will cost you around $13. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $13 for a journey of 217 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 49 km from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 32h 40m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 33m and costs around $60 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Brussels, expect to pay about $77 for a 2h 01m trip. Located 10 km from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of DRIVALIA and GREEN MOTION , among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 209 km and will cost you around $13. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $13 for a journey of 217 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city centre.

Airports near Reading

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (7,407 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,385 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,361 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,954 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,730 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,968 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,924 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,929 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,469 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,334 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (850 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,139 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,484 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,114 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,250 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,882 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,323 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (993 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (359 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $161 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $477 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. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Reading, with prices from $32 to $978 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 20% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

See all
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$129+
View
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$198+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$166+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$84+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$80+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$72+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.04 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 $36.42 and $48.56. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 71% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $3.04 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 $36.42 and $48.56. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 71% cheaper than other types, on average.

Car hire agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Reading

Reading Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Reading city guide for the best Reading travel tips. To help you organise your Reading trip ideas, this Reading visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.