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. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Reading deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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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 February
Estimated hotel price
$151
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
$151
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 28h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 50m and costs around $64 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Cardiff, expect to pay about $97 for a 1h 53m 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 Hertz and SURPRICE CAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 153 km and will cost you around $15. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $12 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 28h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 50m and costs around $64 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Cardiff, expect to pay about $97 for a 1h 53m 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 Hertz and SURPRICE CAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 153 km and will cost you around $15. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $12 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 (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,837 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,934 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,244 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,968 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $162 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $250 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 $76 to $980 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 18% 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 (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$160+
View
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$185+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$161+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$98+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$99+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
$94+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $2.93 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 $35.09 and $46.78. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Mini (Citroen C1 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is, on average, 53% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $2.93 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 $35.09 and $46.78. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Mini (Citroen C1 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is, on average, 53% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

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.