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 one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Reading to see all of its attractions.

Article

Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, Buenasado Argentine Steakhouse - Reading (Unit 28 Lower Mall) and Butt Inn (Station Road) are great picks.

When to visit Reading

Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$150
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$150
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 Christchurch and takes around 30h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 21m and costs around $95 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Brussels, expect to pay about $78 for a 2h 05m trip. Located 0.4 miles from the city centre, Reading is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Mortimer, located 6 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 U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using FlixBus or National Express. From Cambridge, the bus ride to Reading takes 75 miles and will cost you around $17. From Bournemouth, the ticket costs about $14 for a journey of 115 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 Christchurch and takes around 30h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 21m and costs around $95 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Brussels, expect to pay about $78 for a 2h 05m trip. Located 0.4 miles from the city centre, Reading is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Mortimer, located 6 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 U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using FlixBus or National Express. From Cambridge, the bus ride to Reading takes 75 miles and will cost you around $17. From Bournemouth, the ticket costs about $14 for a journey of 115 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

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (7,964 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,511 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,937 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,465 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,345 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,926 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,204 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,582 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (912 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,676 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,568 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,767 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,724 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,983 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,192 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,392 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (404 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,226 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,434 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,310 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $144 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $198 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 $1,113 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 89% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

See all
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
$193+
View
Holiday Inn Reading-South M4, Jct.11 By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$114+
View
De Vere Wokefield Estate
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$174+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$107+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$80+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.64 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 $43.57 and $58.09.

Expect to pay $3.64 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 $43.57 and $58.09.

Find car hire in Reading