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, 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
$158
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
$158
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 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Reading to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around $79 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about $40 for a 1h 31m 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 GREEN MOTION , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 209 km and will cost you around $10. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 257 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 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Reading to Oxford takes 0h 52m and costs around $79 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about $40 for a 1h 31m 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 GREEN MOTION , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 209 km and will cost you around $10. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 257 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

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,545 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,002 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,494 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,040 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,775 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,006 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,997 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,400 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,660 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,482 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (863 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,398 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,556 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,236 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,050 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,391 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $151 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $606 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 $33 to $1,020 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 17% 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 (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$194+
View
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$142+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$96+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$72+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$77+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.12 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 $37.38 and $49.84. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 73% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $3.12 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 $37.38 and $49.84. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 73% 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.