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.

Article

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 October
Estimated hotel price
$157
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in October
Estimated hotel price
$157
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 27h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 40m and costs around $86 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bournemouth, expect to pay about $94 for a 2h 00m 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 U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Oxford Bus Company. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 135 miles and will cost you around $19. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $24 for a journey of 140 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 27h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 40m and costs around $86 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bournemouth, expect to pay about $94 for a 2h 00m 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 U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Oxford Bus Company. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 135 miles and will cost you around $19. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $24 for a journey of 140 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

KLM
Good (1,404 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,508 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,977 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,461 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,771 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,022 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,996 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,991 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,475 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,380 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,651 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (860 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,334 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,533 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,281 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,135 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,333 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,034 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,383 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $166 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $616 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 $1,018 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 16% 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)
$196+
View
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$138+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$82+
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)
$75+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.17 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 $37.93 and $50.57. 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 $3.17 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 $37.93 and $50.57. 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.