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, Gordon Ramsay Street Burger — Reading (Riverside) and Carluccio's - Reading (Unit 1, Davidson House) are great picks.

When to visit Reading

Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
$152
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
$152
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 29h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around $38 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $88 for a 1h 35m 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 GREEN MOTION and U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Reading takes 193 km and will cost you around $17. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $10 for a journey of 209 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 29h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around $38 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $88 for a 1h 35m 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 GREEN MOTION and U-Save, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Reading takes 193 km and will cost you around $17. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $10 for a journey of 209 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 (1,430 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,612 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,562 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,011 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,077 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,804 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,040 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,678 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,430 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,066 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,502 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,500 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (875 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,329 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,592 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,084 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,143 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,411 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,402 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $146 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $588 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 $1,010 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 14% 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)
$149+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$90+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$153+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$71+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$76+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay $3.11 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 $37.23 and $49.64. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Ford Fiesta or similar) is, on average, 79% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.11 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 $37.23 and $49.64. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Ford Fiesta or similar) is, on average, 79% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Find car hire in Reading