Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting 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. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Reading has to offer.

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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 April
Estimated hotel price
$70
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in April
Estimated hotel price
$70
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 the United States departs from New York and takes around 11h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Manchester takes 2h 19m and costs around $50 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about $39 for a 3h 26m trip. Located 10 km from the city center, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and ADDCAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around $11. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $9 for a journey of 233 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from downtown Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city center.

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 the United States departs from New York and takes around 11h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Manchester takes 2h 19m and costs around $50 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about $39 for a 3h 26m trip. Located 10 km from the city center, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and ADDCAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using National Express or FlixBus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around $11. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $9 for a journey of 233 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from downtown Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city center.

Airports near Reading

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

KLM
Good (1,444 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,758 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,706 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,130 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,210 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,864 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,100 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,219 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,728 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,528 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,491 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (896 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,676 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,668 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,174 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,378 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,356 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,153 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (381 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,819 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $83 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $344 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 vacation rental options in Reading, with prices from $19 to $583 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Reading are about 28% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Reading by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

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Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 472 reviews)
$679+
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pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2915 reviews)
$74+
View
Hotel du Vin Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1574 reviews)
$127+
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ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, 3096 reviews)
$62+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Good (7.9, 2790 reviews)
$81+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.7, 2900 reviews)
$44+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Renting a car in Reading costs $23 per day, on average, or $70 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.74 per gallon in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $80.86 and $107.81. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Economy (Class Economy Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Nissan Qashqai or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Reading costs $23 per day, on average, or $70 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.74 per gallon in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $80.86 and $107.81. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Economy (Class Economy Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Nissan Qashqai or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Reading