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 9h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Cambridge takes 0h 55m and costs around $37 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $35 for a 1h 35m 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 Global Rent A Car and GREEN MOTION , 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 $6. From Gloucester, the ticket costs about $7 for a journey of 338 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 9h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Cambridge takes 0h 55m and costs around $37 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $35 for a 1h 35m 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 Global Rent A Car and GREEN MOTION , 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 $6. From Gloucester, the ticket costs about $7 for a journey of 338 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 (1,452 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,782 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,737 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,191 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,212 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,872 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,114 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,286 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,731 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,532 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,516 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (896 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,681 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,717 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,179 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,394 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,362 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,162 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (384 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,878 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $87 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $341 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 69% 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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The White Hart
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 192 reviews)
$102+
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pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2916 reviews)
$78+
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Holiday Inn Reading-South M4, Jct.11 By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1942 reviews)
$64+
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Hotel du Vin Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1574 reviews)
$129+
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ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, 3098 reviews)
$66+
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Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.7, 2902 reviews)
$52+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Renting a car in Reading costs $24 per day, on average, or $72 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.81 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 $81.76 and $109.02. Economy (Suzuki Swift or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 54% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Reading costs $24 per day, on average, or $72 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.81 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 $81.76 and $109.02. Economy (Suzuki Swift or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 54% cheaper than other types, on average.

Find car rentals in Reading