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 30 miles from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from the United States departs from Orlando and takes around 8h 05m.

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 $20 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $52 for a 1h 50m trip. Located 6 miles from the city center, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 37 miles 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 Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 115 miles and will cost you around $7. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $6 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from downtown Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city center.

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 the United States departs from Orlando and takes around 8h 05m.

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 $20 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $52 for a 1h 50m trip. Located 6 miles from the city center, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 37 miles 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 Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 115 miles and will cost you around $7. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $6 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from downtown Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city center.

Airports near Reading

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

KLM
Good (1,411 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,576 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,003 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,532 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,047 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,788 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,019 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,025 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,664 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,417 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,493 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,462 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (874 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,305 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,583 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,061 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,317 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,136 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,406 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $84 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 16% 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, 463 reviews)
$691+
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The White Hart
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 189 reviews)
$97+
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The Elvetham
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1582 reviews)
$98+
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The Relais Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1443 reviews)
$165+
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pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2860 reviews)
$78+
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Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1943 reviews)
$110+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Renting a car in Reading costs $58 per day, on average, or $174 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.70 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 $80.40 and $107.20. Compact (Vauxhall Crossland or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Reading costs $58 per day, on average, or $174 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.70 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 $80.40 and $107.20. Compact (Vauxhall Crossland or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Find car rentals in Reading