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
$90
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in April
Estimated hotel price
$90
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 New York and takes around 9h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 50m and costs around $49 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Paris, expect to pay about $62 for a 2h 19m 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 FlixBus or National Express. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 135 miles and will cost you around $19. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $11 for a journey of 140 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 New York and takes around 9h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Southampton takes 1h 50m and costs around $49 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Paris, expect to pay about $62 for a 2h 19m 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 FlixBus or National Express. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 135 miles and will cost you around $19. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $11 for a journey of 140 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 (1,468 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,838 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,780 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,270 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,246 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,891 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,132 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,744 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,408 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,543 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,540 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (900 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,705 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,796 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,424 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,183 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,370 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,200 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,471 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (389 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 $108 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 76% 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 Stag and Huntsman at Hambleden
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1859 reviews)
$127+
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Voco Reading By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 2182 reviews)
$91+
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The White Hart
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 194 reviews)
$101+
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pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2918 reviews)
$77+
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Hotel du Vin Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1574 reviews)
$132+
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Holiday Inn Reading-South M4, Jct.11 By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1942 reviews)
$63+
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. Economy (Suzuki Swift or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 59% 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. Economy (Suzuki Swift or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Reading, while also 59% cheaper than other types, on average.

Find car rentals in Reading