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 December
Estimated hotel price
$98
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in December
Estimated hotel price
$98
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 Boston and takes around 6h 46m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Oxford takes 0h 58m and costs around $24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Paris, expect to pay about $54 for a 2h 21m 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 U-Save and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using FlixBus or National Express. From Bournemouth, the bus ride to Reading takes 115 miles and will cost you around $8. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $16 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 Boston and takes around 6h 46m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Oxford takes 0h 58m and costs around $24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Paris, expect to pay about $54 for a 2h 21m 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 U-Save and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Reading using FlixBus or National Express. From Bournemouth, the bus ride to Reading takes 115 miles and will cost you around $8. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $16 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 (1,485 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,886 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,848 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,378 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,295 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,912 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,164 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,563 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (904 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,540 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,739 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,554 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,730 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,889 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,181 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,376 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (397 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,188 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,431 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,239 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $82 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $112 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 90% 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

See all
Voco Reading By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 2286 reviews)
$88+
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The White Hart
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 195 reviews)
$98+
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The Relais Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1482 reviews)
$184+
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Hotel du Vin Henley
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1728 reviews)
$123+
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Holiday Inn Reading-South M4, Jct.11 By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 2406 reviews)
$62+
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ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Excellent (8, 3611 reviews)
$62+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Renting a car in Reading costs $40 per day, on average, or $121 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $7.31 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 $87.67 and $116.89. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Class Compact Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Suzuki Swift or similar) are, on average, 61% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Reading costs $40 per day, on average, or $121 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $7.31 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 $87.67 and $116.89. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Class Compact Car or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Suzuki Swift or similar) are, on average, 61% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Reading