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 Washington, D.C. and takes around 7h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 20m and costs around $46 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about $20 for a 1h 33m 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 Sixt, 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 209 km and will cost you around $7. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $8 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 Washington, D.C. and takes around 7h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Lille takes 1h 20m and costs around $46 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about $20 for a 1h 33m 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 Sixt, 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 209 km and will cost you around $7. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about $8 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 (1,437 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,711 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,671 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,040 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,165 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,847 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,086 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,156 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,714 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,522 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,466 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (893 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,619 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,649 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,369 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,130 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,169 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,348 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,431 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (11,701 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 $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 31% 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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pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2904 reviews)
$72+
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Hotel du Vin & Bistro Henley-on-Thames
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1560 reviews)
$101+
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ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.9, 3086 reviews)
$63+
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Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Good (7.9, 2785 reviews)
$81+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.6, 2883 reviews)
$45+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, 53 reviews)
$40+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Renting a car in Reading costs $47 per day, on average, or $142 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.89 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 $82.67 and $110.23. 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 Compact rental cars (Vauxhall Crossland or similar) are, on average, 52% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Reading costs $47 per day, on average, or $142 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

Expect to pay $6.89 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 $82.67 and $110.23. 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 Compact rental cars (Vauxhall Crossland or similar) are, on average, 52% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Reading