- Must visit
Reading Museum
Museum on Reading’s history, Huntley & Palmers and local archaeology, housed in the Victorian Town Hall near the abbey quarter.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Birmingham to Reading Festival
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 20 Sept
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£13
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£13
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
5 h 10 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
5 h 10 m
Buses on 20 Sept
1
Distance
129 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Birmingham to Reading Festival is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Reading Festival will cost around £13 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
Fast coaches
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 buses from Birmingham to Reading Festival, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 129 km distance in an average of 5 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 10 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 10 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
9:155h10Birmingham14:25Reading Festival£131One-way0 changes
- 9:155h10Birmingham14:25Reading Festival£131One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Birmingham to Reading Festival
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Reading Festival among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £39 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 7m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £39, while a coach costs an average of £51.
Distance: 129 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£51 Average Price | £39 Average Price Cheapest | £26 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 4m Average total duration 3h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 8m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Birmingham to Reading Festival is a train with an average price of £39.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Reading Festival:
A train is £12 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival costing on average £51.
The fastest way to travel from Birmingham to Reading Festival is by train with an average journey time of 1h 37m.
Other travel options to Reading Festival take longer:
Coach takes on average 3h 34m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Birmingham and Reading Festival including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £51 compared to roughly £26 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-24.79. The journey takes 3h 34m versus 2h 8m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Compare prices and tickets Birmingham to Reading Festival by coach or train
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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Why should you book Birmingham to Reading Festival coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Birmingham to Reading Festival
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Birmingham to Reading Festival run on average 11 times per day, taking around 3h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £45 but you can travel from only £29 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 129 km distance in 3h 16m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £29
Distance 129 km |
Average bus duration 3h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price £45 |
Buses per day 11 |
Fastest bus 3h 16m |
First bus 0:30 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £29
Bus providers: National Express from Birmingham to Reading FestivalYou can travel by bus between Birmingham to Reading Festival with National Express for as low as £29. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
3h 16m
Cheapest National Express Price
£45
National Express frequency
11 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
Complete guide to Reading Festival
Things to do in Reading Festival
Discover the best of Reading Festival — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Reading Festival trip today.
- Must visit
The Museum of English Rural Life
Riverside gallery focused on modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions in a converted waterworks by the River Kennet.
- Recommended
The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology
Specialist university museum exploring farming, countryside life and rural change. Its collections and displays are engaging and distinctive.
- Must visit
Forbury Gardens
Central formal gardens beside the abbey ruins and museum. Popular for walks, monuments and relaxing close to Reading’s historic core.
- Recommended
Thames Path at Caversham
Attractive stretch along the River Thames with boat activity, open views and a pleasant path linking Reading and Caversham.
- Recommended
Broad Street
Busy pedestrianised shopping street with historic frontages and easy access to the station, market routes and town-centre sights.
FAQs: Birmingham to Reading Festival coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Reading Festival by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Reading Festival, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Birmingham to Reading Festival can start from as little as £45 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Birmingham to Reading Festival is £51; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival is 3h 16m to travel the 129 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival leaves at 23:45.
There are 11 coaches a day from Birmingham to Reading Festival which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Reading Festival. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Birmingham and Reading Festival and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Birmingham, Coach Station, which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Reading, Blagrave Street, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Reading Festival from Birmingham is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 3h 16m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival is April.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Birmingham and Reading Festival including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Birmingham to Reading Festival depends on the coach companies:
- National Express
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Birmingham to Reading Festival:
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Birmingham to Reading Festival:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Birmingham to Reading Festival with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Birmingham and Reading Festival
Most Birmingham to Reading Festival buses use the Birmingham, Coach Station to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Reading Festival bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Birmingham
Arrival bus stations in Reading Festival
Which Birmingham station do buses to Reading Festival leave from?
Buses from Birmingham to Reading Festival leave from Birmingham, Coach Station. The station is 1 km from Birmingham city centre at Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DD, United Kingdom.
Birmingham, Coach StationMill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DD, United Kingdom
City-centre transport
Getting to Birmingham, Coach Station from Birmingham city centre
Birmingham, Coach Station is 1 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Bus4, 97, 6, X2, 3, 97A, 2, 4A, 5, X1 · 4m · £2 · every ~191 min
X2, 4A, X1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5 · 13m · £2 · every ~149 min
Birmingham, Coach Station bus station facilities and services
Birmingham, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafeteria and fast-food options inside the station
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Coach Station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Most popular bus connections from Birmingham
More options for your journey from Birmingham to Reading Festival
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Reading Festival and Birmingham
Most popular bus connections
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