- Must visit
Reading Museum
Reading’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and art. Best known for the Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cambridge to Reading
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 12 Oct
Cheapest price on 12 Oct
£43
Average ticket price on 12 Oct
£57
Fastest journey on 12 Oct
4 h 34 m
Average journey duration on 12 Oct
4 h 41 m
Buses on 12 Oct
2
Distance
111 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cambridge to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Reading will cost around £57 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £43.
Fast coaches
On Mon 12 Oct, we found 2 buses from Cambridge to Reading, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 111 km distance in an average of 4 h 41 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 34 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 47 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.
12:154h34Cambridge16:49Reading£431One-way0 changes- 16:004h47Cambridge20:47Reading£721One-way0 changes
- 12:154h34Cambridge16:49Reading£431One-way0 changes
- 16:004h47Cambridge20:47Reading£721One-way0 changes
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cambridge to Reading
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Cambridge to Reading run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £42 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 01:35, the last at 21:12. The fastest coach covers the 111 km distance in 3h 24m.
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
Distance 111 km |
Average bus duration 3h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price £42 |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 3h 24m |
First bus 1:35 |
Last bus 21:12 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
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
Live departures
Cambridge to Reading bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Reading coaches for today, Sunday 11 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:40 Cambridge | 4h06 | 14:46 Reading | 2 changes | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Why should you book Cambridge to Reading coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Cambridge to Reading.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cambridge to Reading.
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 Cambridge to Reading.
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 Cambridge to Reading.
Bus providers: National Express from Cambridge to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Cambridge to Reading with National Express for as low as £42. 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 24m
Cheapest National Express Price
£42
National Express frequency
9 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
Things to do in Reading
Discover the best of Reading — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Reading trip today.
- Must visit
The Museum of English Rural Life
Small museum beside the abbey ruins with exhibits on Reading’s medieval abbey. Good for context before walking the historic quarter.
- Recommended
Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology
University museum covering farming, countryside life, and design. Engaging displays make it a distinctive and family-friendly visit.
- Must visit
Forbury Gardens
Large riverside park with formal gardens, open lawns, and abbey remains. Ideal for relaxing walks close to the town centre.
- Recommended
Broad Street
Traffic-free shopping street at the heart of Reading. A practical and lively route linking major shops, historic lanes, and public spaces.
- Recommended
Thames Side Promenade
Riverside walking area along the Thames near Caversham Bridge. Visit for benches, water views, and an easy stroll near the centre.
Berkshire pork sausages
Berkshire pork sausages are a long-standing county staple, prized for well-seasoned local pork and often served with mash in traditional pubs.
- Vegetarian
Spotted dick
Spotted dick is a classic steamed suet pudding with dried fruit, commonly served with custard and strongly associated with traditional English cooking.
- Vegetarian
Summer pudding
Summer pudding is a Berkshire favourite in berry season, made by lining bread with soft fruit and juice for a bright, old-fashioned local dessert.
L'Ortolan
Refined modern British dining in elegant surroundings, known for carefully plated tasting-style dishes and polished service.
The Cunning Man
Traditional pub by the Thames serving British classics, Sunday roasts and local drinks in a relaxed historic setting.
Miller & Carter Oracle
Popular central Reading restaurant specialising in well-cooked steaks, grills and hearty sides in a lively contemporary space.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for England: hotels are often cheaper than London, but dining, drinks and rail fares still add up for visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £60+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4.50 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Reading Buses
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £3
- Day pass
- £5.40
To the city centre
Reading Station -> Reading Town Centre
- Distance
- 400 m
- Travel time
- 5 min
- Contactless tap on and tap off works on Reading Buses and caps at the simplyReading day ticket price of £5.40.
- Blagrave Street is beside Reading Station and within a short walk of the town centre, so walking is usually quickest from the station area.
FAQs: Cambridge to Reading coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge to Reading 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Cambridge to Reading can start from as little as £42 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cambridge to Reading is £54; 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 Cambridge to Reading is 3h 24m to travel the 111 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 Cambridge to Reading leaves at 1:35. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cambridge to Reading leaves at 21:12.
There are 8 coaches a day from Cambridge to Reading which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cambridge to Reading, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Reading. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cambridge and Reading and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cambridge and Reading including taking a coach and train.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cambridge to Reading for coach company National Express.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cambridge to Reading:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cambridge to Reading 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 Cambridge to Reading.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cambridge to Reading:
- 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 Cambridge to Reading:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Cambridge to Reading.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cambridge to Reading with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cambridge to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cambridge to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cambridge and Reading
Most Cambridge to Reading buses use the Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Cambridge and Reading bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Cambridge
Arrival bus stations in Reading
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)
City-centre transport
Getting to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) from Cambridge city centre
BusTour · 31m · £2 · every ~6 min
Which Reading station do buses from Cambridge arrive at?
Buses from Cambridge to Reading arrive at Reading, Blagrave Street. Reading, Blagrave Street is from Reading city centre.
Reading, Blagrave StreetReading RG1 1PZ, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Reading, Blagrave Street from Reading city centre
Bus19a, 19c · 1h 21m · £2
Reading, Blagrave Street bus station facilities and services
Reading, Blagrave Street has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading, Blagrave Street: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Most popular bus connections from Cambridge
More options for your journey from Cambridge to Reading
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Reading and Cambridge
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