4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Reading
Cheapest price
£50
Average price
£52
Fastest journey
4 h 52 m
Average duration
5 h 5 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
153 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cardiff to Reading will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £50.
Of the 2 buses that leave Cardiff for Reading every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 153 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 52 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 17 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.
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £8, and a train costs an average of £30.
Distance: 153 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£39 Average Price Cheapest | £52 Average Price |
3h 25m Average total duration 2h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 58m Average total duration Fastest 1h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Cardiff to Reading bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Reading coaches for today, Thursday 26 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NX202 · RRRA1 | Delayed 04:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h15 | 11:05 11:05Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX202 · RRRA1 | On time 10:40 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h29 | 16:09 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX202 · RRRA1 | On time 12:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h34 | 18:09 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX202 · RRRA1 | On time 14:55 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens | 5h52 | 20:47 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| Friday 27 February | |||||
| 03:25 Cardiff | 4h52 | 08:17 Reading | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Reading 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.
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
02 Mar
03 Mar
04 Mar
05 Mar
Why should you book Cardiff to Reading coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Megabus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Megabus, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Reading.
- 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 Megabus with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Reading.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Cardiff to Reading.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Reading.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Reading
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Cardiff to Reading run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:40. The fastest coach covers the 153 km distance in 2h 45m.
Distance 153 km |
Average bus duration 2h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £8 |
Buses per day 11 |
Fastest bus 2h 45m |
First bus 00:10 |
Last bus 23:40 |
Bus providers: Megabus, FlixBus from Cardiff to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Reading with Megabus, FlixBus for as low as £8. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Megabus
FAQs: Cardiff to Reading coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff 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.
- Megabus
- Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Megabus
- Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Megabus
- One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Megabus
- Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Reading
Accessibility
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
Most popular bus connections from Cardiff
More options for your journey from Cardiff to Reading
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Reading and Cardiff
Most popular bus connections
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
