- 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 Luton to Reading
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£43
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£51
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 41 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 45 m
Buses on 18 Sept
16
Distance
61 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Luton to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Reading will cost around £51 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £43.
Fast coaches
To travel from Luton to Reading you need to make at least one change.
NX230 · RRRA13:502h52Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station6:42Reading, Blagrave Street£431One-way1 change- NX230 · RRRA111:252h41Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station14:06Reading, Blagrave Street£451One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA113:303h19Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station16:49Reading, Blagrave Street£481One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA117:202h42Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station20:02Reading, Blagrave Street£481One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA16:053h01Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station9:06Reading, Blagrave Street£491One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA111:252h41Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station14:06Reading, Blagrave Street£451One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA117:202h42Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station20:02Reading, Blagrave Street£481One-way1 change
- NX240 · RRRA15:352h42Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station8:17Reading, Blagrave Street£671One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA119:002h47Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station21:47Reading, Blagrave Street£491One-way1 change
- NX230 · RRRA13:502h52Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station6:42Reading, Blagrave Street£431One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Luton to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £35 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 56m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £35, while a coach costs an average of £42.
Distance: 61 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£42 Average Price | £35 Average Price Cheapest | £12 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 42m Average total duration 2h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 56m Average total duration Fastest 1h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The cheapest way to travel from Luton to Reading is a train with an average price of £35.
This is compared to other travel options from Luton to Reading:
A train is £6 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Luton to Reading costing on average £42.
The fastest way to travel from Luton to Reading is by train with an average journey time of 1h 26m.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 12m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Luton and Reading including taking a train and coach.
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 £42 compared to roughly £12 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-29.31. The journey takes 2h 12m versus 1h 10m 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.
Live departures
Luton to Reading bus times
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Reading coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 1:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h21 | 5:11 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 3:50 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h52 | 6:42 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 4:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h12 | 7:47 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX240 · RRRA1 | 5:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h42 | 8:17 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 6:05 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h01 | 9:06 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 8:10 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h15 | 11:25 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 9:40 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h05 | 12:45 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 11:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h41 | 14:06 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX240 · RRRA1 | 12:15 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h13 | 15:28 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 13:30 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h19 | 16:49 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 15:25 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h21 | 18:46 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 16:05 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h20 | 19:25 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 17:20 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h42 | 20:02 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX230 · RRRA1 | 19:00 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 2h47 | 21:47 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NX231 · RRRA1 | 21:10 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 3h05 | 0:15 Reading, Blagrave Street | 1 change | |
| NXA2 · NXA40 · RRRA1 | 23:35 Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station | 5h36 | 5:11 Reading, Blagrave Street | 2 changes | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Luton to Reading by train or coach
Compare train and coach 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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18 Sept
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19 Sept
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Mon
21 Sept
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
22 Sept
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23 Sept
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24 Sept
24 Sept
Why should you book Luton to Reading coaches with Omio?
National Express as well as Stagecoach East or Arriva UK offer coaches services from Luton to Reading.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Luton to Reading.
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of Stagecoach East or Arriva UK to find the best option for your trip from Luton 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 National Express with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Luton to Reading.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Luton to Reading.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Luton to Reading
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Luton to Reading run on average 17 times per day, taking around 2h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £13 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:50, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 61 km distance in 2h 37m.
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 61 km |
Average bus duration 2h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £13 |
Buses per day 17 |
Fastest bus 2h 37m |
First bus 0:50 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 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
Bus providers: National Express, Stagecoach East, Arriva UK from Luton to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Luton to Reading with National Express, Stagecoach East, Arriva UK for as low as £13. 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
2h 37m
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.
Stagecoach East
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stagecoach East Duration
2h 25m
Cheapest Stagecoach East Price
£52
Stagecoach East frequency
2 a day
Arriva UK
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Arriva UK Duration
2h 19m
Cheapest Arriva UK Price
£53
Arriva UK frequency
1 a day
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.
Buses from Luton to Reading: Journey Details
National Express is the sole provider of buses from Luton to Reading. Monday to Friday, the company lays on around 40 departures a day, starting at 2:05 a.m. and continuing to 10:05 p.m. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. there are three departures an hour, dropping to roughly one an hour from 6:30 p.m. onwards. Weekends follow a similar pattern but the last bus is earlier at 8:10 p.m. Journeys generally involve one change and take about 3 hours.
Taking the Bus from Luton
Buses from Luton to Reading depart from the National Express Luton Town coach stop, located at the town centre Bus Interchange, next to the railway station, within easy walking distance of the Mall Shopping Centre, and 5 minutes by bus or bicycle from the University of Bedfordshire campus. Being based at the Interchange, the Luton Town coach stop is readily accessible by numerous bus routes across the local area. The bus service ceases operation between 12:15 am and 5:46 am.
Getting into Reading by Bus
Reading is a thriving university town, with a well attended music festival which takes place every year on the August bank holiday weekend, an annual five day beer festival, and a vibrant performance arts scene. Buses from Luton terminate at the RailAir Coach Stop, which is situated near the South-West entrance to Reading Railway Station at the end of Gerrard Street. The station is centrally located for the town's attractions, with the Riverside Leisure Centre and Oracle Shopping Centre both within a 10 minutes' walk or short bus ride away, and the University of Reading's London Road Campus just 1 km to the south. Directly opposite the coach station there are three bus stops and more slightly further on, on Station Road, while taxis can be found at the rank by the Railway Station's Caversham Road exit.
FAQs: Luton to Reading coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton 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 Luton to Reading can start from as little as £13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Luton to Reading is £42; 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 Luton to Reading is 2h 37m to travel the 61 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 Luton to Reading leaves at 0:50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Luton to Reading leaves at 23:50.
There are 17 coaches a day from Luton to Reading which require at least one change with National Express, Stagecoach East, Arriva UK. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Luton to Reading, you can count on National Express, Stagecoach East, Arriva UK for the best way to get you to Reading. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Luton and Reading and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Luton , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station, Luton, Station Interchange, Luton, Dunstable Road (Challney) . When arriving in Reading , you can end your route in coach stations like Reading, Blagrave Street, Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station, which is located around 2 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 from Luton is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 37m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Luton to Reading is January.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Luton and Reading including taking a train and coach.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Luton to Reading for coach company National Express.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Luton to Reading:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Luton 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 Luton to Reading.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Luton 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 Luton to Reading:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Luton to Reading.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Luton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Luton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Luton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Reading
Most Luton to Reading buses use the Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Luton and Reading bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Luton
Arrival bus stations in Reading
Which Luton station do buses to Reading leave from?
Buses from Luton to Reading leave from Luton, London Luton Airport Bus Station. The station is 3 km from Luton city centre at Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LU, UK.
Luton, Station InterchangeLuton Station Interchange, Luton LU1 2WG, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Luton, Station Interchange from Luton city centre
Bus17 · 7m · £2 · every ~2 min
Luton, Station Interchange bus station facilities and services
Luton, Station Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafes and fast food options nearby.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
WiFi is available at nearby facilities. ATMs are aTM available within short walking distance.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Station Interchange.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Luton, Station Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Station Interchange: Ramps and accessible routes available for wheelchairs.
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney)Dunstable Rd, Luton, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) from Luton city centre
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) is 3 km from Luton city centre. Public transport options include:
BusZ · 11m · £2 · every ~15 min
A · 1h 5m · £2 · every ~13 min
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) bus station facilities and services
Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney). ATMs are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Luton, Halfway Avenue/Dunstable Road (Challney): Limited accessibility.
Which Reading station do buses from Luton arrive at?
Buses from Luton to Reading most often arrive at Reading, Blagrave Street. Some services arrive at Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride, so check your ticket before travel to confirm your Reading arrival station.
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.
More options for your journey from Luton to Reading
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Reading and Luton
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