Portsmouth to Reading bus with National Express

Thu 16 Jul
+ Add return
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Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Portsmouth to Reading

Showing times and prices for 16 Jul

Cheapest price

£47

Average price

£50

Fastest journey

2 h 51 m

Average duration

3 h 11 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

74 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Portsmouth to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Portsmouth to Reading will cost around £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £47.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Portsmouth 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 74 km distance in an average of 3 h 11 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 51 m .

The slowest buses will take 3 h 31 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.

  • National Express
    15:543h31
    Portsmouth
    19:25Reading
    £471One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    18:552h51
    Portsmouth
    21:46Reading
    £531One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Portsmouth to Reading

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £19. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 35m. 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 train costs an average of £19, and a coach costs an average of £45.

Distance: 74 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£49

Average Price

£39

Average Price

Cheapest

4h 21m

Average total duration

3h 51m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 35m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Portsmouth to Reading bus times

The table below shows live departures for Portsmouth to Reading coaches for today, Wednesday 15 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express14:54 Portsmouth
3h31
18:25 Reading0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Portsmouth 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.

Thu
16 Jul
Fri
17 Jul
Sat
18 Jul
Sun
19 Jul
Mon
20 Jul
Tue
21 Jul
Wed
22 Jul

Why should you book Portsmouth to Reading coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Portsmouth to Reading.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Reading.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Portsmouth to Reading

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Portsmouth to Reading run on average 13 times per day, taking around 3h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £45 but you can travel from only £19 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 03:05, the last at 23:05. The fastest coach covers the 74 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £19
Distance
74 km
Average bus duration
3h 51m
Cheapest ticket price
£45
Buses per day
13
Fastest bus
2h 37m
First bus
3:05
Last bus
23:05
Cheapest Month
Jan
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
1 day
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 £19

Bus providers: National Express from Portsmouth to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Portsmouth to Reading with National Express for as low as £19. 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 Duration
2h 37m
Cheapest Price
£45
National Express frequency
1 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.

FAQs: Portsmouth to Reading coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Portsmouth to Reading can start from as little as £45 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Portsmouth to Reading is £49; 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 Portsmouth to Reading is 2h 37m to travel the 74 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 Portsmouth to Reading leaves at 3:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Portsmouth to Reading leaves at 23:05.
There are 13 coaches a day from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth and Reading and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Portsmouth , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth, University, Southsea, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, International Port . 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 Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange, 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 from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Reading is January.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Portsmouth and Reading including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Portsmouth to Reading:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Portsmouth to Reading for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Reading.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth to Reading:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Portsmouth to Reading.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Portsmouth to Reading with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Portsmouth to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Portsmouth to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Portsmouth and Reading

Most Portsmouth to Reading buses use the Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and Reading bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Portsmouth
Arrival bus stations in Reading

Which Portsmouth station do buses to Reading leave from?

Buses from Portsmouth to Reading leave from Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange. The station is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre at The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, UK.
Portsmouth, The Hard InterchangeThe Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, UKWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange from Portsmouth city centre

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLondon Victoria - Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour, Littlehampton - Portsmouth Harbour, Three Bridges - Portsmouth Harbour, Barnham - Portsmouth Harbour, Gatwick Airport - Portsmouth Harbour, Havant - Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis - Portsmouth Harbour · 3m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
Bus1, 2, 8, 3, 7, X4, H1, X5, Pr1 · 6m · £2 · every ~214 min

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange bus station facilities and services

Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Café at The Hard (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Elevators, ramps.

Portsmouth, University
Southsea, Clarence Esplanade
City-centre transport

Getting to Southsea, Clarence Esplanade from Portsmouth city centre

Bus23 · 23m · £2 · every ~27 min

More options for your journey from Portsmouth to Reading

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Reading Portsmouth to Reading bus

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