Reading to Brighton bus with National Express

Tue 25 Aug
+ Add return
National Express
RailAir
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Alsa
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2,000+ travel companies
National Express
RailAir
FlixBus
Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Reading to Brighton

Showing times and prices for 25 Aug

Cheapest price

£51

Average price

£51

Fastest journey

2 h 34 m

Average duration

2 h 39 m

Buses per day

18

Distance

91 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Reading to Brighton will cost around £51 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £51.

Fast coaches

To travel from Reading to Brighton you need to make at least one change.

  • RailAir
    3:203h00
    Reading
    6:20Brighton
    £511One-way
    1 change
  • RailAir
    4:553h00
    Reading
    7:55Brighton
    £511One-way
    1 change
  • RailAir
    7:043h06
    Reading
    10:10Brighton
    £511One-way
    1 change
  • RailAir
    8:212h44
    Reading
    11:05Brighton
    £511One-way
    1 change
  • RailAir
    9:252h40
    Reading
    12:05Brighton
    £511One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Reading to Brighton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Brighton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £35. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 0m. 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 £35, and a train costs an average of £36.

Distance: 91 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£38

Average Price

Cheapest

£45

Average Price

3h 5m

Average total duration

2h 35m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 30m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 0m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Great 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

Reading to Brighton bus times

The table below shows live departures for Reading to Brighton coaches for today, Monday 24 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express16:43 Reading
3h24
20:07 Brighton0 changesdirect
National Express18:31 Reading
3h21
21:52 Brighton0 changesdirect
Tuesday 25 August
RailAir3:20 Reading
3h00
6:20 Brighton1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Reading to Brighton 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.

Tue
25 Aug
Wed
26 Aug
Thu
27 Aug
Fri
28 Aug
Sat
29 Aug
Sun
30 Aug
Mon
31 Aug

Why should you book Reading to Brighton coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as RailAir offer coaches services from Reading to Brighton.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Reading to Brighton.

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 RailAir to find the best option for your trip from Reading to Brighton.
  • 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 Reading to Brighton.

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 Reading to Brighton.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Reading to Brighton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Reading to Brighton run on average 17 times per day, taking around 2h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £35 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 01:20, the last at 23:35. The fastest coach covers the 91 km distance in 2h 57m.

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
91 km
Average bus duration
2h 35m
Cheapest ticket price
£35
Buses per day
17
Fastest bus
2h 57m
First bus
1:20
Last bus
23:35
Cheapest Month
Apr
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Sat
Best time to book
3 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, RailAir from Reading to BrightonYou can travel by bus between Reading to Brighton with National Express, RailAir for as low as £35. 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 57m
Cheapest Price
£35
National Express frequency
17 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.

RailAir

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 34m
Cheapest Price
£51
RailAir frequency
16 a day

Complete guide to Brighton

Things to do in Brighton

Discover the best of Brighton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Brighton trip today.

  • Recommended

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Contemporary art gallery in the Royal Pavilion Garden, showing major exhibitions in a restored historic building.

  • Recommended

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Museum inside the Royal Pavilion Estate covering local history, fashion, decorative art and changing exhibitions.

Centre for Contemporary Arts Brighton

Seafront gallery dedicated to photography and contemporary visual culture, with changing exhibitions and events.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK seaside city. Hotels and dining are pricier than many British towns, but buses, casual eats and supermarket options help keep daily costs manageable.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£20-35 per person for a meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale restaurants.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Reading to Brighton coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Brighton 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 Brighton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Reading to Brighton can start from as little as £35 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Brighton is £38; 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 Reading to Brighton is 2h 57m to travel the 91 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 Reading to Brighton leaves at 1:20. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Reading to Brighton leaves at 23:35.
There are 17 coaches a day from Reading to Brighton which require at least one change with National Express, RailAir. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Reading to Brighton, you can count on National Express, RailAir for the best way to get you to Brighton. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Reading and Brighton and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Reading , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Reading, Blagrave Street, Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride . When arriving in Brighton , you can end your route in coach stations like Brighton, Preston Circus, Brighton, York Place (St Peter's Church), Brighton, Old Steine South (Stop Z), Brighton, Pool Valley Coach Station, Brighton, Patcham, Hove, Kingsway, Brighton, Preston Park.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Reading, Blagrave Street, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Brighton, Preston Circus, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Brighton from Reading is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 57m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Reading to Brighton is April.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Reading and Brighton including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Reading to Brighton:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Brighton for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Reading to Brighton 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 Reading to Brighton.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Reading to Brighton:
  • 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 Reading to Brighton:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Brighton.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Reading to Brighton with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Brighton with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Reading to Brighton with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Brighton

Most Reading to Brighton buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Brighton, Preston Circus station pair, with some services arriving at Brighton, York Place (St Peter's Church). Use this guide to compare Reading and Brighton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Reading
Arrival bus stations in Brighton

Which Reading station do buses to Brighton leave from?

Buses from Reading to Brighton leave from Reading, Blagrave Street. The station is from Reading city centre at Reading RG1 1PZ, UK.
Reading, Blagrave StreetReading RG1 1PZ, UKAccessibility
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 Reading to Brighton

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

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