- Must visit
Royal Pump Room Museum
Museum in Harrogate’s former pump house explaining the town’s spa history, sulphur waters and Victorian visitors.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£59
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£59
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
9 h 45 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
9 h 45 m
Buses on 18 Sept
1
Distance
284 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Reading to Harrogate is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Harrogate will cost around £59 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £59.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 buses from Reading to Harrogate, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 284 km distance in an average of 9 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 45 m .
The slowest buses will take 9 h 45 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Harrogate among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £60 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 15m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £60, while a train costs an average of £95.
Distance: 284 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£60 Average Price Cheapest | £95 Average Price | £57 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 18m Average total duration 7h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 3h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Harrogate:
A coach is £35 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Harrogate costing on average £95.
Other travel options to Harrogate take longer:
Coach takes on average 7h 48m.
Tickets start at around £60 compared to roughly £57 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-3.65. The journey takes 7h 48m versus 4h 18m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Harrogate coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:25 Reading | 9h45 | 22:10 Harrogate | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Reading to Harrogate run on average 10 times per day, taking around 7h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £60 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 03:20, the last at 23:03. The fastest coach covers the 284 km distance in 10h 45m.
Distance 284 km |
Average bus duration 7h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price £60 |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 10h 45m |
First bus 3:20 |
Last bus 23:03 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of Harrogate — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Harrogate trip today.
Museum in Harrogate’s former pump house explaining the town’s spa history, sulphur waters and Victorian visitors.
Modern art gallery and museum with changing exhibitions on local history, fine art and decorative collections in the town centre.
Small local history museum in nearby Knaresborough covering town life, archaeology and the riverside setting.
Large public gardens with floral displays, woodland walks, a playground and links to Harrogate’s spa heritage.
Historic district around the old spa quarter, popular for architecture, boutiques and a pleasant walk through Harrogate’s centre.
Open green space just outside the centre with broad lawns, mature trees and a quieter local feel for walks and relaxation.
A strong black tea blend created in Harrogate by Taylors. It is closely associated with the town’s spa heritage and remains a classic local drink.
A traditional Yorkshire roast dish made from batter baked in hot fat, usually served with roast beef and gravy on Sundays across the region.
A crumbly, moist fruit cake from Yorkshire, made with currants and often flavoured with citrus or almond. Common with afternoon tea.
Smart modern restaurant serving refined British tasting menus in an intimate setting in the centre of Harrogate.
Stylish Italian restaurant known for small plates, pasta and a lively atmosphere. Good for a relaxed but polished meal.
Traditional Yorkshire tea room and restaurant famous for afternoon tea, cakes and classic British dishes in elegant period rooms.
Moderate for the UK: hotels can be pricey in peak season, but dining and local buses are broadly in line with similar spa and market towns.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Café tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Harrogate Station -> Harrogate Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Harrogate 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 Harrogate, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Harrogate buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Harrogate, Station Parade station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Harrogate bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Reading, Blagrave Street has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading, Blagrave Street: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Harrogate, Station Parade has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Harrogate, Station Parade. ATMs are available at Harrogate, Station Parade.
Ticket office support is available at Harrogate, Station Parade.
Available at Harrogate, Station Parade: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Harrogate, Station Parade: Ramps available for wheelchair access.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need