- Recommended
Dacorum Heritage Trust Museum Store
The town’s main museum tells the story of Hemel Hempstead and the wider borough through local history displays, objects and changing exhibitions.
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Travel Information
Compare coach for Reading to Hemel Hempstead
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Reading to Hemel Hempstead among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £49 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 2h 32m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £49, while a coach costs an average of £49.
Distance: 48 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|
£49 Average Price Cheapest | £10 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The cheapest way to travel from Reading to Hemel Hempstead is a coach with an average price of £49.
The fastest way to travel from Reading to Hemel Hempstead is by train with an average journey time of 1h 13m.
Other travel options to Hemel Hempstead take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 2m.
Yes, you can take a coach between Reading and Hemel Hempstead.
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 £49 compared to roughly £10 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-38.81. The journey takes 2h 2m versus 58m 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
Reading to Hemel Hempstead bus times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Hemel Hempstead coaches for today, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 22:03 Reading | 3h02 | 1:05 Hemel Hempstead | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Reading to Hemel Hempstead by coach
Compare 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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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Reading to Hemel Hempstead
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Reading to Hemel Hempstead run on average 1 times per day, taking around 2h 2m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £49 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:20, the last at 22:03. The fastest coach covers the 48 km distance in 2h 2m.
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 48 km |
Average bus duration 2h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price £49 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 2h 2m |
First bus 0:20 |
Last bus 22:03 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
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
Bus providers: RailAir from Reading to Hemel HempsteadYou can travel by bus between Reading to Hemel Hempstead with RailAir for as low as £49. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
RailAir
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average RailAir Duration
2h 2m
Cheapest RailAir Price
£49
RailAir frequency
1 a day
Bus providers: RailAir from Reading to Hemel HempsteadYou can travel by bus between Reading to Hemel Hempstead with RailAir for as low as £49. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
RailAir
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average RailAir Duration
2h 2m
Cheapest RailAir Price
£49
RailAir frequency
1 a day
Complete guide to Hemel Hempstead
Things to do in Hemel Hempstead
Discover the best of Hemel Hempstead — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Hemel Hempstead trip today.
- Recommended
Frogmore Paper Mill
A working paper museum nearby at Apsley, exploring the former paper mills with machinery, archives and demonstrations on selected open days.
- Recommended
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
A specialist museum at nearby Leavesden presenting original Harry Potter sets, props and costumes in a large behind-the-scenes studio tour.
- Recommended
Hemel Old Town
The historic high street area with period buildings, independent shops, pubs and regular events; ideal for a walk and a feel for old Hemel.
- Recommended
Gadebridge Park
A large central park with lawns, play areas, sports facilities and the remains of Gadebridge House, popular for relaxed walks.
- Recommended
Grand Union Canal
A scenic canal-side stretch with locks, bridges and waterside paths, well suited to walking, cycling and watching narrowboats pass.
Steak and Kidney Pudding
A suet pastry pudding filled with steak and kidneys, long linked with English pub cooking and still a classic comfort dish in Hertfordshire.
Fish and Chips
Battered white fish with chips is a staple British takeaway and pub meal, widely eaten locally and strongly tied to everyday food culture.
Sunday Roast
Roast beef with roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire pudding is a traditional Sunday meal commonly served in local pubs and homes.
Meghna
Smart Indian restaurant serving refined curries and grilled dishes in an elegant, established setting.
Kervan Kitchen
Popular Turkish restaurant for charcoal grills, meze and generous portions in a lively modern room.
The Olde Kings Arms
Traditional pub near the Old Town, known for cask ales, British mains and a relaxed historic atmosphere.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate by UK standards. Dining and hotels cost less than central London, but more than many smaller UK towns. Rail travel to London can add noticeably to daily spend.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £45+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Arriva UK Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £3
- Day pass
- £5.20
To the city centre
Bridge Street -> Hemel Hempstead Town Centre
- Distance
- 0.3 km
- Travel time
- 4 min
- Most local buses in Hertfordshire are covered by the £3 single fare cap until March 2027. Check operator-specific exceptions before travel.
- For Hemel Hempstead, Intalink is the official network source for routes and service updates. Buy operator tickets in the relevant app where offered.
FAQs: Reading to Hemel Hempstead coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Hemel Hempstead 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 Hemel Hempstead, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Reading to Hemel Hempstead can start from as little as £49 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Hemel Hempstead 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 Reading to Hemel Hempstead is 2h 2m to travel the 48 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 Hemel Hempstead leaves at 0:20. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead leaves at 22:03.
There are 1 coaches a day from Reading to Hemel Hempstead which require at least one change with RailAir. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead, you can count on RailAir for the best way to get you to Hemel Hempstead. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Reading and Hemel Hempstead and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
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 Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Hemel Hempstead from Reading is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 2m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead is December.
Yes, you can take a coach between Reading and Hemel Hempstead.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
No, the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead has no accessibility options.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
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.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
No, luggage for the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Reading to Hemel Hempstead.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Hemel Hempstead
Most Reading to Hemel Hempstead buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Hemel Hempstead 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 Hemel Hempstead
Which Reading station do buses to Hemel Hempstead leave from?
Buses from Reading to Hemel Hempstead leave from Reading, Blagrave Street. The station is from Reading city centre at Reading RG1 1PZ, UK.
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.
Which Hemel Hempstead station do buses from Reading arrive at?
Buses from Reading to Hemel Hempstead arrive at Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street. Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street is from Hemel Hempstead city centre.
Hemel Hempstead, Bridge StreetBridge St, Hemel Hempstead HP1, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street from Hemel Hempstead city centre
Bus302, 320, 20 · 8m · £2 · every ~15 min
1 · 8m · every ~1 min
302 · 9m · £2 · every ~5 min
H10 · 16m · £4 · every ~2 min
Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street bus station facilities and services
Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street 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 Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street. ATMs are available at Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Hemel Hempstead, Bridge Street: Ramp access available.
Most popular bus connections from Reading
More options for your journey from Reading to Hemel Hempstead
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Hemel Hempstead and Reading
Most popular bus connections
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