- Recommended
Lancaster City Museum
City museum in the former town hall with local archaeology, natural history and decorative arts that explain Lancaster’s development.
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Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Reading to Lancaster
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Lancaster among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £48 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 5m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £48, while a train costs an average of £57.
Distance: 316 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£48 Average Price Cheapest | £57 Average Price |
13h 40m Average total duration 13h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration Fastest 3h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
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 Lancaster is a coach with an average price of £48.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Lancaster:
A coach is £9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Reading to Lancaster costing on average £57.
The fastest way to travel from Reading to Lancaster is by train with an average journey time of 3h 35m.
Other travel options to Lancaster take longer:
Coach takes on average 13h 10m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Reading and Lancaster including taking a coach and train.
Live departures
Reading to Lancaster bus times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Lancaster coaches for today, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 3:45 Reading | 13h10 | 16:55 Lancaster | 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 Lancaster 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Reading to Lancaster
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Reading to Lancaster run on average 1 times per day, taking around 13h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £48 but you can travel from only £43 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 04:45, the last at 16:15. The fastest coach covers the 316 km distance in 13h 10m.
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 £43
Distance 316 km |
Average bus duration 13h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £48 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 13h 10m |
First bus 4:45 |
Last bus 16:15 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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 £43
Complete guide to Lancaster
Things to do in Lancaster
Discover the best of Lancaster — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lancaster trip today.
- Recommended
Lancaster Maritime Museum
Maritime museum in a historic customs house, covering Lancaster’s port, trade and seafaring links on St George’s Quay.
- Recommended
Judges' Lodgings Museum
Small museum inside the Judges’ Lodgings, with period rooms and displays about local life and furniture in an atmospheric historic house.
- Must visit
Williamson Park
Popular park with woodland walks, a butterfly house, play areas and broad views. It is a relaxed local favourite close to the centre.
- Recommended
St George's Quay
Historic riverside street lined with Georgian buildings, museums and old warehouses. Ideal for a walk linking the quay and city centre.
- Recommended
Lancaster Canal Towpath
Traffic-free canal-side route with locks, boats and waterside views. Excellent for walking or cycling at a slower pace through the city.
- Vegetarian
Lancaster Gingerbread
A crumbly, buttery shortcake biscuit long made in Lancaster. It is a classic local teatime treat tied to the city’s baking traditions.
- Gluten-free
Lancashire Hotpot
A traditional Lancashire hotpot of lamb or mutton, onions and sliced potatoes, slowly baked. It is one of the county’s best-known comfort dishes.
Full Lancashire Breakfast
A hearty full breakfast from Lancashire, commonly including eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding and toast. It is a staple local morning meal.
Bellini's
Friendly independent restaurant specialising in stone-baked pizzas and Italian comfort food in a casual central setting.
Quite Simply French
Stylish bistro in the city centre serving modern British cooking with local produce in a relaxed, polished setting.
The Water Witch
Long-established canal-side pub known for cask ales, hearty British dishes and a traditional atmosphere near the city centre.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for the UK. Lancaster is usually cheaper than Manchester or London for hotels and meals, while buses and trains can still add noticeable visitor costs.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for fine dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical if service is not included. Round up for taxis. In cafés, tipping is optional, often just small change.
Stagecoach Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £3
- Day pass
- £3 cap
To the city centre
Lancaster Bus Station, Damside Street -> Common Garden Street, Lancaster
- Distance
- 400 m
- Travel time
- 5 min
- Contactless payment is widely accepted on Stagecoach buses, and single fares in England are capped at no more than £3.
- Lancaster Bus Station is already in the city centre, so many central places are reachable on foot in about 5 minutes.
FAQs: Reading to Lancaster coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Lancaster 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 Lancaster, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Reading to Lancaster can start from as little as £48 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Lancaster is £48; 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 Lancaster is 13h 10m to travel the 316 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 Lancaster leaves at 4:45. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Reading to Lancaster leaves at 16:15.
A trip to Lancaster from Reading is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 13h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Reading to Lancaster is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Reading and Lancaster including taking a coach and train.
No, the coach from Reading to Lancaster has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
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 Lancaster.
No, luggage for the coach from Reading to Lancaster needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Reading to Lancaster.
Most popular bus connections from Reading
More options for your journey from Reading to Lancaster
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Lancaster and Reading
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