- Must visit
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Reading to Leicester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 20 Oct
Cheapest price on 20 Oct
£44
Average ticket price on 20 Oct
£44
Fastest journey on 20 Oct
5 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 20 Oct
5 h 21 m
Buses on 20 Oct
2
Distance
132 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Reading to Leicester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Leicester will cost around £44 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £44.
Fast coaches
On Tue 20 Oct, we found 2 buses from Reading to Leicester, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 132 km distance in an average of 5 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 37 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.
5:255h05Reading10:30Leicester£441One-way0 changes- 22:035h37Reading3:40Leicester£451One-way0 changes
- 5:255h05Reading10:30Leicester£441One-way0 changes
- 22:035h37Reading3:40Leicester£451One-way0 changes
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Reading to Leicester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Reading to Leicester run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £37 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 132 km distance in 4h 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 132 km |
Average bus duration 4h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price £37 |
Buses per day 15 |
Fastest bus 4h 2m |
First bus 0:45 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 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
Live departures
Reading to Leicester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Leicester coaches for today, Monday 19 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21:03 Reading | 4h52 | 1:55 Leicester | 0 changesdirect | |
| 22:03 Reading | 5h37 | 3:40 Leicester | 0 changesdirect | |
| Tuesday 20 October | |||||
| 5:25 Reading | 5h05 | 10:30 Leicester | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Why should you book Reading to Leicester coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Reading to Leicester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Reading to Leicester.
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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Reading to Leicester.
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 Leicester.
Bus providers: National Express from Reading to LeicesterYou can travel by bus between Reading to Leicester with National Express for as low as £37. 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 National Express Duration
4h 2m
Cheapest National Express Price
£37
National Express frequency
15 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.
Complete guide to Leicester
Things to do in Leicester
Discover the best of Leicester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leicester trip today.
- Recommended
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.
- Recommended
Jewry Wall Museum
Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.
- Recommended
St Martin's Square
Lively regenerated waterside with bars, boats, public art and an easy walk linking the city centre to the canal heritage area.
- Recommended
Victoria Park
Large central park with formal gardens, broad lawns and space to relax near the university and city centre.
- Recommended
Abbey Park
Attractive green space around abbey ruins and the River Soar, good for walks, wildlife and traces of medieval Leicester.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Red Leicester Cheese
Red Leicester is a crumbly orange cow’s milk cheese from Leicestershire, long linked to the county and traditionally coloured with annatto for its rich hue.
Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
Melton Mowbray pork pie is a hand-raised pie from Leicestershire with seasoned chopped pork and a distinctive free-form crust, traditionally eaten cold.
- Gluten-free
Stilton
Stilton is a famous English blue cheese historically traded through Leicestershire, prized for its creamy texture and strong savoury flavour on local cheeseboards.
Laguna
Popular Indian restaurant on the Golden Mile known for rich curries, tandoori dishes and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
Knight & Garter
Stylish modern British restaurant and bar in St Martins Square, known for seasonal plates, cocktails and a polished but relaxed dining room.
Shivalli
Long-running vegetarian Gujarati restaurant serving thalis, snacks and sweets in a simple, busy setting loved by local families.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for a coffee.
Tipping culture
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.
Best day trips from Leicester by bus
The most popular day trips by bus from Leicester are Birmingham, Nottingham, Coventry, Derby and London. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Leicester on Omio.
Day trip from Leicester to Birmingham by bus
Why visit Birmingham for the day?
Birmingham is known for its industrial past, canal network and diverse food scene. It combines major shopping and cultural landmarks with lively neighbourhoods shaped by manufacturing, music and modern city life.
How to get from Leicester to Birmingham by bus?
There are 14 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 55 km distance in 1h 5m.
Day trip from Leicester to Nottingham by bus
Why visit Nottingham for the day?
Nottingham is known for the Robin Hood legend, its lace-making past and a lively student atmosphere. The compact city blends Nottingham Castle and the Lace Market with independent shops, music and strong sporting traditions.
How to get from Leicester to Nottingham by bus?
There are 48 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 35 km distance in 40m.
Day trip from Leicester to Coventry by bus
Why visit Coventry for the day?
Coventry blends medieval history with post-war architecture and a strong industrial past. It is best known for its cathedral ruins, modern Coventry Cathedral and links to British car making.
How to get from Leicester to Coventry by bus?
There are 6 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 01:50, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 36 km distance in 45m.
Day trip from Leicester to Derby by bus
Why visit Derby for the day?
Derby is an East Midlands city known for rail heritage, advanced engineering and a centre with Georgian and Victorian character. The Silk Mill and Cathedral Quarter connect its Industrial Revolution past with a practical, easy-going atmosphere.
How to get from Leicester to Derby by bus?
There are 27 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:03, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 39 km distance in 50m.
Day trip from Leicester to London by bus
Why visit London for the day?
London blends royal history with modern city life, known for its museums, theatre and global food scene. Along the Thames, grand landmarks sit beside diverse neighbourhoods shaped by finance, fashion and contemporary culture.
How to get from Leicester to London by bus?
There are 97 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 143 km distance in 1h 40m.
FAQs: Reading to Leicester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Leicester 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 Leicester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Reading to Leicester can start from as little as £37 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Leicester is £52; 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 Leicester is 4h 2m to travel the 132 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 Leicester leaves at 0:45. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Reading to Leicester leaves at 23:45.
There are 15 coaches a day from Reading to Leicester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Reading to Leicester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Leicester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Reading and Leicester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Reading and Leicester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Reading to Leicester:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Leicester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Reading to Leicester 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 Leicester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Reading to Leicester:
- 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 Leicester:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Leicester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Reading to Leicester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Leicester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Reading to Leicester with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Leicester
Most Reading to Leicester buses use the Reading, Blagrave Street to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Leicester 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 Leicester
Which Reading station do buses to Leicester leave from?
Buses from Reading to Leicester 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.
Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station
City-centre transport
Getting to Leicester, St.Margaret's Bus Station from Leicester city centre
BusHop · 0m · £2 · every ~14 min
26 · 1m · every ~10 min
21 · 4m
More options for your journey from Reading to Leicester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Leicester and Reading
Most popular bus connections
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