Southampton to Reading bus with National Express

Thu 16 Jul
+ Add return
National Express
Unilink
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2,000+ travel companies
National Express
Unilink
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Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southampton to Reading

Showing times and prices for 16 Jul

Cheapest price

£45

Average price

£48

Fastest journey

2 h 45 m

Average duration

2 h 57 m

Buses per day

12

Distance

68 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Southampton to Reading will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £45.

Fast coaches

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

  • National ExpressNX032 · RRRA1
    15:003h09
    Southampton, Coach Station
    18:09Reading, Blagrave Street
    £451One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · RRRA1
    20:302h45
    Southampton, Coach Station
    23:15Reading, Blagrave Street
    £451One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · RRRA1
    16:303h32
    Southampton, Coach Station
    20:02Reading, Blagrave Street
    £451One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · RRRA1
    18:302h47
    Southampton, Coach Station
    21:17Reading, Blagrave Street
    £451One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · RRRA1
    13:303h19
    Southampton, Coach Station
    16:49Reading, Blagrave Street
    £451One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Southampton to Reading

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 57m. 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 train costs an average of £7, and a coach costs an average of £21.

Distance: 68 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£52

Average Price

£18

Average Price

Cheapest

2h 52m

Average total duration

2h 22m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 27m

Average total duration

Fastest

57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Southampton to Reading bus times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Reading coaches for today, Wednesday 15 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express14:00 Southampton
3h09
17:09 Reading0 changesdirect
National Express15:00 Southampton
3h09
18:09 Reading0 changesdirect
National Express18:30 Southampton
2h47
21:17 Reading0 changesdirect
Thursday 16 July
National ExpressNX032 · RRRA12:05 Southampton, Coach Station
3h06
5:11 Reading, Blagrave Street1 change
National ExpressNX032 · RRRA14:15 Southampton, Coach Station
3h00
7:15 Reading, Blagrave Street1 change
National ExpressNX032 · RRRA15:35 Southampton, Coach Station
3h11
8:46 Reading, Blagrave Street1 change
National ExpressNX032 · RRRA17:00 Southampton, Coach Station
3h05
10:05 Reading, Blagrave Street1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Southampton to Reading 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.

Thu
16 Jul
Fri
17 Jul
Sat
18 Jul
Sun
19 Jul
Mon
20 Jul
Tue
21 Jul
Wed
22 Jul

Why should you book Southampton to Reading coaches with Omio?

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

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 Unilink to find the best option for your trip from Southampton to Reading.
  • 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 Southampton to Reading.

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 Southampton to Reading.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Southampton to Reading

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Southampton to Reading run on average 12 times per day, taking around 2h 22m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 but you can travel from only £7 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 02:00, the last at 23:34. The fastest coach covers the 68 km distance in 2h 9m.

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 £7
Distance
68 km
Average bus duration
2h 22m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Buses per day
12
Fastest bus
2h 9m
First bus
2:00
Last bus
23:34
Cheapest Month
Jun
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
49 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £7

Bus providers: National Express, Unilink from Southampton to ReadingYou can travel by bus between Southampton to Reading with National Express, Unilink for as low as £7. 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 41m
Cheapest Price
£42
National Express frequency
10 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.

Unilink

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 8m
Cheapest Price
£55
Unilink frequency
3 a day

FAQs: Southampton to Reading coach

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

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Southampton to Reading can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton to Reading 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 Southampton to Reading is 2h 9m to travel the 68 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 Southampton to Reading leaves at 2:00. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton to Reading leaves at 23:34.
There are 12 coaches a day from Southampton to Reading which require at least one change with National Express, Unilink. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Southampton to Reading, you can count on National Express, Unilink for the best way to get you to Reading. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Southampton and Reading and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Southampton , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University . When arriving in Reading , you can end your route in coach stations like Reading, Blagrave Street, Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Southampton, Coach Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Reading, Blagrave Street, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Reading from Southampton is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 9m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Southampton to Reading is June.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Reading including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Southampton to Reading:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton to Reading for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Southampton to Reading 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 Southampton to Reading.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Southampton to Reading:
  • 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 Southampton to Reading:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton to Reading.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Southampton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Southampton to Reading with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Reading

Most Southampton to Reading buses use the Southampton, Coach Station to Reading, Blagrave Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Southampton and Reading bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Southampton
Arrival bus stations in Reading

Which Southampton station do buses to Reading leave from?

Buses from Southampton to Reading leave from Southampton, Coach Station. The station is from Southampton city centre at Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United Kingdom.
Southampton, Coach StationHarbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, Coach Station from Southampton city centre

BusX4, X5 · 5m · £2 · every ~20 min

Southampton, Coach Station bus station facilities and services

Southampton, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Café Express (in the station), Sandwich Bar (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance for cash withdrawals.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton, Coach Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.

Southampton, University
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, University from Southampton city centre

BusU2b, U2 · 11m · £2 · every ~6 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 25m · £2 · every ~37 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 29m · £2 · every ~37 min

More options for your journey from Southampton to Reading

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Reading Southampton to Reading bus

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