Croydon to Reading train with South Western Railway

Sat 05 Sept
+ Add return
South Western Railway
Great Western Railway
Thameslink
Southern
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
South Western Railway
Great Western Railway
Thameslink
Southern
Avanti West Coast
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Croydon to Reading

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£27

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£27

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

1 h 43 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

1 h 44 m

Trains on 05 Sept

2

Distance

61 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Croydon to Reading will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £27.

Fast trains

On Sat 05 Sept, we found 2 trains from Croydon to Reading, including 2 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 61 km distance in an average of 1 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 43 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 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.

  • South Western Railway
    8:001h43
    Croydon
    9:43Reading
    £271One-way
    0 changes
  • South Western Railway
    6:281h45
    Croydon
    8:13Reading
    £281One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Croydon to Reading

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Croydon to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 50m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £30, while a train costs an average of £39.

Distance: 61 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£39

Average Price

£30

Average Price

Cheapest

£13

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 50m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 39m

Average total duration

3h 9m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 37m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Croydon to Reading is a coach with an average price of £30.

This is compared to other travel options from Croydon to Reading:

A coach is £9 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Croydon to Reading costing on average £39.

The fastest way to travel from Croydon to Reading is by train with an average journey time of 1h 20m.

Other travel options to Reading take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 9m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Croydon and Reading including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 17m sooner (1h 20m by train vs 1h 37m by car). Tickets start at around £39 compared to roughly £13 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Croydon to Reading train times

The table below shows live departures for Croydon to Reading trains for tomorrow, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
South Western Railway6:28 Croydon
1h45
8:13 Reading0 changesdirect
South Western Railway8:00 Croydon
1h43
9:43 Reading0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Croydon 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.

Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
Fri
11 Sept

Why should you book Croydon to Reading trains with Omio?

South Western Railway as well as Great Western Railway, Thameslink, Southern and more offer trains services from Croydon to Reading.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Croydon to Reading.

Why book with Omio vs South Western Railway?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for South Western Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway, Thameslink or Southern to find the best option for your trip from Croydon 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 South Western Railway with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Croydon to Reading.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Great Western Railway, Thameslink or Southern to find the best option for your trip from Croydon to Reading.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Croydon to Reading.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Croydon to Reading

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Croydon to Reading run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 20m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £36 but you can travel from only £30 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 61 km distance in 1h 27m.

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
Coach from £30
Distance
61 km
Average train duration
1h 20m
Cheapest ticket price
£36
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
1h 27m
First train
0:05
Last train
23:55
Cheapest Month
Nov
Cheapest Day
Sun
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Apr - Jun
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Sat
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £30

Train companies: South Western Railway, Great Western Railway, Thameslink, Southern from Croydon to Reading trainsSouth Western Railway, Great Western Railway, Thameslink, Southern trains will get you between Croydon and Reading from £30. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

South Western Railway

About
South Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, providing services in the south and south-west of England. It operates a variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local stopping services, and suburban commuter trains. It also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Off-Peak, and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for South Western Railway include London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Weymouth, and London Waterloo to Bournemouth.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average South Western Railway Duration
1h 41m
Cheapest South Western Railway Price
£27
South Western Railway frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and designated luggage areas at end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund depends on ticket type and timing of cancellation
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service with hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee, free for some ticket types
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free, dogs must be on lead
Quiet zone

Great Western Railway

About
Great Western Railway is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds. It also operates services from London Paddington to Oxford, Reading and Bristol. It offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and catering services. The most popular routes for Great Western Railway are London Paddington to Bristol, Reading and Oxford.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway Duration
1h 54m
Cheapest Great Western Railway Price
£30
Great Western Railway frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
Two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, dedicated luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches. First Class at-seat service on some routes
Seat reservation
Optional seat reservations available for a fee. Free in First Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Thameslink

About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Thameslink Duration
1h 31m
Cheapest Thameslink Price
£36
Thameslink frequency
13 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Southern

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Southern Duration
1h 27m
Cheapest Southern Price
£42
Southern frequency
12 a day

Complete guide to Reading

Things to do in Reading

Discover the best of Reading — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Reading trip today.

  • Must visit

Reading Museum

Reading’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and art. Best known for the Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry.

  • Must visit

The Museum of English Rural Life

Small museum beside the abbey ruins with exhibits on Reading’s medieval abbey. Good for context before walking the historic quarter.

  • Recommended

Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology

University museum covering farming, countryside life, and design. Engaging displays make it a distinctive and family-friendly visit.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for England: hotels are often cheaper than London, but dining, drinks and rail fares still add up for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4.50 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Croydon to Reading train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Croydon to Reading by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Reading, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Croydon to Reading can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £36, while the average price tends to be around £39.
The train journey from Croydon to Reading covers a distance of 61 km and takes approximately 1h 27m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Croydon to Reading is 61 km.
The first train from Croydon to Reading leaves at 0:05.
The last train from Croydon to Reading departs at 23:55.
Trains from Croydon to Reading run approximately 6 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Croydon to Reading.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Croydon to Reading.
To get from Croydon to Reading, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
There is no night train service from Croydon to Reading.
The train station in Croydon that goes to Reading is East Croydon (ECR), and it arrives at Reading station (RDG).
The cheapest way to get from Croydon to Reading is by coach, costing approximately £30.
Booking trains from Croydon to Reading in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Croydon to Reading offers some scenic views, particularly as it passes through the countryside of Surrey and Berkshire, showcasing rolling hills and charming villages.
Yes, a day trip from Croydon to Reading is feasible with a travel duration of 1h 27m and a distance of 61 km. The train service operates 5 times per day.
To fully explore Reading's attractions, two to three days are ideal.
Yes, you can take the train from Croydon to Reading.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Croydon and Reading

Most Croydon to Reading trains use the East Croydon to Reading station pair, with some services arriving at Tilehurst. Use this guide to compare Croydon and Reading train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Croydon
Arrival train stations in Reading

Which Croydon station do trains to Reading leave from?

Trains from Croydon to Reading leave from East Croydon. The station is 1 km from Croydon city centre at East Croydon station, Station Approach, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 1LF.
East CroydonEast Croydon station, Station Approach, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 1LFWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to East Croydon from Croydon city centre

East Croydon is 1 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:

BusN68 · 11m · £2 · every ~2 min

East Croydon train station facilities and services

East Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at East Croydon.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at East Croydon. ATMs are available at East Croydon.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at East Croydon.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at East Croydon: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at East Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at East Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms. Lifts to overbridge from all platforms and side entrance. Long steep ramps to platforms from main entrance. (over 1:10 gradient). Assistance Meeting Point is the Information Point on station concourse, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

PurleyPurley station, Station Approach, Whytecliffe Road, Purley, London, CR2 2APWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to Purley from Croydon city centre

Purley is 5 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLondon Bridge - Caterham, London Victoria - Reigate, Tulse Hill - Caterham, London Bridge - Tattenham Corner, London Victoria - Brighton, London Victoria - Three Bridges, London Victoria - Ore, London Victoria - Horsham, London Bridge - Purley, London Victoria - Redhill, East Croydon - Caterham, London Victoria - Bognor Regis, London Victoria - Portsmouth Harbour · 8m · £2 · every ~9 min
Bus407, N68 · 19m · £2 · every ~21 min
60 · 20m · £2 · every ~24 min
439 · 22m · £2 · every ~6 min
289 · 47m · £2 · every ~20 min

Purley train station facilities and services

Purley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Purley.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Purley. ATMs are available at Purley.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Purley.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Purley: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Purley: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Purley: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is on platform 6 above the waiting room, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

South CroydonSouth Croydon station, Blunt Road, Croydon, Greater London, CR2 7PAWifiParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to South Croydon from Croydon city centre

South Croydon is 2 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainLondon Bridge - Caterham, London Bridge - South Croydon, Tulse Hill - Caterham, London Bridge - Tattenham Corner, London Victoria - East Grinstead, London Victoria - Oxted, London Bridge - Purley, East Croydon - South Croydon, East Croydon - Caterham, London Victoria - Horsham · 2m · £0.90 · every ~5 min
London Bridge - Caterham, London Bridge - Tattenham Corner, London Bridge - South Croydon, Tulse Hill - Caterham · 7m · £0.90
Bus403 · 16m · £2 · every ~19 min
N68 · 16m · £2 · every ~2 min
60 · 19m · £2 · every ~24 min

South Croydon train station facilities and services

South Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at South Croydon.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at South Croydon.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at South Croydon.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at South Croydon: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at South Croydon: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at South Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: This is a Category C station: This station does not have step-free access. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Reading Croydon to Reading train

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone