- Must visit
Reading Museum
Reading’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and art. Best known for the Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Eastbourne to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £41 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 49m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £41, while a coach costs an average of £65.
Distance: 116 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£41 Average Price Cheapest | £65 Average Price | £26 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 49m Average total duration Fastest 2h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 17m Average total duration 4h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Eastbourne to Reading:
A train is £24 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Eastbourne to Reading costing on average £65.
Other travel options to Reading take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 47m.
Tickets start at around £41 compared to roughly £26 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-15.34. The journey takes 2h 19m versus 2h 12m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
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.
Trains from Eastbourne to Reading run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £41 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 01:10, the last at 22:46. The fastest train covers the 116 km distance in 2h 52m.
Distance 116 km |
Average train duration 2h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price £41 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 52m |
First train 1:10 |
Last train 22:46 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Reading — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Reading trip today.
Reading’s main museum explores local history, archaeology, and art. Best known for the Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Small museum beside the abbey ruins with exhibits on Reading’s medieval abbey. Good for context before walking the historic quarter.
University museum covering farming, countryside life, and design. Engaging displays make it a distinctive and family-friendly visit.
Large riverside park with formal gardens, open lawns, and abbey remains. Ideal for relaxing walks close to the town centre.
Traffic-free shopping street at the heart of Reading. A practical and lively route linking major shops, historic lanes, and public spaces.
Riverside walking area along the Thames near Caversham Bridge. Visit for benches, water views, and an easy stroll near the centre.
Berkshire pork sausages are a long-standing county staple, prized for well-seasoned local pork and often served with mash in traditional pubs.
Spotted dick is a classic steamed suet pudding with dried fruit, commonly served with custard and strongly associated with traditional English cooking.
Summer pudding is a Berkshire favourite in berry season, made by lining bread with soft fruit and juice for a bright, old-fashioned local dessert.
Refined modern British dining in elegant surroundings, known for carefully plated tasting-style dishes and polished service.
Traditional pub by the Thames serving British classics, Sunday roasts and local drinks in a relaxed historic setting.
Popular central Reading restaurant specialising in well-cooked steaks, grills and hearty sides in a lively contemporary space.
Moderate for England: hotels are often cheaper than London, but dining, drinks and rail fares still add up for visitors.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Reading Station -> Reading Station, Reading
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Eastbourne 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.

Most Eastbourne to Reading trains use the Eastbourne to Reading station pair, with some services arriving at Reading West. Use this guide to compare Eastbourne and Reading train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Eastbourne has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Eastbourne.
Wi-Fi is available at Eastbourne. ATMs are available at Eastbourne.
Ticket office support is available at Eastbourne.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Eastbourne: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Eastbourne: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Eastbourne: 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. Assistance Meeting Point is on the concourse. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance, 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: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Hampden Park is 3 km from Eastbourne city centre. Public transport options include:
Hampden Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Hampden Park.
ATMs are available at Hampden Park.
Ticket office support is available at Hampden Park.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Hampden Park: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Hampden Park: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Hampden Park: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category B1 station: Level access to both platforms via separate entrances. Access between platforms via level crossing (below 400m distance). Assistance Meeting Point is on platform 1 near the ticket office, Accessible taxis: Yes, 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: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Reading has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Reading.
ATMs are available at Reading.
Ticket office support is available at Reading.
Available at Reading: Parking, WC.
Available at Reading: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: platforms can be reached via lift and bridge, ticket office is step free, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Accessible low-level Pay Phone is available at the station main concourse. Please request staff assistance if you need to, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxi are available at the station entrance. please request staff assistance if you need to, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office and at the car park, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Reading West is 1 km from Reading city centre. Public transport options include:
Reading West has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Reading West.
Ticket office support is available at Reading West.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Reading West: Parking.
Available at Reading West: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Reading West: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category B3 - This station has a degree of step free access but only to Platform 1 and only if accessed via Tilehurst Road. Otherwise this station can be classified as Category C. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Tilehurst is 4 km from Reading city centre. Public transport options include:
Tilehurst has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Tilehurst.
Wi-Fi is available at Tilehurst.
Ticket office support is available at Tilehurst.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Tilehurst: Parking, WC.
Available at Tilehurst: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Tilehurst: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Step free Category C - This station does not have step free access to operational platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible Taxis available at this station Please call our free help line for assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: No, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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