The cheapest and fastest trains from Luton to Reading
Cheapest price
£30
Average price
£42
Fastest journey
1 h 39 m
Average duration
1 h 51 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
61 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Luton to Reading is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Luton to Reading will cost around £42 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £30.
Of the 5 trains that leave Luton for Reading every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 61 km distance in an average of 1 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 39 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 1 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.










Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Luton to Reading
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Reading among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £22. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 25m. 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 £22, and a coach costs an average of £41.
Distance: 61 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£44 Average Price Cheapest | £49 Average Price |
1h 55m Average total duration Fastest 1h 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 47m Average total duration 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Luton to Reading train times
The table below shows live departures for Luton to Reading trains for today, Wednesday 26 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Y36208+ P07946+ P08347 | On time 06:02 Luton station (LUT) | 1h42 | 07:44 Reading station (RDG) | 2 changes | |
Y36208+ P06827 | On time 06:02 Luton station (LUT) | 1h53 | 07:55 Reading station (RDG) | 1 change | |
Y36989+ P07965+ P08271 | On time 06:13 Luton station (LUT) | 1h39 | 07:52 Reading station (RDG) | 2 changes | |
Y36989+ P06834 | On time 06:13 Luton station (LUT) | 1h59 | 08:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1 change | |
Y36649+ Tube from London St Pancras International to London Paddington+ P08235 | On time 06:25 Luton station (LUT) | 1h46 | 08:11 Reading station (RDG) | 2 changes | |
Y36649+ P06843 | On time 06:25 Luton station (LUT) | 2h01 | 08:26 Reading station (RDG) | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Luton to Reading 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.
27 Nov
28 Nov
29 Nov
30 Nov
01 Dec
02 Dec
03 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Luton to Reading
Trains from Luton to Reading run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 25m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £22 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 61 km distance in 1h 39m.
Distance 61 km |
Average train duration 1h 25m |
Cheapest ticket price £22 |
Trains per day 9 |
Fastest train 1h 39m |
First train 00:10 |
Last train 23:55 |
Train companies: Thameslink, Tfl Rail, East Midlands Trains, Tube, Great Western Rail from Luton to Reading trainsThameslink, Tfl Rail, East Midlands Trains, Tube, Great Western Rail trains will get you between Luton and Reading from £22. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
East Midlands Trains
Great Western Rail
Thameslink
Tfl Rail
Tube
FAQs: Luton to Reading train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton 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.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Reading
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 19:30 Saturday 06:00 - 19:20 Sunday 07:45 - 17:45
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station. Step free access to southbound platform 1 and northbound platform 4 (via a separate entrance). No step free access to northbound platform 2 or southbound platform 3. Most services call at platforms 1 and 2. The assistance meeting point is Platform 4 next to ticket office.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink 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
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 4
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 21:45 Saturday 05:45 - 22:00 Sunday 06:45 - 21:45
- Car Park: Station Road Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. 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 Thameslink 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
- Toilets Location: Available during staffing hours
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Waiting rooms location: There are heated waiting areas on platforms 1 to 4
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front and rear entrances
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 00:30 Saturday 06:30 - 00:00 Sunday 07:30 - 00:00
- Type of shops available: Coffee shops
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: YES
- 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 via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink 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
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: There is a heated waiting area on platforms 2 and 3 and also adjacent to platform 4
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front of station and Kimpton Road
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:15 - 22:45 Saturday 05:30 - 22:45 Sunday 07:15 - 22:45 Please note: Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Mon - Sat 08:00 - 20:00 and Sun 09:00 - 20:00
- Car Park: Multi Storey Car Park
- 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
- Toilets Location: Toilets are located on Station Platforms and in The Brunel Arcade building
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front of station, underground short stay car park and long stay car park.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the North side of the station
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 10:45 Saturday - Sunday Closed
- Car Park: No
- 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
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Towards Reading: Bus Stop on Oxford Road under Railway Bridge. Heading away from Reading Bus Stop on Oxford Road, outside McDonalds.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:25 - 12:55 Saturday 07:00 - 13:30 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- 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
- Toilets Location: Platforms 2/3
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Adjacent entrance to station
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses starting/terminate at Tilehurst: Station forecourt All other buses: A329 Oxford Road bus stops near the station
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