- Must visit
Nottingham Castle
Historic castle museum on Castle Rock with galleries, caves and exhibitions exploring rebellion, art and the city’s long story.
Cheapest price
£55
Average price
£86
Fastest journey
3 h 8 m
Average duration
3 h 10 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
167 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Nottingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Nottingham will cost around £86 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £55.
Of the 4 trains that leave Reading for Nottingham every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 167 km distance in an average of 3 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 8 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 12 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Nottingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 31m. 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 coach costs an average of £12, and a train costs an average of £29.
Distance: 167 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£68 Average Price | £37 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 36m Average total duration 5h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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.
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Nottingham trains for today, Tuesday 11 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:15 Reading | 3h07 | 8:22 Nottingham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:51 Reading | 3h10 | 11:01 Nottingham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:51 Reading | 3h10 | 12:01 Nottingham | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 21:12 Reading | 3h58 | 1:10 Nottingham | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Reading to Nottingham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £29 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 02:24, the last at 22:20. The fastest train covers the 167 km distance in 2h 48m.
Distance 167 km |
Average train duration 2h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £29 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 2h 48m |
First train 2:24 |
Last train 22:20 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Nottingham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Nottingham trip today.
Historic castle museum on Castle Rock with galleries, caves and exhibitions exploring rebellion, art and the city’s long story.
National museum dedicated to justice, crime and punishment, with immersive courts, cells and law galleries in former legal buildings.
Independent contemporary art gallery in the Lace Market showing changing exhibitions, talks and events in a distinctive modern building.
Historic quarter of warehouses, churches and creative venues, ideal for walking, architecture, independent shops and hidden courtyards.
Central square framed by major civic buildings, fountains and seasonal events, serving as Nottingham’s main gathering place.
Victorian public park with formal gardens, boating lake, deer park and woodland walks beside the dramatic hall.
A soft white cob filled with chips, often with salt, vinegar or curry sauce. It is a classic East Midlands fast-food staple tied to local cob culture.
A local bread roll from Nottingham and the East Midlands, known for its flour-dusted crust and soft centre. It is central to regional sandwich and bakery traditions.
A hard, crumbly blue cheese traditionally made in Nottinghamshire. It is one of England’s best-known historic cheeses and a strong local dairy speciality.
Modern British tasting menus in an intimate, elegant setting. A strong choice for refined dining in the city centre.
Well-known city-centre steakhouse and bar in a historic lace-market cellar. Lively atmosphere with grilled meats and cocktails.
Popular restaurant serving southern Indian dishes and street-food favourites. Casual, colourful and dependable for bold flavours.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses and local transport stay fairly affordable for tourists.
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
Nottingham Station -> Old Market Square, Nottingham
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Nottingham 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 Nottingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Nottingham trains use the Reading to Nottingham station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Nottingham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
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.
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.
Nottingham has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Nottingham.
ATMs are available at Nottingham.
Ticket office support is available at Nottingham. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Nottingham: Parking, WC.
Available at Nottingham: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Nottingham: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a category A access station. There are lifts available to all platforms and there is level and ramp access to the concourse and ticket office/machines. This station has tactile paving at the edge of each platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible public telephones: none, Accessible taxis: Taxi number displayed on useful information poster at station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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