The cheapest and fastest trains from Reading to Southampton
Cheapest price
£7
Average price
£21
Fastest journey
50 m
Average duration
50 m
Trains per day
23
Distance
68 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Southampton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Southampton will cost around £21 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £7.
Of the 23 trains that leave Reading for Southampton every day 12 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 68 km distance in an average of 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 50 m .
The slowest trains will take 50 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.
L47460 · L01490
L47504 · L01509
L47527 · L01517
L47482 · L01501
L47516 · L01513
C23587
C23585
C23565
C23576
C23551Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Reading to Southampton
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Southampton 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 56m. 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 £43.
Distance: 68 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£20 Average Price Cheapest | £51 Average Price |
1h 26m Average total duration Fastest 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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
Reading to Southampton train times
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Southampton trains for tomorrow, Sunday 30 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C27477+ L48174 | On time 08:40 Reading West (RDW) | 1h20 | 10:00 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
L47460 · L01490 | On time 09:13 Reading station (RDG) | 1h21 | 10:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C27478+ L48192 | On time 09:40 Reading West (RDW) | 1h20 | 11:00 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
L47471 · L01497 | On time 10:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h22 | 11:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23551 | On time 10:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 11:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47482 · L01501 | On time 11:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h22 | 12:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23557 | On time 11:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h52 | 12:44 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47493 · L01505 | On time 12:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h22 | 13:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23561 | On time 12:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h52 | 13:44 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47504 · L01509 | On time 13:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h20 | 14:32 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23565 | On time 13:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 14:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47516 · L01513 | On time 14:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h20 | 15:32 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23569 | On time 14:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h52 | 15:44 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47527 · L01517 | On time 15:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h20 | 16:32 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23572 | On time 15:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 16:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47538 · L01521 | On time 16:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h22 | 17:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23573 | On time 16:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h52 | 17:44 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
L47548 · L01525 | On time 17:12 Reading station (RDG) | 1h22 | 18:34 Southampton Central (SOU) | 1 change | |
C23576 | On time 17:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 18:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
C23579 | On time 18:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 19:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
C23582 | On time 19:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h53 | 20:45 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
C23585 | On time 20:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 21:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
C23587 | On time 21:52 Reading station (RDG) | 0h50 | 22:42 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Reading to Southampton 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.
30 Nov
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05 Dec
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Reading to Southampton
Trains from Reading to Southampton run on average 6 times per day, taking around 56m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:47, the last at 23:38. The fastest train covers the 68 km distance in 49m.
Distance 68 km |
Average train duration 56m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 49m |
First train 04:47 |
Last train 23:38 |
Train companies: CrossCountry, South Western Railway, Cross Country, first_great_western from Reading to Southampton trainsCrossCountry, South Western Railway, Cross Country, first_great_western trains will get you between Reading and Southampton from £7. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
South Western Railway
Cross Country
first_great_western
Trains from Reading to Southampton
CrossCountry Trains operate direct trains from Reading to Southampton. The first direct connection is just before 8:00 a.m. Trains run roughly hourly until just before 11:00 p.m. Additional indirect connections offer earlier morning departures. These journeys use Great Western Railway services to Basingstoke to connect with South West Trains routes to Southampton. Journey times are under one hour for direct connections, about one hour and 20 minutes for indirect services. On Sundays the first direct departure is just before 10:00 a.m. Reading Station is located on the northern edge of the town centre. Trains arrive at Southampton Central Station, on the west side of town.
FAQs: Reading to Southampton train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Southampton 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 Southampton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Southampton
- 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
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Southampton: Stop in Bullard Road adjacent to Station Hotel. To Fareham: Bullard Road Gyratory (A3035) Bus Shelter
- Car Park: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: From Totton / Romsey: Bus Stop outside of Station on sliproad from Waterloo Road to Mountbatten Way (A33) To Southampton: Mountbatten Way (A33) Bus Stop by Lakelands Drive
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - There is step-free access to Platform 2 (for trains to Fareham) using a long ramp (40m) at approx 1:10 gradient (up to 1:7 in places). There is no step-free access to Platform 1 (towards Southampton, which is accessed via a stepped footbridge only). Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Woolston/Southampton, in Station Road by the 'Stop & Shop' store adjacent to footpath leading to station. To Bursledon/Fareham, in Station Road between Cranbury Road and Sholing Vicarage driveway.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:00 Saturday 05:45 - 20:00 Sunday 07:45 - 20:10
- Car Park: Upside and Multi-Storey
- Taxi: Yes
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located in the Waiting Area on Platform 1. The National key toilets are located in the Waiting Area on Platform 1; these toilets are operated by a radar key. A radar key is available from station staff upon request. A 'National Key Scheme' key [RADAR] can be purchased by contacting the following. Address: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222. Minicom: 020 7250 4119. Fax: 020 7250 0212. Email: [email protected]
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Inside booking hall.
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Car park and platform 2
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Through Journeys: Station Forecourt Bus Stop off Wide Lane (A335) Terminating Journeys: Car Park at Eastleigh end, off Wide Lane (A335)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:40 - 20:45 Saturday 06:00 - 20:45 Sunday 06:30 - 20:45
- Car Park: Premium-downside
- Taxi: Yes outside Platform 4 exit
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step-free category A Station - This station has step-free access to all platforms. Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located in the Waiting Rooms on Platforms 1 and 4. The National key toilets are located on Platforms 1 and 4; these toilets are operated by a radar key. A radar key is available from station staff upon request. A 'National Key Scheme' key [RADAR] can be purchased by contacting the following. Address: 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222. Minicom: 020 7250 4119. Fax: 020 7250 0212. Email: [email protected]
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets
- Waiting rooms location: All platforms. Waiting rooms are heated and seating complies with Code of Practice.
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 - 200 spaces Platform 4 - 44 spaces Outside Platform 4 entrance - 4 spaces Outside Platform 1 entrance - A new bike hut with 140 two tier spaces
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail replacement bus service goes from the north side (Blechynden Terrace) during engineering works. Overnight onward transport goes from the South side (West Quay side)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:00 - 10:45 Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Platforms 1 & 4
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Belmont Road/Junction with Osborne Road Setting Down only journeys - stop by traffic lights (Thomas Lewis Way/Duke Street)
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 11:00 Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step-free category B station - This station has no step-free access to Platform 1 (for trains towards Eastleigh/ London Waterloo). There is level access to Platform 2 (for trains towards Southampton Central). Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Outside station in Wessex Lane.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 11:00 Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step-free category B Station - Level access to Platform 1 (for trains towards Southampton). Steps to Platform 2 (for trains towards Portsmouth). Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: All South Western Railway ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. All machines are accessible, however the station may not be so please check the station access note for further details
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Through Journeys: Bridge Road Bus Stops at bottom of Garton Road. Terminating Journeys: Station Forecourt, Garton Road
Most popular train connections from Reading
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