- Recommended
Museum of Croydon
Compact local museum inside a restored Tudor house, with exhibits on Croydon's people, places and development across the centuries.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Thornton Heath among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £38 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 42m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £38, while a train costs an average of £38.
Distance: 61 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£38 Average Price Cheapest | £13 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 32m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 20m sooner (1h 12m by train vs 1h 32m by car). Tickets start at around £38 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.
Compare 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 Reading to Thornton Heath run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £26 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:09. The fastest train covers the 61 km distance in 1h 4m.
Distance 61 km |
Average train duration 1h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £26 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 1h 4m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:09 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Thornton Heath — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Thornton Heath trip today.
Compact local museum inside a restored Tudor house, with exhibits on Croydon's people, places and development across the centuries.
Historic Edwardian airport buildings and control tower telling the story of early British and international aviation through displays and tours.
Elegant former home of writer Thomas Carlyle with period rooms and displays. Worth visiting for literary history and preserved domestic interiors.
Major green space with woodland, lakes, sports facilities and broad walking routes. Ideal for a relaxed break close to Thornton Heath.
Popular urban park with a lake, playgrounds and sports areas. It is a lively local favourite for walks, picnics and open space.
Historic open space with ponds, gardens and waterside paths. A charming area for strolling and seeing one of the prettiest corners nearby.
Jerk chicken is a London favourite in Thornton Heath’s Caribbean community, with Scotch bonnet heat, allspice and smoky grilled flavour.
Curry goat is a classic Caribbean dish widely eaten locally, slowly cooked with warming spices until rich, tender and deeply savoury.
Rice and peas is a staple side in Caribbean homes and cafés here, cooked with kidney beans, coconut milk and thyme for Sunday-style meals.
Popular Caribbean takeaway and casual spot known for jerk meats, patties and hearty Jamaican staples in an unfussy setting.
Established South Indian vegetarian restaurant serving dosas, thalis and snacks in a simple, busy dining room.
Casual local favourite for Nigerian cooking, especially jollof rice, grilled meats and rich stews with generous portions.
Moderate for Greater London. Dining and rooms cost more than many UK towns, but local eateries, buses and rail links help keep daily spend manageable.
Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is standard for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, such as leaving small change.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Thornton Heath 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 Thornton Heath, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Thornton Heath trains use the Reading to Thornton Heath station pair. Use this guide to compare Reading and Thornton Heath 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.
Thornton Heath has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Thornton Heath.
Wi-Fi is available at Thornton Heath. ATMs are available at Thornton Heath.
Ticket office support is available at Thornton Heath.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Thornton Heath: Parking, WC.
Available at Thornton Heath: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Thornton Heath: 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 in the Booking Hall near the cash machine, 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.
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