- Must visit
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
A visitor attraction and working studio where tours reveal how Harry Potter films were made, with original sets and props.
Cheapest price on 20 Sept
£42
Average ticket price on 20 Sept
£42
Fastest journey on 20 Sept
1 h 44 m
Average journey duration on 20 Sept
1 h 44 m
Trains on 20 Sept
1
Distance
46 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Watford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Watford will cost around £42 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £42.
On Sun 20 Sept, we found 1 trains from Reading to Watford, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 46 km distance in an average of 1 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 44 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 44 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 Watford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £39 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 43m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £39, while a train costs an average of £39.
Distance: 46 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£39 Average Price Cheapest | £11 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Tickets start at around £39 compared to roughly £11 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-28.48. The journey takes 1h 13m versus 1h 2m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Watford trains for today, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:12 Reading | 1h25 | 9:37 Watford | 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 Watford run on average 23 times per day, taking around 1h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £27 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:15. The fastest train covers the 46 km distance in 51m.
Distance 46 km |
Average train duration 1h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Trains per day 23 |
Fastest train 51m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:15 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Watford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Watford trip today.
A visitor attraction and working studio where tours reveal how Harry Potter films were made, with original sets and props.
Watford's local museum in a historic house, with exhibitions on the town's people, industry and changing streets.
An arts centre with galleries, performances and cinema, making it a useful stop for contemporary local visual culture.
Watford's best-known park, with broad lawns, woodland walks, playgrounds, sports facilities and the Grand Union Canal nearby.
A regenerated waterside district with canal walks, modern public spaces, events and easy access from the town centre.
A large nature reserve with lakes, woodland and meadows, popular for quiet walks, birdwatching and family outings.
A classic pub staple from Hertfordshire and nearby counties: sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy.
Traditional English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, mushrooms and toast; a familiar local weekend favourite in Watford cafés.
Beer-battered white fish with chips is a core British takeaway and pub dish, commonly eaten across Watford with mushy peas or curry sauce.
Upscale country-house dining just outside Watford, serving refined British dishes in elegant historic surroundings.
Smart modern Indian restaurant known for polished curries, grills and friendly service in central Watford.
Popular Turkish restaurant serving charcoal-grilled meats, meze and generous sharing plates in a lively setting.
Moderate for southern England. Hotels can be pricey on London commuter routes, but dining and local transport are usually a little cheaper than central London.
Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, 10% is usual for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Official public transport app
Watford Junction -> Watford Town Centre, Watford
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Watford 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 Watford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Reading to Watford trains use the Reading to Watford Junction station pair, with some services arriving at Watford High Street. Use this guide to compare Reading and Watford 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.
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.
Watford Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Watford Junction.
ATMs are available at Watford Junction.
Ticket office support is available at Watford Junction. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Watford Junction: Parking, WC.
Available at Watford Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Watford High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Watford High Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Watford High Street. ATMs are available at Watford High Street.
Ticket office support is available at Watford High Street.
Available at Watford High Street: Parking.
Available at Watford High Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford High Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only, Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bushey is 1 km from Watford city centre. Public transport options include:
Bushey has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bushey.
Wi-Fi is available at Bushey.
Ticket office support is available at Bushey. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Bushey: Parking.
Available at Bushey: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bushey: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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