Travelling to Reading

About Reading

Reading is a large town in Berkshire. Not far from London, it is a popular base for commuters as well as being a student town, home to the University of Reading. Once a year in August, the city hosts Reading Festival, a large and popular three-day music festival.

How to Get to Reading

Flights to Reading

Although Reading does not have its own airport, it is very easy to reach from London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport; both offering direct connections to the centre of the town. From Heathrow, catch the Railair coach which departs the airport to the centre every 30 minutes, taking approximately 1 hour. From Gatwick, there is a direct train service to Reading departing every hour, which takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Reading's central train station.

Trains to Reading

Reading station is a major transport hub - located in the northern part of the town centre, close to the bus station, it's station is one of the busiest in the UK. It is served by three major UK rail companies; South West Trains, Cross Country and First Great Western. On these lines, you can reach Reading from Newcastle, Southampton, London and other cities. The journey time from London Paddington is 25 - 35 minutes, and services depart roughly every 10 minutes throughout the day.

Buses to Reading

National Express operates a bus service from London Victoria coach station to Calcot Coachway. Buses depart once an hour, and the journey time is 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes with no changes.

How to Get Around Reading

Driving is common in Reading, although roads can become congested in peak hours. There is a good network of buses run by ReadingBuses also, however it is possible to get around the city by foot as well, due to the abundance of pedestrianised areas.

About Reading

Reading is a modern, multicultural city in the south of England, just 40 miles from London, the country's capital city. As home to many international companies, it is a city which is proud of its excellent communication networks. But it's also a community in which more than a thousand years of history is displayed. Medieval churches, Victorian red brick buildings and historic coaching inns stand side by side with the modernist architecture of high-tech business developments. The centre boasts a vibrant night life that makes this a truly 24 hour city. Reading is one of top ten retail destinations in the UK, so with shopping centres, restaurants, night clubs, renowned cultural centres and regular Premier League football fixtures at The Madejski Stadium, there is plenty to keep you busy.

Quick Guide to Reading

	Must Know	London Gatwick is the closest airport to Reading and getting around the city by bus is quick and simple.
	Must See	If you love history a visit to the ancient ruins of Reading Abbey is a must.
	Must Do	No visit to Reading would be complete without a cruise on the River Thames, just a few minutes walk from the city centre.
	Must Eat	Who doesn’t love a good pie? Head down to Sweeney & Todd’s! With fillings ranging from steak and oyster to venison and boar it’s a must try pie lovers!
	Did You Know	Home to actors Kate Winslet and Kenneth Branagh, Reading was also the home of Bryan Adams while his father was stationed in the UK.

Travel to Reading

When arriving at Gatwick Airport, just hop on the Gatwick Express train for transport right into the heart of Reading. The journey takes a little over an hour. With one of the country's largest rail hubs, travelling on to the rest of the UK from Reading could not be easier. The city is also served by an excellent bus network which covers the whole city and many of the outlying areas of the Berkshire countryside.

Travelling around Reading

Reading is a compact city and all the major sights are within bus or walking distance. With a range of pricing options, including a 7 day card which covers the whole of urban Reading, you can easily find a bus package to suit your needs. City centre hotels are plentiful, and car rental is only necessary if you plan to travel out into the countryside around this lively, busy city.