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Cheap coach tickets from Reading to London

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Reading to London Coach Timetable

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Coach from Reading to London: Journey Information

There are 50 intercity coaches per day from Reading to London. Traveling by coach from Reading to London usually takes around 3 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus coach can make the trip in just one hour and 10 minutes.

Distance37 mi (59 km)
Shortest duration1h 10m
Cheapest price£8.79
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceNational Express
Coach lines2

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How much is a coach ticket from Reading to London?

Bus tickets for a trip from Reading to London cost £26.71 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average coach ticket prices from Reading to London by month

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Taking the bus from Reading to London is usually cheapest in April, when the average ticket price is only £17. If you're planning to take the bus from Reading to London during May, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £25. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

What coach companies travel from Reading to London?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Reading to London that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, National Express usually offers more choice, with 48 scheduled trips per day.

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus21h 20m£10.74
National Express483h 54m£36.36
  • First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 2 trips from Reading to London, and usually makes the trip in about 1 hours and 20 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.

  • National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by coach from Reading to London

There is only 1 bus carrier that offers a route from Reading to London. National Express has 5 trips per day, and 66 trips per month. All of the trips are connecting routes, which means you’ll have to transfer buses at some point to complete your trip (typically in Theale or Longford). If you book a National Express ticket, can expect to pay about £18. The average duration of your trip will be about 2 hours and 18 minutes.
The cheapest way to travel to London from Reading is by bus. Bus tickets for this route cost as little as £6. While a GWR train from Reading to London may be a faster option, it’s also more expensive, with tickets averaging at least £20.
Reading, Great Britain is 67.2 kilometers (41.8 miles) west of London. By bus, the trip takes an average of 2 hours and 18 minutes, while the fastest available bus takes just 1 hour 50 minutes.

The coach takes an average of 3 hours and 49 minutes to cover the 37 miles from Reading to London. However, the fastest coach only takes an hour and 10 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual coach may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Saturday is usually the day when coaches are busiest, as many travelers take the coach to enjoy the weekend in London. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded coaches to London, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first coach leaves at 03:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from Reading to London, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 50 scheduled coaches that travel from Reading to London every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Reading to London; ticket prices start at £22.89.

City Information

Reading

Reading - GBREA-0

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Reading - GBREA-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Reading - GBREA-2

Image credit: Reading Tom

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Located only 20 minutes west of London, Reading is a large university and market town in the English county of Berkshire. Reading has an intriguing mix of the past and the present, with a vibrant student scene thriving among the city's medieval and Victorian architecture.

Reading sits on the River Thames, at the end-point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, so there are a number of pretty riverside walks to take in the scenery. Explore the gardens and meet the animals at Beadle Wildlife Park, a vast park crisscrossed with nature trails.

To discover the town's past, visit the Reading Museum, where you can take a trip through time from early Saxon settlements to the Industrial Revolution through 21st-century life.

Since Reading is home to a large university, you are always guaranteed exciting nightlife. Filled with many restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, Reading is the perfect place for a night on the town. Try The Nag's Head, The Lyndhurst, or The Purple Turtle to start your night right.

Because Reading is only a short way from London, getting to Reading is simple. Fly to one of London's large international airports for access from around the world. Reading Train Station is also one of Britain's main railway interchanges, making it easy to reach from all over the country by train. National Express coaches also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.

London

One of the most important cities in the world, London is where the traditional blends seamlessly with the modern. As a vibrant modern city, London has something for everyone. For visitors interested in the Royal Family as well as their history, check out Buckingham Palace. The palace is open all days in summer, but only on selected days in winter. The Tower of London, where the crown jewels are put on exhibition, is also a great spot to check out. For fans of history, you might not want to miss out on the famous British Museum, considered by many to be the best museum in all of London. The museum currently carries an impressive collection of 8 million historic objects from all around the world, making it an eye-opening destination for many.

London’s food scene reflects its multiculturalism. Here you can find restaurants serving cuisines from various countries around the world, from India to Malaysia. If you opt for a lavish dining experience, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, run by the famous chef himself, will be a great choice. Also don’t forget to stop by at a local pub and enjoy the beer like a true Londoner.

The city’s centers of intercity rail services are King’s Cross Station and Euston Station, from which you can take a train to other places in the UK or hop on the Eurostar train to Paris and beyond. The largest coach station in the city is Victoria Coach Station, serving big local carriers like National Express. The city’s air services are fulfilled by eight airports, of which London Heathrow Airport, located west of the city, is the busiest one.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Reading?

Reading Station -{"city":"Reading","country":"GB","postal":"RG1 1LZ","state":"RDG","street1":"Station Road"} - GBREAGBREZ-0

Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn

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Main departure station: Reading Station

Initially opened in 1840 as a stop on the London to Bristol rail line, Reading Station is now the second-largest interchange outside of London. Great Western Railway and South Western Railway operate trains to and from Reading, connecting the city to Newbury, London, Cheltenham, and Bristol. The coach station outside the station provides easy access to local and long-distance travel, and there is a large underground parking complex, too. Inside the glass-roofed station, you can find shops, restrooms, coffee shops, and plenty of seating. Some of Reading's best attractions are within a short walk, including the Reading Museum and the ruins of Reading Abbey.

All coach stations in Reading:

  • Reading Station

  • University - Christchurch Green

Where does the coach arrive in London?

Victoria Coach Station  - GBLNNDEFLX-0

Image credit: Matt Brown

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Main arrival station: London Victoria

London's Victoria Coach Station has its main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Well-signposted but slightly hidden in an attractive art deco office block, the station welcomes around 14 million passengers each year. The arrival and departure areas are at different ends of Elizabeth Street, with the departure zone containing food concession stands, left-luggage facilities, and restrooms. As London's largest coach station, most major coach companies, including FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express, operate from Victoria Coach Station. It is a ten-minute walk to rail and Underground services at Victoria Rail Station, whose 19 platforms include express services to Gatwick Airport.

Coach stations in London:

  • London Victoria

  • London Paddington Rail Station

  • London Whitechapel

  • 144 Southwark St

  • Finchley Rd & Frognal

  • 235 Finchley Rd

  • London Baker St Station

  • St John's Wood

  • Waterloo Rail Station

  • London Marble Arch (Stop S)

  • Elephant and Castle

  • Dunton Rd (Stop WN)

  • London New Cross Gate

  • London Mile End

  • Golders Green Bus Station

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