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Trip Summary
There are 8 daily trains from Liverpool to Reading. Traveling by train from Liverpool to Reading usually takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Avanti West Coast train can make the trip in 3 hours and 28 minutes.
| Distance | 159 mi (257 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 28m |
| Lowest price | €66.94 |
| Most frequent service | Avanti West Coast |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Liverpool to Reading?
2 train services operate from Liverpool to Reading. Avanti West Coast usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti West Coast | 5 | 3h 29m | €155.71 |
| West Midlands Railway | 3 | 3h 34m | €110.14 |
Avanti West Coast is one of the primary rail links between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. On any given day, Avanti West Coast operates almost 300 routes and departs hourly from select destinations.
West Midlands Railway train tickets from Liverpool to Reading start from €67, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 West Midlands Railway schedules to Reading. West Midlands Railway in Liverpool leaves from Liverpool Lime Street Station . And in Reading trains arrive at Reading Station .
From Liverpool to Reading train travel on West Midlands Railway takes 3 hours and 34 minutes. If you are looking to get to Reading faster, West Midlands Railway offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 28 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Liverpool and Reading is approximately 159 miles, or 257 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 28 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Liverpool to Reading on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Liverpool at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 8 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Reading to Liverpool.
City Information
Liverpool
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Although Liverpool is only England's 10th largest city, its fame ballooned as the birthplace of the world's biggest rock band: The Beatles. Visiting Liverpool would not be complete without a trip to the iconic Beatles Statue, located near the port, followed by a visit to The Beatles Story museum, where visitors can immerse themselves in the band's rise to fame.
To explore some of Liverpool's older history, the Merseyside Maritime Museum provides fascinating exhibits on the city's great port-town past, including exhibitions on the Titanic as well as the Battle of the Atlantic. Football fanatics should check out the world-famous Anfield Stadium, where regular tours help visitors revel in the history and glory of this iconic football club.
Traveling to Liverpool is easy thanks to several rail providers, which facilitate travel around the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Liverpool also has two significant bus terminals for access via coach and an international airport for those traveling from further afield.
Reading
Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attributionLocated 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 buses also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Liverpool?
Image credit: Unsplash
Main departure station: Liverpool Lime Street Station
Liverpool's main rail terminus, Lime Street Station, was opened in 1836, making it the oldest operating mainline rail station in the world. It receives regular services from London via TransPennine Express. Local Merseyrail services arrive and depart from under the main station concourse. Here you'll find several stores and restaurants, as well as coffee shops such as Starbucks, restrooms, and luggage lockers. Long-distance National Express and Megabus coaches depart from the bus station at Liverpool One shopping mall, a six-minute walk away.
All train stations in Liverpool:
Liverpool Lime Street Station
Where is the train station in Reading?
Main arrival station: Reading Station
Reading has one train station.
Train stations in Reading:
Reading Station
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