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Cheap bus tickets from Reading to Birmingham

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Reading to Birmingham Bus Schedule

Bus from Reading to Birmingham: Journey Information

There are 22 intercity buses per day from Reading to Birmingham. Traveling by bus from Reading to Birmingham usually takes around 4 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 29 minutes.

Distance81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration3h 29m
Cheapest price$59.07
Most frequent serviceNational Express
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Reading to Birmingham?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Reading to Birmingham. National Express connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
National Express224h 32m$85.69
  • Book National Express from Reading to Birmingham from $59. There are 22 trips per day offered by National Express from Reading to Birmingham and you can expect on average to pay for a National Express ticket to Birmingham. In Reading, National Express departs to Birmingham from Reading Station . In Birmingham, National Express arrives at Coach Station and one other station.

    An average trip on National Express from Reading to Birmingham takes 4 hours and 32 minutes , while the fastest available National Express trip will get you to Birmingham in 3 hours and 29 minutes .

    On weekends, National Express offers 25 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Birmingham.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Reading to Birmingham

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Reading to Birmingham. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 29 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Reading to Birmingham, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 22 scheduled buses that travel from Reading to Birmingham every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Reading to Birmingham; ticket prices start at $40.52.

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

Link to image attribution

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 buses also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.

Birmingham

As the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham effortlessly blends the city’s quaint vibe with modern-day high-rises. One of the top local attractions is St. Martin in the Bull Ring, the original parish church of Birmingham. Featuring remarkable Gothic Revival architecture standing in stark contrast with the futuristic-looking shopping centers, the church is a great spot for travelers looking for a bit of respite. As you stroll around the city, don’t forget to visit the famous Cadbury World, which details the long history of the brand, as well as all the products it produces. For culturally-inclined activities, head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which offers over 40 exhibits.

If you wish to try out authentic Indian dishes with a local twist, head over to Pushkar. For those who wish to enjoy a more upscale dining experience, Bank offers a chic menu in an elegant setting.

The principal rail station is Birmingham New Street Station, which is the busiest train station in the UK. The Birmingham Coach Station offers coach services by National Express as far as London and Dublin. The city’s main airport is the Birmingham Airport, which is located 6 miles east of the city center.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Reading?

Main departure station: Reading Station

Most buses depart from the main station in Reading.

All bus stations in Reading:

  • Reading Station

Where does the bus arrive in Birmingham?

Main arrival station: Coach Station

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Birmingham.

All bus stations in Birmingham:

  • Coach Station

  • Birmingham Airport

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