Reading travel guide

Reading Tourism | Reading Guide

You're Going to Love Reading

With a population of 244,070, Reading is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Reading has to offer.

Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, CAU Reading (The Oracle Shopping Centre) and Forbury's Restaurant (One Forbury Square) are great picks. For delicious green meals, London St Brasserie (Riverside Oracle 2-4 London Street) and The Pack Saddle at Mapledurham (Chazey Heath) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Reading.

When to visit Reading

Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$115
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in March
Estimated hotel price
$115
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Reading

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 30 miles from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 21h 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Nottingham takes 1h 46m and costs around $72 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $72 for a 1h 46m trip. Located 6 miles from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 37 miles from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Leicester, the bus ride to Reading takes 130 miles and will cost you around $14. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $6 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 30 miles from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 21h 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Nottingham takes 1h 46m and costs around $72 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $72 for a 1h 46m trip. Located 6 miles from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 4 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 37 miles from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Leicester, the bus ride to Reading takes 130 miles and will cost you around $14. From Bristol, the ticket costs about $6 for a journey of 135 miles. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 0.7 miles from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Reading

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (4,614 reviews)
KLM
Good (848 reviews)
SWISS
Good (927 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,451 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,599 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,282 reviews)
Air France
Good (974 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (476 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,930 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,478 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,729 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,160 reviews)
LOT
Good (682 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around $137 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $196 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Crescent Hotel and Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
5 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$1,006+
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$168+
The Elvetham Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$148+
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Henley-on-Thames
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$244+
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$137+
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
$96+

Hiring a car in Reading

Hiring a car in Reading costs $68 per day, on average, or $205 if you want to hire it for 3 days.

Expect to pay $2.84 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $33.98 and $45.30. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Class Mini Car or similar) is, on average, 72% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Reading costs $68 per day, on average, or $205 if you want to hire it for 3 days.

Expect to pay $2.84 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $33.98 and $45.30. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Class Mini Car or similar) is, on average, 72% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Reading