The distance between Colchester and Reading is around 147km (91 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 1h 30m.
We've found 3 different ways to get from Colchester to Reading by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Reading → Colchester if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Reading.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to Heathrow Airport London T23 and then to Cemetery Junction.
Multiple bus operators
There are several options for getting from Colchester to Reading by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £7 ($8) and will take around 3h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 1h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £42 ($50).
The distance between Colchester and Reading is around 147km (91 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 138km (85 miles)
It takes around 1h 30m to get from Colchester and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 55m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Colchester to Reading is to take the train which takes around 1h 30m and will set you back approx £42 ($50).
The cheapest way to travel between Colchester and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £7 ($8) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Colchester and Reading. It typically takes around 1h 30m and departs every 15 mins.
There are no direct train services that runs from Colchester to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Liverpool Street, Liverpool Street Station and Paddington Station. These services run every 15 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 30m.
Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line run train services between Colchester and Reading. Trains depart every 15 mins and will take around 1h 30m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Colchester and Reading. It typically takes around 3h 25m and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Colchester to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport London T23. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 3h 25m.
National Express and First Berkshire & The Thames Valley run regular bus services between Colchester and Reading. Buses run once daily and take around 3h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Colchester to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Reading. instead which will take 1h 30m.
The closest major airport to Reading is Heathrow Airport (LHR) (LHR) which is approximately 36km (22 miles) from Reading. London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) and Southampton Airport (SOU) (SOU) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Colchester and Reading. The distance is around 185km (115 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 55m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Colchester to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 30m and will usually cost around £42 ($50).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 1h 30m | £42($50) | every 15 mins | 147km (91 miles) |
Bus | 3h 25m | £7($8) | once daily | 209km (130 miles) |
Drive | 1h 55m | £32($38) | on demand | 185km (115 miles) |
Greater Anglia
South Western Railway
First Berkshire & The Thames Valley
The following major airports near Reading offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.