How to travel from Ipswich to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Ipswich and Reading is around 174km (108 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 1h 50m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Ipswich 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 ReadingIpswich if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Reading.

  • Duration1h 50m
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    £52($62)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Heathrow Airport London T23 and then to Reading Town Centre Reading RailAir.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £8($9)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
car
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Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration2h 15m
  • Distance210km (131 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ipswich and Reading

There are several options for getting from Ipswich to Reading by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £8 ($9) and will take around 4h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 1h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £52 ($62).

The distance between Ipswich and Reading is around 174km (108 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 161km (100 miles)

It takes around 1h 50m to get from Ipswich and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ipswich to Reading is to take the train which takes around 1h 50m and will set you back approx £52 ($62).

The cheapest way to travel between Ipswich and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £8 ($9) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Ipswich and Reading. It typically takes around 1h 50m and departs every 30 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Ipswich 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 30 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 50m.

Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line run train services between Ipswich and Reading. Trains depart every 30 mins and will take around 1h 50m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ipswich and Reading. It typically takes around 4h 25m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ipswich 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 4h 25m.

National Express and First Berkshire & The Thames Valley run regular bus services between Ipswich and Reading. Buses run once daily and take around 4h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ipswich to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to London Liverpool Street and then to Reading. instead which will take 1h 50m.

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.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Ipswich and Reading. The distance is around 210km (131 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ipswich to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 50m and will usually cost around £52 ($62).

How do I get from Ipswich to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Ipswich and Reading

Transport options from Ipswich to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 50m
£52($62)
every 30 mins174km (108 miles)
Bus
4h 25m
£8($9)
once daily240km (149 miles)
Drive
2h 15m
£36($43)
on demand210km (131 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ipswich and Reading

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Reading

The following major airports near Reading offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LHR
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
International Airport
Distance
36km (22 miles) from Reading
LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
62km (39 miles) from Reading
SOU
Southampton Airport (SOU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
63km (39 miles) from Reading