How to travel from Lancaster to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Lancaster and Reading is around 357km (222 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 10m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Lancaster to Reading by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out ReadingLancaster if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
plane
+
train
+

Train to Manchester Airport, plane

Take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Southampton (SOU) then take the train to Reading.

  • Duration3h 10m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    £260($310)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Wolverhampton and then to Reading.

  • Duration3h 45m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £110($130)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Manchester Airport and then to Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd.

  • Duration5h 55m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    £26($31)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration3h 55m
  • Distance366km (227 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Lancaster and Reading

There are several options for getting from Lancaster to Reading by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £26 ($31) and will take around 5h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £260 ($310).

The distance between Lancaster and Reading is around 357km (222 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 313km (195 miles)

It takes around 3h 45m to get from Lancaster and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 55m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Lancaster to Reading is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 10m and will set you back approx £260 ($310).

The cheapest way to travel between Lancaster and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £26 ($31) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Lancaster and Reading. It typically takes around 3h 45m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Lancaster to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Wolverhampton. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 45m.

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express Service run train services between Lancaster and Reading. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 45m, 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 Lancaster and Reading. It typically takes around 5h 55m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Lancaster to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Manchester Airport. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 5h 55m.

National Express and Megabus UK run regular bus services between Lancaster and Reading. Buses run once daily and take around 5h 55m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Lancaster to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Reading. instead which will take 3h 15m.

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 Lancaster and Reading. The distance is around 366km (227 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 55m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Lancaster to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 45m and will usually cost around £110 ($130).

How do I get from Lancaster to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Lancaster and Reading

Transport options from Lancaster to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Manchester Airport, plane + 2 similar
3h 10m
£260($310)
every 3 hours444km (276 miles)
Train and Plane3h 15m
£260($305)
hourly424km (264 miles)
Train to Haymarket, plane5h 15m
£205($240)
every 2 hours888km (552 miles)
Train + 1 similar
3h 45m
£110($130)
hourly357km (222 miles)
Train via Manchester Piccadilly4h 25m
£115($135)
hourly372km (231 miles)
Bus
5h 55m
£26($31)
once daily394km (245 miles)
Drive
3h 55m
£63($75)
on demand366km (227 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Lancaster and Reading

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