How to travel from Leicester to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Leicester and Reading is around 165km (102 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 1h 45m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Leicester 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 ReadingLeicester if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to London St Pancras International and then to Reading.

  • Duration1h 45m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £52($62)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

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

  • Duration3h 55m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £8($9)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

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

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration1h 55m
  • Distance165km (102 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Leicester and Reading

There are several options for getting from Leicester to Reading by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £8 ($9) and will take around 3h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 1h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £52 ($62).

The distance between Leicester and Reading is around 165km (102 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 132km (82 miles)

It takes around 1h 45m to get from Leicester 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 Leicester to Reading is to take the train which takes around 1h 45m and will set you back approx £52 ($62).

The cheapest way to travel between Leicester 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 Leicester and Reading. It typically takes around 1h 45m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Leicester to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London St Pancras International, King's Cross St. Pancras station and Paddington. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 45m.

East Midlands Railways, Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line and CrossCountry run train services between Leicester and Reading. Trains depart every 20 mins and will take around 1h 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 Leicester and Reading. It typically takes around 3h 55m and departs 5 times a day.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Leicester to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport London T23. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 3h 55m.

National Express, First Berkshire & The Thames Valley and Megabus UK run regular bus services between Leicester and Reading. Buses run 5 times a day and take around 3h 55m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Leicester to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to London St Pancras International and then to Reading. instead which will take 1h 45m.

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 Leicester and Reading. The distance is around 165km (102 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 Leicester to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 45m and will usually cost around £52 ($62).

How do I get from Leicester to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Leicester and Reading

Transport options from Leicester to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
1h 45m
£52($62)
every 20 mins220km (137 miles)
Train via Birmingham New Street2h 35m
£89($105)
hourly222km (138 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
3h 55m
£8($9)
5 times a day231km (143 miles)
Bus to Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd4h 30m
£22($26)
4 times a week236km (146 miles)
Drive
1h 55m
£29($34)
on demand165km (102 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Leicester 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