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.
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 Reading → Leicester if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to London St Pancras International and then to Reading.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Heathrow Airport London T23 and then to Reading Town Centre Reading RailAir.
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train + 1 similar | 1h 45m | £52($62) | every 20 mins | 220km (137 miles) |
Train via Birmingham New Street | 2h 35m | £89($105) | hourly | 222km (138 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 3h 55m | £8($9) | 5 times a day | 231km (143 miles) |
Bus to Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd | 4h 30m | £22($26) | 4 times a week | 236km (146 miles) |
Drive | 1h 55m | £29($34) | on demand | 165km (102 miles) |
East Midlands Railways
Elizabeth Line
First Berkshire & The Thames Valley
The following major airports near Reading offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.