How to travel from Liverpool to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Liverpool and Reading is around 298km (185 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 3h 5m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Liverpool 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 ReadingLiverpool if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Train

Take the train to Stafford and then to Reading.

  • Duration3h 5m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £95($115)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2
train
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plane
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train
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Reading.

  • Duration3h 10m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    £145($170)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

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

3
bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd.

  • Duration5h 55m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £22($26)

1 similiar route

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

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration3h 25m
  • Distance318km (197 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Liverpool and Reading

There are several options for getting from Liverpool to Reading by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £19 ($22) and will take around 6h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 3h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £95 ($115).

The distance between Liverpool and Reading is around 298km (185 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 257km (159 miles)

It takes around 3h 5m to get from Liverpool and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Liverpool to Reading is to take the train which takes around 3h 5m and will set you back approx £95 ($115).

The cheapest way to travel between Liverpool and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £19 ($22) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Liverpool and Reading. It typically takes around 3h 5m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Liverpool to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Stafford. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 5m.

Avanti West Coast, London Midland and CrossCountry run train services between Liverpool and Reading. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 5m, 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 Liverpool and Reading. It typically takes around 5h 55m and departs 5 times a week.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Liverpool and Reading with no changeovers required. The bus runs 5 times a week and takes 5h 55m.

Megabus UK, National Express and Oxford Bus Company run regular bus services between Liverpool and Reading. Buses run 5 times a week 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 Liverpool 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 10m.

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 Liverpool and Reading. The distance is around 318km (197 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Liverpool to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 5m and will usually cost around £95 ($115).

How do I get from Liverpool to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Liverpool and Reading

Transport options from Liverpool to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
3h 5m
£95($115)
hourly298km (185 miles)
Train and Plane + 3 similar
3h 10m
£145($170)
hourly357km (222 miles)
Plane and Train3h 10m
£275($325)
hourly608km (378 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane3h 15m
£265($310)
every 3 hours411km (256 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane4hrs
£170($200)
hourly435km (270 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
5h 55m
£22($26)
5 times a week353km (219 miles)
Bus via Oxford Bus Station, Gloucester Green6h 35m
£19($22)
once daily345km (215 miles)
Drive
3h 25m
£36($43)
on demand318km (197 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Liverpool and Reading

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