How to travel from Luton to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Luton and Reading is around 91km (57 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi which takes around 1hr.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Luton to Reading by train, bus, taxi and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Farringdon and then to Reading.

  • Duration1h 20m
  • Departsevery 15 mins
  • Typical cost
    £35($41)
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.

  • Duration2h 15m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    £5($6)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
taxi
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Taxi

Take a taxi to Reading.

  • Duration1hr
  • Departson demand
  • Typical cost
    £135($160)
Operated by

RiDE TAXIS

+ 4 others
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration1hr
  • Distance91km (57 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Luton and Reading

There are several options for getting from Luton to Reading by train, bus, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £5 ($6) and will take around 2h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a taxi and arrive in approximately 1hr, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £135 ($160).

The distance between Luton and Reading is around 91km (57 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 61km (38 miles)

It takes around 1h 20m to get from Luton and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1hr to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Luton to Reading is to take a taxi which takes around 1hr and will set you back approx £135 ($160).

The cheapest way to travel between Luton and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £5 ($6) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Luton and Reading. It typically takes around 1h 20m and departs every 15 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Luton to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Farringdon and Paddington station. These services run every 15 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 20m.

Thameslink, Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line run train services between Luton and Reading. Trains depart every 15 mins and will take around 1h 20m, 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 Luton and Reading. It typically takes around 2h 15m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Luton to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport London T23. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 2h 15m.

National Express and First Berkshire & The Thames Valley run regular bus services between Luton and Reading. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 2h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Luton to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to Farringdon and then to Reading. instead which will take 1h 20m.

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 Luton and Reading. The distance is around 91km (57 miles) by road and it will take around 1hr in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Luton to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 20m and will usually cost around £35 ($41).

How do I get from Luton to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Luton and Reading

Transport options from Luton to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 20m
£35($41)
every 15 mins113km (70 miles)
Bus
2h 15m
£5($6)
every 4 hours111km (69 miles)
Taxi
1hr
£135($160)
on demand91km (57 miles)
Drive
1hr
£16($19)
on demand91km (57 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Luton and Reading

Bus companies

Train operators

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