The distance between Reading and Brighton is around 122km (76 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 30m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Reading to Brighton 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 Brighton → Reading if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to London Paddington and then to Brighton.
Multiple train operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to London Heathrow Airport T2 and T3 and then to Brighton.
Multiple bus operators
There are several options for getting from Reading to Brighton by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £17 ($20) and will take around 3hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £15 ($18).
The distance between Reading and Brighton is around 122km (76 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 91km (57 miles)
It takes around 1h 35m to get from Reading and Brighton by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 30m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Reading to Brighton is to drive which takes around 1h 30m and will set you back approx £15 ($18).
The cheapest way to travel between Reading and Brighton, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £17 ($20) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Reading and Brighton. It typically takes around 1h 35m and departs hourly.
There are no direct train services that runs from Reading to Brighton. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington and Victoria station. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 1h 35m.
Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line, Gatwick Express, Southern Service, Thameslink and South Western Railway run train services between Reading and Brighton. Trains depart hourly and will take around 1h 35m, 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 Reading and Brighton. It typically takes around 3hrs and departs every 20 mins.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Reading to Brighton. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in London Heathrow Airport T2 and T3. These services run every 20 mins and will take a minimum of 3hrs.
Megabus UK and National Express run regular bus services between Reading and Brighton. Buses run every 20 mins and take around 3hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Reading to Brighton. We recommend that you take the train to London Paddington and then to Brighton. instead which will take 1h 35m.
The closest major airport to Brighton is Gatwick Airport (LGW) (LGW) which is approximately 37km (23 miles) from Brighton. Heathrow Airport (LHR) (LHR) and London City Airport (LCY) (LCY) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Reading and Brighton. The distance is around 130km (81 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 30m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Reading to Brighton is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 35m and will usually cost around £19 ($23).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train + 2 similar | 1h 35m | £19($23) | hourly | 145km (90 miles) |
Train via Gatwick Airport | 2hrs | £36($43) | hourly | 122km (76 miles) |
Train via Clapham Junction | 2h 10m | £38($45) | hourly | 138km (86 miles) |
Bus | 3hrs | £17($20) | every 20 mins | 159km (99 miles) |
Drive | 1h 30m | £15($18) | on demand | 130km (81 miles) |
Elizabeth Line
Gatwick Express
Southern Service
Thameslink
The following major airports near Brighton offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.