How to travel from Reading to Cambridge, United Kingdom

The distance between Reading and Cambridge is around 145km (90 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 40m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Reading to Cambridge 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 CambridgeReading if you're planning a return trip.

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Train

Take the train to London Paddington and then to Cambridge.

  • Duration1h 45m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £49($58)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to London Heathrow Airport T2 and T3 and then to Cambridge Parkside.

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    £18($21)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Cambridge.

  • Duration1h 40m
  • Distance145km (90 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Reading and Cambridge

There are several options for getting from Reading to Cambridge by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £18 ($21) and will take around 3h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £17 ($20).

The distance between Reading and Cambridge is around 145km (90 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 112km (70 miles)

It takes around 1h 45m to get from Reading and Cambridge by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Reading to Cambridge is to drive which takes around 1h 40m and will set you back approx £17 ($20).

The cheapest way to travel between Reading and Cambridge, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £18 ($21) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Reading and Cambridge. It typically takes around 1h 45m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Reading to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington and Farringdon Without. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 1h 45m.

Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line and Thameslink run train services between Reading and Cambridge. Trains depart hourly 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 Reading and Cambridge. It typically takes around 3h 15m and departs every 20 mins.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Reading to Cambridge. 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 3h 15m.

Megabus UK and National Express run regular bus services between Reading and Cambridge. Buses run every 20 mins and take around 3h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

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

The closest major airport to Cambridge is Cambridge Airport (CBG) (CBG) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from Cambridge. London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) and London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) 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 Reading and Cambridge. The distance is around 145km (90 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Reading to Cambridge is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 45m and will usually cost around £49 ($58).

How do I get from Reading to Cambridge

Compare travel optionsbetween Reading and Cambridge

Transport options from Reading to Cambridge
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 45m
£49($58)
hourly157km (98 miles)
Bus
3h 15m
£18($21)
every 20 mins197km (122 miles)
Drive
1h 40m
£17($20)
on demand145km (90 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Reading and Cambridge

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Cambridge

The following major airports near Cambridge offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

CBG
Cambridge Airport (CBG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from Cambridge
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
36km (23 miles) from Cambridge
LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
50km (31 miles) from Cambridge