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.
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 Cambridge → Reading if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to London Paddington and then to Cambridge.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to London Heathrow Airport T2 and T3 and then to Cambridge Parkside.
Multiple bus operators
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train | 1h 45m | £49($58) | hourly | 157km (98 miles) |
Bus | 3h 15m | £18($21) | every 20 mins | 197km (122 miles) |
Drive | 1h 40m | £17($20) | on demand | 145km (90 miles) |
Elizabeth Line
Great Northern
Thameslink
South Western Railway
London Buses
The following major airports near Cambridge offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.