How to travel from Reading to Ipswich, United Kingdom

The distance between Reading and Ipswich is around 174km (108 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 2hrs.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Reading to Ipswich by train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
💰 Cheapest
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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Paddington and then to Ipswich.

  • Duration2hrs
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    £52($62)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

2
car
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Drive

Drive to Ipswich.

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Distance209km (130 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Reading and Ipswich

There are several options for getting from Reading to Ipswich by train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around £52 ($62) and will take around 2hrs.

The distance between Reading and Ipswich is around 174km (108 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 161km (100 miles)

It takes around 2hrs to get from Reading and Ipswich by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Reading to Ipswich is to take the train which takes around 2hrs and will set you back approx £52 ($62).

The cheapest way to travel between Reading and Ipswich, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around £52 ($62) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Reading and Ipswich. It typically takes around 2hrs and departs every 30 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Reading to Ipswich. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington, Liverpool Street Station and London Liverpool Street. These services run every 30 mins and will take a minimum of 2hrs.

Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway run train services between Reading and Ipswich. Trains depart every 30 mins and will take around 2hrs, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Reading and Ipswich. We recommend that you take the train to London Paddington and then to Ipswich. instead which will take 2hrs.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Reading to Ipswich. We recommend that you take the train to London Paddington and then to Ipswich. instead which will take 2hrs.

The closest major airport to Ipswich is London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) which is approximately 64km (40 miles) from Ipswich. Norwich International Airport (NWI) (NWI) and Cambridge Airport (CBG) (CBG) 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 Ipswich. The distance is around 209km (130 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Reading to Ipswich is to take the train which takes, on average, 2hrs and will usually cost around £52 ($62).

How do I get from Reading to Ipswich

Compare travel optionsbetween Reading and Ipswich

Transport options from Reading to Ipswich
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2hrs
£52($62)
every 30 mins174km (108 miles)
Train via London Waterloo3h 15m
£57($67)
hourly184km (114 miles)
Drive
2h 10m
£36($43)
on demand209km (130 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Reading and Ipswich

Train operators

Airports near Ipswich

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

STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
64km (40 miles) from Ipswich
NWI
Norwich International Airport (NWI)
International Airport
Distance
69km (43 miles) from Ipswich
CBG
Cambridge Airport (CBG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
69km (43 miles) from Ipswich