How to travel from Reading to Saint Albans, United Kingdom

The distance between Reading and Saint Albans is around 76km (47 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi which takes around 51min.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Reading to Saint Albans 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 Saint AlbansReading if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Paddington and then to St Albans City.

  • Duration58min
  • Departsevery 10 mins
  • Typical cost
    £30($35)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Heathrow Airport Heathrow Central Bus Stn then Harrow Bus Station and then to Watford Junction station.

  • Duration3h 25m
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    £8($9)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
taxi
+

Taxi

Take a taxi to St Albans.

  • Duration51min
  • Departson demand
  • Typical cost
    £120($140)
Operated by

Taxi in Reading

+ 3 others
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to St Albans.

  • Duration51min
  • Distance76km (47 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Reading and Saint Albans

There are several options for getting from Reading to Saint Albans by train, bus, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £8 ($9) and will take around 3h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a taxi and arrive in approximately 51min, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £120 ($140).

The distance between Reading and Saint Albans is around 76km (47 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 54km (34 miles)

It takes around 58min to get from Reading and Saint Albans by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 51min to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Reading to Saint Albans is to take a taxi which takes around 51min and will set you back approx £120 ($140).

The cheapest way to travel between Reading and Saint Albans, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £8 ($9) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Reading and Saint Albans. It typically takes around 58min and departs every 10 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Reading to Saint Albans. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington and Farringdon Without. These services run every 10 mins and will take a minimum of 58min.

Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line and Thameslink run train services between Reading and Saint Albans. Trains depart every 10 mins and will take around 58min, 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 Saint Albans. It typically takes around 3h 25m and departs every 30 mins.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Reading to Saint Albans. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport Heathrow Central Bus Stn, Harrow Bus Station and Watford Junction station. These services run every 30 mins and will take a minimum of 3h 25m.

First Berkshire & The Thames Valley and London Buses run regular bus services between Reading and Saint Albans. Buses run every 30 mins and take around 3h 25m 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 Saint Albans. We recommend that you take the train to London Paddington and then to St Albans City. instead which will take 58min.

The closest major airport to Saint Albans is London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) which is approximately 15km (9 miles) from Saint Albans. 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.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Reading and Saint Albans. The distance is around 76km (47 miles) by road and it will take around 51min in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Reading to Saint Albans is to take the train which takes, on average, 58min and will usually cost around £30 ($35).

How do I get from Reading to Saint Albans

Compare travel optionsbetween Reading and Saint Albans

Transport options from Reading to Saint Albans
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
58min
£30($35)
every 10 mins96km (60 miles)
Bus
3h 25m
£8($9)
every 30 mins99km (62 miles)
Taxi
51min
£120($140)
on demand76km (47 miles)
Drive
51min
£14($16)
on demand76km (47 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Reading and Saint Albans

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Saint Albans

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

LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
15km (9 miles) from Saint Albans
LHR
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
International Airport
Distance
32km (20 miles) from Saint Albans
LCY
London City Airport (LCY)
International Airport
Distance
38km (24 miles) from Saint Albans