How to travel from Reading to Sunderland, United Kingdom

The distance between Reading and Sunderland is around 444km (276 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 45m.

10 routes found

We've found 10 different ways to get from Reading to Sunderland by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Newcastle (NCL).

  • Duration2h 45m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    £215($255)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4 similiar routes

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

2
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Train

Take the train to London Paddington and then to Newcastle.

  • Duration3h 45m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £62($73)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Wakefield Northbound Coach Park M1 and then to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £41($48)

1 similiar route

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

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Sunderland.

  • Duration4h 40m
  • Distance444km (276 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Reading and Sunderland

There are several options for getting from Reading to Sunderland by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £23 ($27) and will take around 6hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £215 ($255).

The distance between Reading and Sunderland is around 444km (276 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 385km (239 miles)

It takes around 3h 45m to get from Reading and Sunderland by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Reading to Sunderland is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 45m and will set you back approx £215 ($255).

The cheapest way to travel between Reading and Sunderland, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £23 ($27) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Reading and Sunderland. It typically takes around 3h 45m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Reading to Sunderland. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Paddington, King's Cross St. Pancras station and Newcastle. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 3h 45m.

Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line, LNER, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express Service and Northern Rail run train services between Reading and Sunderland. Trains depart hourly and will take around 3h 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 Sunderland. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs 6 times a week.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Reading and Sunderland with no changeovers required. The bus runs twice a week and takes 6hrs.

Megabus UK and National Express run regular bus services between Reading and Sunderland. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 4h 35m 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 Sunderland. We recommend that you take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway then fly from Southampton (SOU) to Newcastle (NCL). instead which will take 2h 45m.

The closest major airport to Sunderland is Newcastle International Airport (NCL) (NCL) which is approximately 26km (16 miles) from Sunderland. Teesside International Airport (MME) (MME) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) (LBA) 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 Sunderland. The distance is around 444km (276 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Reading to Sunderland is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 45m and will usually cost around £62 ($73).

How do I get from Reading to Sunderland

Compare travel optionsbetween Reading and Sunderland

Transport options from Reading to Sunderland
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 4 similar
2h 45m
£215($255)
once daily555km (345 miles)
Train to London Paddington, Fly2h 45m
£285($335)
once daily517km (321 miles)
Train to Bristol Temple Meads, Fly3h 25m
£125($150)
once daily587km (365 miles)
Train to London Paddington, plane4h 30m
£225($270)
hourly843km (524 miles)
Train to London Paddington, plane4h 35m
£220($260)
hourly849km (527 miles)
Train + 1 similar
3h 45m
£62($73)
hourly510km (317 miles)
Train via Manchester Piccadilly6h 30m
£115($140)
hourly527km (327 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
4h 35m
£41($48)
6 times a week461km (286 miles)
Bus to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange6hrs
£23($27)
once daily444km (276 miles)
Drive
4h 40m
£77($90)
on demand444km (276 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Reading and Sunderland

Train operators

Airports near Sunderland

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

NCL
Newcastle International Airport (NCL)
International Airport
Distance
26km (16 miles) from Sunderland
MME
Teesside International Airport (MME)
Domestic Airport
Distance
44km (27 miles) from Sunderland
LBA
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
International Airport
Distance
117km (72 miles) from Sunderland