How to travel from Sheffield to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Sheffield and Reading is around 258km (160 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 50m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Sheffield to Reading by train, subway, 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 ReadingSheffield if you're planning a return trip.

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Train

Take the train to Birmingham New Street and then to Reading.

  • Duration2h 60m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £110($130)

1 similiar route

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

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plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Manchester Piccadilly then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Reading.

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    £145($170)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

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

💰 Cheapest
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Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth and then to Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd.

  • Duration4h 50m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    £22($26)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
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Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Distance258km (160 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Sheffield and Reading

There are several options for getting from Sheffield to Reading by train, subway, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £22 ($26) and will take around 4h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £30 ($35).

The distance between Sheffield and Reading is around 258km (160 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 217km (135 miles)

It takes around 2h 60m to get from Sheffield and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 50m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Sheffield to Reading is to drive which takes around 2h 50m and will set you back approx £30 ($35).

The cheapest way to travel between Sheffield and Reading, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £22 ($26) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Sheffield and Reading. It typically takes around 2h 60m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Sheffield to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Sheffield and Birmingham New Street. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2h 60m.

CrossCountry, East Midlands Railways, London Underground (Tube), Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line run train services between Sheffield and Reading. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 60m, 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 Sheffield and Reading. It typically takes around 4h 50m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Sheffield to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Sheffield Coach Station Pond Street, Birmingham Coach Station Digbeth and Birmingham Brunel Street. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 4h 50m.

National Express and Megabus UK run regular bus services between Sheffield and Reading. Buses run twice daily and take around 4h 50m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Sheffield to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Piccadilly then fly from Manchester (MAN) to London Heathrow (LHR) then take the train to Reading. instead which will take 3h 15m.

The closest major airport to Reading is Heathrow Airport (LHR) (LHR) which is approximately 36km (22 miles) from Reading. London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) and Southampton Airport (SOU) (SOU) 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 Sheffield and Reading. The distance is around 258km (160 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 50m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Sheffield to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 60m and will usually cost around £110 ($130).

How do I get from Sheffield to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Sheffield and Reading

Transport options from Sheffield to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2h 60m
£110($130)
hourly280km (174 miles)
Train via London St Pancras International3h 45m
£71($84)
hourly339km (211 miles)
Train and Plane + 2 similar
3h 15m
£145($170)
hourly376km (233 miles)
Train to Manchester Piccadilly, plane3h 25m
£265($310)
every 3 hours430km (267 miles)
Train to Manchester Piccadilly, plane4h 10m
£165($200)
hourly453km (282 miles)
Bus
4h 50m
£22($26)
twice daily293km (182 miles)
Drive
2h 50m
£30($35)
on demand258km (160 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Sheffield and Reading

Train operators

Train operators

Airports near Reading

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

LHR
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
International Airport
Distance
36km (22 miles) from Reading
LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
62km (39 miles) from Reading
SOU
Southampton Airport (SOU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
63km (39 miles) from Reading