How to travel from Saint Albans to Reading, United Kingdom

The distance between Saint Albans and Reading is around 78km (48 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi which takes around 52min.

4 routes found

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

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Farringdon and then to Reading.

  • Duration1h 10m
  • Departsevery 10 mins
  • Typical cost
    £30($35)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to South Harrow Bus Station and then to Reading Town Centre Reading RailAir.

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

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
taxi
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Taxi

Take a taxi to Reading.

  • Duration52min
  • Departson demand
  • Typical cost
    £120($140)
Operated by

St Albans Drivr

+ 4 others
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Reading.

  • Duration52min
  • Distance78km (48 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Saint Albans and Reading

There are several options for getting from Saint Albans to Reading 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 52min, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £120 ($140).

The distance between Saint Albans and Reading is around 78km (48 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 54km (34 miles)

It takes around 1h 10m to get from Saint Albans and Reading by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 52min to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Saint Albans to Reading is to take a taxi which takes around 52min and will set you back approx £120 ($140).

The cheapest way to travel between Saint Albans and Reading, 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 Saint Albans and Reading. It typically takes around 1h 10m and departs every 10 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Saint Albans to Reading. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Farringdon and Paddington station. These services run every 10 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 10m.

Thameslink, Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line run train services between Saint Albans and Reading. Trains depart every 10 mins and will take around 1h 10m, 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 Saint Albans and Reading. It typically takes around 3h 25m and departs every 30 mins.

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

London Buses and First Berkshire & The Thames Valley run regular bus services between Saint Albans and Reading. 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 Saint Albans to Reading. We recommend that you take the train to Farringdon and then to Reading. instead which will take 1h 10m.

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 Saint Albans and Reading. The distance is around 78km (48 miles) by road and it will take around 52min in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Saint Albans to Reading is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 10m and will usually cost around £30 ($35).

How do I get from Saint Albans to Reading

Compare travel optionsbetween Saint Albans and Reading

Transport options from Saint Albans to Reading
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 10m
£30($35)
every 10 mins96km (60 miles)
Bus
3h 25m
£8($9)
every 30 mins95km (59 miles)
Taxi
52min
£120($140)
on demand78km (48 miles)
Drive
52min
£14($16)
on demand78km (48 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Saint Albans and Reading

Train operators

Bus companies

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