Reading travel guide

Reading Tourism | Reading Guide

You're Going to Love Reading

With a population of 244 070, Reading is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 12 days in order to fully appreciate everything Reading has to offer.

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Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, CAU Reading (The Oracle Shopping Centre) and Forbury's Restaurant (One Forbury Square) are great picks. For delicious green meals, London St Brasserie (Riverside Oracle 2-4 London Street) and The Pack Saddle at Mapledurham (Chazey Heath) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Reading.

When to visit Reading

Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
RM 390
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
RM 390
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Reading

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 49 km from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from Malaysia departs from Kuala Lumpur and takes around 16h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around RM 100 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about RM 190 for a 1h 36m trip. Located 10 km from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and SURPRICE CAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 153 km and will cost you around RM 30. From Bristol, the ticket costs about RM 26 for a journey of 209 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Reading doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Oxford Kidlington (OXF), which is located 49 km from Reading. The shortest flight to Reading from Malaysia departs from Kuala Lumpur and takes around 16h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Reading to Birmingham takes 1h 28m and costs around RM 100 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about RM 190 for a 1h 36m trip. Located 10 km from the city centre, Reading Mortimer is the busiest station in Reading. Another popular train station is Reading Theale, located 7 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Reading is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and SURPRICE CAR RENTAL , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Southampton, the bus ride to Reading takes 153 km and will cost you around RM 30. From Bristol, the ticket costs about RM 26 for a journey of 209 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from the city centre of Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city centre.

Airports near Reading

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,243 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around RM 422 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to RM 644 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading and Crescent Hotel. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Reading, with prices from RM 195 to RM 2,522 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Reading are about 18% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
RM 413+
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
RM 476+
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
RM 415+
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
RM 252+
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
RM 254+
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
RM 242+

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay RM 7.53 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between RM 90.34 and RM 120.45. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Skoda Karoq or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 45% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay RM 7.53 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between RM 90.34 and RM 120.45. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Compact (Skoda Karoq or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 45% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Car hire agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car hire in Reading

Reading Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Reading city guide for the best Reading travel tips. To help you organise your Reading trip ideas, this Reading visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.