Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

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 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Reading has to offer.

Article

Where to Eat in Reading

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bel and The Dragon - Reading (Blakes Lock Gas Works Road) and Rosebourne - Aldermaston (Basingstoke Rd, Aldermaston) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Clay's Kitchen & Bar (22-24 Prospect Street) and Flavour of Mauritius (143-145 Caversham Rd) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Reading.

When to visit Reading

Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
C$ 124
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in February
Estimated hotel price
C$ 124
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 Canada departs from Halifax and takes around 9h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Cambridge takes 1h 06m and costs around C$ 49 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about C$ 27 for a 1h 28m 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 rental from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Global Rent A Car, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around C$ 15. From Paris, the ticket costs about C$ 5 for a journey of 925 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from downtown 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 Canada departs from Halifax and takes around 9h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Reading, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Reading to Cambridge takes 1h 06m and costs around C$ 49 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about C$ 27 for a 1h 28m 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 rental from London, which is about 59 km from Reading. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Global Rent A Car, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Reading, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around C$ 15. From Paris, the ticket costs about C$ 5 for a journey of 925 km. The most popular bus station is Reading Queen's Rd, located 1.1 km from downtown Reading. Reading Calcott is also a commonly used station, and is 6 km from the city centre.

Airports near Reading

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (7,216 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,374 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,147 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,661 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,959 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,901 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,841 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,864 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,466 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (814 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,289 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,605 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,424 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,738 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,099 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (349 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,422 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,316 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,921 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around C$ 138 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to C$ 398 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 vacation rental options in Reading, with prices from C$ 62 to C$ 799 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Reading are about 37% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Reading

Most booked hotels in Reading

See all
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
5 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
C$ 1,183+
View
The Elvetham Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
C$ 164+
View
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
C$ 138+
View
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
C$ 166+
View
Tylney Hall Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
C$ 293+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
C$ 130+
View

Renting a car in Reading

Expect to pay C$ 2.49 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 29.78 and C$ 39.71. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Intermediate (Kia Sportage or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (MG HS or similar) are, on average, 53% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Expect to pay C$ 2.49 per litre in Reading (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 29.78 and C$ 39.71. The most frequently booked car type in Reading is Intermediate (Kia Sportage or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (MG HS or similar) are, on average, 53% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Car rental agencies in Reading

Sixt

Sixt
Find car rentals in Reading

Reading Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Reading city guide for the best Reading travel tips. To help you organize 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.