Manchester to Reading Train

11/17/2024
+ Add return
Stay with Booking.com

Find the cheapest ticket for your trip

Secure your ticket today and get the best deals!

Today More
Tomorrow More
2 days More
3 days More
Show tickets by

Manchester to Reading by train

The journey from Manchester to Reading by train is 149.86 mi and takes 3 hr 41 min. There are 83 connections per day, with the first departure at 5:05 AM and the last at 8:43 PM. It is possible to travel from Manchester to Reading by train for as little as $58.71 or as much as $389.52. The best price for this journey is $58.71.

Lowest Price $58.71
Journey Duration 3 hr 41 min
Connection per Day 83
Lowest Price $58.71
Highest Price $389.52
First Departure 5:05 AM
Last Departure 8:43 PM
Distance 149.86 mi
Departure Manchester
Arrival Reading
Carriers Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express

Manchester to Reading Train Times

Departure date
Sunday, Nov 17, 2024

Compare prices and tickets from Manchester to Reading

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Reading
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Manchester to Reading.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Manchester to Reading, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Manchester to Reading.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Manchester to Reading travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Manchester to Reading

The cheapest Manchester - Reading train tickets can be found for as low as $23.57 if you’re lucky, or $59.92 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $111.64.

Find the best day to travel to Reading by train

When travelling to Reading by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Chiltern Railways is a British train operating company that provides passenger services between London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill, as well as other destinations in the Midlands and South East England. The company was established in 1996, and it is owned by Arriva UK Trains since 2009. Chiltern Railways operates a fleet of modern trains, including the Class 68 locomotives and the Class 165 and 168 diesel units.

East Midlands Railway is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the East Midlands region of England. It was formed in 2019, taking over the franchise previously operated by East Midlands Trains. The company operates services on routes including London St Pancras to Sheffield, Nottingham to Liverpool, and Norwich to Liverpool. East Midlands Railway also operates local services within the East Midlands, connecting towns and cities such as Derby, Leicester, and Lincoln.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is a British railway company that operates passenger services between London and the southwest of England, as well as parts of Wales. It was founded in 1833 and was originally known as the Great Western Railway Company. GWR is now owned by FirstGroup. The company is known for its iconic green livery and its historic steam locomotives, including the famous Flying Scotsman.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operates intercity services on the "East Coast Main Line" between London, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It was formed in 2018 as a result of the UK government's decision to terminate the franchise of Virgin Trains East Coast. LNER is owned by the Department for Transport and managed by the operator of the East Coast Partnership, a joint venture between infrastructure company Network Rail and train operator FirstGroup. LNER operates a fleet of electric and diesel trains, including the Azuma, which is the fastest train in the UK.

Northern is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the north of England. Northern is owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a division of "DOHL," the public sector holding company for the Department of Transportation. It is owned by Arriva UK Trains and operates over 2,500 services every weekday, serving cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Thameslink is a railway service in the United Kingdom that runs through central London, connecting Bedford in the north and Brighton in the south. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves over 200 stations, including major transport hubs such as St Pancras International, London Bridge, and Gatwick Airport. Thameslink trains run every few minutes during peak hours and offer a range of services, from fast express trains to stopping services that serve local communities. The service has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including the introduction of new trains and the completion of major infrastructure projects such as the Thameslink Programme.

TransPennine Express is a train operating company in the United Kingdom that provides intercity train services across the North of England and Scotland. The company operates services between major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket options, including advance purchase tickets, out-of-season tickets, and flexible tickets. The company also provides onboard facilities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and refreshments.

The Welsh Government owns the non-profit organization Transport for Wales. It is responsible for the procurement and management of passenger rail services in Wales, as well as the development of the Welsh rail network. The company was established in 2018, taking over from Arriva Trains Wales, and operates services across Wales and the Borders. Transport for Wales is a great choice for your journeys within Wales, such as Cardiff to Aberdare or Newport to Swansea, or for your trips in England, like Manchester to Chester or Birmingham to Shrewsbury, and even for your travel between England and Wales.

West Midlands Railway is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the West Midlands region of England.The West Midlands Trains consortium, composed of Abellio, JR East, and Mitsui, won the franchise for the region, leading to the establishment of the service in 2017. The West Midlands Railway offers a variety of services, including longer distance services to cities like London and Liverpool as well as local and regional trains.

Services on board Transport for Wales, East Midlands Railway and Avanti West Coast from Manchester to Reading
Compare services on board when travelling from Manchester to Reading by train.
Facilities Transport for Wales East Midlands Railway Avanti West Coast Chiltern Railways Thameslink West Midlands Railway Northern Rail London North Eastern Railway Great Western Railway
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check check check check check check check check
wifi WiFi check check check check check check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check check check check check check
luggage Luggage check check cross check cross check check check check
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check check check check check check

Manchester to Reading CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
16.88kg
Bus
18.09kg
Flight
48.24kg
Car
38.59kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Manchester to Reading by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Manchester and Reading are 16.88kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Manchester and Reading? By taking the train between Manchester and Reading you will save 31.36kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 1.21kg compared to a bus and 21.71kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Manchester to Reading?
A train ticket from Manchester to Reading is $136.74. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $58.71.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Manchester to Reading?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Manchester to Reading is $58.71. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Manchester and Reading by train?
Manchester to Reading is 149.86 mi.
How long does the train between Manchester and Reading take?
Manchester to Reading is on average 3 hr 41 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hr 13 min.
Which companies operate from Manchester to Reading?
The train journey from Manchester to Reading is covered by 10 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Thameslink, West Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.
How many train connections per day go from Manchester to Reading?
Manchester to Reading has 83 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Manchester to Reading leave?
The earliest train from Manchester to Reading departs at 5:05 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Manchester to Reading depart?
The latest train from Manchester to Reading departs at 8:43 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Manchester to Reading in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $58.71 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from Manchester to Reading?
There are on average 10 direct connection(s) from Manchester to go to Reading.
What's the fastest journey time between Manchester to Reading by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Manchester and Reading is 3 hr 13 min.
Is there a direct train from Manchester to Reading?
Yes, there is a direct train between Manchester and Reading.
What are the CO2 emissions for Manchester to Reading by train?
The train journey from Manchester to Reading creates 16.88kg of CO2 emissions.

Go local from Manchester

Trending routes

Weekend getaways from Manchester

International routes from Manchester and nearby areas

Other destinations from Manchester

Main routes to Reading

Related routes

Other popular routes