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London Paddington to Reading train prices and times

Planning a journey from London Paddington to Reading? Trip.com offers train tickets starting from as low as £9.10, with average prices for this route around £27.10. To ensure you get the most affordable fares, we suggest exploring alternatives like split tickets.

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Fri, Apr 25
From £11.70
Sat, Apr 26
From £12.65
Sun, Apr 27
From £9.10
Mon, Apr 28
From £10.75
Tue, Apr 29
From £11.70
Wed, Apr 30
From £12.65
Thu, May 1
From £19.80

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Departs	Arrives	Duration	Find Tickets
00:02 London Paddington	00:49 Reading	47m, Direct	Find Tickets
00:31 London Paddington	01:14 Reading	43m, Direct	Find Tickets
00:45 London Paddington	01:41 Reading	56m, Direct	Find Tickets
01:42 London Paddington	02:29 Reading	47m, Direct	Find Tickets
03:35 London Paddington	04:25 Reading	50m, Direct	Find Tickets
05:08 London Paddington	05:39 Paris	31m, Direct	Find Tickets View More Trains

London Paddington to Reading train route details

First train

00:02

Last train

23:39

Departure station

London Paddington

Arrival station

Reading

Journey time

23m

Distance

35 miles

Price

£9.10*

Train Operators

Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway

London Paddington to Reading: everything you need to know

Setting off from London Paddington

London Paddington is an iconic station known for its historic architecture and excellent transport links. Operated by Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express, it offers fast connections to Heathrow Airport and the West of England. The station features a selection of dining options, modern ticketing facilities, and step-free access, making it a seamless departure point for all types of travellers. There's also direct access to the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Elizabeth lines for onward travel in the area.

What to expect on your journey to Reading

The route from London Paddington to Reading offers two direct options: the Elizabeth Line and Great Western Railway (GWR), with the latter offering more frequent services. This journey covers approximately 35 miles. The fastest trips from London Paddington to Reading can take as little as 23 minutes, with typical travel times ranging from 25 to 55 minutes.

Ticket prices can start as low as £9.10 when booked in advance or during off-peak times, though the average fare is usually around £23 to £30. The direct service provides a swift and efficient connection, with minimal stops, linking London with the town of Reading

Arriving at Reading

Arriving at Reading Station places passengers in the heart of the bustling town, with easy access to The Oracle shopping centre, the Thames Path, and the University of Reading. Well-connected bus services and taxis provide onward travel options, while direct trains to Heathrow and Gatwick airports make it a convenient stop for air travellers. The station’s modern concourse ensures a smooth transition from train to town.

How to book cheap train tickets from London Paddington to Reading

Season Tickets for frequent travels

Are you frequently traveling between London Paddington and Reading on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis? Season Tickets provide unlimited travel during specific times, allowing you to freely hop on and off trains between two stations without worrying about individual ticket bookings, and offering significant savings in the process.

Network Railcard for Southeast England

By purchasing a Network Railcard for only £30 per year, unlock incredible savings of up to 1/3 on every ticket for your travels within London and the South East. With this Railcard in hand, you can enjoy reduced costs on various ticket types, including Standard or Super Off-Peak Tickets.

Travelling in off-peak train times

Off-Peak train tickets are generally cheaper than peak-time tickets, allowing travel outside morning (06:30-09:30) and evening (16:00-19:00) rush hours on weekdays. If your schedule allows for flexibility, choosing off-peak times for your trip from London Paddington to Reading can result in significant cost savings.

Using the Railcard for 1/3 off

Railcards offer discounts of up to 1/3 on most tickets. There are various types of Railcards catering to different types of travellers, such as the 16–25 Railcard, the Family & Friends Railcard, and the Senior Railcard. For more information on Railcards and how they can help you save, visit Railcards here.

Split Tickets to save an average extra 30%

Splitting tickets involves buying separate, cheaper tickets for different parts of your journey on the same train instead of just one ticket for the entire trip. For instance, if you're travelling from London Paddington to Reading, you might find that purchasing a ticket from A to C, then C to B costs less than a direct ticket. This method is perfectly legal and often doesn’t require leaving your seat.

Book in advance to save an average of 61%

Did you know that purchasing Advance Tickets can significantly reduce your travel expenses? On average, these tickets can save you an impressive 61% on fares. The best part is that the earlier you book (ideally up to 12 weeks in advance), the greater the savings!

Group travels to save 1/3

If you are travelling in a group of three to nine people, take advantage of group travel discounts, offered by most train companies, for a discount of up to 1/3 on standard fares. This can make travelling from London Paddington to Reading more affordable for families, friends, or colleagues planning a trip together.

London Paddington to Reading train ticket types

Here are different ticket types available for this route, each with its own benefits and restrictions. Here are the options to consider:

Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak tickets
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Off-peak tickets are cheaper and offer more flexibility for travel during less busy times. Super Off-Peak tickets are even cheaper and suitable for unconventional schedules.
Return train tickets
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Valid for both an outward and return journey from the same destination on your chosen route.
Advance train tickets
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As one of the most cost-effective ticket options available, purchasing up to 12 weeks in advance can save you a considerable amount of money.
Season train tickets
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These allow unlimited travel between two stations and can save you over 1/3 on train fares.

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Why Book Train Tickets With Trip.com?

Split Tickets
Save an average of 30% on train fares by splitting your London Paddington to Reading journey
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No Booking Fees on the App
Only pay for your train travel – no hidden fees
Online Customer Support
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*After comparing the full year of 2023 for Split tickets and full-price tickets on Trip.com, the average savings rate for Split tickets is 30%.

Trains from London Paddington to Reading from £9.10*

Save an average of 30%* with Split Tickets

London Paddington to Reading train prices and times

London Paddington to Reading train route details