Trains from London Paddington to Reading from £10.25

Whether you’re travelling for a business meeting, to see family and friends or for a fun-filled day out in this historic city, the journey from London Paddington to Reading is fast, convenient and frequent. Want to know more? Check out our guide below for all the ins and out of traveling from Paddington to Reading by train, including prices, stops and the Elizabeth Line.

Arriving at London Paddington station

London Paddington station is a major transport hub for travel west of the capital city towards Devon, Wales and Heathrow. It’s got great transport links with connections to the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines on the London underground as well as the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express.

As a popular departure point, there’s plenty to keep you busy if you’ve got time before your train. Paddington Square shopping centre is a great place to grab a coffee with choices including Pret, Starbucks and Gail’s. It’s also home to shops such as Mango and Kate Spade as well as Market Halls, where you’ll find street food, a bar and live entertainment.

Meanwhile, on the main concourse, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a gift for family or friends, or some last-minute supplies with options including Burger King, Hotel Chocolat and Boots. You can find a full list of food, drink and shopping outlets here.

Paddington is also famous for its connections with the character Paddington Bear. If you’ve got time, why not pop by Platform 1 and pay a visit to the bronze Paddington Bear statue near the station clock? Paddington enthusiasts can also stop by the dedicated Paddington Bear™ shop.

As well as its selection of shops and restaurants, London Paddington station also features accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, seating areas, ATMs and public Wi-Fi. There’s a waiting room and first class lounge available too:

How to get from London Paddington to Reading by train

There are two options for direct services from London Paddington to Reading: Great Western Railway (GWR) and the Elizabeth Line. Head on over to our journey planner to check out the best options for your next trip.

London Paddington to Reading with GWR

Travelling with GWR is the fastest and most frequent option for getting from Paddington to Reading by train, with the quickest services taking just 23m, and typical travel times of around 30 minutes.

The fastest direct Paddington to Reading train with GWR will travel straight to Reading with no stops in between, although some services may also stop at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford. Services usually run every 5-10 minutes.

GWR trains feature complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, and if you choose to upgrade to First Class, you’ll get the added benefits of:

• Extra legroom
• Reclining extra-wide seats
• Enhanced Wi-Fi
• Access to power and USB sockets at your seat
• Access to the First Class lounge at Paddington station

Booking tickets is easy with our journey planner. Simply select your preferred travel time for your journey from London Paddington to Reading to see the available options. If you’re looking to explore First Class upgrades, select ‘View 1st Class & More Tickets’ before you proceed to the payment screen.

London Paddington to Reading with the Elizabeth Line

You can also reach Reading directly from Paddington station, as well as other central London stops, by taking the Elizabeth Line. Elizabeth Line services run approximately every 30 minutes, with more frequent services available at peak times. The journey from Paddington to Reading on the Elizabeth Line usually takes around 52 minutes. On the way, you may stop at:

• Acton Main Line
• Easily Broadway
• West Ealing
• Hanwell
• Southall
• Hayes & Harlington
• West Drayton
• Iver
• Langley
• Slough
• Burnham
• Taplow
• Maidenhead
• Twyford
• Reading

Do check information boards at the station and on the train, as not all services stop at all above stations.

How much does a train ticket from London Paddington to Reading cost?

Paddington to Reading tickets can cost as little as £10.25, with average fares between £23 and £30. Booking in advance is a great way to secure lower-priced train tickets, so be sure to check out our journey planner for fare information and consider travelling off-peak if there is flexibility to your journey.

Can you use contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go on GWR and Elizabeth line services from Paddington to Reading?

You can use a contactless debit or credit card or your mobile device to pay for journeys between London Paddington and Reading on both GWR and Elizabeth line services. Simply tap in before boarding the train and tap out when you arrive at Reading station.

Oyster cards cannot be used for the Paddington to Reading route on either GWR or Elizabeth line services, as Oyster card zones only operate as far as West Drayton.

Although contactless is a convenient option, it’s not necessarily the cheapest way to travel from London Paddington to Reading, as it’s based on single fares. Check our journey planner for available fares for your next journey, and remember booking in advance is a great way to secure lower cost tickets.

Arriving at Reading station

You’ll disembark your GWR or Elizabeth line service at Reading’s bustling transport hub. This modern, spacious station offers plenty of options to grab a coffee or meal on the go with outlets including Costa, Burger King and Subway. If you’re travelling on to the University of Reading, the White Knight 20 and Claret 21 bus services will take you to the Whiteknights Campus.

Reading station is conveniently located within walking distance of many of Reading’s main attractions, including the banks of the River Thames. Why not take a stroll through Christchurch Meadows or stop by the Thames Lido? The town centre with its selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment options is also within walking distance from Reading station. For history lovers, the town centre is home to Reading Museum, where there’s a full-scale replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, as well as the fascinating Reading Abbey Ruins.

Whether you’re travelling to Reading for a day trip, a business meeting or heading to the University of Reading, the frequent train services from Paddington to Reading are a great option with easy access to the town’s top attractions or onward transport links.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip