Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring 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 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Reading has to offer.

Article

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 April
Estimated hotel price
AED 308
1 night at 3-star hotel
Reading in April
Estimated hotel price
AED 308
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 the United Arab Emirates departs from Abu Dhabi and takes around 16h 40m.

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 AED 136 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about AED 103 for a 1h 31m 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 Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around AED 22. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about AED 40 for a journey of 225 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 the United Arab Emirates departs from Abu Dhabi and takes around 16h 40m.

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 AED 136 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Coventry, expect to pay about AED 103 for a 1h 31m 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 Bristol, the bus ride to Reading takes 217 km and will cost you around AED 22. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about AED 40 for a journey of 225 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

BZZBrize Norton
OXFOxford Kidlington

Airlines serving Reading

Lufthansa
Good (7,032 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,820 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,584 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,920 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,778 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,686 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,444 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,688 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,211 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,562 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (345 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,210 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,345 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,068 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,272 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,932 reviews)
TAP Portugal
Good (1,846 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Reading

Where to stay in Reading

Average rates range from around AED 349 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to AED 519 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 AED 165 to AED 2,141 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

See all
pentahotel Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
AED 366+
View
Hilton Reading
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
AED 397+
View
Novotel Reading Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
AED 352+
View
ibis Reading Centre
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
AED 233+
View
Travelodge Reading Central
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
AED 213+
View
Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading
2 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
AED 206+
View

Hiring a car in Reading

Expect to pay AED 6.40 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 AED 76.69 and AED 102.25. Full-size (Volvo XC60 or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 46% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay AED 6.40 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 AED 76.69 and AED 102.25. Full-size (Volvo XC60 or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Reading, while also 46% cheaper than other types, on average.

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.