Train Manchester - Reading prices from £48.82

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£48.82

Manchester to Reading by train

The journey from Manchester to Reading by train is 149.86 mi and takes 3 hrs 48 mins. There are 56 connections per day, with the first departure at 05:05 and the last at 20:43. It is possible to travel from Manchester to Reading by train for as little as £48.82 or as much as £101.40. The best price for this journey is £48.82.

Lowest Price£48.82
Journey Duration3 hrs 48 mins
Connection per Day56
Lowest Price£48.82
Highest Price£101.40
First Departure05:05
Last Departure20:43
Distance149.86 mi
DepartureManchester
ArrivalReading
CarriersCrossCountry, Great Western RailwayMore

Manchester to Reading Train Times

Departure date
Friday, 29 Mar 2024

Use Virail to find the best way to travel from Manchester to Reading

Planning to travel from Manchester to Reading? Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start - but that's where Virail comes in. Our powerful search engine will explore all the options available for your trip, combing through more than 2000 transport companies all over the globe. All you have to do is enter your travel dates. In an instant, we'll show you a thorough list of possible routes, with all the information you need to make your decision. Choose from buses, trains, and more, connecting or direct, one-way or round trip - whatever you prefer. When you see your results, select your chosen option and Virail will redirect you to the provider's website, where you can complete your booking. Let us do the legwork for you, and you can just sit back and enjoy your trip.

How can I get the cheapest train tickets to travel from Manchester to Reading?

The prices for train tickets from Manchester to Reading vary depending on a range of factors including how far in advance you're booking, your travel dates, and the type of transport you want to use. On certain routes, there may be different classes available, which will also affect the price. Booked in advance, the cheapest train tickets from Manchester to Reading will cost £48.82. The average train ticket price is approximately £98.32. For the lowest prices, it is usually best to book as far in advance as possible and look out for low-cost options, such as non-refundable tickets or traveling outside of peak hours. Be aware that some providers do not offer refunds or changes on their lower priced tickets, so it is advised to check before completing your transaction.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Manchester to Reading. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
When you're traveling from Manchester to Reading, you can expect to pay an average of approximately £98.32. Some forms of transport are cheaper than others, and prices will vary according to time of day, day of the week, season, and other factors. For the cheapest train tickets, make your reservation well in advance. If you can, travel at an off-peak time, as train ticket prices will often be reduced. You might also be able to save money by booking a connecting journey, rather than a direct route. Be sure to check the conditions of the ticket before booking, as sometimes cheaper train tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Use Virail to check your options before booking, to ensure that you find the lowest price for your journey.

How long is the journey from Manchester to Reading by train?

Traveling from Manchester to Reading by train will usually take 3 hrs 48 mins. This journey covers a distance of 149.86 mi . When planning your trip, bear in mind that 3 hrs 48 mins is an average, and route times may vary from day to day. Weather conditions, issues with transport, unexpected diversions, and local events could all cause delays to your journey. Please keep the possibility of these exceptional events in mind when making travel plans. In order to get from Manchester to Reading faster, consider looking for an express service that makes fewer stops along the way. Conversely, a connecting route may, in some circumstances, be faster than a direct journey. The fastest routes between Manchester and Reading will complete the journey in 3 hrs 13 mins. On average, it will take you about 3 hrs 48 mins to travel the 149.86 mi between Manchester and Reading.

What time are the first and last departures from Manchester to Reading?

If you prefer to travel early, you will usually find the first departure from Manchester to Reading leaving at 05:05. Although things may change depending on the day, in general the last daily departure leaves at 20:43.If you have some flexibility over the day on which you travel, you might find more options available to you. For example, some providers may only run early morning routes on weekdays, when people are traveling to work. You will often find fewer options available on weekends or public holidays. The first departure of the night from Manchester to Reading leaves at 05:05, while the last journey sets out at 20:43. These are according to the standard schedules for the route between Manchester and Reading. However, different providers' timetables can vary from day to day or month to month, so these particular departures may not be available every day. Some providers may change their schedules on public holidays and weekends, or during the summer months. Check your travel dates when making your booking.

Which stations can I use on the Manchester to Reading route?

There are different options to choose from when traveling between Manchester and Reading. You can start your journey in Manchester at stations such as Manchester, Arena,Manchester Piccadilly,Manchester Oxford Road,Manchester, Coach Station. These connect to stations including Reading Station,Reading, Calcott,Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Lane - Park & Ride in Reading. There may not be a direct connection between all the stations in the two locations. Some providers will only serve a selection of the stations, and you may have to travel from one station to another in the same city after arrival to reach your ultimate destination. Virail will show you both all direct routes and any connecting services which you can take to get from Manchester to Reading.

How many times a day do journeys run from Manchester to Reading?

If you want to get from Manchester to Reading, you can travel with providers such as . You will find a maximum number of departures per day. On average, there are 56 departures per day. Book in advance to make sure that your journey will run smoothly and you depart at a time that suits you best. When you travel, you can look for direct journeys or other routes which offer connections and changes. On average, there are 13 direct journeys between Manchester and Reading. If you don't mind changing along the way, you may find more options available to you. There are usually 43 journeys with at least one change. These numbers may vary depending on the time of year or day of the week. Some travelers prefer direct routes, particularly if they are carrying heavy suitcases or concerned about missing a connection. Others enjoy the flexibility offered by connecting journeys. Whatever you prefer, Virail can help you find the right options to suit you. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Manchester to Reading. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

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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.

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Best time to book Manchester to Reading travel

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

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.

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.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Manchester to Reading?
A train ticket from Manchester to Reading is £98.32. 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 £48.82.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Manchester to Reading?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Manchester to Reading is £48.82. 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 hrs 48 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 3 hrs 13 mins.
Which companies operate from Manchester to Reading?
The train journey from Manchester to Reading is covered by 9 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Thameslink, TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Northern Rail, Chiltern Railways, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway.
How many train connections per day go from Manchester to Reading?
Manchester to Reading has 56 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 05:05. 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 20:43. 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 £48.82 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 13 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 hrs 13 mins.
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.

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