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Trains from Bolton to Reading

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CrossCountry
Great Western Railway

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.
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  3. Bolton to Reading

Trains to Reading from Bolton

It takes an average of 5h 37m to travel from Bolton to Reading by train, over a distance of around 158 miles (255 km). There are normally 31 trains per day travelling from Bolton to Reading and tickets for this journey start from £32.10 when you book in advance.

First train

04:54

Last train

23:23

Departure stationBolton
Arrival stationReading
Journey time

From 3h 43m

Distance

158 miles (255 km)

Frequency

31 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £32.10

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, Chiltern Railways

Taking the train from Bolton to Reading in 3 hours 43 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Bolton to Reading? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 5 hours 37 minutes to travel the 158 miles (255 km) from Bolton to Reading by train, although you can get there in as little as 3 hours 43 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 31 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway or Transport for Wales to Reading. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Bolton to Reading in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £32.10. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Reading by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bolton to Reading?

Want to know more about your journey from Bolton to Reading? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do I travel from Bolton to Reading?

You can get from Bolton to Reading by train in 5 hours and 37 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 43 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Bolton to Reading take?

The average journey time by train between Bolton and Reading is 5 hours and 37 minutes, with around 31 trains per day running on this route. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

How much does the train from Bolton to Reading cost?

Train tickets from Bolton to Reading can start from as little as £32.10 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book.

What's the fastest journey time between Bolton and Reading by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Bolton to Reading is 3 hours and 43 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Bolton to Reading?

The price of train tickets from Bolton to Reading starts at £32.10 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

1. Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

2. Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Bolton to Reading is right for you.

3. Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

4. Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

‡Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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