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Trains from Carlisle to Reading

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Avanti West Coast
Caledonian Sleeper

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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. Carlisle to Reading

Trains to Reading from Carlisle

It takes an average of 6h 46m to travel from Carlisle to Reading by train, over a distance of around 251 miles (403 km). There are normally 72 trains per day travelling from Carlisle to Reading and tickets for this journey start from £45.60 when you book in advance.

First train

04:25

Last train

01:45

Departure stationCarlisle
Arrival stationReading
Journey time

From 4h 32m

Distance

251 miles (403 km)

Frequency

72 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £45.60

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, London North Eastern Railway, London Overground, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express

Travelling from Carlisle to Reading by train

Looking to travel from Carlisle to Reading by train? You've come to the right place!

On average, it takes around 6 hours 46 minutes to travel from Carlisle to Reading by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 4 hours 32 minutes though. You'll usually find 72 trains per day running along the 251 miles (403 km) route between these two destinations. You'll need to make 1 change during the journey to Reading, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. You can choose to travel with London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast or Great Western Railway to get to Reading. As the main rail operators on this route, their trains offer modern comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.

To help you get great train deals, we'll highlight the cheapest train ticket prices from Carlisle to Reading in our Journey Planner. Just remember, as well as travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard, the sooner you book your tickets, the more you'll save, as advance tickets start from £45.60.

Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, scroll up for timetables including live train times, or keep reading for FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.

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

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

How do you get to Reading from Carlisle?

To travel to Reading from Carlisle, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 6 hours and 46 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 4 hours and 32 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Carlisle to Reading?

Trains from Carlisle to Reading take an average of 6 hours and 46 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 4 hours and 32 minutes. You'll usually find 72 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Carlisle to Reading by train?

Train tickets from Carlisle to Reading can start from £45.60 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Carlisle and Reading by train?

The quickest journey time between Carlisle and Reading by train is 4 hours and 32 minutes.

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

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from Carlisle to Reading start at £45.60§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time, and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

4. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

5. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

6. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Carlisle to Reading is right for you.

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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