Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe
Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone
Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards
is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets
Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromManchester Airport to Reading by train
It takes an average of 5h 19m to travel from Manchester Airport to Reading by train, over a distance of around 143 miles (230 km). There are normally 31 trains per day travelling from Manchester Airport to Reading and tickets for this journey start from £21.40 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 21:36 | |
| Departure station | Manchester Airport | |
| Arrival station | Reading | |
| Journey time | From 3h 38m | |
| Distance | 143 miles (230 km) | |
| Frequency | 31 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £21.40 | |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales |
About the train journey from Manchester Airport to Reading
Want to travel from Manchester Airport to Reading by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from Manchester Airport to Reading usually takes 5 hours 19 minutes on average to travel 143 miles (230 km), although the quickest services can take as little as 3 hours 38 minutes. You can expect to find 31 trains per day running on this popular route. You'll need to make 1 change during the journey to Reading, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. During your journey, you're likely to be travelling with Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway or Transport for Wales, as these are the main train operators on this route.
You can save money on train tickets from Manchester Airport to Reading if you book in advance, as tickets usually start from £21.40. You can also travel Off-Peak – tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends – or get a Railcard and save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.
If you want to know more about the journey, scroll up for timetables and live train times, or keep reading for tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
FAQs about the train journey from Manchester Airport to Reading
Want to know more about your journey from Manchester Airport to Reading? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there any direct trains from Manchester Airport to Reading?
How far is the train ride from Manchester Airport to Reading?
Can I take a flight-free trip from Manchester Airport to Reading?
What is the best way to travel to Reading from Manchester Airport?
What time does the first train run from Manchester Airport to Reading?
How late does the train from Manchester Airport to Reading run?
How many trains go from Manchester Airport to Reading per day?
When do tickets from Manchester Airport to Reading go on sale?
Planning a round trip from Manchester Airport to Reading?
Cheap train tickets from Manchester Airport to Reading
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.
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 Manchester Airport to Reading is right for you.
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.
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.