East Midlands Railway
Great Northern
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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.
Trains to Bedford from Reading
It takes an average of 3h 2m to travel from Reading to Bedford by train, over a distance of around 51 miles (83 km). There are normally 159 trains per day travelling from Reading to Bedford and tickets for this journey start from £30.70 when you book in advance.
| First train | 02:54 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 02:30 | |
| Departure station | Reading | |
| Arrival station | Bedford | |
| Journey time | From 1h 49m | |
| Distance | 51 miles (83 km) | |
| Frequency | 159 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £30.70 | |
| Train operators | East Midlands Railway, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Thameslink |
What are the train times from Reading to Bedford?
Get from Reading to Bedford in as little as 1 hour 49 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.
The average train journey from Reading to Bedford takes around 3 hours 2 minutes. There are around 159 trains that operate on this route daily.
As there are no direct trains between Reading and Bedford, you'll need to make 1 change.
Great Western Railway, East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway and Thameslink trains operate on this route.
Tickets for this journey start from £30.70. Booking in advance often results in cheaper ticket prices.
With our Journey Planner, you can check live train times, compare prices and check routes.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Reading to Bedford?
Want to know more about your journey from Reading to Bedford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Reading to Bedford?
How close is Reading to Bedford by train?
Is it possible to get from Reading to Bedford without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Reading to Bedford?
What time does the first train from Reading to Bedford leave?
What time does the last train from Reading to Bedford leave?
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Do you need to book the train from Reading to Bedford in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Reading to Bedford?
How do I find cheap train tickets from Reading to Bedford?
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 Reading to Bedford start at £30.70§ 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 Reading to Bedford 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.