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Trains from Reading to Bedford

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East Midlands Railway
Great Western Railway

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Reading to Bedford

Trains to Bedford from Reading

First train

02:54

Last train

01:24

Departure stationReading
Arrival stationBedford
Journey time

From 1h 49m

Distance

51 miles (83 km)

Frequency

166 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Thameslink

What are the train times from Reading to Bedford?

Check out the next trains departing from Reading to Bedford for Tuesday 13th October 2026 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
13:3115:251h 54m, 2 changes
13:4915:542h 5m, 2 changes
13:5916:242h 25m, 1 change
14:0015:551h 55m, 2 changes
14:1616:242h 8m, 2 changes
14:2916:542h 25m, 1 change
14:3616:261h 50m, 2 changes
14:5016:542h 4m, 2 changes
14:5916:571h 58m, 2 changes
14:5917:242h 25m, 1 change

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 2 hours 34 minutes. There are around 166 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.

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.

How do I travel from Reading to Bedford?

You can get from Reading to Bedford by train in 2 hours and 34 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 1 hour and 49 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Reading to Bedford take?

The average journey time by train between Reading and Bedford is 2 hours and 34 minutes, with around 166 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.

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

The fastest journey time by train from Reading to Bedford is 1 hour and 49 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Reading to Bedford?

No, there are no direct train services from Reading to Bedford. Travelling from Reading to Bedford by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.
† 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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