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Trains from Reading to Bolton

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Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry

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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. Reading to Bolton

Trains to Bolton from Reading

It takes an average of 5h 15m to travel from Reading to Bolton by train, over a distance of around 158 miles (255 km). There are normally 62 trains per day travelling from Reading to Bolton and tickets for this journey start from £54 when you book in advance.

First train

02:54

Last train

21:51

Departure stationReading
Arrival stationBolton
Journey time

From 3h 47m

Distance

158 miles (255 km)

Frequency

62 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £54

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express

Travel by train from Reading to Bolton

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

Generally, the train from Reading to Bolton takes around 5 hours 15 minutes, but can take just 3 hours 47 minutes on the fastest services. There are up to 62 trains per day from Reading to Bolton.

You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Trains on this route are operated by Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express.

Book your ticket from £54.00 for this journey. Booking early is one of the most effective ways to save money.

Start your search for train tickets from Reading to Bolton in our Journey Planner.

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

Want to know more about your journey from Reading to Bolton? 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 Bolton?

You can get from Reading to Bolton by train in 5 hours and 15 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 47 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Reading to Bolton take?

The average journey time by train between Reading and Bolton is 5 hours and 15 minutes, with around 62 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 Reading to Bolton cost?

Train tickets from Reading to Bolton can start from as little as £54 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 Reading and Bolton by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Reading to Bolton is 3 hours and 47 minutes.

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

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 Bolton start at £54§ 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 Bolton 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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