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Trains from Reading to Bolton

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CrossCountry
Great Western Railway

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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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Trains to Bolton from Reading

It takes an average of 5h 18m to travel from Reading to Bolton by train, over a distance of around 158 miles (255 km). There are normally 22 trains per day travelling from Reading to Bolton and tickets for this journey start from £81.40 when you book in advance.

First train

05:15

Last train

00:15

Departure stationReading
Arrival stationBolton
Journey time

From 3h 40m

Distance

158 miles (255 km)

Frequency

22 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £81.40

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways

Taking the train from Reading to Bolton in 3 hours 40 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Reading to Bolton? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 5 hours 18 minutes to travel the 158 miles (255 km) from Reading to Bolton by train, although you can get there in as little as 3 hours 40 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 22 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway or TransPennine Express to Bolton. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Reading to Bolton in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £81.40. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Bolton by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

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 18 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 40 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 18 minutes, with around 22 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 £81.40 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 40 minutes.

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

The price of train tickets from Reading to Bolton starts at £81.40 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

1. 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.

2. 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 Reading to Bolton is right for you.

3. 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.

4. 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.

‡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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