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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.

Reading to London Paddington by train

It takes an average of 42m to travel from Reading to London Paddington by train, over a distance of around 34 miles (55 km). There are normally 469 trains per day travelling from Reading to London Paddington and tickets for this journey start from £22.40 when you book in advance.

First train

02:54

Last train

02:26

Departure station

Reading

Arrival station

London Paddington

Journey time

From 23m

Distance

34 miles (55 km)

Frequency

469 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £22.40

Train operators

Great Western Railway

Travelling from Reading to London Paddington by train

Want to travel from Reading to London Paddington by train for a day out? Start your journey with us.

The train from Reading to London Paddington usually takes around 44m but can take just 23m on the fastest Great Western Railway or Elizabeth Line (previously TfL Rail) services, with around 363 trains running on this popular route every day. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as direct services are available.

Reading to Paddington train tickets

To snap up the cheapest fares, book an Off-Peak time – tickets are usually cheaper when you travel Off-Peak compared to taking the train at Peak times. If you want to save even more, get a Railcard – you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year.

Once you’ve arrived in London, there’s no shortage of places to visit, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London. If you’re interested in history, head to one of London’s fascinating museums, such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or the British Museum.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use the timetable on this page to view live train times from Reading to London Paddington.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Reading to London Paddington? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Reading to London Paddington take?

The average journey time by train between Reading and London Paddington is 42 minutes, with around 469 trains per day. 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 London Paddington by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Reading to London Paddington is 23 minutes.

How much does the train from Reading to London Paddington cost?

Train ticket prices from Reading to London Paddington can start from as little as £22.40 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Reading to London Paddington?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Reading to London Paddington without having to change trains. There are 469 direct trains from Reading to London Paddington each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Reading to London Paddington leave?

The first train from Reading to London Paddington leaves at 02:54. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Reading to London Paddington leave?

The last train from Reading to London Paddington leaves at 02:26. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Reading and London Paddington by train?

Trains travelling from Reading to London Paddington cover a distance of around 34 miles (55 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London Paddington to Reading.

Cheap train tickets from Reading to London Paddington

Train tickets from Reading to London Paddington start at £22.40 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

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 Reading to London Paddington 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.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Passenger reviews about this journey

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

Faster than Brunel ever dreamed

Of the many trains that leave Reading for London every day, all of the obvious choices travel direct  - so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way. Trains running this route are three types - green blunt-ended ones (GWR local ones), green pointy-end ones (GWR high speed) andwhite/purple ones (Elizabeth line, TfL). The fastest of these are always the GWR pointy ones, and that's what I took. It was pretty quiet on a Tuesday morning - I had one of the tables of 4 to myself. It took less than 20 minutes, incredible really. Shame there's no coffee bar on board - but lucky i got mine at one of the many shops at Reading stations.

These direct trains cover the 59 km distance in an average of 40 minutes but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 23 minutes. Neat, eh! There are slower trains  - these go to London Waterloo and are run by Southwest Trains. Sure, they take about 90 minutes and usually involve a change or two along the way, but it might help to save a few quid along the way. Pretty much all railcards are valid for all these services, although do check for validity on TfL's Elizabeth line trains before you board.

Reading station has a large number of cafes and eateries, as well as easy outlet shops. It's often less busy here than Paddington, so get your stuff sorted this end.

Don't expect great scenic views on this journey - but you will get to go over Brunel's famous Thames bridge at Maidenhead, built with a surprisingly flat arch. Look out too for Windsor Castle just to the south of Slough as you pass.

About Tim

Tim, a former Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between Reading and London Paddington.

† 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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