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Trains from Reading to Retford

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CrossCountry
East Midlands 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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  3. Reading to Retford

Trains to Retford from Reading

It takes an average of 4h 27m to travel from Reading to Retford by train, over a distance of around 128 miles (206 km). There are normally 13 trains per day travelling from Reading to Retford and tickets for this journey start from £38 when you book in advance.

First train

05:15

Last train

21:15

Departure stationReading
Arrival stationRetford
Journey time

From 3h 32m

Distance

128 miles (206 km)

Frequency

13 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £38

Train operators

CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway

Taking the train from Reading to Retford in 3 hours 32 minutes

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

It usually takes around 4 hours 27 minutes to travel the 128 miles (206 km) from Reading to Retford by train, although you can get there in as little as 3 hours 32 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 13 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. During your journey, you'll either be travelling with East Midlands Railway or CrossCountry, as they are the main operators of services on this route.

Book train tickets from Reading to Retford in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £38.00. 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 Retford by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

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

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

You can get from Reading to Retford by train in 4 hours and 27 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 3 hours and 32 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Reading to Retford take?

The average journey time by train between Reading and Retford is 4 hours and 27 minutes, with around 13 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 Retford cost?

Train tickets from Reading to Retford can start from as little as £38 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 Retford by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Reading to Retford is 3 hours and 32 minutes.

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

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 Retford start at £38§ 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 Retford 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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