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Trains from Reading to Southend

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Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia

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

Trains to Southend from Reading

First train

02:54

Last train

02:14

Departure stationReading
Arrival stationSouthend
Journey time

From 1h 56m

Distance

72 miles (117 km)

Frequency

318 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, c2c

What are the train times from Reading to Southend?

Get from Reading to Southend in as little as 1 hour 56 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.

The average train journey from Reading to Southend takes around 2 hours 37 minutes. There are around 318 trains that operate on this route daily.

As there are no direct trains between Reading and Southend, you'll need to make 1 change.

Trains on this route are operated by Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway and c2c.

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 Southend?

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

You can get from Reading to Southend by train in 2 hours and 37 minutes on average, with the fastest journeys taking just 1 hour and 56 minutes. Check out our Journey Planner for more details.

How long does the train from Reading to Southend take?

The average journey time by train between Reading and Southend is 2 hours and 37 minutes, with around 318 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 Southend by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Reading to Southend is 1 hour and 56 minutes.

Can you take a train directly from Reading to Southend?

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

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

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 Southend 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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