Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Southend Central to Reading

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

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

Trains to Reading from Southend Central

First train

03:16

Last train

22:36

Departure stationSouthend Central
Arrival stationReading
Journey time

From 1h 59m

Distance

73 miles (117 km)

Frequency

102 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London Overground, c2c

Travelling from Southend Central to Reading by train

If you're planning to travel from Southend Central to Reading, we're here to help!

On average, the train journey from Southend Central to Reading takes around 2 hours 29 minutes. There are normally 102 trains per day travelling from Southend Central to Reading.

You'll have to make 1 change on your journey to Reading, as there are no direct trains.

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

Save money on your train tickets by booking in advance.

Use our Journey Planner to compare ticket prices and find the cheapest fares.

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

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

How do you travel to Reading from Southend Central?

To get to Reading from Southend Central, why not take the train? With 102 trains per day and an average journey time of 2 hours and 29 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Southend Central to Reading by train?

On average, it takes around 2 hours and 29 minutes to travel from Southend Central to Reading by train, although you can get there in 1 hour and 59 minutes on the fastest services. With 102 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How fast can trains travel from Southend Central to Reading?

The fastest time a train can travel the 73 miles (117 km) from Southend Central to Reading is 1 hour and 59 minutes.

Are there any direct trains from Southend Central to Reading?

There are no direct trains that run between Southend Central and Reading. You’ll need to make at least 1 change along the way.

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

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 Southend Central to Reading 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.

Looking for more ideas?

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link