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Trains from Southend to Reading

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Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia

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

Trains to Reading from Southend

First train

03:16

Last train

22:36

Departure stationSouthend
Arrival stationReading
Journey time

From 1h 56m

Distance

72 miles (117 km)

Frequency

181 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London Overground, c2c

What are the train times from Southend to Reading?

Get from Southend to Reading 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 Southend to Reading takes around 2 hours 32 minutes. There are around 181 trains that operate on this route daily.

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

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

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 Southend to Reading?

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

How do I travel from Southend to Reading?

You can get from Southend to Reading by train in 2 hours and 32 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 Southend to Reading take?

The average journey time by train between Southend and Reading is 2 hours and 32 minutes, with around 181 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 Southend and Reading by train?

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

Can you take a train directly from Southend to Reading?

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

How do I find cheap train tickets from Southend 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 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.

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