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Trains from Southend to Reading

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Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia

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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. Southend to Reading

Trains to Reading from Southend

It takes an average of 2h 28m to travel from Southend to Reading by train, over a distance of around 72 miles (117 km). There are normally 70 trains per day travelling from Southend to Reading and tickets for this journey start from £26.40 when you book in advance.

First train

03:30

Last train

23:01

Departure stationSouthend
Arrival stationReading
Journey time

From 1h 56m

Distance

72 miles (117 km)

Frequency

70 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £26.40

Train operators

Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, c2c

Taking the train from Southend to Reading in 1 hour 56 minutes

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

It usually takes around 2 hours 28 minutes to travel the 72 miles (117 km) from Southend to Reading by train, although you can get there in as little as 1 hour 56 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 70 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. You're likely to be travelling with Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia or c2c to Reading. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Southend to Reading in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £26.40. 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 Reading by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

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 28 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 28 minutes, with around 70 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 Southend to Reading cost?

Train tickets from Southend to Reading can start from as little as £26.40 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 Southend and Reading by train?

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

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. Book in advance

Train tickets from Southend to Reading start at £26.40§ 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 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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