Planning your journey

Planning your Journey

Whether you are a Reading local or travelling here from the other side of the world below you have come to the right place for everything you need to plan a smooth arrival.

How are you going to get here?

Read information on travelling to the University of Reading.

IMPORTANT: Please follow all UK government advice about travelling safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a university we are striving to reduce our impact on the environment, and sustainable travel options for staff and students are a key part of this endeavour. Our campuses in the Reading area are within easy walking and cycling distance from local train stations, and are easily accessible by public transport. Getting here.

Can't wait? Get a 360 degree view of the campus before you arrive. Take a virtual tour.

Read our advice on packing and what to bring.

Information for International students

Specific information if you are travelling to Reading from Heathrow and other local airports. This information is constantly changing, and we will update this page as we receive updated guidance. You are currently recommended you wear a mask at all times on public transport. See the UK Governments website for the latest guidance..

Heathrow airport arrivals

You do not need to go to central London. You can travel directly from Heathrow airport to Reading

University Meet and Greet Service

The University will be offering a Meet and Greet Service at Heathrow from Friday 16 September to Sunday 18 September 2022, 07:00-17:00.

Our team of Student Ambassadors and staff will be at Heathrow to meet you at your terminal and direct you to the RailAir coach. The RailAir coach is the best way to reach Reading, coming directly from Heathrow to Reading station. All of the Student Ambassadors will have University of Reading signs and they will be wearing red University of Reading t-shirts - you won't miss them! They will be based at arrivals in the various terminals and in the Central Bus Station.

Find out more about out Meet and Greet Service and sign up.

RailAir coach

The best way to reach Reading is using the RailAir coach. This will bring you directly to the central railway station in Reading.RailAir coaches run frequently throughout the day . For more information and timetables, please visit the RailAir website.

We recommend you purchase your ticket online ahead of arriving in the UK. The cost of an online ticket is £22 (May 2022).

Tickets can also be purchased from the driver on boarding the coach using contactless payment or using the First Bus app. There are also ticket machines at the Central Bus Station and we will be able to assist with this if you arrive during our meet & greet times. At other times, staff from the Central Bus station will be able to help.

Directions from the terminal to Heathrow Central Bus Station

All flights at Heathrow are currently operating from terminals 2, 3 and 5.

Terminal 2 and 3

RailAir coaches depart from the Heathrow Central Bus Station.

From arrivals:

Follow the signs for bus and coach (this takes you underground).
Once you are underground, follow the signs for the Heathrow Central Bus Station. This is around a 10-minute walk.
Look for the departure boards in the station. You will see the stand number for the next coach to Reading.
If you need any help locating the coach, please ask one of the airport staff members in the coach station who are very helpful.

Make sure you take the RailAir coach and not the National Express coach which does not come to central Reading.

Terminal 4

Use the FREE Heathrow Express shuttle service.
Travel in the carriages at the rear of the train and alight at Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Follow signs for Terminals 2 and 3 but as soon as you see signs for buses and underground follow these instead.

Terminal 5

Follow signs for 'Local Buses' upon exiting arrivals. Our coaches stop at Stand 9 and you can get a ticket either from our driver or in advance online.

Taxi hire

If you would like to take a taxi from Heathrow to Reading, then it is recommended that you pre-book this in advance. We suggest the following:

Loddon Cars Taxis

Online booking form
Phone: +44 (0)1189 321 321
Email: bookings@loddoncars.com

Yellow Cars

Online booking form
Phone: +44 (0)118 9666 555

The estimated cost of a pre-booked taxi is about £60 - 70.

You can pay for the taxi by card or cash.

Taxis will meet you directly at the terminal you are arriving at.

View an interactive map of Heathrow airport.

Gatwick airport arrivals

Train Service

There is a direct train from Gatwick airport to Reading. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. More information including train times can be found on the Gatwick airport website. If you are travelling by train you can plan your journey and buy tickets in advance via the National Rail website or you can buy your ticket at the Gatwick train station when you get there.

Taxi hire

If you would like to take a taxi from Gatwick to Reading, then it is recommended that you book this in advance using the following details:

Loddon Cars Taxis

Online booking form
Phone: +44 (0)1189 321 321
Email: bookings@loddoncars.com

Yellow Cars

Online booking form
Phone: +44 (0)118 9666 555

The estimated cost of a pre-booked taxi is about £70 - £80.

You can pay for the taxi by card or cash.

View a map of Gatwick Airport.

Arriving from other UK airports

London Stansted Airport

To get to Reading from Stansted Airport by train, you will need to travel via London. Find out more on the Stansted Airport website.

London Luton Airport

To get to Reading from Luton Airport by tain, you will need to travel via London. Find out more on the Luton Airport website.

Birmingham International Airport

Regular trains run from Birmingham International Airport to Reading and take about 1 hour and 40 minutes. For more information, visit the Birmingham Airport website.

How to get to Reading from central London

There is a direct train from Paddington station which will take about 30 minutes.This service runs frequently. For train times, please visit the National Rail website.

Download the UoR Student app for navigation to and around campus