Travel to Reading from UK airports

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

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.

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.

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.

If you are travelling to Reading by taxi, you can ask them to take you straight to your accommodation.

If you arrive in Reading by bus or train, you will arrive at Reading train station.   

From there you have the option of taking a bus or a taxi.

Taking the bus

If you are travelling to the University, you can take the number 21 bus.

For more information on buses and timetables please see the Reading Buses website.

A single ticket costs £2.10 (May 2022). The 21 bus stand is located next to the RailAir coach stand on Blagrave Street.

Taking a taxi

There is a taxi rank outside the train station near the RailAir coach stand.

The fare is about £10 to the University, and most accommodation in Reading. We recommend you have your accommodation details on hand.

View a map of Reading station.