Reading to Birmingham Train

21/11/2024
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Reading to Birmingham by train

The journey from Reading to Birmingham by train is 81.21 mi and takes 2 hrs 26 mins. There are 64 connections per day, with the first departure at 03:54 and the last at 22:03. It is possible to travel from Reading to Birmingham by train for as little as £19.47 or as much as £109.06. The best price for this journey is £19.47.

Lowest Price £19.47
Journey Duration 2 hrs 26 mins
Connection per Day 64
Lowest Price £19.47
Highest Price £109.06
First Departure 03:54
Last Departure 22:03
Distance 81.21 mi
Departure Reading
Arrival Birmingham
Carriers Elizabeth line, West Midlands Railway

Reading to Birmingham Train Times

Departure date
Thursday, 21 Nov 2024

Traveling from Reading to Birmingham with Virail

What's the best way to get from Reading to Birmingham? If you're not sure, don't worry - Virail can help you. The only thing you have to do is enter your planned travel dates, and let Virail's powerful search tool deal with the rest. We'll look at the routes offered by our trusted travel partners to give you all your available options. Whether you want to travel by plane, train, bus, carpool, or something else, we'll find your ideal solution. You can filter your results according to price, departure or arrival time, journey duration, number of connections, one-way or round trip - anything you want. Virail will give you a full, clear picture of how to get from Reading to Birmingham, then transfer you to your chosen provider's website to complete your booking.

How can I get the cheapest train tickets to travel from Reading to Birmingham?

When you're traveling from Reading to Birmingham, you can expect to pay an average of approximately £55.71. You might be able to find prices as low as £19.47, but it all depends on how you travel. Some forms of transport are cheaper than others, and prices will vary according to time of day, day of the week, season, and other factors. For the cheapest train tickets, make your reservation well in advance. If you can, travel at an off-peak time, as train ticket prices will often be reduced. You might also be able to save money by booking a connecting journey, rather than a direct route. Be sure to check the conditions of the ticket before booking, as sometimes cheaper train tickets cannot be changed or refunded. Use Virail to check your options before booking, to ensure that you find the lowest price for your journey.
Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Reading to Birmingham. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results.
On average, a train ticket from Reading to Birmingham will cost you £55.71. If you are trying to stick to a budget, there are several ways you can seek out lower ticket prices. For example, if your travel dates are flexible, you might find that some days of the week are cheaper than others. Traveling during peak season will usually cost more, so avoid that if you want to save money. Even the time of day can affect the price of tickets sometimes. You can also look for an indirect route, which may be cheaper than a direct connection. Often, the cheapest train tickets can be found by booking well in advance. However, be mindful that many companies do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest tickets.

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

The distance between Reading and Birmingham is approximately 81.21 mi. In general, it will take you about 2 hrs 26 mins to complete the journey between the two cities. However, it is important to remember that journey times may vary according to a number of factors, including seasonal weather conditions, local events or diversions. Keep this in mind if you are intending to make a later connection, and always plan accordingly. The journey between Reading and Birmingham by train usually takes 2 hrs 26 mins to cover a distance of 81.21 mi. The shortest journey from Reading to Birmingham will take you 1 hr 32 mins. Remember, as always, that this time does not include any delays that might occur due to weather conditions, construction, or unexpected diversions and disruptions. If arriving in Birmingham quickly is a priority for you, look for express or non-stop services. You may also find that a connecting route reaches your destination faster than some direct journeys. Virail will allow you to explore all your options and come to a decision that suits your needs.

What are the stations on the Reading to Birmingham route?

You can depart from Reading at stations such as Reading, Calcott,Reading Station,Reading - Mereoak Park & Ride. At the end of the journey, you will be able to arrive in Birmingham at the following stations: Birmingham new street,Birmingham, Coach Station,Birmingham moor street,Five ways. Some of these stations may only be served by particular travel providers. Because of this, there may not be a direct connection between all the stations in Reading and Birmingham. Plan your journey carefully, as it may be necessary to make another connection before departure or after arrival.

How many times a day do departures from Reading leave for Birmingham?

The route from Reading to Birmingham is served by providers including . From this list of transport providers, there are up to departures each day. However, this exact number will vary. On average, journeys depart from Reading 64 times per day. This number includes all the transport providers that serve the route. When traveling from Reading to Birmingham, you may choose to use an indirect route, involving connections. If you prefer not to do this, you will find an average of 9 direct journeys each day. However, indirect routes open up more possibilities for flexible travelers. On average, there are 55 journeys with one change or more each day. These numbers are all averages. They can slightly vary depending on the day of the week, the season of the year, local festivals, and other factors. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Reading to Birmingham. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

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Compare prices and tickets from Reading to Birmingham

Cheap train tickets from Reading to Birmingham
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Reading to Birmingham.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Reading to Birmingham, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Reading to Birmingham.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book Reading to Birmingham travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Reading to Birmingham

The cheapest Reading - Birmingham train tickets can be found for as low as £22.39 if you’re lucky, or £32.66 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as £50.75.

Find the best day to travel to Birmingham by train

When travelling to Birmingham by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Chiltern Railways is a British train operating company that provides passenger services between London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill, as well as other destinations in the Midlands and South East England. The company was established in 1996, and it is owned by Arriva UK Trains since 2009. Chiltern Railways operates a fleet of modern trains, including the Class 68 locomotives and the Class 165 and 168 diesel units.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is a British railway company that operates passenger services between London and the southwest of England, as well as parts of Wales. It was founded in 1833 and was originally known as the Great Western Railway Company. GWR is now owned by FirstGroup. The company is known for its iconic green livery and its historic steam locomotives, including the famous Flying Scotsman.

West Midlands Railway is a train operating company that provides passenger services across the West Midlands region of England.The West Midlands Trains consortium, composed of Abellio, JR East, and Mitsui, won the franchise for the region, leading to the establishment of the service in 2017. The West Midlands Railway offers a variety of services, including longer distance services to cities like London and Liverpool as well as local and regional trains.

Services on board West Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and Chiltern Railways from Reading to Birmingham
Compare services on board when travelling from Reading to Birmingham by train.
Facilities West Midlands Railway Great Western Railway Chiltern Railways Avanti West Coast
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check check check
wifi WiFi check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check
luggage Luggage check check check cross
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check

Reading to Birmingham CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
9.15kg
Bus
9.8kg
Flight
26.14kg
Car
20.91kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Reading to Birmingham by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Reading and Birmingham are 9.15kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Reading and Birmingham? By taking the train between Reading and Birmingham you will save 16.99kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 0.65kg compared to a bus and 11.76kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Reading to Birmingham?
A train ticket from Reading to Birmingham is £55.71. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as £19.47.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Reading to Birmingham?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Reading to Birmingham is £19.47. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Reading and Birmingham by train?
Reading to Birmingham is 81.21 mi.
How long does the train between Reading and Birmingham take?
Reading to Birmingham is on average 2 hrs 26 mins. However the fastest option will get you there in 1 hr 32 mins.
Which companies operate from Reading to Birmingham?
The train journey from Reading to Birmingham is covered by 5 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Elizabeth line, West Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast.
How many train connections per day go from Reading to Birmingham?
Reading to Birmingham has 64 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Reading to Birmingham leave?
The earliest train from Reading to Birmingham departs at 03:54. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Reading to Birmingham depart?
The latest train from Reading to Birmingham departs at 22:03. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Reading to Birmingham in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is £19.47 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
How many direct connections depart from Reading to Birmingham?
There are on average 9 direct connection(s) from Reading to go to Birmingham.
What's the fastest journey time between Reading to Birmingham by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Reading and Birmingham is 1 hr 32 mins.
Is there a direct train from Reading to Birmingham?
Yes, there is a direct train between Reading and Birmingham.
What are the CO2 emissions for Reading to Birmingham by train?
The train journey from Reading to Birmingham creates 9.15kg of CO2 emissions.

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