Destination Reading

Longford Lass

Hi guys.
Just doing some research atm
I know Heathrow is the nearest airport to Reading.
However...I'm just wondering what would be the next nearest where I'd be able to get slightly cheaper flights into and take a train into Reading then?
If anyone knows even more detail ie how long train ride is etc I'd be grateful too!
All advise appreciated.
Cheers...

Benny_Cake

Longford Lass wrote: »

Hi guys.
Just doing some research atm
I know Heathrow is the nearest airport to Reading.
However...I'm just wondering what would be the next nearest where I'd be able to get slightly cheaper flights into and take a train into Reading then?
If anyone knows even more detail ie how long train ride is etc I'd be grateful too!
All advise appreciated.
Cheers...

Bristol perhaps?Flights are often pretty reasonable and it would only be an hour or so from Reading. Obviously check the price of train tickets though as they could negate any savings made on the flight.

BuffyBot

Obviously Heathrow is the choice, and even if it's more expensive, you'll spend what you save in travel and hassle.

Otherwise, you can also go to Gatwick (there are trains to Reading from there can take 1.15 - 2 hours depending on whether it's non-stop or requires a change), or even as far out as Bristol as Benny_Cake says, but you're looking at 2 hours at least to get into town from the Airport and get a train to Reading.

munchkin_utd

central and south england is tiny, and if I remember rightly is actually a higher population density than holland which always gets quoted as being small and compact. Sure Liverpool and Manchester are only 30 miles apart.

anyhow, theres regular direct trains from Birmingham airport to Reading which take an unbelievable hour and a half or so (which isnt obvious till you realise how small England is and look into such connections). If you do it in the afternoon then theres deals on the trains of 20 pound or so each way. At peak time it can be multiples of that.

if cost really is important then the bus from Rosslare to London actually stops at Reading on the way in. Leaves rosslare at 8pm and in at 6 in the morning at Reading with no change.
its a mere 20 pounds one way from Rosslare to reading incl the ferry booking through nationalexpress.com/

Fratton Fred

For Reading you have direct trains from Gatwick and Southampton.

Southampton to Reading is surprisingly quick and the station is right next to the terminal. Check out www.flybe.com and www.nationalrail.co.uk for details.

There is also a direct train from Birmingham, but it is longer and more expensive.

Personally, I would go for Southampton.

zagmund

This makes for interesting reading. The company I work for has offices in Reading. When I enquired about flying there, Heathrow was the only option presented. In one way it makes sense since it is the nearest, but it involves either an unfeasibly expensive taxi ride or a pre-booked pickup which also isn't cheap. It's straight out the M4 as far as I remember, but it's not actually "close". It's also not particularly green in terms of single (plus driver) occupancy vehicles vs public transport.

I would have been interested in taking some of the other routings presented above if I had realised they were available.

z

BuffyBot

There is also a frequent Heathrow to Reading coach service: http://www.railair.com/

Longford Lass

Thanks for all your replies folks..makes for interesting reading alright.
Keep the suggestions coming....