Reading, the university town in Berkshire, home to internationally recognised higher educational institutions, is one of the largest and most diverse metropolitan towns with well-connected transport links with trains and buses and proximity to major airports.
Reading is adorned with restaurants, bars and shops and other amenities, along with green spaces to escape the hectic buzz of town life. So, students can enjoy the best of both worlds in Reading.
The vibrant and welcoming university town is located on the River Thames and Kennet & Avon Canal and takes 30 minutes to reach London Paddington. Reading’s location in the Thames Valley to the west of London has made the town an influential component in the nation’s transport system.
Getting around Reading is easy with a network of buses which is also the primary form of public transport. Reading has good rail links in and around the city, with the mainline between the South West and South Wales and London Paddington and the operating via Reading Station. Taxis are also widely available.
Reading is one of the busiest mainline train stations and has the longest railway viaduct in the UK. It has direct routes to almost every part of the UK. Reading train station has been listed as the fourth most famous railway station in the country by Transport Focus (an independent watchdog), based on arrival times, appearance and comfort.
The city also has an excellent local bus service that serves the entire Reading urban area and some local villages. Buses are a convenient way to move around the city and travel further afield. Reading is also close and well connected to many airports, including Luton and Heathrow and has excellent transport connections all over the country.
If you are new to Reading or are planning to move to the lively town of Reading for further studies and want to know more about getting around Reading, welcome to our blog page!
What Discount do Students Get in Reading?
Full-time students between 16 to 25 years can apply for a Young Persons Railcard to get a 30% discount on train journeys. For full-time students over 25, you will need your institution to prove your eligibility by confirming you are a full-time student in their institution.
If you’re over 18 years old, you can apply for the 18+ Student Oyster photocard and get a 30% off on adult-rate Travelcards or Bus and Tram Pass season tickets. To simplify, ‘Travelcards’ give you unlimited travel at any time on the bus, train, tram or even River Boat services.
Full-time students of the University of Reading with a valid student ID card can purchase a ‘Boost’ or ‘SimplyUni’ card for cheaper fares for coming to campus and travelling around Reading.
How to Travel to the University of Reading?
By foot or on the bicycle: Whiteknights campus from the Reading station is around 1.6 miles, about 35 minutes by foot. Earley Gate entrance from Earley station is approximately 0.8 miles, around 15 minutes by foot. The Bulmershe campus from Earley station is approximately 1.5 miles, around 28 minutes by foot.
The London Road campus is around a 10-15 minute walk and 0.7 miles from the periphery of the main University Whiteknights campus at Shinfield Road.
By Bus: Several services operate directly to the London Road campus.
The following transport lines pass near the University Of Reading Campus: 5, 6. 9, 13, 14, 17, 21, 21a, 19a, 19b, and 19c
You can visit www.reading-buses.co.uk for more routes and a detailed timetable.
By Train: The London Road campus is conveniently situated only 15 minutes walk to central Reading. All the campuses in the Reading area are within easy walking and cycling distance from local train stations.
How to Travel to the University of West London Campus in Reading?
By Train: The Berkshire Institute for Health is about five minutes walk away from Reading rail station. Trains run to London Paddington in less than 30 minutes. London Paddington to Reading is less than 30 minutes.
By Bus: The local bus routes include the 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 20a and 21.
How to Travel Reading from London?
The distance from London to Reading is 48 miles by road, and the railroad connecting the two cities is about 39 miles.
By Train: There are 29 direct trains to Reading. Trains from London Paddington to Reading run approximately every 15-20 minutes throughout the day. The average travel time is around 30 minutes.
There are direct rail links from many major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, and several routes through London.
By Bus: The bus offers routes from London to the most remote corners of Reading and different services. Direct buses depart from Victoria and arrive at Reading Town Centre, Blagrave Street. Services operate four buses daily and 28 buses per week. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
Conclusion
Reading has become a commuter hotspot because of its excellent rail and transport links to all parts of the country and within the city. Students can also use alternative modes of transport such as cycles, buses and trains to move around and out of Reading.
Reading is a wonderfully walkable city that is ideally placed. It is situated right outside the capital, which means it is a stone’s throw away from London. It is well connected to other towns across Berkshire and other major cities.
Students can travel and enjoy a fun weekend exploring places in the UK with ease. It’s in the perfect university town for students looking to experience the thrills of student life in a compact and manageable location.
You won’t have to walk far from your student accommodation to the bustling town centre, peaceful green spaces, or other exciting venues no matter where you live.
If you’re thinking of moving to this vibrant and lively part of Berkshire, the bustling town of Reading, for your further studies, Meraki Student can help. We offer a wide choice of student accommodation depending on your budget and other preferences.