Train times from Reading to London
Reading connects to 3 London terminals. The fastest route is Paddington in 23 minutes on a direct train.
- Fastest journey to London
- 23 minutes to Paddington
- Direct service
- Yes
- London terminals served
- 3 (Paddington, Liverpool Street, Waterloo)
- Operator
- Great Western Railway, Elizabeth line
- Source
- Darwin Timetable Files (Rail Delivery Group), Open Government Licence v3.0
- Data reviewed
- 2026-08-17
Reading to each London terminal
| London terminal | Fastest | Fastest direct | Typical peak | Peak trains | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddington | 23 min | same as fastest | 28 min | 15.6/hr | Great Western Railway, Elizabeth line |
| Liverpool Street | 60 min | same as fastest | 63 min | 4.0/hr | Greater Anglia, Elizabeth line |
| Waterloo | 80 minchange at Basingstoke | 85 min | 88 min | 2.0/hr | South Western Railway |
Reading to Paddington
The fastest train from Reading to London Paddington takes 23 minutes and involves a direct train with no change. The route is operated by Great Western Railway, Elizabeth line. That makes Reading the 11th quickest of the 115 stations with a service into Paddington inside 90 minutes.
Reading to Liverpool Street
The fastest train from Reading to London Liverpool Street takes 60 minutes and involves a direct train with no change. The route is operated by Greater Anglia, Elizabeth line. That makes Reading the 65th quickest of the 105 stations with a service into Liverpool Street inside 90 minutes.
Reading to Waterloo
The fastest train from Reading to London Waterloo takes 80 minutes and involves one change of train en route. The route is operated by South Western Railway. That makes Reading the 115th quickest of the 126 stations with a service into Waterloo inside 90 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Reading to London take?
The fastest train from Reading reaches London Paddington in 23 minutes. Reading connects to 3 London terminals: Paddington, Liverpool Street, Waterloo.
Which London station should I travel to from Reading?
Paddington is the quickest at 23 minutes, on a direct service. Direct trains run to Paddington, Liverpool Street.
Is Reading a good commuter town for London?
At 23 minutes to London Paddington, Reading is an excellent commuter base, with a sub-30-minute journey into central London. Direct trains keep the journey simple.
Are there direct trains from Reading to London?
Yes. Direct services run to Paddington, Liverpool Street.
What are the nearest stations to Reading?
The closest alternatives are Reading West, Earley, Tilehurst. These can offer a faster or cheaper route into London depending on where you live.
Other places within 30 minutes of Paddington
Reading is one of many places you could commute from. These are other options within 30 minutes of London Paddington, ranked by journey time and spread across the network rather than clustered on one stretch of line.
Nearby stations
Alternative departure points close to Reading, for comparing platforms rather than places.