There are 5 ways to get from Reading to Greater Manchester by train, bus, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train
best- Take the train from Reading to Manchester Piccadillytrain Bournemouth - Manchester Piccadilly / ...
3h 45m£82–119Drive 177 mi
cheapest- Drive from Reading to Greater Manchestercar 177 mi
3h 24m£44–64Bus
- Take the bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 5bus Ra1
- Take the bus from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Manchester Central Coach Stationbus 802
6h 1m£54–77Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly
- Take the train from Reading to Hayes And Harlington Stationtrain
- Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Manchester Airport (MAN)plane LHR - MAN
3h 26m£73–282Train to Southampton Airport, fly
- Take the train from Reading to Southampton Airport Parkwaytrain
- Fly from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Manchester Airport (MAN)plane SOU - MAN
3h 24m£94–217
Reading to Greater Manchester by train, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Reading to Greater Manchester is to drive which costs £40 - £65 and takes 3h 24m.
The fastest way to get from Reading to Greater Manchester is to train and fly which takes 3h 24m and costs £90 - £220.
No, there is no direct bus from Reading to Greater Manchester. However, there are services departing from Reading RailAir and arriving at Horton Road via Heathrow Terminal 5 and Charlotte Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 1m.
No, there is no direct train from Reading to Greater Manchester. However, there are services departing from Reading and arriving at Manchester Piccadilly via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 45m.
The distance between Reading and Greater Manchester is 183 miles. The road distance is 178 miles.
The best way to get from Reading to Greater Manchester without a car is to train which takes 3h 45m and costs £80 - £120.
It takes approximately 3h 45m to get from Reading to Greater Manchester, including transfers.
Reading to Greater Manchester bus services, operated by RailAir, depart from Reading RailAir station.
Reading to Greater Manchester train services, operated by Cross Country, depart from Reading station.
The best way to get from Reading to Greater Manchester is to train which takes 3h 45m and costs £80 - £120. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs £50 - £80 and takes 6h 1m.
What companies run services between Reading, England and Greater Manchester, England?
Cross Country operates a train from Reading to Manchester Piccadilly hourly. Tickets cost £80–120 and the journey takes 3h 14m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Reading RailAir to Horton Road via Heathrow Terminal 5, Manchester Central Coach Station, and Charlotte Street in around 6h 1m.
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Manchester Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £50–210
Flights from Southampton Airport to Manchester Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- £75–160
- Phone
- +44 3447 369 123
- [email protected]
- Website
- Cross Country
Train from Reading to Manchester Piccadilly
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 14m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £80–120
- Website
- Cross Country
Train from Reading to Southampton Airport Parkway
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- £19–28
- Website
- Cross Country
- Phone
- +44 345 646 0707
- Website
- RailAir
Bus from Reading RailAir to Heathrow Terminal 5
- Ave. Duration
- 44 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- £25–31
- Website
- RailAir
Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Which London airport should I choose?
Read the travel guide
How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Reading to Greater Manchester bus services, operated by RailAir, arrive at Heathrow Terminal 5 station.
Reading to Greater Manchester train services, operated by Cross Country, arrive at Manchester Piccadilly station.
Yes, the driving distance between Reading to Greater Manchester is 178 miles. It takes approximately 3h 24m to drive from Reading to Greater Manchester.
There are 3601+ hotels available in Greater Manchester.






