How much is the bus ticket from Southampton to Reading?

The cheapest coach tickets from Southampton to Reading start from £41. The average price for this route is around £47. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus journey from Southampton to Reading?

The average bus journey time from Southampton to Reading is 3h 5m, covering a distance of 43 miles. The fastest bus can take you there in 2h 32m and is operated by National Express .

Which bus companies service the Southampton to Reading route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 12 buses available per day.

What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Southampton to Reading?

The earliest bus departs from Southampton to Reading at 02:05. And the latest bus departs at 20:30.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Southampton to Reading?

A bus journey from Southampton to Reading produces an estimated 2 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly choice and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

Bus from Southampton to Reading from £39 | Compare & Save up to 32%

Next bus departures

Next departures from Southampton to Reading on 17 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	02:05	Southampton Coach Station	3h 5m	05:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	Cheapest
Bus	20:30	Southampton Coach Station	2h 45m	23:15	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	Fastest
Bus	02:05	Southampton Coach Station	3h 5m	05:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags
Bus	04:15	Southampton Coach Station	2h 55m	07:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags
Bus	04:15	Southampton Coach Station	2h 55m	07:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags

Next departures from Southampton to Reading on 18 January
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	19:00	Southampton Coach Station	2h 41m	21:41	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	Cheapest
Bus	17:30	Southampton Coach Station	2h 41m	20:11	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	Fastest
Bus	02:05	Southampton Coach Station	3h 5m	05:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags
Bus	02:05	Southampton Coach Station	3h 5m	05:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags
Bus	04:15	Southampton Coach Station	2h 55m	07:10	Reading Station, RailAir lounge, Blagrave St (valid any departure)	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 14:13 GMT.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Southampton to Reading

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Train stands out as a good way to reach Reading. The journey takes about 46 minutes and with fares starting at just £8, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11train per day

46mAverage duration

43 milesDistance

2kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average price£41 - £73	Average duration3h 5m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e
Train	Average price£8 - £52	Average duration46m	CO₂ emissions 2kg CO₂e

Where are the popular stops in Southampton and Reading?

Stops in Southampton

A
Southampton Coach Station
20 Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, UK
Visit page Map
B
Southampton Bus Stop
563 Vincents Walk, Southampton SO14, UK
Map
C
W. Esplanade Bus Station - Southampton
Wyndham Pl, Southampton SO15, UK
Map
D
Bus Stop Queensway
51-55 Above Bar St, Southampton, Southampton SO14 7DZ, UK
Map
E
Southampton Central
Western Esplanade, Southampton SO15 1QJ, UK
Map
F
Ferry Terminal
7 Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2ET, UK
Map

Stops in Reading

A
Mereoak P&R
Mereoak Ln, Three Mile Cross, Reading RG7, UK
Visit page Map
B
Bath Road
Bath Rd, Reading RG31 7BS, UK
Map
C
Reading
25 Cross Street, Reading, RG1 1ST, United Kingdom
Map

Compare bus companies

National Express

4/529,853 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4.1

Cleanliness4.7

WiFi3.4

Based on 29853 reviews, the company was rated 4.2 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the Wi-Fi. National Express ticket prices on this trip start at £41

GB bus companies:FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Greyhound, ALSA, Intercape, Trenitalia, Big Sky

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Southampton to Reading

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.

How much is the bus ticket from Southampton to Reading?
The cheapest coach tickets from Southampton to Reading start from £41. The average price for this route is around £47. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from Southampton to Reading?
The average bus journey time from Southampton to Reading is 3h 5m, covering a distance of 43 miles. The fastest bus can take you there in 2h 32m and is operated by National Express.
Which bus companies service the Southampton to Reading route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 12 buses available per day.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Southampton to Reading?
The earliest bus departs from Southampton to Reading at 02:05. And the latest bus departs at 20:30.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Southampton to Reading?
A bus journey from Southampton to Reading produces an estimated 2 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly choice and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

14/01

£39

15/01

£45

Today

£45

17/01

£47

18/01

£39

19/01

No data

20/01

No data

21/01

£39

The cheapest trip from Southampton to Reading was searched and found on 21 Jan 2026 with a price of £39

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Southampton to Reading as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £39 to £55 for a bus ticket from Southampton to Reading based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £39, which is on 2026-01-21.