Getting Around Reading on a Sunday: Buses and Trains Explained

Sunday services in Reading are thinner than weekdays, but with a little planning you can still reach the town centre, the retail parks and the rail station without long waits.

Buses: What Runs and What Doesn’t

Reading Buses runs most town routes on Sunday, but frequencies drop to roughly every 20–30 minutes on core lines like the 17 (Wokingham Road–Town Centre–Oxford Road) and the 21 (Lower Earley–Central Station). Suburban routes such as the 9 to Caversham Heights and the 22 to Tilehurst run hourly from late morning until early evening. Before 9am and after 7pm, expect gaps of an hour or more on quieter routes. A day ticket bought on the bus or via the Reading Buses app covers all Sunday travel; single fares are around £2–£3 depending on distance. Contactless is accepted on board.

If you are staying near the station, the main bus stops are on Station Road and Friar Street, both a short walk from the Oracle and Broad Street. For Thames Valley Park or Green Park, Sunday buses are sparse — the 50 to Green Park runs roughly hourly, but the 600 to Thames Valley Park does not operate on Sundays. In that case, a taxi from the town centre costs about £10–£15 and takes 10–15 minutes; pre-book rather than rely on hailing one. I would skip the bus for these business parks on a Sunday and book a cab instead.

Trains: Sunday Timetables and Connections

Reading station is a major interchange, and Sunday services are reduced but still useful. Great Western Railway runs trains to London Paddington roughly every 15–20 minutes, with journey times of 25–30 minutes. To Oxford, trains run about every 30 minutes and take 25–30 minutes. The Elizabeth line also serves Reading, with direct trains to Heathrow Airport (about 50 minutes) and central London. Note that Sunday engineering works can alter timetables, so check National Rail or the GWR app the day before. There is no Night Tube or 24-hour service on Sundays; the last trains to London leave around 11pm.

For local trips, the Reading–Basingstoke line stops at Reading West, but Sunday frequency is hourly. If you are heading to the Madejski Stadium for football or rugby, the nearest station is Reading Green Park, but on Sundays it is often quicker to take the 50 bus or a taxi from the town centre. I would book a hotel within a 10-minute walk of Reading station if you plan Sunday train trips — the Malmaison and Novotel are both convenient, and the Premier Inn on Letcombe Street is a reliable budget option.

Taxis, Cycling and Walking

Sunday is a good day to walk in Reading. The town centre is compact: from Reading station to the Oracle is about 10 minutes on foot, and to the Forbury Gardens another 5. The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is flat and popular with cyclists, and you can hire a bike from the ReadyBike docking stations (day pass around £5) — though some docks may be empty on Sundays. Taxis are readily available at the station rank; a trip to Caversham or Tilehurst costs roughly £8–£12. Uber operates in Reading, but wait times can be longer on Sunday evenings.

If you are staying out at Reading Gateway or Thames Valley Park, do not rely on public transport on a Sunday — the A4 and A33 corridors have frequent buses on weekdays but a much reduced service on Sundays. Instead, choose a hotel in the town centre. The three-star Ibis on Friar Street is steps from the bus stops and a 5-minute walk from the station, and it often has Sunday night availability. For a quieter stay, the Great Expectations Hotel on London Street is a 10-minute walk from the Oracle and has free parking — useful if you are driving in.

Where to Stay for Easy Sunday Travel

For a Sunday arrival, the most practical area is the station and Friar Street corridor. Hotels here put you within walking distance of the bus interchange, the rail station and the Oracle’s restaurants, which mostly open on Sundays. The Novotel Reading Centre on Friar Street has a pool and family rooms, and is a 3-minute walk from the bus stops. The Malmaison on Station Road is pricier but ideal if you have an early train. Book directly with the hotel or through a booking site — Sunday rates are often 10–15% lower than Friday, especially outside school holidays.

Avoid booking a hotel on the Bath Road or in Earley if you plan to rely on buses on Sunday; services are hourly at best and stop early. Instead, consider the Pentahotel on Oxford Road — a 10-minute walk to the town centre and with its own parking — or the Premier Inn Reading Central on Letcombe Street, which is basic but well placed. If you are visiting between May and September, Sunday is a good day for a walk along the Thames Path from Caversham to Sonning, but check bus times for the return: the 24 route runs hourly until about 6pm.

Questions, answered

Do buses run on Sundays in Reading?

Yes, but with reduced frequencies. Core routes like the 17 and 21 run every 20–30 minutes, while suburban routes such as the 9 and 22 run hourly from late morning to early evening. Before 9am and after 7pm, services are very limited. Check the Reading Buses app for live times.

How often do trains run from Reading to London on Sundays?

Great Western Railway trains to London Paddington run roughly every 15–20 minutes on Sundays, with journey times of 25–30 minutes. The Elizabeth line also operates, offering direct services to Heathrow and central London. Engineering works can affect schedules, so check before you travel.

Is there a Sunday bus to Thames Valley Park or Green Park?

Green Park is served by the 50 bus roughly hourly on Sundays. Thames Valley Park has no Sunday bus service (the 600 does not run). A taxi from the town centre costs about £10–£15 and takes 10–15 minutes; pre-book to avoid waiting.

What is the best area to stay in Reading for Sunday transport?

The station and Friar Street area is best. Hotels like the Novotel, Malmaison and Premier Inn Letcombe Street are within a 10-minute walk of both the rail station and main bus stops. Avoid Bath Road or Earley if you need frequent buses, as Sunday services are sparse.

Can I get a taxi easily on Sunday in Reading?

Yes, taxis are available at the station rank and can be booked by phone or app. Uber operates but wait times may be longer on Sunday evenings. A trip to Caversham or Tilehurst costs roughly £8–£12. For business parks, pre-book a taxi.

Are there bike hire options on Sunday in Reading?

ReadyBike docking stations are available, with a day pass costing around £5. However, some docks may be empty on Sundays, especially in the town centre. The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is a flat, popular route for cycling.

How do I get to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday?

The nearest station is Reading Green Park, but Sunday trains are limited. The 50 bus runs hourly from the town centre. A taxi from the centre takes about 10 minutes and costs £10–£15. Check event times and pre-book your return.

Do I need a car in Reading on Sunday?

Not if you stay centrally. The town centre is walkable, and buses and trains cover most needs. A car is only useful for out-of-town trips like the Thames Path at Sonning, but parking in the centre costs £5–£10 for the day.

← Reading's page