Reading
A major transport hub
Reading station is one of the busiest rail hubs in Britain, used by nearly 20 million passengers a year. It’s the second busiest interchange station outside of London, second only to Birmingham New Street, with nearly four million passengers a year changing trains at the station.
Reading underwent a phase of major transformation from 2009, adding five new platforms, new retail facilities and a new footbridge three times the size of the original, with escalators and lifts providing step-free access to all platforms.
The station was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in July 2014, after being completed a year ahead of schedule.
Reading station, Station Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LZ
Open in Google MapsAt a glance
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Monday – Friday: 06:15 – 22:00
Saturday: 06:15 – 22:00
Sunday: 07:15 – 22:00
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Ticket buying and collection
Ticket Office
The main ticket office is situated in the Brunel Arcade.
Monday – Friday: 06:15 – 22:00
Saturday: 06:15 – 22:00
Sunday: 07:15 – 22:00
Collect tickets at ticket machine
Ticket Office, Northern Entrance
- There are ticket counters here
- There is a Low-Level counter here
- There are no induction loops indicated at this counter
- There are ticket machines here
- There is space in front of the ticket machine to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The controls are at a suitable height for wheelchair users
Ticket Machines, Brunel Arcade
- There are ticket counters here
- There is a Low-Level counter here
- There are induction loops indicated at the low and high level counters
- There are ticket machines here
- There is space in front of the ticket machine to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The controls are at a suitable height for wheelchair users
Ticket machines
Ticket Office, Northern Entrance
- There is space in front of the ticket machine to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The controls are at a suitable height for wheelchair users
Ticket Machines, Western Entrance (Unpaid side)
- There is space in front of the ticket machine to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The controls are at a suitable height for wheelchair users
Ticket Machines, Brunel Arcade
- There is space in front of the ticket machine to manoeuvre a wheelchair
- The controls are at a suitable height for wheelchair users
Oyster
No
No
No
Smartcards
Yes
Yes
Station facilities and services
Yes
Available
Free Wi-Fi is available to passengers around the Station.
Available
Available
No
Not available
Not available
03457 000 125
Available
Located on the upper concourse
Available
Key information
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Step-free access Step-free category A: Compliant step-free access to all platform(s)
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Station accessibility
Step-free category A, Compliant step-free access to all platform(s)
platforms can be reached via lift and bridge, ticket office is step free.
- Ticket Office, Northern Entrance
- Ticket barriers, Western Entrance (Unpaid side)
- Ticket barriers, Brunel Arcade
- Ticket barriers, Brunel Arcade
Yes
Ramps are kept at this station to provide assistance
There are tactile warnings on all platforms
Available
Located at all 3 entrances. Upon entering from any of the enterences, the gateline will be directly visible.
Gatelines
Induction loops are throughout this station
Yes
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Help Points: There are no Help Points
Staff assistance
Monday – Friday: 24 Hours
Saturday: 24 Hours
Sunday: 24 Hours
Staff assistance is available; please request assistance from any member of staff if you have not booked assistance in advance.
Yes
We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance – now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here.
If you wish to book assistance but are not sure which train operator you are travelling with, you can call 0800 022 3720. On calling, you will be referred to the appropriate train operator.
- Yes
- There are no Help Points
Yes – from help point
Yes – from information point
Yes – from ticket office
Announcements
ArrivalScreens
DepartureScreens
Announcements are made both visually and audibly
Please call our Customer Services Centre on 03457 000 125 (07:00-22:00 every day)
Toilets and baby changing
Toilets
Toilets are located on Station Platforms and in The Brunel Arcade building
Accessible toilet, Platform 10 & 11
- This toilet is not accessed with a RADAR key
Accessible toilet, Platform 12 & 13
- This toilet is not accessed with a RADAR key
- The toilet entry handles may be operated by most people
Accessible toilet, Platform 14 & 15
- This toilet is not accessed with a RADAR key
- The toilet entry handles may be operated by most people
Accessible toilet, Brunel Arcade
- This toilet is accessed with a RADAR key
Accessible toilet, Platform 8 & 9
- This toilet is not accessed with a RADAR key
- The toilet entry handles may be operated by most people
Female toilet, Platform 10 & 11
Male toilet, Platform 10 & 11
Female toilet, Platform 12 & 13
Male toilet, Platform 12 & 13
Male toilet, Platform 14 & 15
Female toilet, Platform 14 & 15
Female toilet, Brunel Arcade
Male toilet, Brunel Arcade
Female toilet, Platform 7 via Waiting Room
Male toilet, Platform 7 via Waiting Room
Female toilet, Platform 8 & 9
Male toilet, Platform 8 & 9
- This toilet is not accessed with a RADAR key
Lifts
Lift 3, Platforms 10 & 11A
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift which has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths greater than 1.1m wide
Lift 5, Platforms 10 & 11B
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 4, Platforms 12 & 13A
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift with no turning circle
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 5, Platforms 12 & 13B
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths greater than 1.1m wide
Lift 5, Platforms 14 & 15A
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift which has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 6, Platforms 14 & 15B
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift with no turning circle
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift (L), Northern Entrance to and from the Footbridge
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift which has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift (R), Northern Entrance from and to the Footbridge
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift which has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift, Rail Air Lounge
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift is a through lift with no turning circle
- Lift has clear door widths at least 0.9m wide
Lift 1, Platform 7
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 2, Platform 7
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 2, Platforms 8 & 9A
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Lift 3, Platforms 8 & 9B
- There are audio announcements provided outside and inside this lift
- Lift controls should be accessible to most people
- The lift has a 1.5 metre turning circle inside
- Lift has clear door widths 1.1m wide
Getting to and from the station
Car parking
Accessible parking
No
Station Car Park
0 spaces
No
Multi Storey Car Park
APCOA Parking (UK) Limited
- 0345 165 2030
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- –
- http://www.apcoa.co.uk
- Monday to Friday: 24 Hours
- Saturday: 24 Hours
- Sunday: 24 Hours
1387 spaces
No
Drop-off / Pick-up points
Set- Down / Pick up Points are available at the station entrance by the Rail air link lounge. Assisted travel meeting point – Customer Help desk main concourse. Please notify a member of staff.
Drop-off and Pick-Up Point, Underground Car Park
- This is a combined drop-off and pick-up point
- There is space for more than 5 vehicles to drop-off and/or pick-up
- There is no Help Point close to the drop-off and/or pick-up point
Drop-off and Pick-Up Point, Station Hill
- This is a combined drop-off and pick-up point
- There is uncovered seating/waiting
- There is space for up to 5 vehicles to drop-off and/or pick-up
- There is no Help Point close to the drop-off and/or pick-up point
Drop-off and Pick-Up Point, within Multi Story Car Park
- This is a combined drop-off and pick-up point
- There is space for more than 5 vehicles to drop-off and/or pick-up
- There is no Help Point close to the drop-off and/or pick-up point
Cycling
Bicycle storage
344 spaces
Cycles can be carried free of charge,restrictions apply and you need to make a reservation up to two hours before the train leaves the station it is starting from. Please see our Cycling by train leaflet.
Stands
Front of station, underground short stay car park and long stay car park.
Yes
No
Transport links
Bus
Buses can be found on near by streets. Information to plan your onward journey is available in a printable format here.
Not all buses are accessible
Taxi
Taxi rank, Station forecourt
- The taxi rank is uncovered
- Ramps cannot be deployed from the rear and side of a vehicle at this Taxi Rank
- There is no help point close to this taxi rank
- Taxis pick up and drop off at this taxi rank
Taxi rank, Station Hill
- The taxi rank is uncovered
- Ramps cannot be deployed from the rear and side of a vehicle at this Taxi Rank
- There is no help point close to this taxi rank
- Taxis pick up and drop off at this taxi rank
Taxi rank, near Northern Entrance
- The taxi rank is uncovered
- Ramps can be deployed from the rear and side of a vehicle at this Taxi Rank
- There is no help point close to this taxi rank
- Taxis pick up and drop off at this taxi rank
Airport
For Heathrow Airport, change at Reading onto the frequent 'RailAir' luxury coach service. Runs every 20 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes; every 30 minutes Saturday & Sunday. For timetables and fares visit: www.railair.com/ or Tele: 0118 957 9498
A regular train service to Gatwick airport is also available at the station.
At the station
Lounges and waiting areas
Available
Waiting room, Platforms 10 & 11 (A)
- The doors to the waiting room remain open when it is open
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating available in view of the Customer Information Screen and trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 12 & 13 (B)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating available in view of the Customer Information Screen and trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 12 & 13 (A)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating within view of the Customer Information Screen but not of trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 14 & 15 (B)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating within view of the Customer Information Screen but not of trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 14 &15 (A)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating within view of the Customer Information Screen but not of trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platform 7
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating available in view of the Customer Information Screen and trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 8 & 9 (B)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating within view of the Customer Information Screen but not of trains in the waiting room
Waiting room, Platforms 8 & 9 (A)
- The doors to the waiting room are automated
- There is seating with backrests and armrests on both sides
- The waiting area is capable of being heated and cooled
- There is no Help Point close to the waiting room
- There is seating within view of the Customer Information Screen but not of trains in the waiting room
Available
Unavailable
There is no quiet room at this station
There is no multi-faith room at this station
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The platforms are level with the Main Entrance of the station
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There are tactile warnings on all platforms
Platform facilities
There is/are 15 platform(s) at this station
The platforms are level with the Main Entrance of the station
There are tactile warnings on all platforms
Platform 1
- Seating is limited on this platform
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 2
- There is no seating on this platform
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 3
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 4
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 5
- There is seating/waiting under an open-sided shelter on this platform
- Seating is limited on this platform
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 6
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 7
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 8
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 9
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 10
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 11
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 12
- There is seating/waiting under an open-sided shelter on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 13
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is no Help Point close to this platform
Platform 14
- There is seating/waiting under a roof or canopy on this platform
- There is seating at regular intervals of 50 metres apart or less
- There is a Help Point close to this platform
Platform 15
- Seating is limited on this platform
- There is a Help Point close to this platform
Help and support
- Announcements
- ArrivalScreens
- DepartureScreens
- Yes – from help point
- Yes – from information point
- Yes – from ticket office
No
There are no Help Points
Induction loops are throughout this station
Yes
Announcements are made both visually and audibly
Yes
There are information points
There is accessible printed information available
Monday – Friday: 24 Hours
Saturday: 24 Hours
Sunday: 24 Hours
Staff assistance is available; please request assistance from any member of staff if you have not booked assistance in advance.
British Transport Police
The British Transport Police office is on the main concourse.
For help call 0800 40 50 40 (24 hours), text 61016 or speak to a member of station staff. In an emergency call 999.
British Transport Police in our stations
Shop, Eat & Explore
Train operators at this station
Train operators sell tickets and provide the train services.
- CrossCountry – long distance services across the whole country from cities in Scotland all the way to the south and
Cornish coasts. - Great Western Railway – trains between London Paddington and Bristol, and Basingstoke, Newbury, Bedwyn, Worcester, Hereford, Penzance, Plymouth, Swansea, Cardiff and Gatwick Airport.
- South Western Railway – stopping trains between London Waterloo and Reading via Ascot and Staines.
- Elizabeth line – stopping service between Reading & Heathrow Airport to Central London.