How much does a bus ticket from Cardiff to Reading cost?

The bus ticket price from Cardiff to Reading starts at US$13. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Reading is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

How long is the bus ride from Cardiff to Reading?

The average travel time between Cardiff and Reading is around 4h 45m, although the fastest bus will take about 2h 50m. This is the time it takes to travel the 154 km that separates the two cities.

How many daily bus connections are there between Cardiff and Reading?

The number of buses from Cardiff to Reading can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 2 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Cardiff to Reading by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which bus companies travel from Cardiff to Reading?

When taking the bus from Cardiff to Reading, you can travel comfortably and safely with FlixBus, National Express.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cardiff to Reading?

Buses travelling between Cardiff and Reading leave from Sophia Gardens or Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn) and arrive at Mereoak P&R, Bath Road, Reading.

Bus Cardiff to Reading from US$9 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 1 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest
		00:45	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	3h 55m	04:40	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	No tags

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 2 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		00:45	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	3h 55m	04:40	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	Cheapest
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	Fastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 3 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 4 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 5 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 6 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Cardiff to Reading on 7 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		13:00	Cardiff North Road (Friary Gardens)	2h 50m	15:50	Three Mile Cross, Mereoak Park & Ride	CheapestFastest

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 11:18 AM GMT.

Compare 3 ways to travel from Cardiff to Reading

We recommend carpooling

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as a good way to reach Reading. The journey takes about 2 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just US$16, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

2h 20mAverage duration

153 kmDistance

6kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average priceUS$13 - US$49	Average duration4h 45m	CO₂ emissions 4kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceUS$41 - US$258	Average duration1h 27m	CO₂ emissions 4kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average priceUS$16 - US$17	Average duration2h 20m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e

Bus Cardiff to Reading: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$19

Average bus trip duration4h 45m

Number of daily buses2

Earliest bus departure00:45

Distance153 km

Latest bus departure23:35

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/511 127 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi2.7

National Express

4/529 684 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

WiFi3.4

Based on 29684 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 US$81

National Express Cardiff Reading recent customer reviews

Good service got me to where I needed to be. I'm trying my very best to reduce my carbon footprint and use public transport a bit pricey but a good over all trip.

Jimmy D.

17 March 2020

i was not able to use my discount card as brought ticket on line. If it could be made easier to do that it would help lots. Thanks

Ronald G.

12 February 2020

I wan impacted from this delay as my trip was for business

Badr A.

14 November 2019

GB Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Sindbad

Cardiff to Reading Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Cardiff to Reading is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from Cardiff to Reading.

Discover how much the bus trip from Cardiff to Reading will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular stops in Cardiff and Reading?

Stops in Cardiff

A - Sophia Gardens

B - Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn)

C - Cardiff Coach Station - Sophia Gardens

D - Cardiff - Castle Street Bus Stop

E - National Museum

F - Cardiff Bus Stop - Westgate

Stops in Reading

A - Mereoak P&R

B - Bath Road

C - Reading

Frequently asked questions on the trip Cardiff - Reading

How much does a bus ticket from Cardiff to Reading cost?
The bus ticket price from Cardiff to Reading starts at US$13. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Cardiff to Reading is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!
How long is the bus ride from Cardiff to Reading?
The average travel time between Cardiff and Reading is around 4h 45m, although the fastest bus will take about 2h 50m. This is the time it takes to travel the 154 km that separates the two cities.
How many daily bus connections are there between Cardiff and Reading?
The number of buses from Cardiff to Reading can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 2 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Cardiff to Reading by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.
Which bus companies travel from Cardiff to Reading?
When taking the bus from Cardiff to Reading, you can travel comfortably and safely with FlixBus, National Express.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cardiff to Reading?
Buses travelling between Cardiff and Reading leave from Sophia Gardens or Cardiff University (o/s Cathays Rail Stn) and arrive at Mereoak P&R, Bath Road, Reading.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

29/10

US$29

30/10

US$37

Today

US$32

01/11

US$19

02/11

US$18

03/11

US$12

04/11

US$11

05/11

US$11

The cheapest trip from Cardiff to Reading was searched and found on 05 Nov 2025 with a price of US$11

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

You can expect to pay from US$11 to US$37 for a bus ticket from Cardiff to Reading based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$11, which is on 2025-11-05.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while travelling from Cardiff to Reading.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you’re bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from Cardiff to Reading.

Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Cardiff to Reading will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Cardiff to Reading.

Did you know?

Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

Will you be returning to Cardiff by bus?

Bus from Reading to Cardiff

You can also go to Reading by train

Train from Cardiff to Reading

Top travelled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travellers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travellers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

Find coaches from Cardiff to Reading