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

The bus ticket price from Manchester to Reading starts at R 439. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Manchester 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 Manchester to Reading?

The average travel time between Manchester and Reading is around 9h, although the fastest bus will take about 8h 5m. This is the time it takes to travel the 242 km that separates the two cities.

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

The number of buses from Manchester to Reading can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 9 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Manchester to Reading by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which bus companies travel from Manchester to Reading?

When taking the bus from Manchester to Reading, you can travel comfortably and safely with FlixBus, Megabus UK.

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

Buses travelling between Manchester and Reading leave from Shudehill or Manchester Airport and arrive at Mereoak P&R, Bath Road, Reading.

Bus Manchester to Reading from R 355 | Refundable Tickets

Previously seen journeys

Next departures from Manchester to Reading on 5 November
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
08:50	Shudehill	4h 45m	13:35	Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd	No tags
05:55	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	4h 10m	10:05	Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd	No tags
08:50	Shudehill	4h 45m	13:35	Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd	No tags
09:25	Manchester Airport Bus Station (MAN)	4h 10m	13:35	Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd	No tags
05:20	Shudehill	4h 45m	10:05	Reading Bagnall Way/ Station Rd	No tags

Compare 3 ways to travel from Manchester 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 3 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just R 493, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

3h 10mAverage duration

242 kmDistance

10kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average priceR 439 - R 1 434	Average duration9h	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 556 - R 3 920	Average duration3h 16m	CO₂ emissions 6kg CO₂e
Carpool	Average priceR 493 - R 524	Average duration3h 10m	CO₂ emissions 10kg CO₂e

Bus Manchester to Reading: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceR 639

Average bus trip duration9h

Number of daily buses9

Earliest bus departure00:20

Distance246 km

Latest bus departure23:59

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/511 191 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

WiFi2.7

Megabus UK

3.5/54 266 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.4

Cleanliness4.3

WiFi2.6

Based on 4266 reviews, the company was rated 3.6 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Megabus UK ticket prices on this trip start at R 838

Megabus Manchester Reading recent customer reviews

Seat wasn’t comfortable and bus was very cold hope no heaters inside

Shameem B.

1 April 2024

Great experience, polite staff

Michelle L.

3 May 2023

Adequate and Expected

Dom R.

7 November 2022

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

Manchester to Reading Bus

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

We make sure you can find a bus service from Manchester to Reading from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses travelling from Manchester to Reading, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Manchester and Reading?

Stops in Manchester

A - Shudehill

B - Manchester Airport

C - Coach Station

D - 56 Great Bridgewater St

E - City of Manchester Stadium

F - Manchester Coach Station

Stops in Reading

A - Mereoak P&R

B - Bath Road

C - Reading

Frequently asked questions on the trip Manchester - Reading

How much does a bus ticket from Manchester to Reading cost?
The bus ticket price from Manchester to Reading starts at R 439. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Manchester 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 Manchester to Reading?
The average travel time between Manchester and Reading is around 9h, although the fastest bus will take about 8h 5m. This is the time it takes to travel the 242 km that separates the two cities.
How many daily bus connections are there between Manchester and Reading?
The number of buses from Manchester to Reading can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 9 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Manchester to Reading by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.
Which bus companies travel from Manchester to Reading?
When taking the bus from Manchester to Reading, you can travel comfortably and safely with FlixBus, Megabus UK.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Manchester to Reading?
Buses travelling between Manchester and Reading leave from Shudehill or Manchester Airport 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

03/11

R 449

04/11

R 406

Today

R 407

06/11

R 377

07/11

R 360

08/11

No data

09/11

No data

10/11

R 438

The cheapest trip from Manchester to Reading was searched and found on 07 Nov 2025 with a price of R 360

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

You can expect to pay from R 360 to R 922 for a bus ticket from Manchester to Reading based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 360, which is on 2025-11-07.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

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

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Manchester to Reading, get comfy and count the stars.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Manchester to Reading that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Manchester to Reading, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

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!

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

Will you be returning to Manchester by bus?

Bus from Reading to Manchester

You can also go to Reading by train

Train from Manchester to Reading

Top travelled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worlwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Find coaches from Manchester to Reading