Reading to Birmingham bus with Megabus

Tue, Nov 25
+ Add return
Megabus
National Express
AirCoach
FlixBus
Navette Beauvais
1,000+ travel companies
Megabus
National Express
AirCoach
FlixBus
Navette Beauvais
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Reading to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for Nov 26

Cheapest price

€47

Average price

€55

Fastest journey

4 h 7 m

Average duration

5 h 47 m

Buses per day

4

Distance

131 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Reading to Birmingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Reading to Birmingham will cost around €55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €47.

Fast buses

Of the 4 buses that leave Reading for Birmingham on Wed, Nov 26, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Wed, Nov 26 the direct buses cover the 131 km distance in an average of 5 h 47 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 7 m .

On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest buses will take 10 h 7 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

National Express
09:03PM4h17
Reading
01:20AMBirmingham
€471One-way
0 transfers
National Express
04:55AM4h35
Reading
09:30AMBirmingham
€571One-way
0 transfers
National Express
10:03PM10h07
Reading
08:10AMBirmingham
€571One-way
0 transfers
National Express
07:33PM4h07
Reading
11:40PMBirmingham
€611One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Reading to Birmingham

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Reading to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €46. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €46, and a train costs an average of €17.

Distance: 131 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train

€52

Average price

Cheapest

€61

Average price

4h 36m

Average total duration

4h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 22m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
Megabus

Most popular bus company

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Reading to Birmingham bus times

The table below shows live departures for Reading to Birmingham buses for today, Tuesday, November 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 12:56 AM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_express7:33 PM Reading
4h07
11:40 PM Birmingham0 transfersDirect
national_express9:03 PM Reading
4h17
1:20 AM Birmingham0 transfersDirect
national_express10:03 PM Reading
10h07
8:10 AM Birmingham0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Reading to Birmingham by train or bus

Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Wed
Nov 26
Thu
Nov 27
Fri
Nov 28
Sat
Nov 29
Sun
Nov 30
Mon
Dec 01
Tue
Dec 02

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Reading to Birmingham

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Reading to Birmingham run on average 13 times per day, taking around 4h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €46 but you can travel from only €17 by train.

The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 131 km distance in 4h 3m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from €17
Distance
131 km
Average bus duration
4h 6m
Cheapest ticket price
€46
Buses per day
13
Fastest bus
4h 3m
First bus
00:15
Last bus
23:55
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from €17

Bus providers: Megabus, National Express from Reading to BirminghamYou can travel by bus between Reading to Birmingham with Megabus, National Express for as low as €17. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 25m
Cheapest Price
€15
Megabus frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
Entertaiment on board

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Learn more about National Express
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 3m
Cheapest Price
€46
National Express frequency
13 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.

FAQs: Bus from Reading to Birmingham

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Birmingham by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Birmingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Reading to Birmingham can start from as little as €13 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Reading to Birmingham is €44; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
On average the Reading to Birmingham coach travel time is 2 h 25 min   for the 130 km long trip, but the duration can vary if you travel on weekends and holidays.
The first coach from Reading to Birmingham leaves at 01: 40. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last coach from Reading to Birmingham leaves at 23: 09.
There are 9 coaches a day from Reading to Birmingham which require at least one change with Megabus or National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Reading to Birmingham, you can count on Megabus or National Express for the best way to get you to Birmingham. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service from Reading to Birmingham and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.

Passengers board the coach most frequently from Reading, Station North Interchange (Stop NE), which is located around 0.5 miles (829 m) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Birmingham, Brunel Street, located 1.8 miles (2.9 km) away from the city centre.

A trip to Birmingham from Reading is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2 h 25 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Reading to Birmingham by coach is March.
You have options as you can travel to Birmingham from Reading 2 different ways: train or coach.
No, the coach from Reading to Birmingham has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Reading to Birmingham.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Reading to Birmingham.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Reading to Birmingham, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

    • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Reading to Birmingham.
    No, luggage for the coach from Reading to Birmingham needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Reading to Birmingham.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Reading to Birmingham.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Reading to Birmingham.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Reading to Birmingham.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Reading to Birmingham

    Reading
    Birmingham
    The major bus station for departures in Reading is Reading, Blagrave Street. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Reading, Blagrave Street for your trip from Reading to Birmingham.
    Reading, Blagrave StreetAccessibility
    Amenities at bus station
    AccessibilityAccessibility
    information
    address
    Address
    Reading RG1 1PZ, UK
    Accessibility
    Accessibility
    • The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible

    More options for your journey from Reading to Birmingham

    Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

    Return journeys for buses from Birmingham to Reading
    Trains from Reading to Birmingham
    Tickets and more information for coaches to Reading
    Tickets and more information for coaches to Birmingham
    HomeBusesBus tickets to BirminghamReading to Birmingham bus

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