Bolton to Reading by train

  • First train
    00:10
  • Last train
    21:34
  • Avg changes
    1
  • Fastest journey
    3hr 39m
  • Distance
    255 kilometres
  • Trains per day
    35
  • Avg. journey time
    4hr 4m
  • Train operators
Prices explained

At Rail Europe we believe in price transparency. We use real data from Rail Europe searches to estimate the cheapest fares you should be able to find for your journey.

The cheapest price is the lowest fare we've ever found for this journey. These prices can usually be found by searching when booking opens but they vary due to availability, which depends on factors like the day of the week or time of year.

More popular journeys include 30 days in advance and 7 days in advance prices. These are updated every two weeks using prices we've found by searching exactly 7 or 30 days from the most recent Thursday (we picked Thursday because this is when average prices are usually found).

30 day and 7 day prices fluctuate based on demand and availability at the time of search. For example, the 7-day price in summer is likely to be more expensive than the same journey in winter.

Prices are sourced in GBP and converted to other currencies using the daily market exchange rate.

We're always seeking to improve how price-checking works, and we welcome feedback on how we can make it better.

Going from Bolton to Reading by train

About to set off from Bolton to Reading by rail? Make your journey as seamless as possible with this guide, packed with tips on schedules, route details and how to find the best deals on tickets.

Train cost for travel between Bolton and Reading

The first thing many travellers ask before booking a trip is: 'How much will it cost?' While train travel combines comfort and cost, the price of a ticket depends on a few things.

For starters, how early you book your trip comes into play with the price tag. For this specific route, the cheapest fare is US$145.21, but can go to when purchased thirty days before your train departs, and when locked in seven days before. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Instead, you can book these tickets 3 months in advance.

Cheap train tickets with slower trains

Another factor that comes into play when it comes to ticket price is speed. Let us explain. Many travellers automatically opt for the high-speed train option because faster is always better, right? Not necessarily. As experienced train travellers ourselves, the Rail Europe team often chooses to go for the slower trains for a number of reasons, including the fact that these trains often:

  • Allow for more time to take in the city scapes and countrysides

  • Set a more leisurely pace to better soak up the travel experience

  • Stop in areas that are less-travelled, offering a more unique journey

  • Are less-crowded than their high-speed counterparts

  • Are an even greener travel option than high speed

  • Are the cheapest train tickets you can find

Whether you choose to go with a low-, medium- or high-speed train, Rail Europe compiles all train options so you can choose by cost, speed, timing and operator to find the best fit for your travels.

Train schedule for travel between Bolton and Reading

While frequency of trains along this line depends on the day of the week, on average, 35 trains make this journey of 255 kilometres each day. The first weekday departure from Bolton is at 00:18 on weekdays. The last scheduled train during the week departs at 21:34.

During the weekend, 00:10 is the earliest scheduled departure, and 20:55 is the last. Throughout the day, trains typically depart every 19 minutes.

Bolton to Reading distance and train travel time

The total distance for this route is 255 kilometres, with the fastest trip taking 3 hours and 39 minutes.

How early can you book train tickets between Bolton and Reading?

Tickets along this route go on sale 3 months in advance. To be notified as soon as tickets are available, set up a booking alert with Rail Europe. We will send you an email notification when tickets are available.

Learn more about train travel from Bolton to Reading

Refer to our help articles for more details and insights on train travel from Bolton and beyond. Get ready for your visit with travel tips and inspiration in our Reading city guide.

FAQs about the train journey from Bolton to Reading

Want to know more about your journey from Bolton to Reading? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How far is it from Bolton to Reading by train?

The train journey between Bolton and Reading spans 255 kilometres.

What’s the cost of a train ticket from Bolton to Reading?

The cheapest tickets for this route start at US$145.21. When booked 30 days ahead, prices are typically . Tickets booked 7 days in advance typically cost .

When do tickets go on sale for trains travelling from Bolton to Reading?

Tickets for this journey become available 3 months ahead of the travel date.

How long does it take to get from Bolton to Reading?

The fastest journey on this route takes 3 hours and 39 minutes.

Reading to Bolton by train

Other journeys to Reading View all journeys to Reading

Other journeys from Reading

Other journeys from Bolton

Travellers rate us "Excellent!"

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to receive top tips, train news and travel inspiration straight to your inbox

Child and youth passengers

The definition of "Child" and "Youth" varies by country and operator. This is why we ask for the age of young passengers.

Sometimes children below a certain age can travel without a seat for free. If you want to guarantee a seat for child passengers, enter '6' as the age of the child.

Read more about child and youth passenger ages. See also youth discounts and railcards.