Map of Reading Station – Train, Elizabeth Line & Entrance Guide

Reading Station is one of the busiest railway interchanges outside London and a major transport hub for Berkshire and southern England. Located on Station Hill in Reading town centre, the station provides frequent local, regional and long-distance services towards London, Oxford, Bristol, South Wales, the Midlands, the south coast and other destinations.

The station occupies a central position between Station Hill, Forbury Road and Vastern Road. Its extensive platform layout, broad passenger footbridge and connections with the Elizabeth line make it an important interchange for commuters, residents and long-distance travellers.

This map of Reading Station provides a location guide to the Station Hill and northern entrances, railway platforms, Elizabeth line services, bus stops, taxi facilities, parking areas, surrounding streets and nearby Reading attractions.

## Quick Answer

Reading Station is located on Station Hill in Reading town centre. The principal entrance faces Station Hill on the southern side of the station, while additional entrances provide access from Forbury Road, Apex Plaza and the northern side.

## Map of Reading Station

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

## Where Is Reading Station Located?

Reading Station is located on Station Hill in central Reading, Berkshire, England.

The station stands between Reading town centre and the River Thames, with Friar Street, Broad Street, Forbury Gardens and the main shopping district immediately to the south and east.

The map marker identifies the principal Station Hill entrance on the southern side of the station.

## Train Services

### Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway operates most local, regional and long-distance services through Reading Station.

Eastbound trains provide frequent connections towards London Paddington.

Westbound services operate towards destinations including Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Swansea, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance.

Great Western Railway also operates regional services towards Basingstoke, Newbury, Bedwyn, Guildford, Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

### Elizabeth Line

Reading is the western terminus of the Elizabeth line.

Eastbound services operate towards destinations including Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Hayes & Harlington, Ealing Broadway, Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf, Abbey Wood and Shenfield.

Passengers should check the destination shown on the train because Elizabeth line services operate along different eastern branches.

### CrossCountry

CrossCountry operates long-distance services connecting Reading with destinations across England and Scotland.

Routes may include Oxford, Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Southampton and Bournemouth.

### South Western Railway

South Western Railway operates services between Reading and London Waterloo.

These trains travel through destinations including Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Staines, Twickenham, Richmond and Clapham Junction.

### Heathrow Airport Connections

Reading does not have a direct railway line to Heathrow Airport.

RailAir coach services provide connections between Reading Station and Heathrow Airport terminals.

Passengers should check current departure boards because operators, stopping patterns and platform allocations may change.

## Station Areas

### Station Hill Entrance

The principal entrance is located on Station Hill on the southern side of the station.

It provides access to the ticket office, main concourse, passenger facilities and the footbridge serving all railway platforms.

### Northern Entrance

The northern entrance provides access from Vastern Road, the station car park and areas north of the railway.

It is useful for passengers approaching from Caversham, the River Thames and nearby residential and commercial districts.

### Forbury Road Entrance

The Forbury Road entrance serves the eastern side of the station.

This entrance provides convenient access from Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Quarter and offices east of the station.

### Apex Plaza Entrance

The Apex Plaza entrance provides additional access from the southern and eastern side of the station complex.

### Main Footbridge

The large passenger footbridge connects the station entrances with all railway platforms.

Elevators, escalators and stairways provide access between the bridge, concourses and platform areas.

### Railway Platforms

Reading Station has 15 numbered passenger platforms.

The platforms serve local, regional, Elizabeth line and long-distance trains operating along several major railway routes.

## Station Facilities

• Ticket office and ticket machines

• Passenger information displays

• Staffed passenger areas

• Accessible station entrances

• Elevators, escalators and stairways

• Step-free access to all platforms

• Waiting rooms and sheltered seating

• Toilets and accessible toilets

• Changing Places facility

• Baby-changing facilities

• Passenger assistance services

• Shops and convenience stores

• Cafés and food outlets

• Bicycle parking

• Bicycle hire nearby

• Taxi facilities

• Passenger drop-off and pickup areas

• Short-stay and long-stay parking

• Public Wi-Fi

Passengers requiring step-free access should check current elevator availability before travelling.

## Transport Connections

### Elizabeth Line

The Elizabeth line provides direct rail connections through central London towards Canary Wharf, Abbey Wood and Shenfield.

### Local Buses

Numerous local bus routes operate from stops around Station Hill, Blagrave Street, Friar Street, Vastern Road and nearby town-centre streets.

Services provide connections with Reading suburbs, local business districts, the University of Reading and surrounding communities.

### RailAir Coaches

RailAir coach services connect Reading Station with Heathrow Airport.

Passengers should check the current departure point, terminal served and timetable before travelling.

### Taxis

Taxi ranks are available near the Station Hill entrance and on the northern side of the station.

Passengers should follow current signs for authorised taxi ranks and private-hire pickup areas.

### Walking

Broad Street, Reading Town Hall, Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Quarter and The Oracle shopping centre are within walking distance.

### Cycling

Bicycle parking and cycle-hire facilities are available around the station.

Cyclists should take care around busy pedestrian areas, bus stops and taxi facilities near the entrances.

### Car Parking

Short-stay and long-stay parking facilities are available around Reading Station.

Drivers should check current access arrangements, parking charges and space availability before travelling.

## Nearby Attractions

• Forbury Gardens

• Reading Abbey Ruins

• Reading Museum

• Reading Town Hall

• The Oracle

• Broad Street

• Thames Path

• River Thames

• Reading Minster

• Museum of English Rural Life

• Christchurch Meadows

• Reading town centre

## Visitor Tips

Check the departure boards carefully because Reading Station has 15 platforms and serves trains operated by several companies.

Confirm whether your journey uses Great Western Railway, the Elizabeth line, CrossCountry or South Western Railway before proceeding towards the platforms.

Use the Station Hill entrance for Reading town centre, Friar Street, Broad Street and The Oracle.

Use the northern entrance for Vastern Road, Caversham, the River Thames and the main station car park.

Use the Forbury Road side for Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Quarter and offices east of the station.

Allow additional time when changing trains because the station covers a large area and some interchange routes require crossing the main footbridge.

Check whether your Elizabeth line train continues to your required destination because services divide between different eastern branches.

Check live railway information before travelling because engineering work can affect services towards London, Oxford, Bristol, South Wales and the Midlands.

Do not confuse Reading Station with Reading West or Reading Green Park, which are separate local railway stations.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where is Reading Station?

Reading Station is located on Station Hill in Reading town centre, Berkshire.

### Which train operators use Reading Station?

The station is served by Great Western Railway, the Elizabeth line, CrossCountry and South Western Railway.

### How many platforms does Reading Station have?

Reading Station has 15 numbered passenger platforms.

### Is Reading Station accessible?

Yes. Step-free access is available to all railway platforms using elevators and the station footbridge.

### Can passengers travel directly to London Paddington?

Yes. Great Western Railway operates frequent direct services between Reading and London Paddington.

### Does the Elizabeth line serve Reading?

Yes. Reading is the western terminus of the Elizabeth line.

### Can passengers travel directly to London Waterloo?

Yes. South Western Railway operates direct services between Reading and London Waterloo.

### Can passengers travel directly to Gatwick Airport?

Yes. Great Western Railway operates direct regional services between Reading and Gatwick Airport.

### Can passengers travel directly to Heathrow Airport?

There is no direct railway service from Reading to Heathrow Airport. RailAir coaches connect the station with the airport terminals.

### Is Reading Station close to the town centre?

Yes. Reading Station is directly beside the town centre and within walking distance of Broad Street, The Oracle and Forbury Gardens.

### Is Reading West the same station?

No. Reading West is a separate local railway station west of Reading town centre.

Related Railway Station Maps

Disclaimer: This map is provided as a general location and orientation guide. Station entrances, pedestrian routes, elevator availability, platform access, railway services, airport connections, bus stops, taxi facilities and parking arrangements may change because of construction, maintenance or operational requirements. Check official railway and local transport information before travelling.