By Cheryl Chapman
Centrally situated, Berkshire is easy to travel to and to get around once you're here, whether you are driving or via public transport. Part of the M4 corridor, none of the county is further than around ten miles from the motorway.
Getting here
By car
Berkshire is well served by motorways, with the M4 passing directly through the county, with links also provided to the M40, M25 and M3 motorways. The eastern side of the county is approximately a 30-minute drive to London. Oxford and Bath are also commutable.
Berkshire is easily accessible via major road networks
By air
Those visiting the county via a flight will arrive at one of the London airports. Heathrow and Gatwick are the closest, with Heathrow being only a 20-minute drive from Slough or Windsor.
By public transport
One of the simplest routes into Berkshire is via coach, with National Express coaches stopping at most major towns in the county. Call 0871 781 8181 or visit nationalexpress.com.
As part of the London commuter belt, Berkshire is well connected to the national rail network. Great Western Railway (GWR) operates services around the county, calling at Newbury, Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton, Slough and Wokingham. Windsor, Ascot, Bracknell, Wokingham and Reading are also connected by Southwest Trains; and Cross Country Trains with links to Intercity services stops at Reading.
Enjoy the scenery when you travel to Berkshire via train
The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) is due to open at the end of 2019 and will connect Reading, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham and Slough to central and east London. See National Rail Enquiries for all the latest information on train times, routes and tickets. Call 0345 748 4950 or visit nationalrail.co.uk.
London Underground tubes stop at Uxbridge (Metropolitan and Piccadilly Line) and Ruislip (Central Line) both near Slough and Windsor. Visit tfl.gov.uk.
Getting around
By car
Major A roads run through the county, including the A4 running east to west serving Slough, Reading, Newbury and Hungerford; the A329 serving Ascot, Bracknell, Wokingham, Reading and Pangbourne; and the A34, home of the Newbury Bypass.
By public transport
Several bus companies operate within Berkshire including First Buses, Reading Buses and Courtney Buses serving all corners of the county and offering reasonably priced travel.
There are also rural services to areas based more in the countryside. It’s easy to get around on the train in Berks, either with Great Western Trains or Southwest Trains. Traveline has up-to-date information on all bus, coach and rail services in Berkshire. Call 0871 200 2233 or visit traveline.info.
Alternative transport
With miles of cycle lanes, cycle routes, paths with cycle access and public bridleway, cycling, walking and horse riding is a big deal in Berks. See cyclinguk.org/cycle/cycling-berkshire for information.
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