Day trip to Windsor from Reading
30 minutes on the branch line, $12 return, and one of the world's oldest occupied castles waiting at the other end.
Windsor Castle round tower seen from the town below
The route
From Reading, take the Great Western branch line to Windsor & Eton Central, changing at Slough — total journey 30-40 minutes, around $12 return off-peak. Trains run twice an hour. The station drops you 3 minutes from Windsor Castle's front gate. Alternative: the direct Reading-to-Waterloo line stops at Windsor & Eton Riverside, slightly longer but sometimes easier on a Sunday.
Windsor Castle and beyond
Windsor Castle entry is around $38 adult with pre-booking essential in summer — allow 3 hours for the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Time your visit for the Changing of the Guard (11am, alternate days). Walk down Peascod Street for lunch — Bel and the Dragon does a $28 set menu. The Long Walk in Windsor Great Park is a free 2.6-mile straight path to a statue of George III on horseback.
Eton and the river
Cross the Windsor Bridge (foot only) into Eton — the high street has antiquarian bookshops and Eton College itself, tours in school holidays for around $12. French Brothers boat trips leave from Windsor Promenade, 40-minute river cruises for $16. Back to Reading via Slough by early evening. If you want to stay longer, Legoland is 2 miles out and a full day in its own right.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
GWR to Slough, then change to the Windsor & Eton Central branch. 30-40 minutes total, $12 return off-peak.
Strongly recommended in summer and school holidays. Book on the Royal Collection Trust website.
Yes, at 11am on alternate days. Check the current schedule on the Household Division website before travelling.
Yes if you include Eton and the Long Walk. Castle alone is a half-day.
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