Where to stay in Reading? Rent a car in Reading?

Wow, nobody replied. Too bad...

Okay. I'll answer your last question (and let others answer the rest): Car rentals are almost always going to cost less if you rent online from the US in advance, rather than waiting until you get over there. In fact, I can't recall a post on this forum that has ever said someone got a lower rate on car rental by waiting and renting in Europe.

Thanks Kent, I figured it would be cheaper to rent a car online from over here.

You might want to post this to the tripadvisor forum. Here's a online guide to Reading. http://www.reading-guide.co.uk/ I don't think you're getting much luck here because it's not a very tourist city. If you look on that website there aren't any sights to visit! So, obviously there will be lots of locals and the Trip Advisor forums include lots of locals. Pam

My husband and I rented a car from 1car1 (ETBD uses them sometimes) that is located in Tilehurst, (the next train stop from Reading towards Bath). We dealt with the office in New York. We did not have any problems. The office is located about a 10 minutes walk from the Tilehurst train station. The gentleman said "if they were not tied up at the time of our arrival", they could have picked us up but I didn't ask. The CDW was NOT a zero deductible but we paid a little extra to get it down to a 250 deductible "in case"....We did not have to pay for an extra driver as most car rental agencies charge. We have usually rented from AutoEurope but I believe 1car1 was cheaper and we weren't charged for me to drive.
Keep us posted as to what you decide. Thanks.

Is there a reason they want to stay in Reading? I worked in Reading for a year (but lived in London) ... while there is nothing wrong with Reading, it is not exactly a tourist town. It is a quick train ride to London Paddington, but tickets are pretty pricey considering how short the commute is.

If they want to travel between Heathrow to Reading, the RailAir coach is probably the best choice. It is about 45 minutes and leaves frequently.

Can't advise as to whether it will be cheaper to rent a car ("hire a car" in British English) in Reading versus at Heathrow.

They are planning a road trip around the Cotswolds for a few days, and want to have a base from which to head out each day. Looks like Reading is on the M4, a main highway heading West towards there. Seems handy on the map.

Dave,

If their main purpose is to explore the Cotswolds, I really would not recommend Reading as a base. It has shops and businesses and a shopping mall and train station. But it is just an average working city. Not terribly exciting for a visitor.

I'd suggest that they pick one of the towns in the Cotswolds and stay there. It will be far more pleasant. If they want a larger place, maybe choose Oxford which is more interesting in Reading. The Cotswolds are very charming and it would seem a shame to me to stay in Reading which really does not have any charm.

I'd suggest that you check the Cotswolds forum on tripadvisor for recommendations.

We rented a car in Tilehurst through 1car1 (Tilehurst is next stop from Reading- ETBD uses them), then drove to Bath for a couple days before going to the Cotswolds. We based at The Crown Pub in Broadway for our daily tours into the little towns in the Cotswolds. We went to Blenheim Palace - a must see. You can get a Heritage Pass to just stop and see some of the fantastic manors and other sites that are on the Pass.
If you base in a little village in the Cotswolds you could stay out late visiting with the locals in one of the pubs. That's my vote....

Thanks very much, I will pass this info on!!