Reading to London Train

[Ice Rich]

Not been to London for ages and would like to get the train from Reading to Paddington in next week.

Would be arriving in Reading aprox. 9.30am on a Thurs/Fri , is it wise to pre-book a ticket, looks to be the GWR line? I see there are regular trains but not sure how packed they get.
Also, with the Underground - is it best to buy an Oyster or can I just use my contactless bank card on the turnstiles?

Thank you

 

[Ice Rich]

Perfect , thank you dlockers - just had a look and it seems there is a 'Off-Peak Day Travelcard' for less the £30 and that'll allow me to use the Tube too I thought that was quite a good deal

 

[Ice Rich]

£24 for off-peak day return ticket and £29.60 for the off-peak travel card which includes unlimited bus, tube an tram so that'll be perfect

Thanks sad099, I was hoping to see the Elizabeth Line and actually thought I would be on that from Reading to Paddington but google seems to indicate it'll be a GWR (only takes 25mins too which is much quicker then i thought )