London is great. One of the biggest cities in the world, full of lots to see and do as well as many thriving businesses where you can forge a career.
What’s not always great is the commute into London. If you’re working, or have just taken a job, in London but want to live outside of the busy capital, then you’re going to have to deal with the daily commute… and this isn’t always easy.
Whilst getting the train and tube can sometimes be the quickest route, it can also become very expensive if you’re commuting every day. Also, there’s nothing quite like the luxury of driving with the privacy, space and practicality it provides.
Whilst there’s plenty of articles online that pick out the best London commuting towns for those looking to get the train, we here at Cargiant have researched some of the best towns and cities based on average house price (according to Rightmove) and commuting time to the centre of London in rush hour (according to Google Maps). Take a look below:
1. Luton
At the top of our list is Luton, Bedfordshire. Luton has a long tradition of hat making and is one of the most populous towns without city status in the United Kingdom. It’s also #1 on our list for house prices, with the average house costing £292,660. Luton is just a 65 minute drive away to the heart of London and you’ll only spend around 32,630 minutes per year commuting into London.
2. Dartford
Next on our list is Dartford. Situated in Kent, Dartford is only 60 minute drive away from London in peak times. The average house price is £343,232, according to Rightmove. The name Dartford is a combination of ‘Darent’ and ‘Ford’ as the town centre is “where the old road from London to Dover crossed”
3. Hatfield
Third on our list is Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Hatfield is a 60 minute drive up the A1(M) from the centre of London. The average house price in Hatfield is £375,265, putting it into the top 5 for house prices. Hatfield House has been home to multiple famous people including Elizabeth Tudor.
4. Stevenage
At number 4 is Stevenage. Situated in Hertfordshire, Stevenage is only a 70 minute drive to the centre of London in rush hour. Stevenage is in the top #3 on house prices with the average house price being £334,314. Some of Stevenage's most successful people include Lewis Hamilton and Jack Wilshere.
5. High Wycombe
At number 5 is High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. If you’re a fan of the ‘Cornetto Trilogy’, scenes from The World’s End were filmed in High Wycombe by the train station. From High Wycombe, London is a 65 minute drive away. The average house price in High Wycombe is £381,015 according to Rightmove.
6. Borehamwood
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire is a 50 minute drive to London, making it 25,100 minutes per year, putting it at #1 in commuter time. According to Rightmove, the average house price in Borehamwood is £547,258. Elstree Studios, where Strictly Come Dancing and The Crown are filmed is in Borehamwood.
7. Three Bridges
At number 7 is Three Bridges. Three Bridges in West Sussex is a 75 minute drive to London. However, Three Bridges is rated number #2 on this list in house prices. The average house price in Three Bridges is £308,835. Three Bridges was first a hamlet but was expanded in 1841 with the expansion of the London and Brighton Railway.
8. Redhill
At a 70 minute drive, Redhill, Surrey is number 8 on this list. Redhill has a yearly commute time of 35,140 minutes. Redhill has an average house price of £416,944 putting it a number 8 for house prices. Redhill is the commercial and entertainment area and post town of three nearby communities (Merstham, Whitebushes and Earlswood)
9. Iver
At number 9 is Iver, Buckinghamshire with a 55 minute drive. Iver is second in commuter time, with 27,610 minutes per year, putting it at #2 for commuter times. Looking at house prices, the average house price in Iver is £549,348. The Black Park in Iver was used for scenes in Carry On films and Hammer’s Dracula films.
10. Twyford
Just cracking the top 10 is Twyford, Reading. Twyford used to be twinned with Cuincy, northern France. London is a 70 minute drive away from Twyford. According to Rightmove, the average house price is £431,414.
11. Hockley
At number 11 is Hockley. Hockley in Essex is a 70 minute drive to London. In a year the number of minutes driving would be 35,140. The average house price in Hockley is £463,366, according to Right Move.The name ‘Hockley’ was established in the Doomsday Book in 1086
12. St Albans
St Alban is at number 12. St Albans is part of the commuter belt and is a 55 minute drive from London, also putting it at #2 for commuter times with Iver. According to Rightmove, the average house price in St Albans is £618,676. Similar to High Wycombe and Iver, St Albans has also been used as a filming location. The former prison’s gatehouse appeared in the title scene of the 1974 sitcom Porridge starring Ronnie Barker.
13. Guildford
At number 13 is Guildford. Guildford in Surrey is only an hour drive to London and 30,120 minutes per year, putting it at #4 for commuter times. The average house price in Guildford is £563,019. People claim that the status of the county hall was granted by Henry VII when “he made Guildford the custody of the standard measures”.
14. Horley
At number 14 is Horley. Horley in Surrey is a 75 minute drive to London. The average house price in Horley is £410,309. Robert Shearman and Jack Fairman are notable people from Horley. Jack Fairman had a pub named after him.
15. Woking
Next we have Woking. Woking in northwest Surrey is a 70 minute drive to London and 35,140 minutes per year. The average house price in Woking is £538,955. Woking appeared in the Doomsday Book in 1086, under Wochinges by William the Conqueror, Constable of Windsor Castle and Walter FitzOther.
16. Billericay
Best known for Gavin and Stacey, Billericay, Essex is a 75 minute drive away to London. According to Rightmove, The average house price in Billericay is £493,808. Billericay is twinned with 3 towns. Fisher (Indianna), Billerica (Massachusetts) and Chauvigny (France).
17. Haywards Heath
One of the longest drives and at number 17 is Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Haywards Heath is a 90 minute drive to London. The average house price in Hayward Heath is £423,309, putting it in the top 10 for house prices. According to Wikipedia, “there is a local legend that the name comes from a highwayman who went under the name of Jack Hayward”.
18. Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks, Kent is the penultimate commuter town on this list with a 70 minute drive time. However, Sevenoaks has one of the highest average house prices on this list. According to Rightmove, the average house price in Sevenoaks is £721,724. The writer H. G. Wells and Diana, Princess of Wales were from Sevenoaks.
19. Royal Tunbridge Wells
Last but by no means least is Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. From Royal Tunbridge Wells, London is a 85 minute drive away. The average price for a house in Royal Tunbridge Wells is £523,217. Royal Tunbridge Wells is Twinned with Wiesbaden, Germany.
Best Cars for Commuting in London
Ford Focus
The Ford Focus is a national favourite and classic when it comes to commuter cars. Fitted with everything you could possibly need including parking sensors, Bluetooth and Sat Nav, you can’t go wrong with this commuter car. The Focus’ has a top speed of 120 miles per hour and can do 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds.
Check out our range of Ford Focus’
Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai is an SUV perfect for commuters. The Qashqai is known for a smooth drive, plenty of space and everything you could possibly need including Bluetooth, climate control and a panoramic roof. The Qashqai has a top speed of 107mph and can do 0-62mph in 12.9 seconds, making it a perfect car if you are running late.
Check out our range of Nissan Qashqais
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo is a very popular car for commuters because of its smooth drive and small size. The Aygo is fitted with Bluetooth, climate control and so much more and comes with either a manual or automatic gearbox. Although the Aygo isn’t the fastest car on this list, it’s still capable of a top speed of 99mph and 0-62mph in 14.2 seconds.
Check out our range of Toyota Aygos
Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a luxury car that is very popular with commuters. With a choice of an automatic or manual gearbox, and petrol or diesel, the Audi A5 can suit just about every commuter. The A5 has everything you could need to make your commute a dream, including heated seats, parking sensors, sat-nav and Bluetooth.
Check out our range of Audi A5s
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of the best known models and perfect for commuters. Available as a petrol or diesel, automatic or manual the Honda Civic comes with Bluetooth, sat-nav and parking sensors making it a great choice for commuters.