On the hunt for the best commuter towns London? And what towns are commutable to London? We’ve rounded up a few areas based on train times, house prices and what they’ve got going for them (outside of great transport links). If you’re looking for affordability, there are several great cities near London where living costs are more manageable. While these locations might mean an hour or longer commute to central London, the trade-off is significantly lower house prices!
Best commuter towns London
Which towns are 30 minutes from London?
- St Albans, Hertfordshire – 21 mins
- Hatfield, Hertfordshire – 23 mins
- Reading, Berkshire – 23 mins
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – 22 mins
- Iver, Buckinghamshire – 23 mins
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire – 22 mins
- High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire – 43 mins
- Horley, Surrey – 34 mins
- Twyford, Berkshire – 21 mins
- Redhill, Surrey – 28 mins
- Beaconsfield, Chiltern Hills – 31 mins
- Hitchin, Hertfordshire – 33 mins
- Brentwood, Essex – 34 mins
- Luton, Bedfordshire – 35 mins
- Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire – 37 mins
- Three Bridges, West Sussex – 39 mins
- Guildford, Surrey – 40 mins
- Amersham, Buckinghamshire – 42 mins
- Epping, Essex – 45 mins
- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire – 51 mins
- Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire – 54 mins*
*All are fastest train times, delays/planned works not accounted for.
How much could you afford? Use this house affordability calculator to find out:
Top 10: best commuter towns London (fastest train times)
The last couple of years saw many of us working from home, which shifted priorities in terms of the best places to live. Green spaces, home offices and fast broadband became the must-haves. That being said, the attraction to London and the need for fast commuting times hasn’t gone away. It’s voted one of the best cities to live in – but what of those commuter towns near London?
A recent study by Selecta UK has identified the most desirable commuter location for individuals seeking an ideal suburban setting within commuting distance of London. The study considered factors such as high-speed train availability, affordable housing prices, and good schools.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 – all data from Rightmove & The Trainline as per October 2023.
These commuter towns aren’t particular the cheapest places to buy a house in the UK, but they are close to the Big Smoke. In our research, we’ve looked at more than just train times alone, but also affordability, annual season ticket prices and what an area has got going for it. For example, the average house price in Beaconsfield is £1,228,910, making it inaccessible for many, despite its good transport links!
10. Redhill, Surrey
- Fastest train to London: 28 mins
- Season ticket price: £3,172
- London terminus station: London Victoria
- Average house price: £520,854
Coming in bottom place of our commuter towns London list (but still more affordable than many others on this list) is Redhill, part of the London commuter belt and home to some beautiful scenery. You can get to Box Hill (the summit of the North downs) in 20 minutes by car, and London in only 30.
9. Twyford, Berkshire
- Fastest train to London: 21 mins
- Season ticket price: £4,344
- London terminus station: London Paddington
- Average house price: £557,215
If you want to be close to the hustle and bustle but still enjoy a slightly slower pace of life, Twyford ticks the boxes. It’s a much sought-after haven of tranquillity while still offering the perks of being a stone’s throw away from the capital.
8. Horley, Surrey
- Fastest train to London: 34 mins
- Season ticket price: £3,420
- London terminus station: London Victoria
- Average house price: £447,231
We’ve headed back to Surrey now for the eighth spot on this commuter towns London list. Horley is another place which offers a mix of rural charm and buzzy town life. This small but busy area is almost exactly halfway between Brighton and London.
7. High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
- Fastest train to London: 43 mins
- Season ticket price: £4,256
- London terminus station: London Paddington
- Average house price: £410,186
Despite lying in the valley of the River Wye and surrounded by the rolling countryside of the Chiltern Hills, High Wycombe to London can take less than half an hour. House prices are significantly lower than the London average of £740,597 too.
6. Stevenage, Hertfordshire
- Fastest train to London: 22 mins
- Season ticket price: £4,472
- London terminus station: London Kings Cross
- Average house price: £353,376
It’s safe to say this Hertfordshire town has some fantastic transport links to London (including getting to London Bridge in 40 minutes), combined with some favourable house prices. It’s a worthy mid-runner in this list.
5. Iver, Buckinghamshire
- Fastest train to London: 23 mins
- Season ticket price: £2,612
- London terminus station: London Paddington
- Average house price: £553,600
While house prices are a bit higher here than some of the others on this commuter towns London list, they’re still much lower than the London average, while being only 25 minutes away. Here, you’ll benefit from the calm of the countryside and urban connectivity. Heathrow is only 6 miles away too.
4. Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
- Fastest train to London: 22 mins
- Season ticket price: £2,292
- London terminus station: London St Pancras International
- Average house price: £556,794
Only 12 miles from Charing Cross, Borehamwood is an up and coming area proving popular with young professionals. The easy commute to London is one thing, the town is also well known for being home to Elstree Studios.
3. Reading, Berkshire
- Fastest train to London: 23 mins
- Season ticket price: £5,340
- London terminus station: London Paddington
- Average house price: £431,331
Reading has long been a firm favourite among commuters so it’s little wonder it finds its way into the top 3. Outside of its proximity to London, it’s also vibrant, multicultural and family-friendly. However, its annual season ticket price is the highest on this list, which is something to factor in.
2. Hatfield, Hertfordshire
- Fastest train to London: 23 mins
- Season ticket price: £3,256
- London terminus station: London Kings Cross
- Average house price: £395,027
Hatfield offers plenty to do right on your doorstep, and while not as busy as some Hertfordshire towns, the price of your average family home is much lower. Its high street might not be as bustling as others, but it offers many of the perks of living in London without the price tag. You can reach Kings Cross in just over 20 minutes.
1. St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Fastest train to London: 21 mins
- Season ticket price: £4,184
- London terminus station: London St Pancras International
- Average house price: £636,725
Claiming top spot on the commuter towns London list is St Albans, a town with a rich history that locals love to explore, including a stunning cathedral. Here, you can find shopping centres, green parks, great entertainment and leisure centres all in walking distance. Plus, a 20-minute journey time from central London goes down well with commuters.
Other worthy commuter towns London mentions
There are some other popular commuter towns that haven’t quite made the above list but are still deserving of a mention, including:
- Ascot, Berkshire
- Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
- Bray, Berkshire
- Marlow, Buckinghamshire
- Tring, Hertfordshire
- Windsor, Berkshire
- Maidenhead, Kent
- Grays, Essex
- Dartford, Kent
- Gravesend, Kent
Where is cheapest commute in London?
Is budget your greatest concern, but you still want to be close to the big smoke? Let’s take a look at where is the cheapest commute in London?
The average UK house price was £291,000 in September 2023. The closer you get to London, the more this will rise – often significantly. London’s average house prices remain the most expensive of any region in the UK, with an average price of £537,000 in September 2023.
A 10-minute increase in travel time to London can reduce the average house price significantly. If you’re happy to make that small sacrifice, we’ve rounded up some of the most affordable commuter cities.
- Peterborough, Cambridgeshire = £250,492*
- Purfleet-On-Thames, Essex = £253,952*
- Wellingborough, Northamptonshire = £248,050*
- Northampton, Northamptonshire = £280,848*
- Pitsea, Essex = £297,494*
- Rugby, Warwickshire = £290,335*
- Chatham, Kent = £302,301*
- Bletchley, Buckinghamshire = £332,696*
- Colchester, Essex = £321,023*
- Luton, Bedfordshire = £318,612*
*All are average house prices, based on the HM Land Registry, October 2023.
Want an in-depth look at London areas?
Knowing travel times and house prices is one thing, getting area-specific insights is another. From good schools to crime rates, get your hands on as much information as possible before you move. After all, you can change many things about a home but not its location!
Phil Spencer’s property report will pull everything you need to know in one place, providing an unbiased view while saving you time and money. Get yours today.
Last Updated: January 16th, 2024
