The 21 Best London Commuter Towns

Samuel Johnson put it somewhat bluntly when he wrote: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

For a bona fide city dweller, the prospect of selling up and moving out of the Capital is usually out of the question – until the reality of life gets in the way. For others, living in London has a natural time limit, where a move out to the suburbs or countryside is at some stage inevitable.

Many young professionals and families move out to commuter-friendly towns for more space and a large garden. But they don’t necessarily want to leave city life behind. The rise of hybrid working has allowed professionals to move out of their Mayfair, Marylebone and Soho homes while staying within easy reach of London.

Here is our quick guide to some of the best commuter towns within reach of London.

1. Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Beaconsfield is a thriving commuter town surrounded by the stunning Chiltern countryside. Trains run regularly in London Paddington from the train station in the town and take just 23 minutes. It is well-connected by road, only a short distance from junction 2 of the M40, with easy access to the M25 and A40 into central London.

The range of local schools on offer is excellent, as is the choice of property in the town itself and the surrounding villages.

Travel time to London: 23 minutes.

Average property prices: £1,077,895

2. Epping, Essex

Epping is a historic market town full of shops and restaurants. Epping is perfectly situated for anyone wanting to have the lovely green space of Epping Forest on their doorstep but still be close enough to the Capital for an easy commute. Epping is on the Central Line, with journey times to Bank station around 38 minutes. As it is the last stop on the line, you are pretty much guaranteed a seat.

Travel time to London: 38 minutes.

Average property prices: £605,761

3. Guildford, Surrey

Guildford‘s town centre has retained its historic character and architecture with its cobbled High Street, medieval buildings, and castle. All the leading high street shops are here, together with many small independent retailers. There is a thriving food market on Fridays and Saturdays and many leisure activities on offer.

Guildford’s schools regularly appear in the Sunday Times Best Schools List. Many smaller villages surround Guildford, so whether you want a modern apartment, a family home or a period property with land – you’ll find it here.

Travel time to London: 40 minutes.

Average property prices: £589,131

4. Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire

Henley is a picturesque market town famous for the Royal Regatta, which takes place for four days every June. Though the town does have a station, there are no direct trains into London. Instead, commuters can drive or catch a train to Twyford (15 minutes away). There are fast trains from Twyford to London Paddington, and regular Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) trains to Bond Street.

Though the property is quite expensive, the charm of the area and its excellent state and independent schools make it an appealing prospect.

Travel time to London: 1 hour.

Average property prices: £754,694

5. Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Hitchin is an attractive town that regularly features in the best places to live listings. The town centre has a vast selection of boutique shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Hitchin is a popular choice with families due to the many excellent schools in the town.

Hitchin boasts numerous attractive properties on beautiful tree-lined roads within easy reach of the town centre, train station and local schools. Average house prices in Hitchin are around £490,000, but some properties go for as much as £2 million or more.

There are direct trains from Hitchin to London St Pancras, which take just over 30 minutes.

Travel time to London: 33 minutes.

Average property prices: £494,111

6. Horley, Surrey

Horley is a small town situated between Brighton and London and close to Gatwick Airport. Horley is popular with Londoners wanting to get more for their money and families looking for rural living but with close proximity to good schools and leisure activities.

Southern services on the Brighton Main Line to London Victoria call at Horley half-hourly during peak times, with frequent Thameslink services off-peak. Season tickets for Horley commuters cost around £3,420 with Southern. Less frequent travellers can use Oyster Pay As You Go or tap in with their contactless card for journeys from Horley to London.

Travel time to London: 28 minutes.

Average property prices: £412,354

7. Reading, Berkshire

Reading is a historic town in Berkshire, just over 40 miles from London which has been considered one the best commuter towns for many years. The town itself is vibrant and offers fantastic shopping and leisure opportunities. As one of Berkshire’s largest towns, it has everything you need, so you don’t need to travel into London on your days off unless you choose to. Reading is surrounded by many smaller villages and suburbs, including Sonning, Tilehurst and Caversham. Trains run regularly into London Paddington and take just 25 minutes, However, season ticket prices are slightly higher than in some other commuter towns at £4,736.

Travel time to London: 25 minutes.

Average property prices: £406,695

8. St Albans, Hertfordshire

St Albans is a bustling town with a rich history and a stunning cathedral. The town is surrounded by beautiful Hertfordshire countryside littered with picturesque green space. There is a range of housing from quaint cottages to big Georgian homes as well as several new-build developments.

In the town itself, there are shopping centres, restaurants, parks and leisure activities all within walking distance and the journey into London St Pancras takes just 20 minutes.

Travel time to London: 20 minutes.

Average property prices: £641,769

9. Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Royal Tunbridge Wells is one of the most desirable places to live in the UK outside London. Its historic and upmarket town centre boasts an excellent selection of high street and independent shops as well as an array of cafes, restaurants and bars in the picturesque Pantiles. The town is serviced by two train stations, Tunbridge Wells and High Brooms, which offer direct services to London’s Charing Cross.

Travel time to London: 45 minutes.

Average property prices: £544,647

10. Twyford, Berkshire

Twyford is a quintessential Berkshire village. The range of local schools on offer is excellent, as is the choice of property. The bustling centre with its busy restaurants, bars, and large Waitrose store makes it a superb place to live for families wanting to enjoy village life and an easy commute to London.

The Elizabeth Line is now at Twyford station and trains run every 2.5 minutes during peak times into central London.

Travel time to London: 29 minutes.

Average property prices: £571,384

11. Iver, Buckinghamshire

Sat within the 43-square-mile Colne Valley Regional Park, Iver has the beauty of the countryside with plenty of green space and picturesque walks, but it is also only a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the big city. It’s only 25 minutes from London Paddington by train, with season ticket prices at around £2316. It’s also less than 6 miles to Heathrow airport for those travelling further afield.

Travel time to London: 25 minutes.

Average property prices: £626,509

12. Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

Known to some as the ‘British Hollywood’ due to many TV and film studios, Borehamwood is fast becoming one of the best commuter towns to London. It has excellent transport links with trains to central London, which take as little as 26 minutes. It’s only a short distance from the M25, and you can be within the Hertfordshire countryside within minutes.

Borehamwood has some great schools for children of all ages, so it is an ideal location for families.

Travel time to London: 26 minutes.

Average property prices: £538,842

13. Watford, Hertfordshire

Whilst you can reach Central London within 15 minutes from Watford, property prices are significantly lower. It has excellent transport networks that allow travel to London via underground and overground routes. While known as an urban commuter town, there are still plenty of green spaces, including Cassiobury Park, and lots of culture, with Watford boasting three theatres and great nightlife.

Travel time to London: 15 minutes.

Average property prices: £468,580

14. Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Hatfield is yet another picturesque post-war town built in London’s surroundings. You can get the train to Kings Cross Station within 30 minutes with season ticket prices at around £2,888. If you’re a frequent traveller, this puts you in easy reach of London St Pancras International. So it may come as a surprise that in comparison with some commuter towns, the house prices are much more affordable. You aren’t reliant on travel though. There’s plenty of local culture to keep you busy at the weekends, such as the Hatfield War Memorial and the De Havilland Aircraft Museum.

Travel time to London: 30 minutes.

Average property prices: £392,270

15. Woking, Surrey

Woking has seen a lot of investment in the past few years, and it is an up-and-coming area for young families wishing to relocate. There is an array of good private and state schools in the town and plenty of amenities in the town centre to cater for all ages. The train to London Waterloo takes just 23 minutes, and you can easily access the M3 and M25.

Travel time to London: 23 minutes.

Average property prices: £536,869

16. Weybridge, Surrey

The medieval town of Weybridge is situated on the River Wey, offering ample opportunity for riverside walks. Residents can also enjoy independent shops alongside high street names in the town centre. Families will find sought-after private and state schools in easy reach. Weybridge’s desirable gated community of St George’s Hill may offer a solution if privacy is a top priority.

Weybridge offers convenient routes into and out of London via the M25, M3 and many bus connections. This Surrey town is also served by regular South Western trains to London Waterloo via Clapham Junction.

Travel time to London: 37 minutes.

Average property prices: £789,311

17. Epsom, Surrey 

Epsom keeps its market town heritage alive alongside must-have amenities, and with state, private and Ofsted Outstanding-rated schools locally, it’s a popular commuter town for families. The town itself opens onto the Surrey Hills, Epsom Downs Racecourse and several local golf clubs, offering residents the best of town and country life. 

Annual season tickets to London Victoria and Waterloo are relatively cheap at £2,676, with the A3, A23 and M25 nearby for Epsom to London commutes by car.  

Travel time to London: 36 minutes. 

Average property prices: £566,083 

18. Bray, Berkshire 

Situated on the River Thames, Bray offers elevated village charm, with characterful period cottages nestled alongside Michelin-starred dining experiences. Namely, Alain Roux’s Waterside Inn, and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and The Hind’s Head.  

Bray’s gated communities offer even greater tranquillity and security. For young families, there are local grammar school and academy settings. The M4, and GWR and Elizabeth Line services, offer direct access to London for work or play. 

Travel time to London: 25 minutes. 

Average property prices: £1,034,601 

19. Worthing, Sussex 

Worthing’s affordable Victorian terraced homes, flats and chalet-style bungalows make it one of the best cheap seaside commuter towns. Perched between the South Downs and the coastline, this seaside town offers would-be adventurers the chance to cycle or paddleboard. There’s also a thriving art scene. 

International travel and London commutes are simple, with direct Southern Railways services to Clapham Junction, and Brighton connections to Gatwick, Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras International.  

Travel time to London: 1 hour 19 minutes. 

Average property prices: £383,411 

20. St Neots, Cambridgeshire 

St Neots stands out among the commuter towns near London for its location spanning the River Great Ouse, with boating opportunities and scenic Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. It also boasts one of the UK’s best fish and chip shops, along with high street names, cinema and dining options.  

Homes in the surrounding villages offer a retreat with amenities still in easy reach. St Neots is served by Great Northern and Thameslink routes to King’s Cross, for an annual season ticket costs of £6,640. 

Travel time to London: 46 minutes. 

Average property prices: £323,827 

21. Cheshunt, Hertfordshire 

Just 30 minutes from London Liverpool Street station yet set in rolling countryside, Cheshunt ranks among the best commuter towns north of London. Once home to Queen Elizabeth I, the historic Hertfordshire town offers elegant listed properties, secure new builds and reasonably priced family homes. It’s a haven for nature-lovers, between Lee Valley’s Cedars Park, Cheshunt Park and River Lee Country Park.  

Travel time to London: 28 minutes. 

Average property prices: £406,867 

Best commuter towns for…

Commuters to London fit all manner of life stages, tax brackets, priorities and more – from seaside locations, to schools that suit families, to affordable housing. Here’s a summary of the ‘best of’ when considering different priorities when looking for commuter towns:

1…Best London Commuter Towns for Young Professionals

Reading offers a solid combination for young professionals, with a 25-min train commute to London Paddington, a thriving tech sector, and excellent nightlife centred around the Oracle complex. The town includes a swathe of modern apartment developments and a thriving cultural landscape, with regular festivals and events throughout the year. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is notably lower than London prices.

2…Best London Commuter Towns for Families

St. Albans stands out for families, combining excellent schools (over 80% rated “Outstanding” or “Good” by Ofsted) with abundant green spaces like Verulamium Park. The historic city centre offers great shopping and dining, while the 20-minute train journey to St. Pancras makes commuting manageable. The pleasant community vibe and regular farmers’ markets only strengthen its family-friendly image.

3…Best Affordable Commuter Towns London

Luton provides exceptional value for money, with property prices significantly below the London average, making it a hotspot for first-time buyers as recognised by Halifax. The 24-minute train service to St. Pancras makes it a practical choice, while recent regeneration projects have improved the town centre. The presence of London Luton Airport offers additional employment opportunities and convenient travel options.

4…Best London Commuter Towns for First-Time Buyers

Basildon in Essex attracts first-time buyers with its relatively affordable property prices and 35-minute train service to Fenchurch Street. The recently renovated town centre features modern developments, and the Eastgate Shopping Centre provides good amenities. The nearby Wat Tyler Country Park offers green space for weekend relaxation, walking and exercise.

5…Best Coastal Commuter Towns London

Southend-on-Sea combines seaside living with practicality, offering a 45-minute train service to Liverpool Street. The town features seven miles of sandy beaches, the world’s longest pleasure pier, and a growing creative scene. Recent investment has brought new restaurants and cultural venues, while property prices remain reasonable compared to London. The airport provides additional transport links.

Find the commuter town that suits you

Each town profiled above offers unique advantages for different types of commuters, balancing factors like journey time, property prices, and lifestyle amenities. When choosing a commuter town, consider your priorities regarding commute time, budget, and desired community features.

Are you planning to sell your property in Marylebone, Mayfair, St John’sWoodor Maida Vale? If you want to swap central London for a slower pace of life in the best London commuter towns, we can assist with your sale. Request a sales valuation today, and read about how to get a mortgage decision in principle if you’re a first time buyer.