Train commute - survival tips

[RappelChoan]

I’ve started a new job recently with a commute of 60-60 minutes on the train (depending which one I catch) and 20 ish minutes either side. Office hours and some weekends. Working from home is not an option.

Would really appreciate any advice from people who do or have done this, what makes it easier please?

Noise-cancelling headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones

And possibly a good thermal cup.

But noise-cancelling headphones

Define it as productive time and make the most of it. Your own little piece of isolation to indulge in you. Reading, knitting, music, film, learning a language. Most of us don’t have the opportunity to be away day to day chores or hey prevent this. Yes, at times it will be tedious, particularly with delay and bad weather, but I’m sure most of the time if you are disciplined you will learn to love “your” time

I agree, noise cancelling headphones, hand sanitiser as you know ever surface has flu on it and worse lol. I couldn’t be without my kindle as wi-fi and data can be patchy. Easier to carry than a book. A resting bitch face is handy.

Noise cancelling headphones, power pack and charger, Wet Ones wipes / antibac gel. I have a Stanley thermal mug which is amazing. Hopefully you'll get a seat! Plan what you'll do on the commute, don't just scroll on your phone - whatever you enjoy - reading, podcasts, crosswords, Sudoku. Try and see it as downtime. When I did a long commute, I started getting a grocery shop delivered to save time, so I'd do the shop whilst on the train, and do other life admin, emails etc.

Along with noise-cancelling headphones I would add the following...

Comfortable footwear (2 pairs to alternate)
Waterproof jacket
Decent bag/rucksack
Contigo coffee cup
'Emergency bag' that stays in the office - underwear, socks, toiletries, hairbrush, spare jumper/jacket, snacks, small umbrella
Kindle

Try to limit how much 'stuff' you need to lug about on a daily basis. Depending on how busy your train is you'll eventually find your 'favourite' spot on the platform where the doors open and where, if you're lucky, there's a chance of a seat.

Try to use the journey to do something - read, easy emails, podcasts so it feels like meaningful time - I would work on my outbound journey but then read my book on the return trip.

Definitely noise cancelling headphones. Download music or podcasts offline so you can listen even if signal is patchy.
Comfortable shoes in case you don’t get a seat and have to stand.
Masks for when the person next to you is inflicting their streaming cold on you.
I often eat my breakfast on the train - yogurt and muesli or occasionally porridge in a food flask.

I like to make it into a routine so in the morning, podcast and coffee; in the evening water, berocca and my kindle, always a non-fiction book. If there is a delay I always move immediately to Duolingo so I feel like I’m using the time constructively

I don’t know if the 20 mins either side is walking but I try to budget for a taxi home from the station, every two weeks or so; I don’t use it that often but it’s nice to give myself advance permission if I really am exhausted some day!

Start taking every vitamin you can! Commuting made me pick up every single cold and virus going.

Duolingo. OK, you'll get funny looks if you do the speaking exercises, but the rest of it will be fine with a decent pair of the aforementioned NCHs... 😁

Download Duolingo and pay for the subscription.
It doesn’t have to be a language, you can learn and play chess, or do a maths course.

Know where the doors end up at the platform so you get a seat

Try to select a seat with no-one facing behind you ( less coughing germs over you)

Always have headphones and a book or similar

Always have a cardi. Some trains get cold

Dont make eye contact as some people expect to be your train buddy once you have spoken once

What they all said – I enjoy my commute, which is ¾ of an hour on the train on the journey home, as it’s long enough for me to have “me” time. I knit, listen to audiobooks, read, do whatever. My morning journey which is only half an hour I read stuff for work so I keep up-to-date, and read the paper online.
If and when things get delayed, try not to stress about it. It is what it is: a lot of men around me, tend to go all huffy and can sometimes be rude to the staff but there’s no point.

I would also say that I have made friends on my commute! So making eye contact with someone you see a lot can pay dividends.

I miss commuting so much since I started a job I can walk to. I used to read so many books, catch up on emails/texts, do the online shop, learn a bit of the lingo before holidays, did all my Christmas shopping.

Agree with all the PP above especially re the coffee cup and noise-cancelling headphones. I commuted into London for 15 years about 1 hour 15 each way and did a lot of Open University coursework on the train. More recently I've spent a lot of time doing Russian homework as that's what I'm learning now. If I use the time productively I found that I felt good about it rather than resenting it - but I admit doing it that way is not for everyone, some ppl just want to chill.

Sorry but I’d be really unimpressed being next to someone eating porridge 🤢 or munching cereal 🙉

If I want to eat on a fairly long commute I’m eating. 😀. It would be too early to eat before leaving and maybe people don’t have time once they’re at work. I mean it’s nice not to eat eggs but cereal is inoffensive.

Its always men swearing and huffing. I just ignore it!

Keep myself to myself. Always stay near station.

Use the time for catching up on messages emails

Kindle.

I think as well as what other people have said about using the time on the train well, I find getting into a good leaving the house routine in the morning is absolutely essential if you have a long -ish commute. You need to allow yourself enough time to get ready and not be late/rushing for the train and at risk of missing it as that's a stressy/sweaty way to start the day but one of my finest achievements as a non morning person that has to leave the house far earlier than I'd ideally even be awake is how much efficient my mornings are now, I have it down to a fine art so as to waste as little time as possible. I get my clothes ready and laid out the night before down to underwear and shoes, prepare my work bag, lunch is ready in it's box/bag in the freezer (not a breakfast eater but if i was I would prep that too). Then in the morning all I have to do is wash, dress and makeup (I always wash hair in the evenings so don't have to start day with hair drying etc), make a coffee in my thermal cup, grab lunch and bag and fling myself out of the door.

I also think it's good if you have a walk at either end of the commute to embrace this as good exercise and part of your day, again the wasted time feeling is what I hate about a commute - so a good investment is comfortable shoes and good waterproofs so you can stride along briskly in all weathers...

I love a train journey.
Always have a hot drink in a travel cup, a bottle of water and snacks!
Charger for your phone. Depending on how long the journey is, you may want to take a laptop for a film.
Knitwear as it gets drafty, waterproof coat to snuggly up to if you need to, plus comfy clothes and shoes.
Make sure you have a comfy backpack to carry everything.

Having commuted in a manner the OP describes for 15 years, Ive never needed any of this.

Comfortable footwear (2 pairs to alternate)
Waterproof jacket
Decent bag/rucksack
Contigo coffee cup
'Emergency bag' that stays in the office - underwear, socks, toiletries, hairbrush, spare jumper/jacket, snacks, small umbrella
Kindle

Nor have I needed to eat porridge from a flask on a train (gross) or knit (bloody annoying to sit next to.

She's going to work not hiking up a mountain.

Check the weather for the day and dress accordingly. Get on the train, be quiet and dont annoy your fellow passengers with porridge, knitting or other nonsense.

Ear buds and music or a podcast etc.

I disagree with noise cancelling headphones. I wear ear buds but don’t play anything through them. My train is frequently changed or cancelled whilst we are sitting on the train, and those with noise cancelling headphones remain oblivious until they notice they are last to leave the carriage. I also think it’s important to be aware of what is happening around you. Ear buds allow you to pretend to be ignorant of anyone trying to talk to you whilst keeping awareness.

I have a robust immune system so don’t worry about catching anything. My main concern is the druggies and drunks who are around on the evening trip home.

store the text number for the transport police in your phone.

Kindle paperwhite.

Hard Paddington stare for anyone playing tiktok videos without earphones.

I disagree with noise cancelling headphones. I wear ear buds but don’t play anything through them. My train is frequently changed or cancelled whilst we are sitting on the train, and those with noise cancelling headphones remain oblivious until they notice they are last to leave the carriage. I also think it’s important to be aware of what is happening around you. Ear buds allow you to pretend to be ignorant of anyone trying to talk to you whilst keeping awareness.

This is why I have ones that have a setting to let you hear announcements! I can’t wear earbuds - too uncomfortable and / or they fall out

For a daily commute to work? You read that part right.

This isnt a 6 hour trip london to scotland. It's a daily commute.