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?

Some of these tips are great for longer journeys, and maybe very quiet times where the trains run well.
I don’t know where others come and go from but it’s so different to my general experience. I do a regular around an hour both ways and by the time I’ve run to all the changing platforms, forced myself into the crush, or if no major crush possibly found a seat, as often reserved seats are no longer available, then had changing folk next to me, some normal travel companions but some really not, then I’m just too exhausted to read/learn or do much at all except stare vacantly into space.
Personally, I try to minimise what I cart on and off trains, although I see that’s against the grain, but it’s definitely annoying lugging stuff about, especially with a walk either end.
I do hope your experience is better than the one I often have - I like trains best but only when they’re working well and not way overcrowded- not sure I should still actually expect this when I book though - hopeful more than realistic!

I commuted similar by train daily for several years:

headphones (agree I never had loud music on so I could hear announcements)
travel mug
kindle is light and stores lots of books

I used to mostly doze on the morning train (I was last stop) and then I’d read a book or the paper on the evening one. It’s good for online shopping and such if there’s decent reception.

You learn the routine, the timings, the best spot to wait to get a seat etc

it was also a 20 min ish walk each end so I’d wear trainers and keep work shoes at work. That was never an issue and half the office was the same. Warm boots in winter. Few spare things at work is handy but that’s actually more about the walk than the train. Wet feet all day are horrible so I always appreciated some spare socks or tights for that unexpectedly wet morning!

I commuted 2 hours door to door for 9 years, working pretty long hours & sometimes weekends. I was out of the house by 7:20 each day, and home 13 hours later. One day a week, I taught till 9pm, so I did long hours. I'm a morning person, so getting up at 6am every single day was OK. My tips:

• don't be tempted to snack on the train. Eat breakfast
• work out where & how you can get your daily exercise
• use the time in the morning productively: I read a lot of work stuff and marked a lot of essays. That work was non-negotiable on the morning commute. My evening commute, I read for pleasure.
• don't worry about using taxis if you need to on a late night
• set aside time on Saturday to sleep

Masks
Power bank in your bag so you can keep devices charged on the move
Download some books and podcasts or films

Separate work and personal phones so you can detach after work
And/or small tablet with long series downloaded
Spotify or equivalent
Definitely noise cancelling headphones
Wine for late nights back when things are tough
First class ticket if possible or splurge occasionally
Decent water bottle
Protein bars, backup water bottles in summer
Toilet paper in case of emergency delays
Thin gloves and hat for unexpected long winter delays

It’s pretty much the most unobtrusive food there is - not crunchy so very quiet, no smell. No worse than drinking a coffee imo.

It’s really not, it does smell! I hate it when people eat it in the office but at least that’s not a confined space. Train travel is bad enough with people trying to recreate their kitchen (food) or living room (knitting ffs) on the go.

I used to read a lot when I first started commuting, then when I had kids and exhaustion set in I just downloaded a series onto my tablet and watched that. Watching something you're enjoying makes it go so much faster 😆

Decent equipment id recommend a Roka backpack and a thermal cup eg hydro flask love the way the Roka side pockets hold a cup or flask so you don't have to worry about spilling liquid in the bag.

Decent footwear i presume you can change into office friendly shoes at work if needs be.

A weatherproof coat eg protected species.

Ive never had a massive commute but I used to travel all around the country mainly by train and these things make a difference.

Loving the wine suggestion!

Do you feel the same in 1st class when they're literally serving up a cooked breakfast or a hot evening meal?

Thermal cup and good breakfast/ snack to cheer you up.
A good book, series to watch... it is me time, specially in the morning if you go early and the train is quiet.
Maybe set an alarm for when you are due to arrive..... well, it has happened to me that I missed my stop because I was well engrossed on my book LOL

All the above but most importantly, a bloody good plan B.

Cancellations, delays and if the train carriages are just too packed with no room to get on (it does happen) then a plan B.

Make sure that your employer is well informed, have an agreement around who you need to inform if you are going to either be late or not turn up at all as you are at the mercy of a crap, unreliable travel system.
Flexibility to accommodate this and to make up lost time.

Thats my advice from years of bitter experience.

I would not recommend noise cancelling headphones, though....
At times the conductor announces changes and you could get quite stuck if you have not heard it. But that may be not applicable to some well functioning lines. We get the occassional delay....

I used to commute two and a half hours each way on the train to uni at one point. Obviously around exams I’d use the time to study, but I don’t think you need “survival” tips. Assuming it’s in the UK, our trains are comfortable and decent. Just take a phone charger and some headphones, and a book.

Bloody hell. She's sitting on a train not crossing the Antarctic. I managed with a book.

It's weird trying to downplay this by comparing a commute to a serious or extreme sport that would require technical gear. The suggestions here are to have a nice drink and something enjoyable to occupy the mind. Why not do this and make those 2 to 3 (I'm rounding up because I used to commute) hours of daily weekday life as best they can be rather than a regular test of endurance? This is 10 to 15 hours a week, there are so many smart people on this thread clearly making the best of that time.

Tip quality noise cancelling headphones- Sony xm4s or bose quiet comfort.

Best. Thing. I. Ever. Bought.

I read, Mumsnet, do my food shop and sort emails. I also have a small snack handy on my commute home and always carry water. I have just over an hour and it’s fine - I find that the last carriage is empty about half way home so I always sit there and end up with it all to myself from that point

Assuming it’s in the UK, our trains are comfortable and decent.

😂

They are. I’ve seen much, much worse!

Thanks for all the suggestions, this has been really helpful. Agree that a Plan B is so important, that’s the part I’m most dreading- my aim is to make such an astonishing amazing start that my new employer is ok when the inevitable happens.

For the first time in my life I have bought expensive tech and now wishing I had bought noise cancelling headphones years ago! What a difference. Feels calm and relaxing today.

The low standard of trains in other countries doesn't make ours 'comfortable and decent'. They might be comfortable if you could actually get a seat in the rush hour but everyone is crammed in; the toilets (if you can get to them) are often dirty, and the trains themselves are often late or cancelled.

I have a long commute twice a week. I find it incredibly tedious unless I can get completely immersed in something- either a good book, an audiobook or something to watch. I have bought a Fire tablet which I only use for my commute and I use it to watch stuff that DH is not in to. Amandaland, rom coms etc.

60 minute train journeys are actually a blessing because you have time to watch a whole episode of even the longer dramas! So annoying when your train gets in just before the end and you have to break the spell!

All the best for your new job, @RappelChoan. We were all the newbie once.

I’m sure your new employer won’t have been living under a rock for the past 40 years, so, they’ll already be familiar with the vagaries of train travel, with potential delays, etc.