Do you ever feel like your commute is stealing hours from your life you’ll never get back? If so, you’re not alone. The average UK commuter spends over 400 hours a year getting to and from work. That’s nearly 17 full days, or enough time to learn a new language, read 20 books, or finally start that side project you’ve been putting off.
I used to spend that time half-asleep on the train, clutching a lukewarm coffee, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook just to stay awake. One morning, after realising I’d spent 20 minutes watching someone’s breakfast stories (again), I knew something had to change.
That’s when I discovered productive commuting. It’s not about squeezing productivity into every second or turning yourself into a commuting robot. It’s about having the right tools ready for those moments when you feel switched on and want to make your journey count.
Good productive commuting can set the tone for your entire day, or be the precious time you finally dedicate to something that’s just for you. Here’s how five simple tools can help you reclaim those lost hours and transform your daily journey into something you might actually look forward to.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Create Your Personal Sanctuary
Picture this: you’re packed onto the 6:49 to Birmingham New Street. Someone nearby is rustling a crisp packet like they’re performing a percussion solo, another passenger is watching TikTok on full volume, and you’re trying to concentrate on anything meaningful whilst a baby cries three seats away.
This was my reality until I invested in a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones. My noise cancelling headphones have been absolute game-changers for productive commuting, creating a cocoon of calm around me that makes even the busiest commute manageable.
Last Tuesday, I was stuck on a delayed train for an extra 45 minutes. Instead of getting frustrated and doom-scrolling through Pinterest, I popped on my headphones and listened to a fascinating podcast about starting a freelance business. By the time I reached the office, I felt energised rather than frazzled. Now that’s what I call making your journey count.
These headphones are brilliant for listening to audiobooks, catching up on work calls without shouting “Can you hear me now?”, or simply giving your brain some peace before a long day. And they cost a lot less than other brands.
Top tip: choose a pair with good battery life and comfortable ear cushions. Trust me, it makes all the difference on those longer journeys.
A Kindle or Tablet: Your Personal Library That Fits in Your Pocket
If you’ve ever lugged a heavy hardback book around in your bag “just in case”, you’ll appreciate how far technology has come. My Fire Tablet weighs less than a paperback but gives me access to thousands of books, articles, and courses, making it perfect for productive commuting.
It’s brilliant for chipping away at that self-help book you bought six months ago, catching up on industry blogs you’ve bookmarked, or diving into a bit of escapist fiction when the day’s been particularly challenging.
I use mine to work through online courses I’ve saved as PDFs. Some mornings, I read business articles I’ve found on Pinterest. Other days, I just get lost in a good novel. The key to productive commuting is having options and keeping things flexible.
The beauty of a tablet is the adjustable text size and built-in lighting, perfect for those dimly lit morning trains or when your eyes are tired after a long day. Or when you realise you left your glasses at home. Again. Plus, you’ll never lose your place again, which means you can make every minute of reading time count.
Voice-to-Text Apps: Capture Your Brilliant Ideas Before They Disappear
Ever had a fantastic idea the moment you sit down on the bus, only to completely forget it by the time you arrive at work? I used to scribble notes on the back of receipts or try to type on my phone whilst being jostled about, often ending up with incomprehensible messages to myself.
Voice-to-text apps have revolutionised my productive commuting routine. I use Google’s built-in voice typing for quick thoughts, or planning sessions.
Just last week, I dictated an entire blog post outline while walking to the station, coffee in one hand, bag in the other. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a solid starting point to work from later. Sometimes, getting the ideas out of your head is the hardest part of making your journey count.
These apps are brilliant for drafting emails, recording business ideas, capturing those “I really should do that” moments, or even practising presentations when you’ve got the carriage to yourself. Not that this would ever happen.
The key is not to worry about perfection. You can always edit later. The important thing is capturing those fleeting thoughts before they vanish into the commuter ether.
Productivity Apps: Gently Steer Yourself Towards Better Habits
We’ve all had that moment where you arrive at your destination and think, “What did I actually do for the past 47 minutes?” If you’ve ever gone down a rabbit hole scrolling through Facebook or checked the weather forecast five times in a row, you’re definitely not alone.
I started using simple productivity apps, not to become some sort of efficiency machine, but just to become more aware of how I was spending my commute time.
They’re not about guilt or turning every moment into work. They’re about awareness and helping you develop better productive commuting habits. Sometimes, just knowing you’ve spent 25 focused minutes reading something useful instead of mindlessly scrolling makes you feel so much better about your day.
I set gentle goals, like “spend 20 minutes of today’s commute on something just for me”. It might be reading, listening to a podcast, or planning my weekend. The apps just help me stay on track without being harsh about it.
A Reliable Power Bank: Never Run Out of Steam Again
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through an interesting podcast or being deep into an online article when your phone flashes that dreaded “10% battery remaining” warning. Nothing kills productive commuting faster than a dead battery.
I’m absolutely paranoid about my phone running out of power as everything lives on it – car park and train ticket. Now, my powerbank lives permanently in my bag alongside my headache tablets!
Look for something with at least 10,000mAh capacity (enough to fully charge most phones twice), that’s lightweight but sturdy, and ideally has multiple ports if you carry more than one device. Mine is really lightweight and I can charge my phone and watch with their different size cables (yeah, what’s with that?)
It’s not the most exciting purchase you’ll ever make, but it’s one of those things that gives you complete peace of mind. No more rationing your screen time or switching to battery saver mode halfway through something you’re enjoying.
Making Every Journey Count: Your Next Steps
Not every commute will be a productivity masterclass, and that’s perfectly fine. Some mornings, you’ll want to sit quietly, watch the countryside roll by, and let your mind wander. That’s valuable time too.
But for those days when you do have the energy and headspace, having these tools ready means you can embrace productive commuting and truly make your journey count. Whether you’re building new skills, staying informed, or just giving yourself some proper me-time, your commute doesn’t have to feel like lost hours.
The trick is starting small. Pick one tool that appeals to you most and try it for a week. You might be surprised how much more positive you feel about your daily journey when you’re doing something intentional with the time.
Productive commuting isn’t about perfection. It’s about making conscious choices that help you feel better about the time you spend travelling. Even small changes can transform those daily hours from something you endure into something that genuinely adds value to your day.
I’d love to know: what’s your biggest challenge when it comes to making your commute count? Are you team ‘stare out the window and daydream’ or team ‘make every minute productive’? And if you’ve tried any of these tools during your travels, which one made the biggest difference to how you feel about your journey? Drop a comment below and let’s help each other turn our daily commutes into time that truly counts!
