While many Londoners rush through their commutes, many are deliberately optimising their commute to maximise how relaxing it is – and it’s making them happier.
As over half (56%) of the commuters feel stressed at the end of their commute, , new research from Chase¹ reveals the formula for the best stress-free London commute experience.
Those Londoners who arrive at their destinations feeling most zen are:
- travelling for 15-29 minutes (32% of relaxed commuters do this). In comparison, the average commute is 42 minutes for Londoners;
- getting the Lizzie line (21%);
- not having to change lines of modes of transport (42%);
- are listening to music while they travel (45%);
In fact, when it comes to how they spend their commutes, those who arrive feeling most at ease are prioritising downtime activities (84%), which in addition to listening to music, includes reading (16%) or listening to an audiobook (7%), reading the news (23%), tuning into the radio (20%), listening to a podcast (19%), or meditating/ mindfulness (4%).
“Zen commuters” have mastered the art of a stress-free journey – and they’re doing it by planning ahead. Their top tactics include taking the quickest route (26%), leaving the house earlier to avoid peak times (26%), travelling by their preferred mode of transport (24%), seeking out the quietest carriage in the hope of securing a seat (17%).
Others are going further to bring joy to their commute, as 13% are stopping off for a coffee enroute to perk up their day and 10% are choosing a route that means they can pop to the shops on the way.
In a city where hustle culture reigns, it is clear people are seeking balance wherever they can.
Rewarding Londoner’s journeys
Chase customers in London can earn 2% cashback – up to £20 – when they use their Chase debit card to pay for TfL travel². That cashback is also available across spending on groceries, dining and everyday transport (including train, tram, buses and ferries), fuel and electric charging. Find out more here.
And there’s more: Chase customers who use their Chase card to tap in on the TfL network by 12 October 2026 will be automatically entered into a prize draw³ to win one of 31 annual TfL Travelcards, valid across Zones 1–6. Each winner will also receive an exclusive Chase and TfL-branded wallet for their Travelcard.
