The best London commuter towns in 2022
There are whole host of options when choosing a place to live with a short commute into London.
But you’ll also need to factor in property prices, monthly rents, and the price of a rail season ticket, as well as those all-important train times.
Here are 10 great options for you to consider…
1. Chelmsford
Around 30 miles north east of London, Chelmsford is a popular choice for commuters thanks to its superb properties and excellent schools, as well as fast rail links into London.
- Fastest train: 32 minutes to Liverpool Street
- Price of annual season ticket: £4,480
- Average property price: £364,552
- Average monthly rent: £1,038
2. Colchester
At 60 miles east of London, Colchester is slightly further away from London than Essex neighbour Chelmsford.
But with excellent period homes, access to the Essex and Suffolk countryside and a rail journey of around an hour, it’s a superb option for commuters.
- Fastest train: 60 minutes to Liverpool Street
- Price of season ticket: £5,764
- Average property price: £300,273
- Average monthly rent: £899
3. Redhill
Close to Reigate and only 20 miles south of the capital, Redhill property prices are hugely attractive despite being so close to central London.
The Surrey town is also home to some excellent schools and amenities.
- Fastest train: 31 minutes to London Bridge
- Price of season ticket: £2,996
- Average property price: £384,153
- Average monthly rent: £1,134
4. Crawley
Located halfway between London and the stunning Sussex coast, Crawley is an excellent choice for commuters looking for a work/life balance.
The town is also near Gatwick airport for flights across the world.
- Fastest train: 39 minutes to London Bridge
- Price of season ticket: £3,844
- Average property price: £338,061
- Average monthly rent: £1,066
5. Chatham
One of Kent’s Medway towns, Chatham provides buyers and renters with excellent London rail links, as well as easy access to the Kent coast.
Property prices in Chatham are also very attractive for the South East and for town so close to the capital.
- Fastest train: 47 minutes to Victoria
- Price of season ticket: £4,656
- Average property price: £262,182
- Average monthly rent: £941
6. Ashford
Ashford is located in south east Kent and the town is only a short distance from the coastline of Folkestone and Dover.
As well as excellent rail links to London, services to Paris are available via the Eurostar from Ashford International.
- Fastest train: 38 minutes to St Pancras
- Price of season ticket: £5,460
- Average property price: £333,961
- Average monthly rent: £1,058
7. St Albans
St Albans has long been one of the most popular choices among London commuters, due to its 20-minute rail links and rich history, shopping centres and superb schools.
- Fastest train: 21 minutes to St Pancras
- Price of season ticket: £3,952
- Average property price: £528,002
- Average monthly rent: £1,279
8. Bedford
Market town Bedford is 46 miles north west of London, but offers commuters train journey times into the capital of less than an hour.
- Fastest train: 42 minutes to St Pancras
- Price of season ticket: £5,292
- Average property price: £320,678
- Average monthly rent: £939
9. Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire’s largest town, Milton Keynes is 50 miles north west of London, but rail journey times are only marginally over half-an-hour.
Milton Keynes also offers excellent properties and amenities being one of England’s newest towns.
- Fastest train: 34 minutes to Euston
- Price of season ticket: £5,740
- Average property price: £287,644
- Average monthly rent: £1,046
10. Southampton
Although 70 miles south west of London, Southampton’s attractive property prices, coastal location and city amenities make it a popular choice for London commuters.
Trains also reach the capital in under an hour-and-a-half, meaning Southampton is a genuine option for London workers.
- Fastest train: 79 minutes to Waterloo
- Price of season ticket: £5,308
- Average property price: £264,659
- Average monthly rent: £927
* Property price and rental information from Dataloft Inform
