United Kingdom Tops European Countries for Longest Office Commutes
In a recent study, the cross-border e-commerce platform Ubuy has created an official ranking of 34 European countries based on work commuting conditions. The ranking takes into account commuting costs, work-life balance, and general happiness as key factors in overall wellbeing and work satisfaction.
According to the study, Ireland (Dublin) is considered the worst European country for work commuting. The city's high congestion, lengthy commute times (32.8 minutes for 10km), and steep monthly transport costs (€80) have contributed to this ranking. The UK, particularly London, also ranks poorly with long commute times averaging 33.3 minutes for 10km.
Sweden and Romania share third place with 74 points, with Sweden impressing with a strong work-life balance and Romania being a frugal commuter's dream. Poland is in fourth place with 75 points, due to a decent cost of living, a £26.14 monthly commute cost, and 26 days of annual leave.
Denmark, Luxembourg, and Latvia share seventh place with 80 points each. Finland and Lithuania are in joint second place with 68 points, with Finland standing out for quality of life and Lithuania for value. Estonia's top ranking shows that affordable transport and a healthy work culture really make a difference.
The Czech Republic and Serbia are tied for fifth place, each with 77 overall points. The Netherlands, Austria, and Slovenia are in joint sixth place with 79 points. Malta, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina round out the top ten, each scoring 86 points.
Interestingly, no direct Ubuy "best commuting" European countries list was found in the search results. However, generally, the northern and central European countries tend to have more efficient commuting systems. For instance, Germany and the Netherlands are often highlighted as having shorter commutes and better transport conditions.
The UK's position at the bottom of the ranking highlights how costly and stressful work commuting can be in some regions. The UK has the joint lowest number of guaranteed PTO for full-time roles, apart from bank holidays, at 20 days. The UK also has one of the longest average commute times at 40 minutes and an average monthly commute cost of £67.21, the third highest in the ranking.
The study also reveals that the UK's British Happiness Index is lower than many other countries, which could be a contributing factor to the poor work commuting ranking.
In conclusion, the Ubuy study provides valuable insights into the work commuting conditions across Europe. It underscores the importance of affordable transport, a healthy work culture, and a good work-life balance in ensuring overall wellbeing and work satisfaction.
| Rank | Country / City | Commute Time (10km) | Other Factors | |---------------|-----------------|---------------------|------------------------| | Worst (Europe)| Ireland (Dublin)| 32.8 minutes | 47% congestion, €80 cost | | Very Bad | UK (London) | 33.3 minutes | 32% congestion | | Better | UK (Manchester) | 24.8 minutes | Lower congestion | | Better | UK (Birmingham) | 20.8 minutes | Moderate congestion |
[1] The data used in this ranking is normalized data of congestion, commute time, and transport costs as of mid-2025.
- Telematics technology, used in motor insurance, could help alleviate high transport costs and lengthy commuting times in cities like Dublin and London, potentially improving their rankings in future studies focusing on wellbeing and work satisfaction.
- In light of the recent study, people in the education-and-self-development sector who prioritize general news and sports might find it intriguing to compare their country's commuting conditions with other European nations and learn about best practices for a healthier work-life balance.
- Events organizers in countries with poor commuting conditions, such as Ireland and the UK, could consider hosting virtual conferences and webinars to reduce travel costs and ease work pressure for participants.
- As technology continues to evolve, solutions like telecommuting, carpooling apps, and smart infrastructure might improve commuting conditions in various European cities, ultimately contributing to an overall rise in wellbeing and work satisfaction.
