When I was but a wee freshman doing my very first internship, I created Tips for Commuting in NYC. Since then, I have spent so many months of my life commuting to and from this magical yet awful city. I have become so jaded. But, I have figured out how to make my commute, which is usually an hour and a half to two hours, a lot more bearable and sometimes even something I (sort of) enjoy.
So, here are some ways you can make your commute better. It still won’t be good, but it’ll suck less.
1. Read a book
I would literally go insane if I didn’t read books on the train/ferry/subway/bus. It makes the time pass more quickly and it genuinely feels productive.
Plus, if it’s not in your budget you can download e-books from your local library or get books from your local library for free! FREE! I love not paying for things. Also, if you want to see what I’m reading lately you can follow me on Goodreads.
RELATED: 5 books every millennial should read
2. Download podcasts and playlists
Do this before you leave the house. Downloading music and podcasts while you’re out and about will eat up your battery and data. Spotify allows you to download playlists to listen to offline and it’s one of the only reason I splurged on premium. The podcast app also lets you download and store a ton of podcasts, you can even set them to automatically download when you’re on Wi-Fi.
“By the book” and “Unhappy Hour” are two of my favorite podcasts to listen to in the mornings.
3. Bring a portable backup charger
Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but SOMEDAY you will thank yourself. Also, make sure it’s actually charged. I can’t tell you how many times I retrieved a glorious portable charger from my purse only to realize my dumb ass never charged it.
4. Catch up on news
This one might eat your data a bit, but it’s an extra great idea if you work in the media or news industry. Typically, I spend a few minutes scanning headlines on the News app each morning.
RELATED: How to be more informed
5. Pick a usual time
Learn when the trains and buses and ferries actually arrive and stick to the schedule. I find that knowing which time I’m getting the train and ferry each day makes my commute less stressful.
6. Bring a snack
For me, snacks make time fly more quickly and they prevent me from getting hangry. Always toss a little snack in your bag. My go-to snacks that don’t get gross in the heat or get too crushed are Cheerios or pretzel goldfish.
7. Fill up your MetroCard in large increments
If you’re in NYC, that is. It means you’ll refill it less and won’t get stuck with an empty card. Plus, you get more value when you spend more at once. This also applies to your city’s transit system if it’s card or tap based. Stock up on time/value when your train or bus or ferry is running late so you’ll have it next time.
8. Wear comfortable shoes
Seriously. I walk for about 40 minutes each day to and from public transportation and I do so exclusively in comfortable shoes. They’re nice enough sneakers for the casual dress code at work BUT if you’ve got a strict, fancy dress code at work, wear comfy shoes and switch into nice ones once you arrive. No need to suffer.
9. Mentally envision something to look forward to when the commute is getting rough
When I get stuck walking in the rain without a hood or my train is delayed by twenty minutes or I miss the ferry, I just try to think of what I can’t wait for once I’m home. Almost always, it’s seeing my kittens, Bub and Luca. Whether it’s a hot bath or the leftover takeout in the fridge, just think of what you can’t wait to get home to whenever the commute gets unbearable.
How do you spend your commute?
