For millions of workers across Europe, the daily journey to the office is an unavoidable ritual. But just how long do Europeans actually spend getting to work? New research from talent management company SD Worx reveals that the continental average sits at 48 minutes a day—yet that figure hides a striking divide between nations.
While the European average hovers around three-quarters of an hour, individual countries experience vastly different realities on their roads and rail lines. At one end of the spectrum, Italy and Slovenia keep daily travel times relatively brief, hovering around 35 minutes. At the other, Sweden and Ireland report hefty averages of 57 and 56 minutes respectively.
Belgium's super-commuters
Taking the top spot overall, Belgium officially crosses the one-hour mark at 61 minutes a day. This is driven by the fact that 13% of its workforce are "super-commuters," according to SD Worx, spending two hours or more on the road—the highest rate in Europe—with 14% travelling over 120 kilometres daily. The country's dense urban network and cross-border flows into Brussels, where many EU institutions are based, contribute to these long journeys.
Interestingly, even in Belgium—where the average commute surpasses the 57-minute limit that people generally consider "acceptable"—only 34% of workers view that time as wasted. Despite enduring some of the longest transit times on the continent, demand for more remote work among Belgian employees sits at just 32%, staying right below the international average. This suggests a certain resignation, or perhaps a pragmatic acceptance, among Belgian workers.
Distance vs. congestion: The Netherlands and Romania
The data also reveals fascinating differences in why commutes take as long as they do. For instance, the Netherlands and Romania both average 53 minutes for a daily commute, but the underlying dynamics are entirely polar opposite. Workers in the Netherlands cover 63 kilometres on average, leaning on efficient infrastructure to handle long-distance travel. In Romania, workers spend that same 53-minute window covering much shorter geographic distances, where heavy traffic and urban congestion eat away at the clock.
This contrast highlights how infrastructure investment and urban planning shape the commuting experience. The Dutch reliance on cycling and well-connected rail networks allows for longer distances without excessive time penalties, while Romanian cities like Bucharest struggle with chronic traffic jams that slow even short trips.
The commuting paradox
Perhaps the most intriguing takeaway from the research is how workers psychologically handle their travel times. The fact that Belgians, who endure the longest commutes, are not more eager to work remotely than the average European suggests that commuting is not solely about time—it can also be a buffer between home and work, a moment of personal space, or a chance to catch up on podcasts and reading.
Across the continent, the daily grind varies widely. For those in Zürich, one IT worker has even turned his commute into a swim, cleaning the canal along the way—a creative response to the daily journey. Meanwhile, Eurostat data shows that Europeans are trimming essentials to protect leisure spending, which may include investing in better commuting options or relocating closer to work.
The SD Worx research underscores that the European commute is not a single experience but a patchwork of national habits, infrastructure choices, and cultural attitudes. As remote work continues to reshape the labour market, these numbers may shift—but for now, the daily journey remains a defining feature of European working life.
