The Best Commuter Towns in Surrey for London Commuters

Which are the best commuter towns in Surrey if you are moving out of London? Buying a property in Claygate, Esher or the surrounding areas of sought-after Elmbridge may tick all the boxes. Just a stone’s throw from the Surrey Hills, communities like Cobham are Hinchley Wood are popular with families and professionals alike, offering good schools, green space, and rail links to London Waterloo and London Bridge in around half an hour.

At Davies Property Partners, we understand that the details can make a vast difference to your lifestyle. Read our guide to establish which Surrey commuter town is best suited to your priorities.

Why Move to a Surrey Commuter Town?

Relocating from London to Surrey can introduce you to a market town culture of thriving high streets and weekly markets, all with easy access to central London. Surrey also opens up access to green space, with woodland areas, village parks, the surrounding countryside and Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), now the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Families can also find good schools in the state and independent sectors.

The average property price across Surrey is around £600,000, versus the London average of around £680,000 according to Rightmove. Average house prices can be significantly higher in sought-after areas, reaching over £900,000 in Claygate, £1 million in Esher and around £1.2 million in Cobham. However, there are more affordable options, and an estate agent with strong knowledge of the local property market can guide you.

The Best Commuter Towns in Surrey

We consider these popular locations to be among the best commuter towns in Surrey, yet this is not a ranking as such. Understanding what each town has to offer can help you to focus your search.

1. Claygate

Situated between Esher and Oxshott, with a direct train to London Waterloo from Claygate station taking around 30 minutes, the Elmbridge village of Claygate is popular with commuters. It’s perhaps best known for its strong community and village feel, with independent shops and the green space of leafy Claygate Common. Buyers will find a mix of property styles from period homes on traditional avenues to modern detached homes in private estates. Rightmove estimates the average property price in Claygate at around £915,000, above Elmbridge’s average house price of £759,000 as at May 2026 by ONS calculations.

2. Esher

One of Surrey’s most desirable commuter towns, with trains reaching London Waterloo in around 30 minutes. Beyond the practicalities, leisure destinations are so easy to access from Esher, with Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher Common and Chessington World of Adventures nearby. Rightmove estimates average house prices in this premium area at over £1 million, and £1.5 million for detached properties. However, this exclusive area can offer exceptional quality of life – contact us for further information on Esher properties.

3. Cobham

A sought-after village near the A3, offering easy road access to London and the M25, and rail access to London Waterloo from Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon station by South Western Railway. Cobham is set in close proximity to the Surrey Hills and historic Painshill Park landscaped garden, with good school options and a bustling village culture bolstered by a varied roster of festivals. If you are seeking security, prestigious gated communities such as St George’s Hill private estate sit nearby – we will be glad to advise on Cobham properties that offer privacy.

4. Thames Ditton

The charming riverside village of Thames Ditton makes it so easy to live a relaxed village lifestyle of walks by the banks of the Thames and cosy local cafés. Yet trains from Thames Ditton or Surbiton (just a short drive or bike ride away) can take you to London Waterloo in around 30 minutes. The Thames Ditton property market offers river views and period properties that make the most of the setting. Naturally, it proves popular with many London professionals moving out of SW London.

5. Leatherhead

Leatherhead offers a more affordable entry point to the local property market, and the potential to find value without sacrificing connectivity, with rail services to London Bridge and London Waterloo in around 35–40 minutes. Leatherhead itself has a growing town centre, with access to the Surrey Hills and good schools including The Raleigh School (rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted) St Andrew’s Catholic School, and St John’s, a respected day and boarding school achieving some of the best GCSE results in Surrey.

6. Oxshott

One of Surrey’s most exclusive villages, Oxshott is frequently named among the most expensive places to live in the UK outside London. Commuters can take the train from Oxshott station to London Waterloo in around 30 minutes, and come home to a period property in the village centre or one of its exclusive developments. High-net-worth buyers can find seclusion in its large private plots, woodland setting, and the nearby St George’s Hill estate. Zoopla sets the average house price just under £1.8 million.

7. Hinchley Wood

Families are often drawn to the quiet, well-regarded suburb of Hinchley Wood, with its trains from Hinchley Wood or Surbiton to London Waterloo taking under 30 minutes and strong local schools. The local co-ed academy, Hinchley Wood School, is currently rated ‘Outstanding’ in every category by Ofsted. Leafy streets and a close-knit community complete the picture of a family-friendly area to raise children. Davies Property Partners will be glad to guide your property search from our Hinchley Wood branch.

What to Consider When Choosing a Surrey Commuter Town

Every buyer’s requirements will vary, but this checklist may help you to determine the best commuter towns in Surrey for your lifestyle.

• Train times: How long does it take, and how frequent are services?
• Rail routes: Do your closest rail services offer easy access to London Waterloo or London Bridge?
• Road links: How well-connected is the town to the A3 and M25?
• Average house prices: What does your budget unlock in different market towns? House prices can vary significantly depending on local amenities and proximity to London.
• School catchments: Which commuter towns and neighbourhoods lie within your preferred school catchment area? Admissions can be competitive.
• Green space: How accessible are the rolling Surrey Hills, local parks, outdoor activities and countryside?
• Lifestyle: Which towns offer the local amenities and lifestyle that you are looking for?

How Davies Property Partners Can Help

Davies Property Partners are an established name in Elmbridge and the surrounding Surrey commuter belt, with branches in Claygate, Cobham, and Hinchley Wood. If you are considering relocating to Surrey, get in touch to register your search or book a valuation for your current property.