A lot of the people I help move to London and St. Thomas keep a job in Toronto or Kitchener-Waterloo. Some make it work for years. Others underestimate the drive and regret it by February. Here's a realistic look at the commute, so you can decide before you buy, not after.
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548 490 4577 226 581 9220How long is the commute from London and St. Thomas?
| Trip, off-peak | By car | By train |
|---|---|---|
| London to downtown Toronto | About 2 hours 20 minutes | VIA Rail, a little over 2 hours on the faster trains |
| London to Kitchener | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Limited; most people drive |
| London to Cambridge | A little over 1 hour | None direct |
| St. Thomas to downtown Toronto | About 2 hours 20 minutes | None in St. Thomas; use VIA from London |
| St. Thomas to Kitchener | About 1 hour 20 minutes | None direct |
| St. Thomas to London | 20 to 30 minutes | None |
Rush hour changes everything. Heading into Toronto on a weekday morning, the last stretch through Mississauga and into the city can add an hour or more. Check the drive in Google Maps for the exact day and time you'd leave, not the middle of a Sunday.
Who does this commute work for?
- Remote workers who go in for a meeting now and then.
- Hybrid workers who go into Toronto once a week, or into KW two or three times a week.
- People who can work on the train. VIA's London to Toronto run gives you about two hours to work each way.
- Couples where one person works locally and the other works remotely.
It's much harder for anyone who has to be on site in Toronto five days a week. Five round trips of four to five hours each is a part-time job of its own.
Where should I live in London or St. Thomas to shorten the commute?
| If you'll be driving to | Live near | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto or Kitchener-Waterloo | South and east London: Lambeth, Summerside, Westmount, Argyle | On the 401 in minutes |
| Toronto by train | Central London: Old North, Wortley Village, downtown | Close to VIA's London station on York Street |
| London, from St. Thomas | North and northeast St. Thomas | Shortest run up to London |
| KW or Cambridge, from St. Thomas | St. Thomas near Highway 4 or Highway 3 | Quickest route up to the 401 |
From London's north end, like Hyde Park, Sunningdale or Masonville, it can take 20 minutes or more just to reach the 401. That's fine for a weekly trip, but it adds up if you're driving east three days a week.
What about winter driving?
The 401 between London and Woodstock is known for sudden snow squalls off Lake Huron, and closures happen a few times most winters. If you'll be driving to Toronto or KW from December to March, keep some flexibility to work from home on bad days, put winter tires on the car, and check the forecast and Ontario 511 before you leave.
Is the savings worth the commute?
For many people it is. In September 2026 the average home sold for $591,927 in London and $544,865 in St. Thomas, against $1,006,409 across the GTA, $646,426 in Kitchener and $775,276 in Waterloo. If you only go in once a week, a gap of $400,000 or more against the GTA can mean a much smaller mortgage or a much bigger house. If you'd be going in every day, the time cost is real, and a closer city may suit you better.
Price sources: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026; Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® September 2026 figures as reported by CTV Kitchener; LSTAR's September 2026 release. Each board measures prices its own way, so treat cross-board comparisons as broad, not exact. Drive times are off-peak estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from London to Toronto?
VIA Rail's faster trains take a little over 2 hours from London to Toronto's Union Station. Schedules change, so check VIA's current timetable for the trains that suit your day.
Can you commute from St. Thomas to Kitchener-Waterloo?
Yes, if it's a few days a week. It's about 1 hour 20 minutes each way off-peak, mostly on the 401. There's no direct train, so most people drive.
Is it better to live in London or St. Thomas if I work in Toronto?
London is slightly better for a Toronto commute, because you can take VIA from London's downtown station and the 401 is closer from most of the city. St. Thomas is cheaper on average and suits people who rarely need to be in Toronto.
