Literature review on the links between commuting and subjective well-being

Commuting plays an important role in the daily lives of working individuals and affects multiple dimensions of subjective well-being. This article explores the relationship between key commuting characteristics such as duration, mode, and distance and the cognitive, affective, and eudaimonic components of well-being. The existing literature on the relationship between commuting and subjective well-being indicates that long commutes are generally associated with lower life satisfaction due to stress, fatigue, and reduced free time.The mode of transport also influences the commuting experience. Many studies have found that active modes (walking, cycling) are often perceived positively due to their health benefits, while public transport is frequently associated with lower satisfaction levels due to delays and congestion. Satisfaction with public transportation mainly depends on frequency, comfort, and service regularity. Finally, improving transport infrastructure and services could mitigate the negative effects of commuting and promote higher subjective well-being.