Let’s face it, commuting in Manchester isn’t exactly a thrill ride. Whether you’re crawling through city traffic on the M60 or wedged into a tram with fifty other damp souls, it’s easy to treat that time as a mental grey zone. Here are 11 ways to turn Manchester commutes into something more than just mileage.
Flip through a magazine
Sometimes your brain’s just not in the mood for another deep-dive productivity podcast. No problem. Grab a print or digital magazine on something you’re actually into, design, cars, Premier League gossip, heck, even estate agent brochures if that’s your thing.
Apps like Readly or Pocketmags serve up buffet-style reading without weighing down your bag. Bonus? Printed mags are tram-friendly, zero signal needed when the service drops out past Cornbrook.
Play the latest online slots
Okay, bear with me, this isn’t about losing your lunch money. Online slots have moved on from cliché fruit machines into slick, themed games packed with strategy and surprise twists.
Sites like ukslotsnotongamstop.com offer a curated collection that isn’t limited by tiresome restrictions, which means smoother play and fresh bonuses. Whether it’s Viking quests or neon cyber reels you’re into, it’s a tactile way to wind down, just set a cap and stick to it.
Dive into a podcast
Not news, you’ve probably got at least two podcasters talking in your ear already. But whether you’re chasing market trends or murder mysteries, that 40-minute window is golden headset time.
The trick? Download episodes offline, Manchester’s train tunnels love killing your reception at the worst possible moment.
Challenge your brain with puzzles
If you’re doing the same Wordle and Sudoku every morning, let’s upgrade. Apps like Peak, Elevate, or even classic crossword PDFs can give your brain a proper stretch without needing full-throttle concentration.
Move your body while commuting
If you’re biking along the Ashton Canal towpath or walking from Piccadilly to Deansgate, congrats, you’re already halfway there.
Even if you’re stuck on the tram, a little seated mobility goes a long way:
- Roll your shoulders every Red Bank signal hold-up.
- Flex those ankles between Victoria and Salford Central.
- Pull in your core while standing and work on that stability.
You may not walk off the train shredded, but you will feel more alive than the guy camped by the doors with dead eyes and a Greggs bag.
Take in your surroundings
Manchester’s walls tell stories. Literally. Between the Outhouse graffiti near Stevenson Square and striking civic buildings like Manchester Central Library, there’s detail everywhere, if you clock it.
Next time you’re not buried in your phone, actually look around. Start recognising regulars on your route. Notice the color palettes of buildings through the fog. It’s surprising how a bit of “urban mindfulness” wipes out commuter fatigue.
Enjoy an engaging audiobook
While podcasts are snack-sized, audiobooks let you sink in. Ideal for those longer Northern Rail stretches where you’ve resigned yourself to delays without explanation.
Here’s my rule: rotate between one “learning” book and one totally indulgent story. Atomic Habits followed by a gritty Jack Reacher novel? That’ll do.
Explore recipes and prep your meals
Set up a shared shopping list on Google Keep or Bring with your partner or housemates. By the time you’re off at Exchange Square, you might have cracked dinner, or at least remembered to buy garlic.
If you’re leaning towards spicing things up (literally), cryptos like Bitcoin might eventually integrate with recipe apps for tipping chefs, though that dream’s tangled in regulation. According to a recent EU markets report, there’s still stormy water ahead for widespread adoption.
Start a creative hobby
Digital notepads like Craft or GoodNotes make handwriting on iPads super intuitive. Hate digital? Keep a pocket-sized Field Notes notebook and scrawl away.
Choose the perfect commuter bag
Yes, really. The wrong bag turns even short treks into shoulder-crumbling slogs. You want something waterproof (hello, Manchester drizzle), laptop-safe, with enough pockets to avoid detangling charger snakes at platform 3.
Brands like Bellroy, Rains, or Eastpak balance function with looks. And don’t sleep on the side benefit: When your load’s comfortable, your whole commute lifts with it.
Pick up a new language
You’ve probably fantasised about learning Spanish or brushing up on your French every time you binge on Euro dramas on Netflix. Good news, train rides and traffic jams are prime language primer time.
Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are a fine place to start.
Let’s wrap this up
Your commute doesn’t have to be dead time. It can be yours, disguised as choiceless routine, but holding tiny pockets for learning, laughing, growing, even winning (we see you, slots grinders).
Even if it’s just five new phrases or one solved puzzle, stack enough of those and you’re not just moving through the day, you’re leveling up inside it.
So next time your Metrolink’s late or a downpour locks you into your car, give one of these a real go.
