10 Best Podcasts for Your Commute in 2026

Whether you're on the train, driving, or walking to work, podcasts turn dead time into the best part of your day. Here are 10 shows that make any commute fly by.

Waking up with a podcast on iOS

Podcast Alarm is a fully featured podcast player and alarm. You can set up queues of your favourite episodes and listen to them whenever you like. Why not subscribe to your favourite podcast and have the latest episode wake you up every weekday morning. There are lots of screenshots and videos in our "How to set a podcast as an alarm on iphone?" blog post.

Short Commute (Under 30 Minutes)

1. The Daily — New York Times

A 20-minute deep dive into one story that matters, released every weekday morning. Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise, it's the perfect length for a short commute and keeps you informed without the overwhelm of a full news cycle.

2. Up First — NPR

Just 10 minutes every morning covering the three biggest stories of the day. If your commute is short, this is all you need to stay on top of the news.

3. 6 Minute English — BBC

Learn something new in just six minutes. The BBC World Service covers a different topic each episode with clear, engaging explanations. Great for language learners too.

Medium Commute (30–45 Minutes)

4. Freakonomics Radio

Stephen Dubner explores the hidden side of everything using economics and data. Episodes run around 40 minutes and cover everything from why people cheat to how to be more productive. You'll arrive at work with a new perspective.

5. SmartLess

Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes interview a surprise celebrity guest each week. It's funny, it's warm, and at 40–50 minutes it fits a medium commute perfectly.

6. Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Conan's natural curiosity and self-deprecating humour make this one of the most genuinely funny interview podcasts around. Episodes run about 50 minutes of pure entertainment.

Long Commute (1 Hour+)

7. Serial

The podcast that started the true crime boom. Each season investigates a single story over multiple episodes. Once you start, your commute won't feel long enough.

8. Huberman Lab

Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman goes deep on health, sleep, focus, and performance. Episodes run 1–2 hours and are packed with actionable advice. Perfect for a long drive.

9. The Rest Is History

Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook make history genuinely entertaining. Multi-part series on everything from the Roman Empire to the Cold War, with episodes running around 50 minutes each.

10. Diary of a CEO — Steven Bartlett

Long-form interviews with entrepreneurs, scientists, and cultural figures. Steven Bartlett gets guests to open up in ways other interviewers don't. Episodes run 1–2 hours and are consistently excellent.

Make your commute even better

With Podcast Alarm, you can set your favourite commute podcast as your morning alarm. Wake up to the latest episode, then carry on listening as you head to work.