I have spent years commuting by train and some walking, in total 2 hours a day. Fine enough when I could sit and read a book, but I have experienced so many hours delay that I either lost my own time (in the afternoon) or had to work longer (when delayed on my way to work). After many years, my train commute increase by an unnecessary 50% and that was my main motivation for finding a job with a shorter commute.
Now I work outside the city and commute by car. Commuting by car gives me a bad conscience for environmental reasons. The practical thing is that you can easily shop your groceries on the way home, or pickup something. But it still doesn't feel like my own time until I arrive home. Sometimes I brisk walk to work, which is a long walk, but it feels more like my own time, because I get exercise and can listen to podcasts. But it is time more time consuming than driving.
I can recommend working a reduced number of days, which gives a better balance between commuting time and free time.
Also working (some days) from home should be a good bargain.
