We all need to be able to get around, whether you have to commute to work, get the kids to school, or go shopping. You might drive, or you might rely on public transport, cycling, or taxis to get you where you need to be.
However you get around, it can be expensive to pay for the transport that you need. Fortunately, you can save money on your transport costs so that you can get where you’re going at a lower cost. There are methods that you can use to save on running your car, taking trains or buses, and more.
Reduce Your Car Running Costs
Owning a car can be very expensive, but it’s essential for many people. Unless you live somewhere with good public transport, you may need to drive to get around.
Reducing your car’s running costs can really help you to bring down how much you spend on transport. Car insurance is often one of the highest costs.
You can also save money on your MOT by looking for half-price deals that are even better than the legally-mandated maximum price. Take good care of your car to avoid expensive repairs too.
Look at Cards, Passes and Other Discounts
If you use public transport often, you can often save money by getting special cards, passes or tickets. A season ticket might save you money on your regular commute or journey.
Some cards will allow you to get money off all of your travel or help you save when you’re travelling with others. You might be eligible for a 16-25 railcard, which you can also get as a mature student. There are also 26-30 railcards, family and friends, senior railcards, “two together” cards for those travelling in pairs, disabled person railcards, and more.
Travel at Quiet Times
Transport of any kind is likely to cost you more when it’s busy. When you use public transport, you can save by travelling during off-peak times. This can be a little tough if you work a 9 to 5 job unless you want to get to the office early. However, it can help you save if you work outside these hours and when travelling on the weekends. If you drive, busier roads mean more time driving, using up more fuel. If you’re able to travel at quieter times, you could save some money.
Walk or Cycle
Walking is a completely free method of getting from A to B. While it’s not completely free, cycling is fairly low-cost too. If you want to save some money, walking and cycling as much as you can is a lot cheaper than driving or using public transport. It also has the bonus of helping you to keep fit too. You might not be able to get everywhere on foot or bike, but it can allow you to make short or even longer journeys.
You can save a lot of money on your transport. No matter how you get around, there are ways to save.