How to save money on your commute

The dreaded commute. Something that many people have been able to forget all about during the pandemic. New plans have now been set out for ‘Living with COVID’. This means the return to office work is on the horizon for many employees across the United Kingdom.

According to the latest data available, the average commute time for UK workers is 28 minutes and adapting to this new schedule may be difficult for many.

As well as the time consideration, commuting should also feature in your monthly budgets, whatever method of transport you use. Make budgeting your commute easier with money-saving advice for greater peace of mind. Here are some of our top tips for saving money on your commute.

Getting the bus

Plan your bus journeys in advance by purchasing weekly, monthly and annual tickets. These can be purchased on an app and will offer savings on your travel.

If you prefer to buy your tickets on the day, however, why not get off the bus earlier and walk the rest of your commute. The shorter journey on the bus should cut the cost of your ticket.

Driving

Whilst this is the most convenient mode of transport, it can come with some high costs. To subsidise the costs, try carpooling with your colleagues. This way you can split the price of fuel when making the same journey.

With the recent hike in fuel prices, however, avoiding the car might be the best plan.

Train

There are many money-saving schemes for train travel. For just £30, you can purchase a Railcard and save 1/3 on your travel fares. You can also travel off-peak and avoid the busier travel times whilst saving money on your train tickets.

Travelling abroad

Some commutes are international. These flight tickets can be extremely expensive. Before booking your tickets, see if your business will cover the payments.  

To find the cheapest tickets, use websites like Skyscanner. Utilise this site to compare the prices of flights and save money on your travel.

Taxi

Whether you’re getting a taxi or an Uber, ensure you aren’t travelling in times when the prices have surged.  This way, you’ll enjoy the same journey for a lower price.

One other tip for saving money is by walking some of the journey yourself. Taxi prices increase with distance. Decide how far you’re willing to walk and save money on your taxi fare.

Don’t let your commute take over your life. Follow these tips and learn how to budget for greater financial freedom and peace of mind.