Compare the same period
Choose a normal month and list how many days you actually travel. A five-day commuting assumption may not fit your schedule. Include return journeys and any regular detours. Use your own recent fares, receipts and distance estimates, then keep the same period for every option.
Separate fixed and trip costs
Fuel and parking may change with each journey. Insurance, vehicle ownership and some maintenance costs may continue even if you travel less. A monthly public transport pass is different from paying for each trip. Separating these makes it easier to see which savings are possible now and which depend on a bigger change.
Include the imperfect days
A realistic cycling budget might include occasional public transport. A train commute might sometimes need a taxi. Account for the combinations you would actually use, and avoid assuming that one mode needs to replace every journey. Reliability, accessibility and carrying needs matter alongside the total.
Treat a calculation as a starting point
Our journey calculator compares simple monthly budgets using the numbers you enter. Its example values are not market averages or a quote. Use it to identify the questions worth checking, then replace the assumptions with your own costs. A lower price is only useful if the journey fits your life.
Compare realistic monthly budgets, including the days when your first choice is not available.Try the journey calculator Read about our editorial approach
