There’s no getting around the fact that living in London is expensive. If you work in the Big Smoke, commuting is probably one of your biggest monthly outgoings. Whether you take the train, tube or drive, there’s sure to be a way for you to save money. Here are our top travelling tips for the London commuter.
Pay annually
Paying for your travel pass annually rather than monthly doesn’t just save you the hassle of regular renewals, it can also save you hundreds of pounds, especially if you’re travelling into London from another city. The Guardian calculated that buying an annual rather than monthly ticket from Colchester to London saves around £749.20. Imagine what you could do with that extra money!
If you struggle to find the funds for a yearly pass upfront, check to see whether your employer offers an interest-free season ticket loan. They’ll fund your pass, and you’ll pay the cost back automatically from your wages every month. It’s a stress-free and simple way to pay for your transport without incurring any extra fees. If they don’t, you may be able to participate in a scheme like Commuter Club to get the benefit of an annual ticket while paying monthly.
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Daily caps
When travelling in central London, you’ll most likely need to use a bus or tube at some point. The best ways to pay for your travel are either by using a travelcard, Oyster card or a contactless debit/credit card. However, the price you pay varies depending on the type of transport you use, and how you pay for it.
On buses, if you pay for your fares using an Oyster or contactless card, then TfL apply a daily cost cap of £4.50 per day, and once you hit it, you won’t be charged any more. If you buy a daily bus or tram pass as a paper ticket, however, it’ll cost you £5.00 a day. This might not sound like a big difference, but if you travel every weekday, it’s £2.50 a week or £10 a month that’s better in your pocket!
If you’re using the tube or a mixture of methods of transport, using a pay as you go Oyster card or contactless card will cap at £12 per day (zones 1-6). This is irrespective of how many trips you make and how many times you switch between the tube, the overground, some trains, and the bus. Daily capping is a lot cheaper than buying a daily anytime travel pass which will cost £17.50, and if you only travel Monday to Friday, is also cheaper than a 7-day travelcard or Contactless cap. If you use London’s public transport at weekends, too, then a monthly travelcard could work out at even better value than pay as you go or contactless payments.
Share the load
If you work in a location that is not easily accessed by public transport, you may need to drive. Parking, congestion charges, insurance and fuel all add up and can end up costing a small fortune over the course of a month.
Car sharing is one way of sharing the cost, stress and workload of driving through London. Sites like Liftshare are fantastic for matching drivers with potential new passengers. If you aren’t keen on sharing with a stranger, speak to work colleagues and arrange a car share with them. It’s sociable, and reduces pollution, stress and costs!
Read more: 20 Stress-Free Ways To Save Money In Your Home
Save time
As the old saying goes, time is money. Travelling on the tube during rush hour can be hectic, but you can shave minutes off your journey time by using apps to help you along the way.
The Citymapper app is a must-have for anyone living or working in London. It gives real-time updates of disruptions, delays and issues on all transport networks, meaning you can plan your route and check train times without hassle.
If you’re running late and can’t miss that meeting, the Tube Exits app will let you know which carriage to ride in to make a swift exit from the station. It also has hints for exits that plonk you right by famous landmarks and buildings, so it’s handy to have for the weekends too!
We hope this helps make your commute that little bit easier!
