Transport: Crosslight’s money-saving tips
If you live in one of the London boroughs, you can apply for a JobCentre Plus travel discount card from TFL if you’re claiming certain benefits (including Universal Credit) – this also gives you 50% off bus and tram fares, and it’s free to apply.
Consider purchasing a railcard if you are likely to make two or more longer rail journeys per year – the cards can pay for themselves over one or two journeys for more expensive trips. There are many different types, from young persons to two people travelling together
Check out fare-splitting tools and tips for cheap rail travel to pay less for train tickets.
Purchase train tickets online (e.g. trainline.com or the rail company’s own site) rather than using a machine at the station wherever possible – it is often significantly cheaper to do this as the full range of tickets are not available via ticket machines. See this article by Which for further details.
Consider joining a car club instead of owning one: try Zipcar, Enterprise Car Club, or Europcar, all of which let you hire cars by the hour or the day.
Car-pooling is another option - companies like BlaBlaCar and LiftShare connect those who need a lift with those who have space in their car - it’s good for the environment and for your pocket too! Take care when car-pooling and ensure the service you choose carries out user vetting.
Try www.petrolprices.com to find the cheapest petrol / diesel in your area, which can change regularly.
Make use of fuel loyalty cards or supermarket schemes to bring down the price of filling up - most petrol station chains offer a scheme which allows you to exchange points for reduced-price fuel. In addition, big supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsburys often have money-off schemes for shoppers, either through collecting loyalty points, or by offering a discount on petrol when a certain amount is spent in-store.
As an alternative, consider walking, cycling or using public transport instead of driving - Google maps will show you routes by alternative means of transport so you can compare your options; bike-hire schemes also exist in lots of larger towns to make cycling an affordable option.