Personal Finance
Car vs Train Cost Calculator
Put weekly car costs against a rail ticket and see which is cheaper over a year.
Car or train for the commute?
Fuel is only part of motoring. If you ignore depreciation, parking and wear, the car looks cheaper than it is — bump the per-mile figure if you want a fuller cost. Season tickets should be entered as a weekly or monthly equivalent that matches how you travel, including railcards and employer loan schemes that change the cash you actually pay. This calculator lines car and train cash costs up for the same commute pattern so you can choose with fewer surprises. Time value — working on the train versus driving stress — sits outside the cash total but often decides the winner. Pair with commute cost and fuel cost, and sense-check job offers with effective hourly wage. Estimates only — not financial advice. Employer season-ticket loans and cycle-to-work schemes change the cash you enter; use the amount leaving your bank after those benefits. Reliability preferences still sit outside the total — decide them consciously.
Worked example
Drive 22 miles each way, 5 days a week, at 40p cash per mile including parking share: 44 × 0.40 × 5 = £88 per week. An annual rail season at £3,640 is about £70 per week over 52 weeks. The train wins on cash here unless the car figure omitted parking — add £8 a day city parking and the car jumps to £128 per week before wear.
Limits and assumptions
Reliability, weather and rail strikes are not priced. Company cars and salary-sacrifice motoring need their own tax treatment. Congestion and ULEZ charges belong only if you enter them. Not a green-travel grant calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What car costs should I include?
Fuel, parking, tolls and a wear or depreciation allowance if you want a fuller picture.
How do I enter a rail season ticket?
Divide the season price by the weeks or months it covers, then compare on the same period as the car.
Does time on the train count?
Not in the cash total. Many people value being able to work on the train — treat that as a separate factor.
What about hybrid office weeks?
Compare on the days you actually travel. A season ticket can lose value if attendance drops sharply.
Should I include insurance?
For a full motoring cost, spread annual insurance across commute miles; for a quick cash comparison, fuel and parking may be enough.