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SAVING MONEY ON TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

Transport is getting from A to B for work and pleasure and offers a variety of ways to save money.

Walking

• this method is good for your health and cannot get much cheaper, maybe we use (and pay for) other forms of travel when with a little thought we could walk. Starting a car for a short trip especially in winter burns a lot of fuel just getting warm, by which time you are probably at your destination. With traffic congestion your could have walked quicker. Use a car where the majority of its time it is running at its' normal operating temp.

Cycling

• a lot of people cycle to railway stations and take their cycle to their destination where they ride to their office or factory.
• the exercise and fresh air is good for you and its quicker than walking.
• you can get electric boosters to help for long trips and up hills, of course "motor" cycles with more power. They represent a low cost mode of travel, but of course are a one person transport unit.

Cars and Autos

• private of business - if you have a job with a car you may be able to have use of this personally and is a great money saver over owning your own. If you have a chance of a job with a car, or allowance weigh up the cost benefits which often save you on tax too.
• owing a business - chances are you can own or lease a vehicle for business use, and use it personally so take full advantage after chatting with your accountant. You may be taxed on some benefits but this still works out cheaper than running a vehicle personally.
• owing a vehicle - next to your home the most expensive personal asset is your vehicle, and due to it's value as a status symbol many drivers own and run one more costly than they really need. Consider a smaller model (cheaper to run) or an older model.
• car sharing - buddying up with one or more pals to travel to work and share costs can avoid one or more sides having a vehicle at all, and save on fuel. Alternate as to who drives, day by day or each week. You can accept payments from non vehicle owning passengers towards the cost of running your vehicle tax free, but check local tax rules.
• alternative modes - for short trips, bus, or even walking could be better, saving on time and fuel. For long trips with just a driver often the train can win the costs stakes. Cars win for long trips carrying 2 or more people where there is luggage too.
• when to change - a vehicle that is getting old and unreliable can be costing a fortune in repairs plus lost time, who knows. Cost the vehicle on a per month or year basis including servicing and repairs and test against a newer vehicle on finance, the figures often make trading up a realistic and cheaper option.
• running costs - tried DIY for servicing? check around for rates for repairs and routine check ups, small firms are cheaper and often give a better service. Check out fuel comparison sites like (UK) www.petrolprices.com and (Australia) www.motormouth.com.au or search for "fuel prices" with Google or Yahoo.
• hire - for extra long and special trips it can sometimes save money by hiring rather than driving yourself. If you have a battered, cheap "gas guzzler" for local use, a diesel compact car can be a lot cheaper plus you get the use of a vehicle usually less than a year old. Great for impressing family and friends and a great moral buster too. Look for special weekend and last minute booking deal. Ring several hire firms for prices.
• useful tips to save on costs;
  • use air-conditioning sparingly it is a big fuel consumer in use.
  • avoid sharp acceleration and heavy breaking
  • stick to speed limits - doing 80mph uses at least 10% more fuel than doing 70mph.
  • if you get stuck in gridlocked traffic and are not moving turnoff your engine.
  • watch engine revs, move up a gear at 2,500 with petrol or 2,000 with diesel, over revving or labouring in too low a gear is wasteful.
  • check tyre pressures - you can add 3% to fuel costs is tyres are under inflated.
  • remove a roof rack when not being used the drag it produces burns extra fuel dramatically.

Coach Travel

• amazingly cheap for long distance travel but the time scale tends to be long as many destinations are visited on route. Intercity direct routes are usually faster.
• for younger people, families and the elderly special discounts or one off deals are often available contact the service to check availability.
• look out for special seasonal or day of the week travel which can also save money, especially if you have no fixed time scale for your trip.
• coach travel is sometimes included in holiday and vacation breaks making a deal even more attractive.

Train Travel

• train travel offers a low cost and fast way of getting across country but is costly for a party of people.
• special saver discounts off peak and for children and the elderly are available to reduce costs.
• some holiday and vacations can INCLUDE free or discounted rail fares proving a useful way of saving money on a break.

Air Travel

• for longer distances across country, states or internationally the cost per mile takes some beating, and pricing is highly competitive between airlines of popular routes.
• to save money on flights the cheapest route is to arrive at the airport, passport in hand and buy a ticket last minute at a bargain price. There is no guarantee any ticket will be on offer for the destination you seek.
• most airlines cost at less than 100% occupancy so some spare spaces are usually available at a reduced rate to the normal scheduled price you would pay by booking early.
• last minute deals booked via a travel agent or online a few days before departure can still show big savings and guarantee both the saving and the seat, and are potentially less risky than the above option.
• for deals search using Google of Yahoo for "last minute air travel". Include the from x to y options also.

Please feel free to Contact Us with questions or to give us information to add to our knowledge base.