Transportation is a very significant expense for most people. Especially those who work far away. The purpose of this article is to understand how to save money with transportation. 😉
Recommended products
The financial objective of this article?
My goal with this article is not to impose a type of environmentally friendly transport on people.
Regarding this aspect, I leave it to people to decide what suits them. For this article, I focus primarily on the economic and practical aspects. 🧐
Therefore, we frugalists must analyze how to save money with transport?
Walk ?
Without surprise, The cheapest means of transport is on foot.
In addition, it is undoubtedly the best means of transport for your health 😊
I think that if the journey is less than 2.5 kilometers round trip per day, or about 1,000 km per year, the most sensible option is probably to use your legs 🚶♂️
By bike or scooter?
If we travel between 1,000 km and 2,000 km per year. That is to say, less than 6 km per day round trip.
I think the best choice is a bike or a scooter.
Nowadays, there are various options to make using scooters or bicycles more enjoyable.
I estimated the price at approximately 25 CHF per month.
Car the most expensive
The car is a very significant expense in the budget of an average citizen ⚠
According to the TCS website, a new car costs around 10,000 CHF per year for 15,000 kilometers, or about 833 CHF per month.
Consequently, this corresponds to approximately 15% of an average Swiss annual budget.
Fortunately not all cars spend this much !
If you own an economical car, it will will cost an average of 500 CHF per month including petrol. For 15,000 km traveled in 1 year.
Therefore, not counting fuel. This is around 315 CHF per month.
An economical alternative to the car: the scooter
You can quickly save hundreds of CHF per month by replacing a scooter with a car. Choosing a cheaper scooter can therefore save you thousands of CHF per year.
To understand if the scooter is the most efficient means of transport, in my opinion, we need to analyze the number of kilometers traveled per day.
I think a scooter is enough if you do less than 14 kilometers per day. Or 420 km per month.
To give you an idea, that corresponds to approximately 5,000 km per year.
To give an example, my girlfriend owns an economical scooter. She spends less than 500 CHF per year all included (if there are no major mechanical repairs). That is to say, his scooter costs him approximately 42 CHF per month.
In order to save money, We conduct the majority of the interviews ourselves.
Between 500 CHF per month for an economy car and 42 CHF for a scooter. The choice is easy 😉
Car, scooter or public transport?
In my personal opinion, a scooter is a good option for up to 5,000 km per year. After that, a car or public transport is preferable.
It is interesting to know that according to the site the new factory1. Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe for public transport. With an average of 47.44 euros per 100 kilometers.
Price Car VS Public Transport ?
It is important to analyze the public transport network before choosing between your car and this mode of transport, as opportunities vary depending on where you live.
If the train network is well developed, then we are interested in the price.
I made price estimates based on research on:
- The CFF price
- The average cost of a fuel-efficient car
- The average price of gasoline
These are not exact numbers, but just an estimate to understand the price differences.
| mileage per year | Frugal car (1 person) | Frugal car (at 2) | Train for 1 person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 kilometers | 315 CHF X 12 = 3,780.- 650 CHF petrol = 4,445 CHF | 2,222 CHF | 1,080 CHF (Nyon-Bursinel subscription) |
| 10,000 kilometers | 5,200 CHF | 2,600 CHF | 1,640 CHF (CFF Nyon -Allaman subscription) |
| 20,000 kilometers | 6,600 CHF | 3,300 CHF | 2,560 CHF (Nyon-Lausanne subscription) |
For one person, public transport is cheaper than a car.
Car sharing for 2 people or public transport?
👉 uAn interesting question arises. If a car is shared between two people, the price variation may be less significant, or even less expensive than public transport.
| kilometers per year | Shared fuel-efficient car for 2 (price per person) | Train price for 1 person |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 kilometers | 2,222 CHF | 2,160 CHF (Nyon-Bursinel subscription) |
| 10,000 kilometers | 2,600 CHF | 3,280 CHF (SBB/CFF Nyon-Allaman season ticket) |
| 20,000 kilometers | 3,300 CHF | 5,120 CHF (SBB/CFF Nyon-Lausanne season ticket) |
According to my research, A car shared by 2 people is more economical than a train pass per person, for a journey of more than 6,000 kilometers per year.
Conclusion
To conclude, here is what I recommend based on the number of kilometers traveled per year. If your goal is to understand how to save money with transportation?
| Kilometers per year | Means of transport | Average price per month per person |
| Less than 1,000 km | Walk | 0 CHF |
| Between 1,000 and 2,000 km | Scooter or Bike | 25 CHF |
| Between 2,000 and 5,000 km | Scooter | 40 CHF |
| More than 5,000 km | Public transport or frugal car shared by 2 people | More than 180 CHF |
In conclusion, what do you think of this article. How to save on transport?
FAQ – How to save money on transportation?
How to save money on transport in Switzerland?
To save money on transportation in Switzerland, it's advisable to choose the mode of transport best suited to the distance traveled. Walking, cycling, using a scooter, or a moped can often save you several thousand francs per year compared to driving.
What is the cheapest means of transport in Switzerland?
Walking is the cheapest mode of transport in Switzerland. It generates no direct costs and also improves physical fitness.
Does cycling save money on transportation?
Yes. Cycling is one of the most economical means of transport. Its operating costs are very low and it often allows you to replace a car for daily journeys of a few kilometers.
Scooter or car: which is the most economical solution?
For someone who travels less than 5,000 kilometers per year, a scooter is generally much more economical than a car. Insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs are significantly lower.
How much does a car really cost in Switzerland?
The real cost of a car in Switzerland can exceed 5,000 to 10,000 CHF per year when you add insurance, taxes, maintenance, repairs, fuel and vehicle depreciation.
Is public transport cheaper than a car?
For a single person, public transport is often cheaper than a car. However, a car shared between two people can sometimes be more financially advantageous.
How to reduce your transport budget in Switzerland?
To reduce your transportation budget, you can:
- walk more; ;
- use a bicycle or a scooter; ;
- choose an economical scooter; ;
- carpooling; ;
- compare regularly the actual cost of each solution.
What is the best means of transport for a frugal person?
The best mode of transport for a frugal person depends on the annual mileage. For short distances, walking and cycling are ideal. For medium distances, a scooter is often the most cost-effective solution.
Can one achieve financial independence more quickly by reducing transportation costs?
Yes. Reducing your transportation expenses allows you to increase your savings rate. The money saved can then be invested to accelerate wealth building and achieve financial independence.
Which means of transport should be chosen depending on the number of kilometers travelled?
- Less than 1,000 km per year: walking
- Between 1,000 and 2,000 km: bicycle or scooter
- Between 2,000 and 5,000 km: scooter
- Over 5,000 km: public transport or car sharing
How to save with transport?
Subscribe for the latest news ✍
You have a frugalist or minimalist project and you want a training? Click ”here”.
My pages
- About me
- Saving / Frugalism
- Blog
- Shop
- Contact
- Training and E-book
- Invest
- Minimalism
- My account
- Newsletter
- Basket
- Order confirmation
Lastest Post
- The 5 mistakes to avoid when starting out in the stock market
- How to invest in the stock market? The complete 7-step guide for beginners
- How does Inflation affect your wealth?
- How many years to achieve financial freedom?
- The 4% rule: The golden rule for financial independence
How does this blog live?
Overall, this blog lives on sharing a frugal and minimalist lifestyle.
For a question of transparency towards the readers. All recommended products are in order to make life cheaper, simpler and to promote the essentials.
Basically, my only income with this blog comes:
- Trainings that I realize
- Promo codes for the products I use
- Donations that readers make in exchange for neutral information.
About me
I decided to create this blog to develop and help readers who are looking for a simpler and more economical life.
Compared to before, I was a person who consumed a lot until the day I realized that my consumption made me sadder and poorer 😑
Now I prefer the minimum of my needs to be happy and achieve my financial freedom.
Without realizingI started to focus on saving and investing to depend on a boss for as little time as possible and to speed up my personal projects.
As a result, I am getting richer in a way that I never imagined since I have an average salary in Switzerland.
What is the purpose of this blog?
The goal is to share and learn with others who seek freedom and simplicity 😉
Are you rather minimalist or frugal Jonny?
I am as minimalist as I am frugalist. However, there are situations where I lean more towards an art of life.
To conclude, I think the most important thing is to feel comfortable in your lifestyle 😊
How to save with transport?
Leave a Reply