How this calculator works
Car cost includes return mileage fuel, parking and any other daily expenses you choose. Rail cost uses the return fare for every traveller plus group extras. Multiplying by the number of travel days produces an annual comparison.
Public transport can have season-ticket or railcard discounts; enter the effective return fare you actually expect to pay. If keeping a car for this journey is optional, ownership costs may also matter.
Common questions
Should I include road tax and insurance?
Only if they change with the transport choice. For a true car-versus-no-car decision, include ownership costs in the car running-costs tool too.
What if my train ticket is a monthly pass?
Divide the pass cost by the days you expect to travel and use the resulting figure as your daily return fare.