Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport?

It depends on your distance, fuel use, parking and the fares. Driving costs fuel, parking and a share of running costs, while public transport is the fare. This calculator compares them for your commute.

What costs should I count for driving?

At least fuel and parking. For a fuller picture, add a share of running costs like maintenance and depreciation, since more driving wears the car faster.

Why compare commute costs?

Commuting is a regular cost that adds up over a year. Seeing the difference can reveal a meaningful saving from switching, or confirm that driving suits you.

Petrol vs Public Transport Calculator

This New Zealand calculator compares the cost of driving to work against public transport, including fuel, parking and the share of running costs versus fares. You enter your commute, and it shows which is cheaper and the annual saving, helping you weigh a genuine cost difference many never calculate.

Round-trip distance (km/day)

Commuting days per week

Driving

Fuel use (L/100km)

Fuel price ($/L)

Parking ($/day)

Public transport fare ($/day return)

cheaper commute, per year

Driving$0

Public transport$0

Annual saving$0

Driving here counts fuel and parking; adding wear and depreciation would make driving dearer still, since more driving wears the car faster. Prices and fares change, so use current figures. Estimate only.

How it works

The calculator works out your annual commuting days, then the driving cost as the fuel for the distance plus parking, and the public transport cost as the fare, both across the year. Comparing the two shows which is cheaper and by how much. Driving also wears the car and uses depreciation, so the true driving cost is a little higher than fuel and parking alone.

Worked example

A 40 km round trip 5 days a week is about 10,400 km a year. At 8 litres per 100 km and $2.80 a litre that is roughly $2,330 of fuel, plus parking. Public transport at $9 a day return is about $2,340 a year, so the two are close here, and adding car wear would tip it toward public transport.

Related calculators

Fuel Cost Calculator: fuel for a trip.
Vehicle Running Cost Calculator: full running cost.
Carpooling Savings Calculator: share a commute.
EV vs Petrol Calculator: compare fuel types.

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