How much does commuting cost per year in the UK?

It varies hugely. A season ticket into London runs £4,000–£6,500 a year; driving costs roughly 45p a mile (HMRC rate), so a 20-mile each-way car commute is around £4,500 a year. Because you pay for it out of taxed income, the pre-tax salary you need to cover it is even higher.

Is my commute like a pay cut?

Effectively, yes. Commute costs come out of your take-home pay, so to cover a £2,500 commute a basic-rate taxpayer needs to earn about £3,500 before tax — the tax and NI on that extra income is the hidden cost most people never count.

Commute cost · UK · 2026

What is your commute really costing you?

How much is my commute really costing me?

Your commute isn't just the ticket price — it's a slice of your life and a chunk of pay you never agreed to give up. Because you pay for it from taxed income, the real cost is the pre-tax salary you need just to cover it. Enter your commute below and see the true number, plus the hours a year it takes.

Verified 12 August 2026

Your route (or pick similar) Annual season ticket (£) — edit if you know yours

Days a week you commute 5 days Minutes each way (door to door) Your salary (for the pre-tax figure)

UK regulated rail fares are frozen until March 2027 (DfT). Driving costed at HMRC's approved mileage rate. Figures verified 7 August 2026. How we calculate.

Why your commute is really a pay cut

Here's the bit almost no one counts: you pay for your commute out of your take-home pay — money that's already been taxed. So the real question isn't "what does my season ticket cost", it's "how much do I have to earn, before tax, just to stand still after commuting?" For a higher-rate taxpayer, every £1 of commute cost needs nearly £2 of gross salary to cover it. That's the hidden number this tool shows you — and it's why a shorter commute, or a day working from home, is worth more than it looks.

What is your commute really costing you?

Why your commute is really a pay cut

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