Public Transport

Getting around can be one of our biggest expenses, so it's definitely worth looking for ways to save money.

Most people just think of the cost of petrol and parking when they're driving. But when the car needs a service, a bank loan needs to be paid, the insurance bill arrives, or the registration is due, that's when we truly start to see how expensive it can be to drive. (And don't even get started on the cost of depreciation). If you can completely live without a car, you'll save a few thousand dollars a year – that's realistically enough for airfares to Europe.

But let's say you need a car for non-uni travel and you'll be incurring these ongoing costs anyway. What's the cost of just driving to uni?

The Public Transport Victoria website provides you with current fares to help you calculate your annual public transport costs.

Plan your savings

While there are many variables to consider, most students will save at least a few dollars a day by catching public transport. Think of it as a free coffee when you arrive at uni, or some handy savings that can really multiply throughout the year.

Another good thing about public transport is you'll know the cost for the rest of the year and be able to benefit from student concession rates. Drivers don't get any concessions unfortunately, and you're at the whim of daily price fluctuations when you fill up.

One of the main reasons people choose driving over public transport is because they believe it's quicker and frees up more time for other things.

While it's true that driving is faster some of the time, perception doesn't always match reality. During peak times public transport can be quite competitive. The only way you'll know for sure is to try a couple of different modes to see for yourself.

When you know how long your commute is, consider turning dead time into productive time. It's not normally a great idea to read a book or get online while you're driving, but studying is very easy when you're on public transport. Even if the tram or bus is a little bit slower than driving, weigh up the time you've saved by knocking off some research or reading while you're on the move, versus not being able to start studying until you get home.