Choosing how to get around directly affects the monthly budget. For those just starting out, the question is usually simple: what ends up being cheaper at the end of the month?
The answers below get straight to the point. No convoluted math — just the essentials to compare owning a car, ride-hailing apps, and public transport with a focus on your wallet.
What goes into the cost of owning a car?
It’s not just fuel. Car costs are spread throughout the month, even when the car is sitting still.
- Installment or savings for a cash purchase - Fuel - Preventive and corrective maintenance - Insurance - Vehicle tax and registration (spread over the month) - Parking, tolls, and occasional fines
A common trap is looking only at gas station spending. The heavier burden usually comes from fixed costs.
Are ride-hailing apps always cheaper?
Not necessarily. Apps trade fixed costs for variable costs.
- Advantage: you only pay when you use them - Disadvantage: surge pricing, fees, and frequent short trips
For light use at predictable times, they can be cost-effective. For long daily commutes, the monthly total grows quickly.
Public transport: when is the cost really low?
Public transport usually has the lowest direct cost, but it depends on three factors:
- Number of trips per month - Available integrations - Time lost (which also has economic value)
If the route requires multiple transfers or long waits, the “cheap” option can become expensive in other ways.
How many kilometers per month change the game?
Here’s a practical divider:
- Up to 300 km/month: apps or public transport tend to weigh less - Between 300 and 800 km/month: it depends on app fares and the car’s fixed costs - Above 800 km/month: owning a car starts to compete better on cost per km
It’s not a fixed rule, but it helps avoid unrealistic comparisons.
Invisible costs: where beginners most often go wrong
Some expenses slip through the cracks in comparisons:
- Recurring parking at work or home - “Cheap” app rides that turn into a daily habit - Small maintenance items ignored until they become big
A simple warning sign
If you don’t know how much you spent last month adding everything up, the comparison isn’t ready yet.
Is it worth mixing options?
In practice, many people save money by combining alternatives:
- Public transport for everyday use - Apps for critical times - Owning a car only when the routine requires it
This mix reduces fixed costs and adds flexibility without blowing the budget.
Which option best protects a beginner’s wallet?
For those just starting out:
- Tight budget and occasional use: public transport + apps - Predictable routine and heavy use: a well-planned owned car - Irregular use and variable schedules: apps, with monthly control
The best choice is the one you can predict and control. For your wallet, predictability is usually worth more than a sense of freedom.
Comments
Comments are public and the sole responsibility of the author. Don’t share personal data. We may store technical signals (e.g. IP hash) to reduce spam and remove abusive, illegal, or off-topic content.