Put simply, the price of getting from A to B has rocketed in recent years. For drivers this is in part due to rising fuel costs, but there’s also the cost of insurance and tax to consider. Even the cost of getting the bus seems to be swelling at an alarming rate and if you want to get the train long distance last minute, you should probably forget about it unless you have deep pockets. Unfortunately, getting from one place to another isn’t always an option, so we’ve put together three top ways to reduce your travelling costs

Down or upgrade your car

Swapping your new car for a smaller second hand model should bring down your fuel consumption and your insurance, but it’s not necessarily the best option for your pocket or the environment in the long term. In fact, those who purchase some of the latest small size cars are rewarded with low or no road tax to pay because of their low emissions. Of course, these models also require less fuel, meaning you should have more spare cash in your pocket.

Try a scooter

Although motorbikes can use less fuel than cars they can still be expensive to run – particularly if they have big engines and high insurance rates. If you want the freedom and (some of) the mobility of a bike, why not try a scooter instead? Far cheaper to run than cars and cheaper insurance to boot (though of course you’ll have no boot).

Sign up for train ticket release emails

When it comes to long distance travel, good planning pays. There are several sites including thetrainline and eastcoast that allow you to register for email alerts that notify you when cheap fares for future travel dates come available. If you have weddings in faraway places to attend or an airport at the other side of the country to get to – these are great tools.