In an age of rising fuel prices, inflated travel fares, and increasing pressure on household budgets, one cost is often overlooked in workplace conversations: the cost of getting to work.
Whether it’s by train, bus, car, bicycle, or even on foot, the journey to and from work represents a daily expense that is shouldered primarily by workers themselves. While some employees may receive reimbursement for work-related travel during the working day, the routine commute — from home to the workplace and back again — is typically excluded from such compensation schemes.
How do UK workers commute?
Workers across the UK use a variety of transport methods to get to their jobs, influenced by geography, job role, personal preference, and affordability. These include:
- Train – Often used for long-distance or intercity commuting.
- Bus – A common option in urban and suburban areas.
- Car – Still the most common form of commuting, especially in rural regions.
- Bicycle – An eco-friendly and increasingly popular option, especially in cities.
- Walking – Viable for those living close to their workplace.
- Motorbike/scooter – An efficient alternative for quicker journeys in traffic-heavy cities.
- Tram/underground – Used predominantly in cities like Manchester, Nottingham, and London.
- Carpooling – Shared rides with colleagues or via organised schemes.
- Other methods – Including taxis, ride-hailing services, and personal electric vehicles (e-scooters, e-bikes).
Who pays for the commute?
In most cases, the financial burden of commuting falls on the employee, not the employer. This includes:
- Fuel and maintenance costs for drivers
- Bus and train fares for public transport users
- Parking charges, parking tickets and congestion fees
- Bicycle upkeep and accessories
- Time costs — longer commutes can impact work-life balance and personal well-being
A small proportion of workers benefit from travel schemes or subsidies, but these are generally limited to certain sectors or regions. Many public sector workers, for instance, have access to season ticket loans or bike-to-work schemes, but such provisions are not universal.
Why the cost matters
The increasing cost of getting to work is placing significant financial pressure on working people, particularly those on lower incomes or in part-time roles. In some cases, individuals are forced to turn down job opportunities simply because the commute is unaffordable.
With the current cost-of-living challenges, commuting costs are becoming a barrier to employment rather than a bridge. Workers in rural areas often have fewer transport options and can face much higher costs due to the lack of public transport and longer distances to job centres.
What can be done?
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are practical steps that workers can take to reduce the financial burden of commuting:
- Travel planning and budgeting tools – Use online resources to find the most cost-effective and efficient travel routes.
- Explore government schemes – Such as cycle-to-work programs, access to work, railcard discounts, or car share initiatives.
- Employer communication – Consider raising the issue with employers, especially if your role requires long commutes or travel to multiple sites.
- Remote and hybrid work arrangements – If possible, discuss flexible working options to reduce the number of commute days.
- Look for job roles closer to home – A shorter commute can reduce both stress and costs over the long term.
Useful resources for planning and cost-saving
To support workers in navigating the cost of their daily commute, here are some helpful external links:
- National Rail Journey Planner
- Traveline journey planner
- Transport for London
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Liftshare – carpooling platform
- MoneyHelper transport cost calculator
Looking forward
As the workplace continues to evolve, and as sustainability becomes an ever more urgent concern, commuting practices may shift. Yet, the underlying issue remains: many workers are still footing the bill just to show up at their job.
This quiet cost, though often overlooked, plays a major role in job satisfaction, financial wellbeing, and career choices. While there is no overnight fix, greater awareness and open discussion can begin to lay the foundations for more equitable and affordable commuting options.
