As the cost of living crisis continues to soar, increasing amounts of people can’t afford to own a car or tackle other costly expenses. While car ownership is a prominent part of daily life for many UK citizens, its significant costs are just not realistic for some.

While you can get the initial cost of the car out the way, many choose to finance and pay the car off in monthly instalments. Alongside this, the cost of fuel, insurance and maintenance soon adds up.

But there are so many alternatives to owning a car that can help you save money and get you to your destinations with ease. In this article, we’ll be exploring these alternatives to help make your life a little more affordable.

Public transport

While this may be obvious, public transport is so convenient, especially if you live in high-density areas. If you can rely on trains, buses, or the metro to get you around, then using public transport over a car is a no-brainer.

Despite the rising costs of train tickets and other travel expenses, there are ways to reduce the cost of your journeys. You can do this by paying for your tickets in advance, investing in a Railcard, or purchasing season tickets to benefit from cheaper fares on frequent travel.

Borrow from family and friends

If you don’t have a car, you could consider borrowing from your friends and family if required. This could come in handy if you’re a student living away at university, as you may need to borrow a parent’s car to help you get around while you’re home for the holidays.

Similarly, your group of friends might not use cars frequently. But, if one of your friends owns a car, they may let you borrow it as a one-off if you need it. It’s easy to take out one-day car insurance for peace of mind while you use the car for the day.

You can also put additional named drivers on insurance policies which can come in handy if you live with someone who already owns a car.

Car clubs

You could consider joining a car club, which offers you instant access to cars in and around your area. You don’t need to own a car – just sign up for an annual membership and only pay as you drive.

These are best suited to those who don’t need to drive very often, but might still need access to a car for those longer journeys. Club cars are typically newer than the average UK car, meaning they’re comfortable and safe to drive and use less carbon dioxide.

Walk or cycle

Walking is a great way to stay fit and it’s free! If you live within easy reach of your workplace, local amenities, and family and friends, walking to your destination is the best solution.

Cycling is incredibly popular and will keep you physically active. You can easily avoid traffic jams and you won’t be contributing to any harmful emissions. Cycling offers an excellent way to get around and you’ll be doing your bit for the planet, too.