Cities sell single tickets, day passes, weekly and monthly passes, and the best choice depends on how many rides you take. A day pass usually pays off from about three rides a day; a weekly pass from four or five days of regular travel.
How to use the Ticket Optimizer
- Trips per day
- Number of days
- Single ticket
- Day pass
- 7-day pass
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter how many trips you make per day, for how many days, and the prices of a single ticket, a day pass and a 7-day pass.
Tips
- Use your own measured figures – fuel economy, speed and prices vary a lot with driving style, traffic, load and season.
- Pick the unit in each field’s menu (miles or kilometres, mpg or L/100 km); the calculator converts everything for you.
- Fill up to the brim twice and divide the distance by the fuel added to measure real fuel economy.
- For vehicle modifications, treat results as a starting point and confirm with the parts maker or a professional mechanic.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing US and imperial (UK) gallons – a UK gallon is about 20% bigger.
- Using the advertised fuel economy instead of real-world figures.
- Forgetting tolls, parking and wear and tear when comparing driving with public transport.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Trips per day | A number |
| Number of days | A number |
| Single ticket | Amount in your currency |
| Day pass | Amount in your currency |
| 7-day pass | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Single tickets only = [Trips per day]×[Number of days]×[Single ticket]
- Day passes only = [Number of days]×min([Day pass], [Trips per day]×[Single ticket])
- Weekly passes + days = floor([Number of days]÷7)×[7-day pass] + min([7-day pass], mod([Number of days], 7)×min([Day pass], [Trips per day]×[Single ticket]))
- Cheapest option = min([Single tickets only], [Day passes only], [Weekly passes + days])
- Saving versus singles = [Single tickets only] – [Cheapest option]
Example values
How the main result changes when Trips per day changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Trips per day | Cheapest option |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | 42 |
| 2.25 | 48.9 |
| 3 | 51 |
| 3.75 | 51 |
| 4.5 | 51 |
| 6 | 51 |
Formula
Singles = trips per day × days × fareDay passes = days × day-pass priceWeekly + extra = full weeks × weekly price + cheapest way to cover the remaining daysCheapest = minimum of all optionsWorked example
Inputs — Trips per day: 3; Number of days: 10; Single ticket: $2.8; Day pass: $7; 7-day pass: $30.
Results — Single tickets only = $84.00; Day passes only = $70.00; Weekly passes + days = $51.00; Cheapest option = $51.00; Best choice = Weekly passes (plus day passes or singles); Saving versus singles = $33.00.
Frequently asked questions
When is a day pass worth it?
When the number of trips × the single fare exceeds the pass price – often from three rides a day.
Is a weekly pass worth it for 5 days?
Often yes, if you ride twice or more a day; the calculator compares all combinations.
Does this include transfers?
Enter your fares as you actually pay them, including any free transfer rules.
What formula does the Ticket Optimizer use?
Singles = trips per day × days × fare.