How the car vs e-hailing vs taxi cost comparison works
Last updated 10 November 2026
Owning a car feels cheaper because the cost is spread over many things. Setting it against the fares you would pay instead shows the real difference.
How it works
- Monthly cost = fixed cost + cost per km times distance times trips + cost per trip times trips.
- The totals grow each year by the increase you enter.
Worked example
With the starting figures:
- The cheapest in the example is Train or bus pass over the period.
- Monthly costs: Own car R 6 662, E-hailing R 5 412, Minibus taxi R 1 232, Train or bus pass R 650.
The true cost of getting around
Owning a car feels cheaper than it is, because the cost is spread over many bills: the instalment, fuel, insurance, tyres and service. Setting it next to what you would pay for the same trips by taxi, train, bus or e-hailing shows the real difference.
What you enter for each way of travelling
- A fixed cost each month, such as an instalment, insurance or a monthly pass
- A cost per kilometre, such as fuel and wear
- A cost per trip, such as a fare, a toll or parking
How the comparison works
Monthly cost equals the fixed cost, plus the cost per kilometre times the distance and the trips, plus the cost per trip times the trips. The totals grow each year by the increase you enter. The table and chart show the monthly cost of each option and the cheapest over the period.
What the numbers leave out
- Time spent travelling, and how much of it is useful
- Comfort, safety and reliability
- Trips that only one option can make
- The cost of having a car for other uses, such as weekends
Use real numbers
The starting figures are examples, not fares or prices. Replace them with your own. For your own car, use the true monthly cost from the car ownership cost calculator and not only the instalment. Nothing you enter is saved.
Things to watch
- Time and comfort are not in the numbers.
- For your own car use the true monthly cost from the ownership calculator, not only the instalment.
Work out your car’s true cost with the car ownership cost calculator. Read the full disclaimer.
Like every tool on MoneyMzansi, this one runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent or stored, so download your data if you want to keep it.