Europe's Fuel Odyssey: A Budget Traveler's Guide
Preparing for Pentecost Holidays? Secure Your Gasoline Sources Now!
Gear up for your Whitsun holiday journey across Europe and watch your fuel expenses plummet! By strategically filling up at the right spots, you can save cash for vacation treats. However, rates vary by destination, border, and sometimes even petrol stations, according to the latest fuel price data from the EU Commission. Here's a breezy breakdown:
Southbound Sojourn
Fuel up savings commence in Austria, where petrol is 22 cents cheaper than in Germany and diesel is cheaper by 6 cents. If Austria is merely a pit stop, consider the destination: Fuel is dearer in Italy but cheaper in Slovenia, Croatia, or Hungary, making a detour worthwhile. Slovakia offers minor gas savings, while diesel shines with prices cheaper even than in Austria and Germany.
Switzerland, alas, isn't budget-friendly for fuel; although it doesn't have EU data, the Touring Club Switzerland indicates it's costlier than Germany, Italy, or France. If venturing to Italy, fill up your diesel tank beforehand, as Italy fares pricey, too.
Westward Whirl
France and Germany share almost neck-and-neck fuel prices, but Spain offers significant savings. Belgium is a cheap find for petrol, 16 cents cheaper than Germany, but diesel is a tad dearer. In the Netherlands, fuel is more expensive, but Luxembourg compensates with savings of up to 16 cents on both petrol and diesel. Luxembourg brings the lowest costs in the west.
Eastbound Escapade
Fuel costs in Poland and the Czech Republic are the lowest in nearby Germany, with gasoline 35 cents cheaper and diesel savings of 18 to 22 cents. Heading further to the Baltic nations or Hungary/Slovakia via the Czech Republic, refuel in the transit country to keep costs in check.
Northern Galavant
Denmark is an expensive pit stop, with super petrol costing 23 cents more than in Germany and diesel 14 cents. Transitioning to Sweden, the prices dip dramatically, with super petrol 28 cents cheaper and diesel 9 cents less costly than in Germany.
Price differences usually stem from dissimilar taxes and fees. Oil price fluctuations tend to influence all countries moderately, but the disparities remain relatively stable. Keep in mind that rates can fluctuate based on petrol station, time of day, region, highway vs. country road, and proximity to borders.
Prioritizing a cheaper fuel route and accepting detours is likely to be beneficial seldomly. Not only does it consume time and resources, but even with a relatively low cost of 30 cents per kilometer driven, the advantage soon vanishes.
Those averse to refueling abroad should do so ideally in the evening before departure, as fuel is typically a few cents cheaper then than in the morning.
Tidbits:
Where's the cheapest fuel in Europe? Bulgaria boasts the lowest prices, with gasoline around €1.19 ($5.09 per gallon), followed by Poland, Czechia, Malta, and Cyprus, all offering relatively affordable fuel prices[1]. On the contrary, the UK holds relatively high fuel prices, with petrol averaging around 131.45 pence per liter, or about $6.23 per gallon (using an exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.32 USD)[4].
[1] Source: GasBuddy[4] Source: OANDA Currency Converter
In the Southbound Sojourn, Slovakia offers cheaper gasoline prices compared to Italy, Croatia, or Hungary, making it a cost-effective detour for budget travelers. Westward Whirl reveals that Luxembourg has the lowest fuel costs in the west, with savings of up to 16 cents on both petrol and diesel.
