Fuel Up Wisely: Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling Europe
Securing Gasoline Locations for Pentecost Holidays: Planning Ahead
Get ready for your Pentecost holidays road trips! Stretch your hard-earned cash further by knowing where to refuel on your journey. But be warned, the right gas station could mean the difference between skipping the next meal at your destination or having enough for the first ice cream!
Journey South
Traveling through Germany, you might want to fill up before passing through Austria. That's because gasoline is a whopping 22 cents cheaper there, and diesel is 6 cents cheaper too! However, Austria is often just a transit country. If you're heading to Italy, it's actually cheaper to refuel there than in Austria. But if your destination is Slovenia, Croatia, or Hungary, it could be worth driving a bit further or only filling up half a tank in Austria to save those precious pennies.
But beware of Switzerland! It's not the best place to fuel up, despite having no EU Commission figures available. The information from the Touring Club Switzerland indicates that fuel is more expensive there than in surrounding countries like Germany, Italy, or France. Fill up before entering Switzerland if you're headed towards Italy, as the destination country is also more expensive.
Westward Bound
France is nearly on par with Germany when it comes to fuel prices. But if you're traveling towards Spain, you'll find savings abound in the destination country! Belgium offers cheaper gasoline (16 cents cheaper) but slightly more expensive diesel. The Netherlands is pricier (17 cents more for gasoline and 7 cents more for diesel), while Luxembourg reigns supreme as the cheapest in the west (savings of 24 and 16 cents for gasoline and diesel, respectively).
Heading East
The answer is simple: Poland and the Czech Republic have the cheapest fuel in the nearby German vicinity, with savings of 35 cents for gasoline and 18 cents for diesel in Poland and 22 cents for diesel in the Czech Republic. While fuel is cheaper in the Baltics than in Germany, it's still more expensive than in Poland or the Czech Republic. If you're heading to Hungary or Slovakia, consider filling up in the transit country.
Northbound
If you're planning a trip to Denmark, fill up before you go! Super gasoline is 23 cents more expensive there than in Germany, and diesel is 14 cents more expensive. However, fuel becomes significantly cheaper in Sweden. Super gasoline is 28 cents cheaper in Sweden, and diesel is 9 cents cheaper!
The reasons for these price differences are usually various taxes and charges. Of course, oil price fluctuations affect all countries, but the difference remains relatively stable. However, prices can vary depending on the gas station, time of day, region, and whether you're driving on the highway or a country road. Differences are often significantly lower directly before and after the border.
Are detours to save on fuel worth the time and environmental cost? Typically not. But if you're budget-savvy and consider the relatively low costs of 30 cents per kilometer driven, the advantage might vanish quickly.
Fill up the night before your trip instead if you'd rather not refuel abroad. Fuel is often a few cents cheaper then than in the morning.
Insights
Here's a roundup of fuel prices in popular travel destinations from Germany as of early June 2025:
- Germany: Gasoline prices were approximately EUR 1.66 per liter, while diesel was slightly cheaper.
- France: Gasoline was around EUR 1.71 per liter, while diesel prices were not specified.
- Switzerland: Fuel prices tended to be higher due to taxation, with specific June 2025 figures unavailable.
- Belgium: Prices were typically close to those in neighboring countries, although specific data was not provided for June 2025.
- Netherlands: Although specific data for June 2025 was not available, fuel prices were usually comparable to Germany.
- Luxembourg: Known for lower fuel prices, though specific June 2025 data was not provided.
- Poland: Prices were generally lower, with gasoline around EUR 1.36 per liter.
- Czech Republic: Prices were similar to Poland's, with gasoline around EUR 1.36 per liter.
- Denmark: Prices were typically higher, especially for super gasoline.
- Sweden: Fuel prices were generally lower, but specific June 2025 data was not available.
- Italy: Fuel prices were often higher than in Germany, though specific data for June 2025 was not available.
- Slovenia: Fuel prices were generally lower than in Austria but higher than in Eastern European countries.
- Croatia: Prices were higher than in neighboring Eastern European countries.
- Hungary: Gasoline prices were around EUR 1.45 per liter.
- Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania): Prices varied but were generally higher than in Eastern European countries like Poland and the Czech Republic.
These price variations reflect differences in taxation, market conditions, and refining costs across regions. Prices in Western Europe, often exceeding EUR 1.60 per liter, are generally higher than in Eastern and Central Europe, which has prices often below EUR 1.50 per liter. Southern Europe, such as Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, has a more mixed price landscape, with prices varying by country.
In Italy, refueling during travel may be cheaper than in Austria, but in Western Europe, fuel prices are often higher than in Eastern and Central Europe such as Poland and the Czech Republic. One might consider adjusting either the route or timing to find more budget-friendly options, allowing for greater savings on lifestyle expenses like travel and car maintenance.
