Fueling Up Sensibly: Every Penny Counts on Your Journey!
Buying Fuel at Lower Prices: Pre-border vs Post-border Rates - Locations offering the Most Affordable Fuel Rates along Border Regions
If you're planning a road trip during the festive Pentecost weekend, make the most of your hard-earned cash by strategic fueling. Here's a quick guide on where to fill up to save some serious dough on your gas bill!
Head North, Fill Up Before You Go
If your destination is Denmark, consider filling up before leaving Germany, as petrol is a staggering 23 cents cheaper there, while diesel is 14 cents cheaper compared to Germany. However, if you're heading to Sweden instead, buckle up, as fuel becomes significantly cheaper there – with super petrol 28 cents cheaper and diesel 9 cents cheaper than in Germany!
Westbound Cruisers, Choose Wisely
Petrol is 17 cents more expensive in the Netherlands than in Germany, while diesel is a mere 7 cents costlier. Interestingly, Belgium is cheaper for petrol (16 cents cheaper) but slightly pricier for diesel (7 cents more) compared to Germany. On the bright side, Luxembourg, the tiniest nation in the region offers the cheapest fuel, with savings of 24 cents on petrol and 16 cents on diesel.
France is almost on par with Germany in terms of fuel prices. Meanwhile, travelers heading towards Spain will be pleased to know that the destination country offers a significant saving on fuel!
Eastbound Savings Galore
Travelers, heading eastwards with a petrol car should rejoice! Poland and the Czech Republic offer the cheapest fuel in the immediate neighborhood with a savings of 35 cents for petrol and 18 cents for diesel compared to Germany. However, if you're continuing towards Baltic countries, you'll still find cheaper fuel but it'll be pricier than in Poland. If your journey takes you through Czech Republic to Hungary or Slovakia, make sure you refuel in the transit country to save some extra cash!
Southbound Balance Your Bank Account
Those headed to Austria will find slightly cheaper fuel there than in Germany, with petrol 22 cents cheaper and diesel 6 cents cheaper compared to Germany. Yet, if Austria is only a transit country, the destination country's fuel prices will dictate where you should fuel up. Fuel is comparably cheaper in Slovenia or Croatia, but pricier in Italy. However, avoid filling up in Switzerland as it is a rather expensive place to refuel; prices are higher than in Germany, Italy, or France, according to the Touring Club Switzerland.
Keep in mind that the reasons behind the price differences are usually different taxes and charges; fluctuating oil prices impact all countries, but the differences observed here are relatively stable. Additionally, prices can vary depending on the petrol station, time of day, region, and whether you're refueling on the motorway or a country road. The variations are often lower directly before and after the border.
Strategic Fueling: A Misunderstood Art
Adapting your travel route for cheaper fuel and taking detours is unlikely to be worthwhile in most cases. Not only do they consume time but they also leave a larger carbon footprint. Even if you calculate the costs of 30 cents per km driven, the advantage rapidly diminishes. For those who prefer not to refuel abroad, it's smart to do so in the evening before departure, as fuel is usually a few cents cheaper then than in the morning.
Here's a quick cheat-sheet for cost-effective fueling during your journey:
- Check Current Prices: Use apps like Waze or PetrolTips to get real-time gas prices.
- Fill Up Strategically: Refuel when passing through countries with lower prices.
- Consider Tax-Free Stations: If available, these can offer extra savings.
In the journey across Europe, understanding the cost differences in fuel can significantly impact your budget. For instance, if heading to Denmark or Sweden, it's more cost-effective to fill up before crossing the border as petrol and diesel are cheaper there compared to Germany. On the other hand, travelers to Austria can enjoy cheaper fuel there, but choosing the right fuel station can save further.
Meanwhile, finance-conscious road trippers may want to explore different ways to save, such as filling up in the evening before departure, or using apps like Waze or PetrolTips to find stations offering lower prices. One should also consider tax-free stations where available for additional savings. Keep in mind that maintaining a viable lifestyle and minimizing travel expenses go hand in hand, making it essential to be strategic with fueling decisions.
