The Motoring on the Continent Report from Post Office Travel Money looks at the average prices at fuel pumps in destinations across Europe.
The 2023 report – our first since before the Covid pandemic – comes as a third of people who told us they’re visiting Europe said they intend to drive their own car or hire a rental vehicle1 while there.
To help equip UK motorists with money-saving insights on the cheapest places to fill up, we surveyed pump prices in 17 European destinations. And we’ve shared the key findings here.
Key findings this year include:
- Despite the strong pound, pump prices have risen since 2019 in almost 90% of countries2
- Andorra, Ireland and Spain offer the best value for money to UK holidaymakers filling up
- France, Spain and Italy are top choices for holiday motoring3
- But France and Italy are also among the more expensive destinations surveyed
- The biggest price rises have been in Switzerland, with both fuel types up by over 30% vs 2019
- Over 40% of holiday motorists don’t know about new rules of the road in top destinations
Where will your money take you furthest?
Drivers in Spain are likely to fare best. The research found the average price per litre there was £1.40 for unleaded petrol, 4p lower than the UK, and diesel was £1.25 per litre, 21p less than at home. Both fuels were the cheapest overall in Andorra, at £1.23 for unleaded and £1.10 for diesel.
The more expensive destinations include France, at £1.62 for unleaded and £1.47 for diesel, and Italy, where unleaded costs £1.62 and diesel £1.49 per litre. The biggest percentage rise is in Switzerland, up by over 30% on 2019’s prices for both fuel types.
Closer to home, Ireland emerges from the pump price comparison as one of the cheapest places to fill up with unleaded petrol – £1.38 per litre/£209.79 for 1,000 motoring miles. It’s also one of 14 countries where motorists driving a diesel car will pay considerably less than for unleaded.
