Finding The Cheapest Fuel In Europe
If you go on a self drive holiday in the near future then you may find it a whole lot more expensive than you originally planned, especially if you started planning it in the first half of the year. Fuel prices have risen that much in recent months that it is difficult to run a car that you would have though nothing of filling up a few years ago. I got my car, a Vauxhall Corsa, in 2004 and I could fill it up completely for around £20 then. Now that amount barely dents it so I have to watch how much I drive. However, if you are going to Europe on a self DRIVE holiday then you are not going to be happy if you cannot drive everywhere.
So what is the solution? Well, finding the cheapest fuel prices around is a good place to start. As in the UK, European service and petrol stations can set their own prices so some are cheaper than others. It’s all about finding the cheapest possible ones available to you, and the tips below will help you with that. Knocking even pennies off your fuel bill will free up a little extra cash for you.
So here goes:
- Never, ever fill up at the service station at the port. Whether you planned on filling up before you took your car on the ferry or as soon as you got off, don’t do it! Always fill up before you leave the UK at the last service station before you reach the port. That way you have enough petrol to get you further in land. The petrol stations at the port are often ridiculously expensive just because it is convenient and people will use it, despite the cost.
- Although you cannot take a petrol can on the ferry with you, you could get one to keep in your boot when you find a cheap station. This will give you a little extra if you have to search for a cheaper one somewhere else at a later date. It will certainly save you money.
- Check average fuel prices in your destination country before you head off. There are sites on the Internet that will give you that information so make a note of it. When you find a service station all you have to do is compare the average to the station’s price. If it’s below the average or around it then go for it. If not, hold on until the next one. There is no other way that you can know whether you are being ripped off or not.
- Do an Internet search for the cheapest petrol stations in your destination area. I guarantee there will be some around now, complete with addresses, so you can exploit the IT era and save money.
Guest Article by Louise Crowley
Thursday, August 14th, 2008
