Save money on holiday fuel this summer

15 June 2012 16:21:29

Save money by planning your holiday fuel in advance.

If you're planning to drive overseas this summer, the good news is that it should cost you less than in 2011. On average, Brits heading to Europe should pay up to 10.4% less on fuel this year, thanks to the strength of the pound. So where should you be motoring off to this summer if you're on a tight budget?

Cheapest destinations for fuel
Holidaymakers who really need to make their money go a long way this summer may want to consider visiting Andorra. The tiny principality - which is easily missed on the border between France and Spain - welcomes around 10.2 million visitors each year and boasts both summer and winter resorts. It isn't served by an international airport, but holidaymakers should not be deterred by this, as Post Office Travel Money has just ranked it in first place on its list of destinations with the cheapest fuel. Unleaded petrol and diesel cost just £1.13 and £1.03 a litre, respectively, compared with £1.35 for unleaded and £1.41 for diesel in the UK.

Luxembourg and Spain also represent cheap options, with a litre of unleaded costing £1.21 in both destinations and a litre of diesel setting you back just £1.05 in the former and £1.15 in the latter.

Places to avoid
If the cost of fuel is a major consideration for you over the coming months, you'd do well to steer clear of Norway and Italy. Norwegian drivers currently pay the equivalent of £1.67 per litre of unleaded petrol and £1.58 for a litre of diesel. This means that driving 1,000 miles in a petrol-powered car in the Scandinavian kingdom would cost you around £253 at 30 miles to the gallon, compared with just £170.83 in Andorra and £204.85 back home. And in Italy, an identical journey would cost almost £238 in a petrol car and £222 if you're running on diesel.

As well as choosing your destination carefully, the Post Office's Andrew Brown has some useful ideas for cutting the cost of your holiday fuel. He suggests: "A good tip is to fill up before leaving the UK if travelling to France or Belgium in a petrol car, divert into Luxembourg if travelling south through eastern France or detour into Andorra en route to Spain. If you are driving a diesel car, fill up as soon as you arrive on the continent as it is much cheaper in Europe than in the UK."

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