British drivers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to drive on the Continent this summer as petrol and diesel prices have risen steeply in the last year, according to research.
The cost of diesel and unleaded fuel for UK buyers has risen in most European countries compared to last summer, a survey by Post Office Travel Money showed, thanks to price rises but also currency movements which have made items priced in euros more expensive.
The rise has been the sharpest in one the most popular destinations for Britons – Spain. Prices have risen an eye watering 7.4 per cent in just 12 months, while the increase in France is 4.7 per cent.
Fuel costs: Diesel and unleaded prices for British holidaymakers driving abroad has rocketed in the last yearOf 17 European countries surveyed, only Croatia, down 3p a litre, the Czech Republic, 1p, Switzerland, 3p, and Denmark, 7p, had cheaper petrol for UK drivers in April 2013 than in April 2012.
More... How to cut your petrol costs Tricks making it 'almost impossible' to compare car hire deals How younger drivers can beat the car insurance trap - and even drive a more exciting car Going on holiday? Best debit and credit cards to help you avoid overseas fees Can you get a better car insurance deal?The least-expensive European petrol is to be found in Andorra, at 117p a litre, followed by Luxembourg, 123p, and Croatia at 124p.
Spain's petrol is 130p a litre - 9p more than in April 2012, while petrol in France is 7p up on last year at 156p.
The most expensive of the countries surveyed for petrol was Norway where prices at the pumps have pushed up 7.2 per cent to 179p a litre.
The biggest reason for the rises in the price for British motorists has been sterling’s slump in value against European currencies, not local pump price hikes.
In May 2012, £1 would get you €1.25. In July, this peaked to €1.28 – but has since slumped down to €1.18, having a detrimental impact to the cost of filling up a car on the Continent.
Diesel price disparity the highest in BritainDiesel - which is generally much cheaper in Europe than in Britain - has risen in most of the 17 countries. Diesel has risen 6.1 per cent in Spain to 122p a litre and three per cent in France to 139p a litre.
But despite the rises, it may be worth opting for a diesel if you are getting a hire vehicle abroad. Diesel is still 8p and 17p a litre cheaper than unleaded in Spain and France respectively.
Andorra has the cheapest diesel, at 105p a litre and Norway the dearest, at 164p.
Both Britain and Switzerland have the biggest disparity in diesel prices – diesel costs 5p a litre on average more than unleaded. On the flip side, diesel prices in Holland are a whopping 31p cheaper than unleaded.
Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘The disparity between what motorists pay for diesel and for unleaded petrol in Europe is in marked contrast to the UK, where diesel has long been more expensive.
‘This was just one of the anomalies we picked up in this year's survey, another being a difference of up 48p a litre in fuel costs across the eurozone.’
‘It may not make sense for holidaymakers to plan big detours just to save a few pounds, but the higher price of motoring on the Continent this year means they should plan their routes carefully before setting out so they keep costs down.’
