Cheapest Fuel in Europe: Where to Fill Up and What to Avoid
Where to buy cheap fuel in Europe: prices, motorway stations and how not to misfuel
Fuel is one of the biggest costs of a road trip, and the price can change by 50 cents a litre within a few hours of driving. This guide shows where fuel is cheaper, why motorway stations cost more, how paying at the pump works, and how to avoid the one mistake that can end a trip: putting the wrong fuel in a rental car.
about 1.85 €
petrol 95 per litre in Czechia, early Oct 2026
+35 ct
Germany vs Czechia, petrol 95
40+ ct
typical motorway markup in Germany
E5 / E10 / B7
check the fuel flap sticker
Fuel prices in Europe: a snapshot for October 2026
The table shows average national prices with taxes for the week of 5 October 2026, taken from the European Commission's Weekly Oil Bulletin. Individual stations can be cheaper or more expensive, and prices move every week, so treat the numbers as landmarks and check the price at the station before you plan a route around it.
Country
Petrol 95 (EUR per litre)
Diesel (EUR per litre)
Poland
1.52
1.76
Hungary
1.73
1.93
Slovenia
1.76
1.98
Croatia
1.83
1.98
Austria
1.84
2.14
Slovakia
1.85
1.97
Czechia
1.85
1.95
Italy
2.07
2.27
Germany
2.20
2.25
France
2.21
2.36
Netherlands
2.43
2.51
Poland is temporarily cheaper than usual. Polish prices are low in October 2026 partly because of temporary tax reductions that are planned to run until the end of December 2026. Do not assume the gap will last, and do not drive far out of your way for it.
Where it pays to fill up
Before you leave Czechia
Cheaper than Germany, Austria, Italy, France
Czech prices were roughly 35 cents per litre below Germany for petrol and about 30 cents below for diesel in early October. If you are leaving the country, fill the tank before the border.
In Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia
Lowest averages in the table
These countries had the lowest averages of the countries we checked. Fill up there when the route passes through anyway, not as a reason to change the route.
Avoid the most expensive markets
Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy
Prices in these countries were the highest in the table. Plan the last fill before the border and arrive with a fuller tank than you need.
Why motorway stations cost more
Stations on motorways and service areas charge for convenience. A German ADAC survey of 50 stations found motorway prices around 40 cents per litre above the nearest station a few kilometres off the motorway. Italy is similar, and the staffed pumps there are marked "servito" and cost noticeably more than self-service. In practice, the best moment to fill is when the tank is about a quarter full, at a station in a town or just off the motorway, not at the first service area after the border.
A simple rule: if you are crossing a border, fill up before it in Czechia, and fill again off the motorway when the tank is about a quarter full.
How paying at the pump works
1
Park at the pump with the fuel flap on the pump side
Most cars have an arrow next to the fuel gauge showing which side the flap is on.
2
Check the fuel type before you lift the nozzle
Open the flap and read the sticker inside. Match it to the label on the pump. Do not choose by the colour of the nozzle, because colours differ between countries and brands.
3
Fill the tank
At most staffed stations in Czechia and other countries you fill first and pay afterwards. Take the receipt.
4
Pay at the till or at the pump
Tell the cashier your pump number. At unstaffed or night-time pumps you may have to pay by card first, and some automated pumps place a temporary hold on the card, so keep enough room on it.
Cash is still common at small stations in some countries, including Croatia and Italy, and some automatic pumps accept only certain cards, so carry a second card. For the rental, read our short guide to the fuel policy too.
Fuel types and labels in Europe
Names of fuel grades differ by country and brand, so rely on the symbols and the letters, not the colour of the pump. The same system is used in all EU countries.
Label
Symbol
What it is
Use it when
E5
Circle
Petrol with up to 5% ethanol (95 or 98)
The sticker says E5, or the car is not approved for E10
E10
Circle
Petrol with up to 10% ethanol
The sticker or manual says E10 is allowed
B7
Square
Diesel with up to 7% biodiesel
Any diesel car
Higher grades such as 98 petrol give no benefit in most rental cars and cost more. LPG exists in some countries but is rare in rental cars, so ignore it unless the sticker says so. More detail is on our page about the fuel type in your rental car.
The one mistake to avoid: wrong fuel
Check the sticker inside the fuel flap every time. Petrol in a diesel car and diesel in a petrol car are among the most expensive mistakes a driver can make. The sticker shows E5, E10 or B7, and it is the rule for that car, not a general guess.
1
If you notice before starting the car
Do not turn on the ignition. Leave the car or push it to a safe spot and call the rental company.
2
If the engine is already running
Stop as soon as it is safe, switch off and do not restart. Call the rental company's assistance line.
Petrol in a diesel engine is the more damaging mistake, because diesel systems depend on the fuel for lubrication. Either way, driving on makes the repair bigger.
In early October 2026 Poland had the lowest average petrol and diesel prices of the countries we checked, followed by Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. Poland's prices are low partly because of temporary tax cuts, so check the price at the station before you plan a detour.
Is fuel cheaper in Czechia than in Germany?
Yes. In early October 2026 the national average in Czechia was roughly 35 cents per litre below Germany for petrol and roughly 30 cents below for diesel. If you are driving to Germany, Austria, Italy or France, fill up before you cross the border.
Are motorway petrol stations more expensive?
Usually yes. Stations on motorways tend to charge noticeably more than stations a few kilometres away. A survey by the German ADAC automobile club found motorway stations charging around 40 cents per litre more than the nearest station off the motorway.
Do I pay before or after filling the tank?
At most staffed stations in Czechia and many other countries you fill first and pay at the till afterwards. At unstaffed or automatic pumps, and at some night-time pumps in countries such as Italy and France, you pay at the pump by card or cash before or as you fill.
How do I know which fuel my rental car takes?
Open the fuel flap. A sticker on the inside of the flap shows the fuel type, for example E5, E10 or B7. The fuel cap or the key tag can also carry it. If you are not sure, check the rental papers or ask before you leave the car park.
What is the difference between E5 and E10?
E5 petrol contains up to 5% ethanol and E10 up to 10%. E10 is only suitable if the car is approved for it. If the sticker says E5, fill E5. Many cars can take both, but the sticker is the rule to follow.
What does B7 mean on a diesel pump?
B7 is standard diesel that may contain up to 7% biodiesel. It is the normal diesel grade in Europe. Pumps for diesel are usually marked with a square, petrol pumps with a circle.
What should I do if I put the wrong fuel in the car?
Do not start the engine. If you have not started it, leave the car where it is or push it to a safe spot and call the rental company's assistance line. If the engine is already running, stop as soon as it is safe, switch off and do not restart. Petrol in a diesel car is the more damaging mistake.
Does CarLove tell me which fuel the car needs?
Yes. Each car's fuel type is on the sticker inside the fuel flap, and the rental papers describe the fuel policy. Read our page on fuel types in your rental car before a long trip.
Plan your trip with a rental from Prague
Pick a car, check the fuel type on the sticker inside the fuel flap, and fill up before the border.
