European Fuel Price Study Names Sweden Cheapest and Denmark Most Expensive Country to Drive Through

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A new study by Czech vignette experts at Czechvignette.cz has revealed the most and least affordable European countries for fuel. The research compared average prices for 95-octane unleaded petrol across 41 European nations to help drivers plan the most affordable road trip routes.

The findings show a price gap of €1.01 per litre between the cheapest and most expensive countries. For a car with a 50-litre tank, a full fill-up in Denmark costs around €51 more than the same fill-up in Sweden.

Top 10 cheapest European countries for fuel

Highlights in the cheapest destinations

Among the affordable countries, drivers can explore a wide variety of tourist destinations:

Sweden: Travellers can explore Stockholm’s medieval city centre, Gamla Stan, visit the ABBA Museum, or drive out of the capital to experience forests, lakes, and archipelagos.

Malta: As one of Europe’s smallest countries, it is easy to travel by car. Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage capital, Valletta, the fortified medieval city of Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, and the temples of Ħaġar Qim, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids.

North Macedonia: Home to Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring medieval churches and a ninth-century monastery. Other stops include Matka Canyon, Mavrovo National Park, and the capital, Skopje.

Andorra: Known for shopping and mountain views in Andorra la Vella, along with access to ski resorts like Grandvalira and the UNESCO-listed Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley.

Moldova: Features the Cricova Winery, the world’s largest wine gallery at Mileștii Mici, the archaeological site of Orheiul Vechi, and the capital, Chișinău.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Offers historic stops like Mostar, famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Bridge spanning the Neretva River, the capital city of Sarajevo, Kravica Waterfall, the medieval town of Počitelj, and Sutjeska National Park.

Iceland: Features the Ring Road circling the island, connecting the Golden Circle, the black sand beaches of Vík, south coast waterfalls, glacial lagoons, Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón, and Vatnajökull National Park.

Bulgaria: Visitors can explore the resort at Sunny Beach, the ancient city of Plovdiv, the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, and Pirin National Park.

Hungary: Popular locations include Budapest, historic thermal baths, the Danube River, Lake Balaton, the historic town of Eger, and local vineyards.

Cyprus: Drivers can explore the ancient ruins of Paphos, the capital city of Nicosia, and traditional villages in the Troodos Mountains.

San Marino, Slovenia, and Luxembourg: San Marino features the three medieval fortresses on Monte Titano. Slovenia offers Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and Triglav National Park. Luxembourg provides access to its historic capital, castles, and the Ardennes countryside.

Top 10 most expensive European countries for fuel

Driving through high-cost nations

Drivers travelling through these nations can access several major routes and landmarks

Denmark & Netherlands: Denmark offers routes through Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Jutland’s beaches, while the Netherlands connects Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and famous windmill landscapes.

Finland & Germany: Finland features scenic routes through Lapland, while Germany connects Berlin, Munich, the Black Forest, and Bavaria’s castles.

Switzerland, Liechtenstein & Albania: Central European routes cover Interlaken, Lucerne, the Alps, and Vaduz in the Rhine Valley. Albania offers Mediterranean coastlines, national parks, and historic towns.

France & Italy: France connects Paris, the Loire Valley, Provence, and the French Riviera. Italy features ancient landmarks, the Amalfi Coast, vineyards, and the Dolomites.

Monaco, Greece & Norway: Monaco serves as a stop along the French Riviera, Greece connects Athens to Meteora and the Peloponnese, and Norway features fjord landscapes like Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord.

Expert advice for road-trippers

Freek Jurg, COO of Czechvignette.cz, commented on the findings: “Sweden stands out as the most affordable country for drivers in Europe, particularly when compared with some of its neighbouring countries. At €1.31 per litre, petrol in Sweden is significantly cheaper than in Norway and the most expensive country, Denmark (€2.32 per litre). This means drivers could save considerably by filling up in Sweden before continuing their journey, rather than waiting until they reach a neighbouring country. Sweden topping the list is surprising given Scandinavia’s reputation for high costs.

“Another advantage of travelling through Europe by car is that many of the lower-fuel-cost destinations are located in regions where travellers can easily continue into neighbouring countries with similarly affordable driving costs, particularly across parts of the Balkans and Central Europe. For travellers planning a trip, fuel prices are worth considering alongside accommodation and food costs. Choosing a country with lower petrol prices can leave more room in the budget for experiences, whether that’s exploring historic cities, visiting national parks, or spending extra time on the road visiting other places that might otherwise be missed.”