Fuel prices fall 25pc abroad

Photo: Fleskw

Those planning to take to the road for a holiday this year will save a whole lot of pennies, thanks petrol prices, which have fallen by up to a quarter this year

The Post Office Travel Money's latest Motoring on the Continent report shows that the price of petrol has fallen by 20 to 25 per cent across the eurozone since summer 2014. The drop has been fuelled by the almost 50 per cent plunge in crude oil prices.

While holidaymakers can expect to enjoy more affordable motoring right away, though, airlines reportedly purchased their current fuel supplies before the price dip, which means that flyers will have to wait some time to see any equivalent savings.

The strength of the pound against the euro has also boosted the potential savings for Brits: in the UK, petrol prices have dipped 15 per cent, a much lower decrease than on the continent.

Indeed, the pound is more than a third stronger against the single currency compared to 2009, notes The Telegraph. The figures follow a similar report from the Post Office earlier this year, which found that the cost of eight tourist staples, including meals and drinks, has fallen in two-thirds of the European countries surveyed – most dramatically by over 19 per cent in Crete (£41.74), which is seventh placed of 46 destinations.

The greatest fall in petrol price has been recorded in Ireland, according to the Post Office, where a litre of unleaded fuel costs 99p in 2015, 33p less than in 2014. France and Spain are also significantly cheaper, with unleaded petrol costing 99p a litre, down from £1.30, and 93pm, down from £1.21, respectively.

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, advises drivers to seek out garages in local towns, rather than major supermarkets: "Prices there are likely to be cheaper than on the roadside, just as they are here in the UK."