Motoring costs rise on the Continent

Motoring costs rise on the Continent.

Fuel prices have risen steeply in destinations popular with British visitors, a survey has found.

British holidaymakers planning on taking their cars to Europe this summer can expect increased costs after a survey found that fuel pump prices have risen sharply in some of the most popular destinations.

Since 2007, the cost of a litre of fuel has increased by up to 82 per cent on the Continent, with Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland now offering the worst value for motorists, according to research conducted by the Post Office.

Motorists can now expect to pay £1.37 a litre, up 82 per cent on 2007, in Switzerland, while the popular destinations of France, Spain and Italy have seen increases of around 60 per cent over the five-year period.
Italy and France also offer the worst value for drivers of unleaded cars, at £1.67 and £1.48 per litre respectively.

According to the survey, British holidaymakers remain undeterred, with only eight per cent of respondents saying the high fuel prices would put them off taking their car to Europe.




However, the strength of sterling against the euro has seen a fall in pump prices for British holidaymakers when compared with 2011.

The countries offering the best value for motorists were Luxembourg and Andorra, but drivers to Italy will find the cost of a litre of diesel up 10 per cent on last year to £1.49 per litre.

Drivers of diesel cars will find the cost of filling up cheaper on the Continent than in Britain.

“Our research shows that UK holidaymakers are not deterred by the high fuel prices they will find when driving in some countries this summer,” said Andrew Brown, the Post Office’s head of travel money.

“However, it also revealed that some advance route planning with petrol prices in mind could help them cut costs.

"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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UK breaks set to increase after APD tax rise

The controversial tax hike on Air Passenger Duty is set to boost holiday staycations in the UK, according to a survey by a leading holiday rental company.

On Wednesday (21/03/12) it was confirmed that there wiill be an eight per cent double inflation rise in air passenger duty, starting April 1st. This tax is set to make flying more expensive for holidaymakers – a family of four travelling economy class to Florida could pay £80 on top of their trip.

As a result, two thirds of holidaymakers are more likely to take holidays in the UK, according to the holiday rental company’s survey.

It also looks like holidaymakers would choose to spend the money they saved by putting it back into their holiday experience. Of the people questioned, 30 per cent said that they would upgrade their accommodation with the savings made from avoiding the tax, whilst 35 per cent would use the money to take a second staycation holiday.

A spokesperson for the company who conducted the survey, said: “We expect a real surge in bookings from April as the impact of Air Passenger Duty hikes kick in. If you consider that a family of four travelling to Spain could pay up to £128 in tax alone, and the same family flying to Australia could pay in excess of £700 it becomes very clear why this boost is expected.”

The APD hike, which is an eight per cent double inflation rise in air passenger duty, has been condemned by the aviation industry as “a double tax increase for passengers”.

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