Fuel prices in Europe 2026
Fuel prices in Europe 2026 – Where is it cheapest for Hungarian drivers to refuel?
When planning summer trips, most drivers focus primarily on motorway tolls, accommodation costs, and activities. Yet, during a longer trip abroad, fuel costs can often represent a larger expense than the motorway vignette or the toll itself.
Check your tolls before departure!
Purchase your motorway vignette conveniently without queuing.
Online vignette purchaseWhether starting towards Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, or even Germany, it is worth planning your refueling stops in advance, as there can be significant differences in petrol and diesel prices between countries.
The following comparison was prepared using the official median exchange rate of the Hungarian National Bank on June 8, 2026, of 356.38 HUF/EUR.
Fuel prices in neighboring countries in June 2026
| Country | 95 Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | 500–570 HUF/l (€1.40–1.60) | 520–590 HUF/l (€1.46–1.66) |
| Czech Republic | 538–588 HUF/l (€1.51–1.65) | 538–592 HUF/l (€1.51–1.66) |
| Bulgaria | 545 HUF/l (€1.53) | 593 HUF/l (€1.67) |
| Slovenia | 570–606 HUF/l (€1.60–1.70) | 545–588 HUF/l (€1.53–1.65) |
| Slovakia | 570–624 HUF/l (€1.60–1.75) | 563–613 HUF/l (€1.58–1.72) |
| Hungary | 595 HUF/l (€1.67) | 615 HUF/l (€1.73) |
| Croatia | 606 HUF/l (€1.70) | 636 HUF/l (€1.78) |
| Austria | 617–645 HUF/l (€1.73–1.81) | 652–681 HUF/l (€1.83–1.91) |
| Romania | 620–670 HUF/l (€1.74–1.88) | 620–690 HUF/l (€1.74–1.94) |
| Germany | 663–713 HUF/l (€1.86–2.00) | 627–691 HUF/l (€1.76–1.94) |
| Italy | 677–731 HUF/l (€1.90–2.05) | 641–713 HUF/l (€1.80–2.00) |
Where is it cheapest to refuel?
Among the neighboring countries, the lowest fuel prices are typically found in:
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Bulgaria
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Croatia
- Austria
- Romania
- Germany
- Italy
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive country can be as much as 180–230 HUF/liter.
What does this mean for a full tank?
Calculated for an average car with a 50-liter tank:
| Country | Cost of 50 liters of petrol |
|---|---|
| Poland | 25 000–28 500 HUF |
| Czech Republic | 26 900–29 400 HUF |
| Hungary | 29 750 HUF |
| Croatia | 30 300 HUF |
| Austria | 30 850–32 250 HUF |
| Germany | 33 150–35 650 HUF |
| Italy | 33 850–36 550 HUF |
The difference for a single tank fill-up can reach up to 10 000–12 000 Forint.
Traveling to Croatia? Keep this in mind
Most Hungarian drivers head towards Croatia in the summer, making fuel cost planning particularly important.
Krk, Rijeka, and Istria
The island of Krk, Rijeka, and the Istrian Peninsula are among the closest Croatian destinations. For many motorists, it may be enough to fill up in Hungary before departure and only refuel on the way back.
Zadar and Split
Central Dalmatian destinations already represent a longer journey. For Split or Zadar, it may be worth considering a refueling stop in Croatia, especially at stations near larger cities.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is over 1000 kilometers away from Hungary by car. In this case, at least one refueling stop in Croatia will almost certainly be necessary.
Motorway or city gas station?
In most countries, there can be a significant price difference between stations on the motorway and those in the city.
| Country | Average Difference |
|---|---|
| Hungary | 10–20 HUF/l |
| Croatia | 10–30 HUF/l |
| Austria | 20–50 HUF/l |
| Germany | 20–60 HUF/l |
| Italy | 50–100 HUF/l |
On a long journey, choosing a city gas station can mean savings of several thousand forints even on a single tank fill-up.
Traveling by electric car?
Electric vehicle owners should also plan their route in advance. Prices for fast chargers can vary significantly by country and service provider. In the most popular transit countries, the price of a DC fast charge is typically between 0.40 and 0.90 EUR/kWh.
Why is it important to pay attention to fuel prices?
Many compare only the prices of motorway vignettes, even though during a family vacation, fuel costs often make up the largest part of the total transportation expenses.
For example, for a Budapest–Split round trip, an average car can consume over 100 liters of fuel, so a price difference of 50–100 HUF/liter can result in a difference of several thousand forints.
If you are interested in European motorway vignette prices, it is worth reading our detailed comparison: European motorway vignette prices 2026
Summary
In June 2026, among the neighboring countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria continue to offer the most favorable fuel prices, while motorists can expect the highest prices in Germany and especially in Italy.
For Hungarians traveling to Croatia, it may remain a favorable strategy to fill up in Hungary before departure, especially when traveling towards Krk, Rijeka, or the Istrian Peninsula.
Before the trip, it is worth considering not just fuel prices, but also the total of motorway vignettes, tolls, and other transportation costs, so that the vacation can start truly carefree.
Online motorway vignette purchase for Hungary
The Hungarian motorway vignette can also be purchased online in a few minutes, allowing you to avoid queuing at border crossings or gas stations and start your trip immediately.