Filling up your tank in Italy has become significantly more expensive since late February, when the war in the Middle East pushed up global oil prices.
READ ALSO: Why fuel prices are still rising despite Italy's tax cut
Italy’s government cut excise duties by 25 cents a litre in response, but the measure doesn’t seem to have been enough to stop price increases.
With diesel now back up to over two euros per litre at many gas stations and a longer-term energy crunch possible from May, it's worth knowing how to keep your fuel costs as low as possible.
Use an app to compare prices near you
The price difference between filling stations in the same Italian city can be 10-15 cents a litre, or enough to save €5-7 on a 50-litre tank.
The easiest way to find the cheapest option is to use a price comparison app before you fill up.
Prezzi Benzina is the most widely used in Italy, available on Android and iOS. It shows a map of nearby stations with current prices for petrol, diesel, LPG and methane, updated every 30 minutes from a combination of user reports and official ministry data.
You can filter by fuel type and sort by price or distance, and navigate directly to your chosen station via Google Maps.
Waze, which many drivers already use for navigation, also shows fuel prices along your route.
Fuel Flash covers Italy and several other European countries, making it a preferred option for cross-border driving.
You can also check prices on the government's Osservaprezzi Carburanti website, which publishes real-time prices reported by filling stations across the country. It's not as convenient as an app but may be useful for checking average prices in a region before you travel.
Choose the right type of station
Branded stations like Eni, Esso, Q8 and similar are almost always more expensive than the pompe bianche (unbranded stations).
These independent stations have lower overheads and offer some of the cheapest prices available. Prezzi Benzina and similar apps include them in their listings.
READ ALSO: Driving and air conditioning: What's in Italy's energy-saving emergency plan?
Motorway filling stations are consistently the most expensive, often charging 20 cents or more above the price at a comparable roadside station. So if you're on a long journey, it's worth filling up before joining the motorway or at an exit rather than at a service area.
Self-service vs attended
Almost all filling stations in Italy offer both self-service (fai da te or self) and attended (servito) options, usually at the same pump. Self-service is typically 10–20 cents a litre cheaper.
Avoid filling up in tourist areas
Prices vary significantly by region and by location. Stations in mountain resorts, coastal tourist areas and historic city centres tend to charge well above average.
If you can wait until you reach a more trafficked area, you'll almost certainly pay less.
Keep an eye on the wider picture
Italy's excise cut was designed to bring diesel back to around €1.90 a litre, though so far it hasn’t been able to contain the price rises.
Once it expires on May 1st, prices are expected to rise again unless oil markets settle or the government extends the measure. The Local will continue to report the latest on fuel prices and any new government action.
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