More French drivers head to Switzerland to fill up vehicles: is it worth it for you?

Drivers in eastern France are increasingly heading to Switzerland to fill up their vehicles, as prices in the mountainous country are unusually cheaper than their French counterparts. 

Cross-border shopping and activities are common in the areas around Switzerland, but usually see those from the mountainous country head into France to top up vehicles or do weekly shopping as it is often cheaper. 

French trips into Switzerland are usually limited to purchasing cigarettes or chocolate, however rising fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East have hit France hard, leading French drivers to venture across the border to refuel.

“Right now, there's more than a 15-cent difference per litre of SP 95,” between the two countries, said one driver to media outlet France3 recently.

"Last week, I put in 75 euros for a full tank. I'll check the Swiss franc/euro conversion. I think there's at least a 10 or 15 euro difference,” she added.

Advice for those looking to fill up in Switzerland 

While all of Europe has been hit by higher fuel costs, the French government has been reluctant to offer wider aid, cuts to fuel taxes or implement caps to drop prices directly at the pumps. 

A new aid for ‘high-mileage drivers’ on lower incomes in France should be available in May, but this is retroactive and will be given in a single lump-sum payment, not a sustained discount at the time of filling up.

While Switzerland has done relatively little itself to keep prices low, they are still lower than across the border in France.

Petrol stations close to the French border in Switzerland generally offer lower prices as they must compete with their French counterparts, and are now seeing increasing business as drivers both from deeper in Switzerland and across the border head there to fill up. 

Drivers planning to head to Switzerland should ensure they carefully check in advance if it is worth it. 

As costs can only be a few cents different per litre and are subject to change, a long round trip to a Swiss service station may see you spend more in fuel to get there than you save on filling up. 

Generally, only drivers within 20km - 30km of the border are heading to Switzerland to refuel. 

There are several official websites to check fuel prices in Switzerland, for diesel, SP95, and SP98 respectively.

Prices are updated daily and show averages at all stations offering that fuel type. 

You should compare these to the French government equivalent for checking fuel prices, looking at specific service stations close to your home as opposed ot national averages.

Drivers must ensure however they apply the exchange rate between the euro and swiss franc to come up with a comparable price.

You need to times the Swiss cost by the exchange rate – currently around 1.08 – to find the euro equivalent.

Finally, if ever you need to drive on any motorways in Switzerland, ensure your vehicle has the correct Swiss vignette.