French Drivers Queue in Val d’Aran for Cheaper Fuel

Long queues of cars with French licence plates have become a common sight at petrol stations in the Val d’Aran, as French drivers cross the border to fill up on cheaper fuel. With diesel and petrol prices significantly lower on the Spanish side of the border, some motorists are saving as much as 42 cents per litre compared to stations in nearby French towns.

In the past week, diesel has been priced at €2.37 per litre at French stations near the border, while just over 20km away in the Val d’Aran, the same fuel has cost €1.95 per litre – a difference of 42 cents. Petrol (SP 95) has sold for €2.17 per litre in Banhèras de Luishon, France, compared to €1.80 in Les, Spain, a gap of 37 cents per litre.

Regular Cross-Border Shopping Now Includes Fuel

Residents of French border towns have long shopped in Aranese towns like Les and Bossòst for cheaper tobacco and other goods. However, the recent widening of fuel price gaps has led to a marked increase in French drivers making the trip specifically to refuel. Some petrol stations now regularly see lines of vehicles waiting at pumps.

According to a report by TopTribune, drivers travelling from Tarbes in France to Bossòst in the Val d’Aran cover 101km, with a toll cost of €3.60. Despite the journey costs, savings on a full tank of diesel can reach up to €20, making the trip economically worthwhile.

Andorrans Also Heading to Spain for Fuel

The shift is notable because, until recently, it was more common for Spanish drivers to travel to Andorra for cheaper fuel. Now, drivers from Andorra are increasingly visiting petrol stations in the Alt Urgell region of Catalonia to refuel, marking a reversal in cross-border fuel shopping patterns.

Prices in the Val d’Aran range between €1.90 and €1.959 per litre for diesel, compared to diesel prices in Tarbes ranging from €2.250 to €2.429 per litre. For a 40-litre tank, French drivers can save between €2.60 and €9.76 on petrol, and up to €20 on diesel, depending on their point of origin and chosen station.

Reported by segre.com, Jean-Luc Bertrand, Segre.