Buying gas in United Kingdom
Jun 12th, 2000, 11:07 PM
#2
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Dear Joan <BR> <BR>I'm afraid there is no way to get reasonable gas prices in the Uk right now. But do look out for less extortionate petrol station - those that charge in the low 80's per litre (say 81.9p). You will be doing very well to pay less than that. Generally, Esso tends to be fairly reasonable, but just keep an eye on the prices (posted in front of each gas station). And try to avoid filling up on the motorway (it tends to be much more expensive). <BR> <BR>In terms of credit cards - you should not have a problem. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR> <BR>
Jun 13th, 2000, 01:14 AM
#3
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I agree with Anna, petrol in the UK is very expensive. You could also try looking out for petrol stations that are attached to hypermarkets or supermarkets as the petrol there is sometimes a few pence cheaper per litre. Credit cards, no problem and there are more and more stations where you can pay at the actual pump with your card by swiping it through before filling your tank.
Jun 13th, 2000, 06:24 PM
#4
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Don't know if it applies in the UK, but when I was in Denmark last year, I missed out on some cheap gas by not knowing the PIN number for my Visa card. At the least expensive self-serve stations there, you can swipe your credit card, but then you have to enter a PIN, which I never use in the US because here you only need it to get cash advances from an ATM (something I never do because of the fees). So, before you go, dig up the PIN number that came with your Visa card and memorize it. Knowing it might save you some money on gas.
Jun 17th, 2000, 02:14 AM
#5
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In reply to Anna's message - no I'm afraid it doesn't apply over here. Petrol prices have just shot up AGAIN and this morning when I just filled up at the local Tesco store it was 86.9p per litre - UGH! Tesco's is a good place to fill up, as is Sainsbury's because they do keep their prices lower. If you find a Tesco store they have a map of where all there petrol stations are in the UK and also what type of service station they are, e.g. if they have a cafe attached. Credit cards are no problem though some stations,i.e. won't accept cards if the bill is under £5 (not very likely on a fill up but you never know!!)
Jun 17th, 2000, 03:29 AM
#6
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Joan <BR> <BR>That's cheap! Since I know roughly where you're planning to go you should not be too alarmed, but petrol is much dearer on the north-west coast of Scotland and on the islands. <BR> <BR>I have paid £1.08/litre at Lochaline at the western edge of the Morvern peninsula. You guys don't know you're born
Jun 17th, 2000, 08:25 AM
#8
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Oh Tony, stop the whingeing Scot act. It is so boring. Please would you understand once and for all that Scotland gets far more than its share of the proceeds of U K taxes and that if Scotland really wanted to be independent then it would have been by now. <BR>We are a tiny country in the first place and we have far more things in common than things that might divide us. <BR>Other Fodorites might get the impression that there is civil war practically breaking out, whereas, in reality, most of the friends I have, English, Scottish, Welsh and N Irish, are glad to be in the mix together.
Jun 17th, 2000, 08:29 AM
#9
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Tony (getting on her moral high horse) <BR> <BR>Since prior communings lead me to believe this may just be a place you have not been, you may want to know that there is only ONE petrol pump in Lochaline; and its nearest (mainland) neighbour is at Strontian 35 miles away- only IT's not open at New Year, so you have to go all the way to Fort William or Arisaig. <BR> <BR>I have a broad Scots accent- mixture of Perth and Aberdeen- and anyway I'm positively a regular. Mind you, the owner's English (thinks...mmm?)
Jun 17th, 2000, 01:09 PM
#10
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Nigel I was pointing out a fact, if you have a problem with that too bad. <BR> <BR>If we kept our oil revenue we wouldn't need any of these so-called subsidies from tax that you mention. Answer that and stay fashionable. <BR> <BR>Oh and perhaps you need to mix with some other people, not just the London luvvies (in which I also class Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, Alaistar Darling etc)from all over the UK. You seem rattled, Nigel, does the truth hurt? In addition to this you misinterpret my intentions - I dont hate English, just their form of government. <BR> <BR>Sheila, well done once again but I thought you may have lost your accent by now or, at least, toned it down a little, no?
Jun 19th, 2000, 08:47 AM
#14
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Wow, what did I stumble into, a civil war? At the risk of getting lost in the margins, can anyone tell me if there are Shell gas stations throughout England, Scotland and Wales? If so, is it a good idea to use my U.S. credit card for petrol purchases on the road? Over here their prices are awful (by U.S. standards). We're not used to paying what the rest of the world would consider a bargain. Thanks.
Jun 19th, 2000, 09:22 AM
#15
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Russ <BR> <BR>Shell is common across Britain. their prices are very similar to all the other because of 1/ the cartel that is in operation and 2/ the percentage tax that the British (yes, British) government places on petroleum (about 87% of the cost at the pump is tax). <BR> <BR>Carrie, whinging (sic) has an 'e', as does my surname. Oh and an 's' as well.
Jun 20th, 2000, 06:38 PM
#16
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We are heading to England on 6/29 for our first trip abroad. We will make a short detour over to Ireland and then back to Wales. We will be driving. Should we anticipate any problems in buying gasoline on the weekends? Our first weekend will be driving from Dover over to Salisbury/Bath area and then down into Cornwall and the second weekend will be driving from Wales back to the London area (we will not be driving in London!)Thanks for any suggestions.
Jun 21st, 2000, 12:08 AM
#17
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You will have no problems at all buying gas at the weekends, lot of gas stations especially in larger towns and cities operate 24 hrs a day. Hope you enjoy your first visit to the UK and especially your visit to Salisbury, one of my favourite places, guess I may be biased though as I live fairly close to the city.
Jun 21st, 2000, 06:40 AM
#18
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If subsidies handed out by the "British" government to Scotland are higher than the national norm it is only fair given the 400 years of bleeding us dry during the occupation! Who can forget that the English Queen Elizabeth decapitated our Queen Mary because she knew that Mary was the rightful monarch of England too! Memories are long in the glens!
