Three ways to cut costs on a self-drive holiday

Danish families typically spend 20,000 to 25,000 kroner on a self-drive holiday, often far more, according to Nykredit/Spar Nord economist Jeanette Kølbek, as reported by DR.

Rising fuel prices have added only marginally to the total cost. A return trip from Aalborg to Lake Garda in Italy now costs 402 kroner more in a petrol car and 559 kroner more in a diesel car compared to last year, per Nykredit/Spar Nord calculations for DR.

Kølbek offers three ways to reduce expenses. Packing meals from home can save around 500 kroner for a family of four, as a single restaurant or service station stop can cost 500–600 kroner. She also suggests cooking more meals at the destination and buying fewer treats.

Driving at 110 km/h instead of 130 km/h can cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent, confirms FDM consumer economist Ilyas Dogru.

Fuel savings can also be found by avoiding motorway service stations. In Germany, prices are lowest before noon due to a regulation limiting daily price increases. Tank early morning or between 18:00 and 22:00 to save nearly one krone per litre, Dogru advises. A recent FDM spot check in Germany showed savings of 96.5 øre per litre on diesel and 75 øre on petrol.