Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penela, Portugal
Posts: 73
Fuel in France on Sunday ?

Hi

Travelling to the Pyrenees from the UK in May and need to do the last 300 miles on a sunday, I know in rural areas the petrol stations aren't manned and only accepts French cards but are all the motorways stations going to be manned and ok for fuel ?

Thanks

Neil
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
You can get petrol at supermarkets on Sundays no problem. Also I've used my credit cards in French machines. A lot give you the option of selecting "English" before you start. I've even had them automatically change to English when the machine recognises it's a UK card. They're getting quite modern over there you know! Ha ha.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
If your last day involves a bit of motorway riding you won't have any problems with the services. They'll take UK cards in the normal way. Off the motorway it can be a bit more tricky. Many of the cheaper places (supermarkets mainly) are automated and more often than not (based on my experiences over the last five years) they've rejected my UK card. The ones that will - no problem. They're the ones with flashy displays and auto recognition that it's a UK card, as FD said. The ones that don't, well that can be a problem if you're down to your last drops of fuel and you've stopped at one of them. Just make sure you're searching for fuel when you've still got enough to try somewhere else.

Even on a Sunday though there are often manned stations open in most reasonable size towns but they may not be obvious. A number of times I've had to ask locals where the nearest manned station is and been given directions to what feels like the industrial estate.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Apr 2011
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Just a piece of advice: don't wait too long, I've managed to run out of fuel on a sunday early afternoon. No fun in rural areas, believe you me

Generally I agree to what backofbeyond and Flyingdoctor have said - you'll be fine on motorways and don't count on machines taking anything other than French credit or debit cards. I've tried German and US and neither have worked. On the other hand if you'll carry enough cash with you it shouldn't be too hard to find a local with a card that works.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penela, Portugal
Posts: 73
Thanks for the replies guys , so if I stay on the motorways 'all ' the petrol
stations will be manned ?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
Quote:
Originally Posted by jqd05a View Post
Thanks for the replies guys , so if I stay on the motorways 'all ' the petrol
stations will be manned ?

We go down to the Alps frequently using the autoroutes and I've never yet had problems at a motorway station, day or night - I even got fuel when they were on strike last Oct. As here you'll pay a bit more, but if it's that or nothing ...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
If you'll be on the N10 the truck stop at Barbezieux is open Sundays so you can pay a person, and buy pepper spray in two different sizes!
About 2km north into town theres an E Leclerc which is the cheapest fuel for a long way around, but I don't know if it'll be manned on a Sunday, perhaps a machine only. AA says 280km to Biarritz.

A lot of the smaller supermarches are open Sunday am for the locals to get bread. And I haven't had a UK credit Visa or Mastercard refused in France for years (15?!), and even then waited for a local, gave them the cash and used their card. Friendly lot the French!

The exception to that may be prepay cards like Caxton FX, but I'm not sure on that.

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Apr 2011
Toyark's Avatar
-
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,341
Smile

Even if you get stuck- if you wait, someone will come along- as long as you have cash, you can do a swop- they will use their cards to draw fuel and you pay them-
Or a local will take pity on you and come with a can
Or you could wander up the local cafe- a huge source of info etc there.
Or you could ring someone's doorbell with "pouvez-vous m'aider ? J'ai besoin d'essence"

the possibilities are endless
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 7 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: King's Lynn UK
Posts: 424
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Even if you get stuck- if you wait, someone will come along- as long as you have cash, you can do a swop- they will use their cards to draw fuel and you pay them-
Or a local will take pity on you and come with a can
Or you could wander up the local cafe- a huge source of info etc there.
Or you could ring someone's doorbell with "pouvez-vous m'aider ? J'ai besoin d'essence"

the possibilities are endless
+1
Done that a load of time's. So far never been caught out. The French in all are a helpful bunch.
John933
__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23 May 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Even if you get stuck- if you wait, someone will come along- as long as you have cash, you can do a swop- they will use their cards to draw fuel and you pay them
+1 from me too, I have done exactly that quite often.

Just be sure to carry some small denomination Euro notes with you - I suggest you stash a few 5 Euro notes in a pannier for exactly this purpose, in case you get caught at a gas station that is closed and won't accept your credit card.

The credit card machines at 24 hour gas stations seem to be more reluctant to accept foreign credit cards than the ATMs are, perhaps because of fraud in the past.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fuel and Air in France / Spain NewAdventurerLee Europe 5 10 Jun 2009 16:52
France : Fuel/Ferry problems dommiek Europe 1 25 May 2008 18:06
Latest fuel prices in France? bmw.bec Europe 7 1 Apr 2008 01:18
Leaving Ireland Sunday France/Italy/Greece/Turkey jonnymac Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 22 Jan 2008 20:40
Sunday Breakfast mattcbf600 HU Travellers Meetings - UK 7 21 May 2007 08:17

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:40.