Charging and Fueling

Overview of the fuel and charging network in Czechia

The petrol station network in Czechia is well developed and covers both urban and rural areas. Especially in major cities such as Prague, Brno and Ostrava, as well as along the motorways, you'll find numerous petrol stations and charging points. The best-known petrol station chains include Benzina, OMV and EuroOil. These are represented nationwide.

EV charging in Czechia is also becoming increasingly easier. There are now around 2,000 charging stations in the country. These are found mainly in urban centres and along main roads. In rural areas, the infrastructure is less dense, but with a bit of planning, sufficient refuelling and charging breaks are easily possible.

Refuelling in Czechia

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The best-known petrol station chains in Czechia include Benzina, OMV, EuroOil and MOL. These offer not only fuel but also basic services such as car washes, small shops and food outlets.

Petrol stations in Czechia: available nationwide

The petrol station network in Czechia is comprehensive and well developed. There are numerous petrol stations in cities as well as along main roads, especially on motorways. Rural regions also have a sufficient number of petrol stations. This means that fuel supply is generally not a problem, and an opportunity to refuel in Czechia near your route is usually quickly found. However, note that petrol stations in more remote areas may have limited opening hours – especially outside the tourist season. According to ADAC, petrol stations in Czechia are generally open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with those along main travel routes and in large cities often open around the clock.

Fuel prices in Czechia

Petrol and diesel prices in Czechia vary depending on the region and provider. Refuelling is often cheaper in smaller towns or away from the motorways. However, fuel prices in Czechia tend to be below the European average, which makes refuelling attractive for foreign visitors. Cheap refuelling in Czechia is possible especially at providers such as ONO, Unicorn, Kukoil and Jet – these are considered particularly good value. In addition, the petrol stations of some supermarket chains offer cheap fuel, such as those of Makro, Tesco and Globus.

The European Commission publishes current petrol and diesel prices in Czechia every week as a nationwide average (Weekly Oil Bulletin). These figures are also used, for example, by ADAC for its country overview. The price per litre at an individual pump may differ from this, and is often higher at motorway petrol stations. It's therefore best to compare prices shortly before refuelling using a fuel price app.

What is diesel called in Czechia? Fuel types at the pump

At Czech petrol stations, diesel is called "Nafta", and premium petrol with 95 octane is offered as "Natural 95". According to ADAC, 95-octane petrol is now almost exclusively available as E10. If your vehicle cannot tolerate E10, switch to a higher-octane premium fuel and look out for the E5 label at the pump. Autogas (LPG) is available almost everywhere.

Refuelling in Czechia: Pay with euros, koruna or card?

At most petrol stations in Czechia, you can pay either in cash or by credit card. Keep in mind that the official currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Some petrol stations, especially in border areas or tourist regions, also accept euros, but usually at a less favourable exchange rate. We therefore recommend paying in koruna or using a credit card. Mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet are also becoming increasingly common in larger cities.

Petrol station in Czechia at the border: Is stopping to refuel worth it?

If you're heading to Czechia to refuel from Bavaria, Saxony or Austria, you'll often find the nearest petrol station in Czechia at the border just a few minutes past the border crossing. Petrol stations in the immediate vicinity of the border can be found, for example, in Rozvadov, Folmava, Železná Ruda, Aš and Cínovec. You can find an overview of the most important crossings in our guides on the Czechia–Germany border and the Czechia–Austria border.

Whether refuelling in Czechia at the border is worthwhile depends on the current price difference with your home country, and this isn't always the same for petrol and diesel. So compare prices before your trip, for example using the European Commission's weekly average prices or a fuel price app. If you want to refuel with diesel at the border: at the pump it's called "Nafta".

Important: If your route to the petrol station takes you along a toll-liable motorway section (D-road), you'll need a valid vignette even for this short stretch. You can read about how to avoid toll-liable sections in our guide Avoiding toll roads in Czechia.

How much fuel can you take with you from Czechia in a canister?

According to ADAC, you may carry up to 10 litres of reserve fuel in a suitable canister in Czechia. When returning to Germany, German customs will not object to up to 20 litres in reserve containers in addition to the fuel in the tank – provided the fuel is suitable for your vehicle's engine and was purchased for your own use. Keep the fuel receipt in case of a possible inspection.

EV charging in Czechia

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EV charging in Czechia is becoming ever easier – thanks to around 2,000 charging points now available. You'll find these mainly in large cities and along the country's motorways. Thanks to the steady expansion of the infrastructure, travelling by electric car is becoming increasingly convenient.

Charging stations in Czechia: Where you can charge

Along the motorways, especially on the main routes D1 and D5, you'll find numerous charging points in Czechia. This means EV charging in Czechia is also easily possible on longer journeys. In rural regions, the charging infrastructure is less developed. It is therefore advisable to plan your route more carefully in these areas.

Charging points in Czechia: Providers

The best-known providers of charging points in Czechia include CEZ, E.ON Drive, ePoint and IONITY. These operators cover the majority of public charging stations and offer reliable charging infrastructure – especially in larger cities and along the motorways. In addition, some supermarkets, shopping centres and hotels offer charging stations, making EV charging in Czechia even easier.

EV charging stations in Czechia: Costs and payment

The costs for EV charging in Czechia vary depending on the provider and charging speed. Fast-charging stations are generally more expensive than conventional charging points. Payment is usually made via charging cards, for example the EVN Stromkarte. Special apps are also often used, such as the Future/E/GO App, the E.ON Drive App or the ADAC e-Charge App. At numerous charging stations in Czechia, payment by credit card is also possible.

EV charging in Czechia: How to find a charging point

To find a suitable charging point and check its availability, you can use apps such as PlugShare, Electromaps or Chargemap. Here you can also see which provider operates the charging station and how you can pay.

Special features and tips for travellers

Both refuelling in Czechia and EV charging in Czechia are generally straightforward, but there are a few special features you should keep in mind during your trip:

Refuelling and charging in rural areas

In remote regions such as the Bohemian Forest or the Ore Mountains, the density of petrol stations and charging points is significantly lower. Plan your refuelling and charging breaks in advance to avoid unnecessary detours and hassle.

Refuelling and charging in cities and tourist areas

There are numerous petrol stations and charging points in large cities and popular tourist areas. However, prices may be higher during peak season, and there may be waiting times at charging stations. Apps such as PlugShare or Chargemap can help. With these, you can easily find the nearest available charging points. With apps such as PACE Drive or ADAC Spritpreise, on the other hand, you can specifically search for the cheapest petrol stations.

Finding a petrol station near you in Czechia: Apps for refuelling and charging

Use apps such as Google Maps, PACE Drive, PlugShare or Chargemap to find the nearest petrol station or charging station in Czechia. Many of these apps also offer price comparisons to help you refuel or charge cheaply. If you're looking for a petrol station near you in Czechia while on the road, Google Maps, for example, uses its location function to show you the nearest petrol stations along with their opening hours.

Don't forget the vignette!

Remember that you need a digital vignette to use the toll-liable motorways (D-roads) in Czechia. Exceptions are made for purely electric and hydrogen vehicles – but if registered outside Czechia, only if you report the vehicle online as exempt with the Czech toll authority before your first journey, otherwise fines of up to CZK 5,000 may apply. Plug-in hybrids with a maximum of 50 g CO₂/km pay a reduced price but are not exempt. You can purchase the digital vignette for Czechia directly in our shop.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant journey to Czechia and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive nature. Please find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we would of course be happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.