What is lead-free petrol called in France and Spain?
Unleaded petrol is called sans plomb in France, and gasolina sin plomo in Spain. In France you may meet small garages which are not self service and you may want to give a small tip. They will take Visa cards even if they are tiny (well I haven’t found a non Visa outlet yet). Self service is service libre, if I remember correctly. Most of the outlets in Spain are not self-service yet, although they are slowly converting, and some outlets are both. If you get served, then a small tip (like 25 pesetas) is much appreciated. If you’re in a car they will wash your windscreen, but they may not take Visa cards – carry cash to be on the safe side. Are Spanish motorway tolls still ridiculously high? Yes, but not as bad since 1997. Spanish bikes are the same toll rates as cars – and this is very expensive. Luckily, in a deal with the government the toll companies have recently reduced their prices, although not a lot. Previously, it often worked out at about 10 pence per mile, for a bike as well
