Ah, Sundays. The day of rest—for you, for me, and apparently for some Sainsbury’s petrol pumps. On Sundays, the opening time often shifts later, typically to 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM. I’ve even rolled up at 7:15 AM to find a locked gate and a very smug-looking seagull staring at me from a lamppost. Pro tip: If you’re planning a Sunday morning getaway, just assume it’s 8:00 AM and save yourself the disappointment.
Bank holidays? Forget about it. Those are the wild card of petrol station hours. Some treat them like a normal Monday; others decide it’s basically Christmas morning and don’t open until 9:00 AM or even 10:00 AM. I once waited 20 minutes outside a Sainsbury’s in Brighton on a bank holiday Monday, only to discover they’d decided to take the whole day off. True story. My car ended up running on hope and a few drops of diesel from a nearby farm shop.
24-Hour Stores: The Golden Ticket
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If your local Sainsbury’s has a 24-hour supermarket, the petrol station might be on a different schedule—or even 24 hours itself. Yes, you read that right. Some forecourts never sleep. They’re open 24/7 for pay-at-pump customers, which is basically a miracle for night owls and insomniacs like me. But—and there’s always a but—make sure it’s a pay-at-pump setup. If you need to pay inside, you’re out of luck until the shop opens.
Sainsbury's Petrol Station in Quarry Wood Industrial Estate, Aylesford
How do you find out? Simple: check the Sainsbury’s store finder on their website. Or, if you’re feeling brave, call the store directly. I know, calling feels like an ancient ritual in 2026, but it works. Just brace yourself for the automated menu. “For petrol station hours, press 4.” You press 4. Silence. Then, a voice that sounds like it's coming from another dimension.
