You are hiring a whole van and the driver's time, door to door, not buying space in a shared network. Three things set the figure: the distance, the vehicle size needed and the timing. A properly run operator quotes one fixed, all-inclusive price before collection, with charges and tolls already inside it.
“How much will it cost?” is the first question every courier company hears — and one of the few most answer vaguely. Here’s an honest breakdown of how same day courier pricing works in the UK, what typical rates look like, and how to keep your costs down without risking your deadline.
How Same Day Pricing Works
A same day courier is a dedicated vehicle: you’re paying for the whole van and the driver’s time, door to door. Three factors set the price:
Distance — longer runs cost more, but every job is quoted as a single fixed all-inclusive price up front.
Vehicle size — a small van is our most economical vehicle class, while larger vans (SWB, LWB, Luton) cost slightly more due to size and capacity.
Timing and extras — timed delivery slots, wait-and-return, two crew or multiple drops add to the job.
Typical UK Rates (2026 Guide)
Rates vary by operator and region, but as a working guide: small vans start from £39, SWB vans from £49, LWB vans from £69 and Lutons from £89, each quoted as a fixed all-inclusive price before the driver sets off. Central London document runs across town commonly land between £20 and £45.
So a single pallet from London to Birmingham on a SWB van — roughly 120 miles — typically prices in the £150–£200 region as a dedicated same day job. Compare that with the cost of a stopped production line or a missed contract deadline, and the maths usually settles itself.
Watch for Hidden Extras
The quoted rate is not always the invoiced rate. Common surprises across the industry include fuel surcharges added as a percentage, congestion charge and ULEZ billed separately, waiting time at £0.50–£1.00 per minute, and out-of-hours premiums. Ask one question before booking: “Is this price fixed and all-inclusive?” (Ours always is — congestion, ULEZ and tolls included, with waiting time agreed up front if a slot is involved.)
How to Keep the Cost Down
Right-size the vehicle — accurate dimensions and weight let your courier quote the smallest van that safely fits, which is the single biggest saving.
Combine drops — several deliveries on one dedicated route cost far less than separate bookings.
Book regular work as a contract — scheduled routes earn preferential fixed rates.
Be flexible on timing where you can — a delivery that can ride an overnight run is sometimes cheaper than a peak-hours sprint.
Ready for a real number instead of a guide? Get a fixed quote — it takes minutes, any hour of the day.
Three things: the door-to-door distance, the vehicle size the load needs, and the timing — whether it is an immediate run, a timed slot or an overnight. You are hiring the whole van and the driver's time, not buying space in a shared network.
Should there be extras on top of the quote?
No. A properly run operator gives one fixed, all-inclusive figure before collection, with charges, tolls and fuel already inside it. Extras appearing on the invoice afterwards is the thing to watch for.
How can I keep the cost down?
Be flexible on collection time where the deadline allows, combine nearby drops into one job rather than booking separately, and make sure the vehicle is sized to the load rather than over-specified.
What it costs
Same Day Courier Prices
Every job is quoted as one fixed, all-inclusive price agreed before collection. These are our published starting points, so you can budget before you call.
Same day courier starting prices by vehicle size
Vehicle
Starting price
Typical capacity
Small van
from £39
400kg, boxed goods
SWB van
from £49
1 pallet / 800kg
LWB van
from £69
3 pallets / 1,200kg / 4m lengths
Luton (tail lift)
from £89
5 pallets / 1,000kg, no forklift needed
On longer runs, pricing typically works out at around £1.10 to £1.80 per mile depending on vehicle size, distance and urgency, with the fixed quote agreed before you book.
Always included
Congestion Charge, ULEZ and clean air zone charges
Tolls, ferry fares and fuel
Goods-in-transit insurance
Photo or signature proof of delivery
A dedicated vehicle on a direct route
What moves the price
Door-to-door distance
Vehicle size needed
Timing — ASAP, timed slot or overnight
Extras: wait and return, two crew, multiple drops
Nights, weekends and bank holidays cost a little more, and that is inside the fixed quote
There is no postcode or rural surcharge. Your exact figure is confirmed before we collect and nothing is added to the invoice afterwards.
How We Price It on the Day
What this looks like on our controller desk: the figure is worked out before the van moves, not after it arrives. We price against the door-to-door distance, the vehicle size the load actually needs and the timing, then confirm one all-inclusive number. That number is what lands on the invoice. When a caller has been stung before, it is almost always because charges were added after the job rather than quoted before it.
Get a price
Get a Fixed Quote for Your Delivery
Tell us what is moving and where it needs to be. We reply within minutes, 24 hours a day, with one all-inclusive price.
