How much does a same-day courier cost in the UK?
Typical published market figures for a dedicated UK same-day van run from roughly £0.90 to £2.50 per mile depending on vehicle size, usually with a minimum charge. Timing, waiting, access and tolls then move the final price.
The short answer
There is no single price for a same-day courier, because every job is a different distance, vehicle and time of day. As a rough benchmark, typical published UK market figures for a dedicated same-day van run from about £0.90 to £2.50 per mile, rising with the size of the vehicle, usually with a minimum charge of around £35 to £55 for short jobs. Surcharges for waiting time, out-of-hours work, London charges, tolls and extra drops can then add to that.
The figures in this guide come from other UK companies' published pages. They are typical published market figures, not our prices. We do not publish a price list; we quote each job individually and agree a fixed price before collection.
Typical published market figures (not our prices)
Several UK courier companies and comparison sites publish guide prices. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each figure with its source in mind.
| Vehicle | Typical published price per mile |
|---|---|
| Small van | £0.90–£1.30 |
| SWB van | £1.10–£1.50 |
| LWB van | £1.25–£1.80 |
| Extra-long-wheelbase van | £1.50–£2.00 |
| Luton van | £1.75–£2.50 |
Source: The Same Day Specialists, UK pricing guide 2026. Figures checked October 2026. This source does not state whether these figures include VAT.
The table follows the source's vehicle bands. We do not run extra-long-wheelbase vans; our MWB van sits between the SWB and LWB.
Other published reference points:
- ParcelMatch gives roughly £15–£30 for genuinely local jobs within a town or city, and £1.20–£1.80 per mile for a small van on regional runs of 50 to 120 miles (ParcelMatch guide).
- ParcelBroker lists minimum charges of £35 for a small van, £45 for an SWB, £50 for an LWB and £55 for an extra-long-wheelbase van, and example London to Birmingham prices of £191 for a small van and £287.20 for an LWB, all excluding VAT (ParcelBroker same-day page).
The ParcelBroker London to Birmingham examples work out higher per mile than the guide table, because a single live price includes collection costs and minimums that a per-mile range smooths over. That gap is a useful reminder: per-mile ranges are good for budgeting, but only a quote for your actual job tells you what you will pay.
Why same day costs more than a parcel network
Same day costs more because you pay for a whole van and driver rather than a share of a network. A next-day parcel splits the cost of a collection round, trunking lorry, sorting hub and delivery van with hundreds of others, while a same-day courier drives your consignment directly to its destination and often returns empty.
That is also why the cost is far less sensitive to how many boxes you send. Two boxes or twenty, if they fit the same van, the price is broadly the same. Our guide to dedicated couriers versus parcel networks explains when each makes sense.
What sets the price
Distance and route set the price more than anything else, followed by the size of vehicle the load needs. Timing, handling, access at each end, waiting time and extra stops then adjust it, because each one changes how long the van and driver are tied up on your job.
- Distance and route. Motorway miles are quicker than city-centre miles, so a 20-mile cross-London job can take longer than 60 miles on the M1.
- Vehicle size. Bigger vans cost more to run. Choosing the smallest vehicle that safely carries the load is the easiest saving; our van size guide shows typical capacities.
- Weight and dimensions. These decide the vehicle. A heavy item may need a tail lift or a larger payload even if it is physically small.
- Timing. Evening, overnight, weekend and bank holiday work usually costs more than a weekday daytime job.
- Handling. Fragile, high-value or temperature-controlled goods may need a particular vehicle or extra care.
- Access. Stairs, long carries, restricted loading hours or no forklift can add time and labour.
- Waiting and extra stops. Anything that keeps the van and driver longer, or adds a drop, adds cost.
Surcharges to ask about before you book
Hidden extras are the most common complaint about courier invoices. Ask about each of these when you get a quote, so the price you agree reflects the job you actually need.
| Surcharge | What triggers it | Published examples and what to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | Goods not ready, or the receiver slow to unload | CitySprint allows about 10–15 minutes free, then £0.50 per minute for the whole wait; ParcelBroker charges £25 per hour after 30 minutes. Ask how long is free. |
| Out of hours | Evening, night, weekend or bank holiday work | CitySprint adds 50 per cent between 18:00 and 07:00. Ask what counts as out of hours. |
| Wait and return | The driver waits for a signature and brings items back | CitySprint adds 50 per cent on regional jobs. Ask how waiting is charged on top. |
| Congestion Charge and ULEZ | Collection or delivery in central or Greater London | Charges are set by TfL and change over time; see TfL's Congestion Charge page. They may apply and should be included in your quote. |
| Clean Air Zones | Some English cities, such as Birmingham, Bristol and Sheffield | Check whether the vehicle is compliant; see GOV.UK clean air zones. |
| Tolls, bridges and ferries | Dartford Crossing, M6 Toll, Mersey Gateway, Channel crossings | Ask whether tolls are included in the quoted price. |
| Extra drops | More than one delivery address | CitySprint lists £5.45 per drop for a small van and £10.95 for a large van. Ask about a multi-drop price. |
| Loading help | Breaking down pallets or a second person | ParcelBroker lists £20–£30 for "handball" (splitting pallets down). Ask whether the driver will help load. |
Published examples from the CitySprint regional tariff and the ParcelBroker same-day page, checked October 2026. They are not our charges.
Worked examples
These examples apply the published per-mile ranges above to show how a price builds up. They are illustrations using typical market figures, not quotes and not our prices. The per-mile source does not state a VAT basis, so check whether VAT is added on top.
| Job | Calculation | Illustrative range |
|---|---|---|
| 40 miles, small van, weekday | 40 × £0.90 to 40 × £1.30 | £36–£52 |
| 120 miles, LWB van, weekday | 120 × £1.25 to 120 × £1.80 | £150–£216 |
| The same LWB job at 8.00 pm | £150–£216 plus a 50 per cent out-of-hours uplift | £225–£324 |
| 8 miles across a city, SWB van | 8 × £1.10 to 8 × £1.50 = £8.80–£12 | A minimum charge applies, typically £35–£55 |
| 200 miles, Luton van | 200 × £1.75 to 200 × £2.50 | £350–£500 |
Now add a realistic extra. Suppose the 120-mile LWB job waits 45 minutes at collection because the goods are not packed. Under a tariff like CitySprint's, that is 45 minutes at £0.50, or £22.50. Under a tariff like ParcelBroker's, the first 30 minutes are included and the extra 15 cost about £6.25. Same delay, different rules, which is why it pays to ask before booking.
The short city job shows the other common surprise: a per-mile rate means little on very short trips, because the minimum charge covers the time it takes to send a van to you at all. In central London, Congestion Charge and ULEZ costs may come on top.
How to keep the cost down
The quickest savings come from booking the smallest vehicle that safely fits the load and only paying for same day when the goods truly must arrive today, because next day is often far cheaper. Having goods packed and ready, with accurate weights and sizes, avoids waiting time and the wrong van.
Other savings
- Avoid out-of-hours slots if a daytime collection meets the deadline
- Combine several deliveries into one multi-drop run
- Confirm the receiver will be open, to avoid a wasted trip
How to get an accurate quote from us
We price every job individually, based on distance, vehicle, timing and any extras such as waiting time, out-of-hours work, London charges or tolls. You get a fixed price agreed before collection, so there are no surprises on the day as long as the goods and timings match what was booked.
To get the most accurate figure, have the collection and delivery postcodes, the number of items with weights and dimensions, the ready time and deadline, and any access or loading details to hand. Our guide on what information we need for a courier quote lists everything. When you are ready, request a quote online or call 020 4525 2039. If you send regularly, a business account with invoicing is available for approved businesses, subject to credit checks.
FAQ
Common questions
Is a same-day courier priced per mile or per job?
Usually both, in effect. Most couriers work from a per-mile rate for the vehicle, subject to a minimum charge for short jobs, and then give you a single price for the job. Ask whether the quoted price is fixed and what could change it, such as waiting time, a larger vehicle or an extra drop. We agree a fixed price with you before collection.
Do published courier prices include VAT?
Business-to-business courier prices are commonly shown excluding VAT. ParcelBroker's figures in this guide exclude VAT; other sources do not always state a VAT basis. If you are not VAT registered, or you are comparing prices from different firms, check how each one is shown before you compare them.
Why is a same-day courier so much more than a next-day parcel?
A next-day parcel shares a van, a lorry and a sorting hub with thousands of other parcels, so its share of the cost is small. A same-day courier dedicates a van and driver to your goods, travels directly and often comes back empty. If the delivery does not truly need to arrive today, our next-day courier options are usually cheaper.
Can I get a price before I commit?
Yes. Give us the collection and delivery postcodes, what you are sending with weights and sizes, the ready time and the deadline, and any access details. We will quote a fixed price based on distance, vehicle, timing and any extras, and you decide whether to book.