How we calculate moving prices
The calculator prices a move the way a moving company does: from the vehicle your volume needs, the real truck route and the crew time at both addresses. Here is every step.
Moving cost = vehicle and driving (by truck route and days) + road tolls + crew time for loading and unloading + an allowance for the size of the move, shown as a range and including VAT.
1. Volume and weight decide the vehicle
Your move size in cubic metres is converted to an estimated weight of 80 kg per m³. The calculator then picks the fewest vehicles that carry both the volume and the weight, and among those the cheapest:
- 3.5 t box van: up to 17 m³ and 900 kg payload (850 kg on routes to or from Austria and Switzerland).
- 7.5 t truck: up to 36 m³ and 2,600 kg.
- 18 t truck: up to 55 m³ and 7,000 kg.
A van is never planned overloaded. Larger moves use several vehicles.
2. The real truck route, with tolls
For each vehicle the calculator requests a route from a professional truck routing service: road distance, driving time for that vehicle class and the toll costs on the way, including ferries or train crossings where the route needs them. A straight line on a map is never used.
3. Crew time at both addresses
The crew size follows the volume, with at least two movers. Loading takes longer per cubic metre than unloading, because everything has to be wrapped, carried and stacked safely. Each handling day starts in the morning.
4. Range, extras and VAT
An allowance for the size and complexity of the move is added, and customs handling where a route leaves the EU. The result is shown as a range around the expected price. The VAT that applies to your route is included.
What the estimate assumes
Ordinary access: ground floor or a lift, a short walk from the truck to the door and daytime handling. Packing, furniture assembly, a temporary no-parking zone in front of your building, external furniture lifts and special items such as pianos are priced in the fixed quote.
Guide prices on this site
The tables on the country pages are guide prices for typical routes and three home sizes, reviewed in October 2026. They are rounded and meant to give orientation; the calculator prices your exact addresses.
Questions about the method
Why is the result a range and not one price?
Two moves with the same volume and route can still differ: floors, lifts, walking distance and the exact amount of furniture change the time needed. The range covers ordinary variation. The fixed-price quote then prices your exact situation.
Why does a bigger move sometimes cost only a little more?
Vehicles come in steps. If your volume already needs a 7.5 t truck, a few more cubic metres fit into the same truck and only add loading time.
Are ferries included?
The route planner includes ferry and train crossings where the truck needs them. The crossing fare itself is checked in the fixed quote, and the calculator tells you when your route uses one.
Do you use the same method for every country?
Yes. The same model runs for every route in the EU, Switzerland and the UK. Crew rates are higher where labour costs are higher, for example in Switzerland and the UK.
See the method in action
Enter a route and a move size. The result shows the distance, vehicles, crew and hours it is based on.