Moving in London: Choosing the Right Man and Van for Your Borough

A simple move on paper - just a one-bed flat across town - can become complicated quickly in London. A few things matter more here than almost anywhere else:

• Traffic and travel times: Crossing from one side of London to the other at the wrong time of day can add hours to a move.
• Parking restrictions: Controlled parking zones, residents' bays, pay-and-display, red routes and loading bans all affect where a van can legally stop.
• Narrow streets and tight access: Terraced streets, mews, one-way systems and low car parks can make large vans awkward or impossible.
• Flats, lifts and stairs: Many London moves involve multiple flights of stairs or compact lifts, which affects loading time more than distance on the road.

None of this is a problem when it's planned for. The key is to choose a London man and van who covers your area, then give them the right information up front.

Before you think about vans and prices, it helps to map your move in London terms:

• Which boroughs are you moving between?
• Are you staying within one area (for example, Hackney to Islington) or crossing the city (for example, Croydon to Camden)?
• Are either addresses on a busy high street, estate or cul-de-sac?

A few examples of how this affects your choice:

• Inner London (Zone 1-7): Areas like Camden, Islington, Southwark or Westminster often mean tighter streets, bus lanes and more parking restrictions. Here, the right parking plan and a sensible van size are more important than squeezing in the very largest vehicle.
• Outer London and the edge of Greater London: Places like Croydon, Bromley, Enfield or Romford usually offer more space to park, but journeys can be longer. You might prefer a slightly larger van to reduce the number of trips.

Wherever you're moving, using a London-focused man and van service means your driver already understands local rules and typical routes - you're not starting from scratch with someone unfamiliar with the city.

Van size matters in two ways:

• Fitting your belongings in safely, ideally in one go.
• Fitting your van onto your street, close enough that loading and unloading don't take forever.

In London, bigger isn't always better. A huge Luton van might sound ideal, but if it can only park several hundred metres away, you'll spend longer carrying items - and that extra time can cost more than a slightly smaller van that can park on your doorstep.

To get this right, use our Van Size Calculator to match your items to the right vehicle. It helps you:

• List what you're moving (furniture, boxes, bulky items).
• Estimate how much space you actually need.
• See which van size is likely to be the best fit.

The smallest van that genuinely works for your move is often:

• easier to park closer to the entrance,
• quicker to load and unload, and
• more cost-effective than over-booking capacity you don't use.

One of the most common causes of stress on London moving day is parking.

Your man and van booking always includes the vehicle and a driver. If you want help with loading and unloading, you need to choose this when you get a quote or book — from help from the driver only up to driver plus 2 helpers. If you select no help, you will be fully responsible for all loading and unloading yourself. Whatever you choose, you are responsible for arranging any permits or permissions needed to park legally at both the collection and delivery addresses.

Things to check in advance:

• Do you need a visitor permit or a parking suspension? Many boroughs require advance notice to suspend bays or reserve a space outside your home.
• Is there pay-and-display or pay-by-phone parking only? Make sure you have a way to pay for as long as the move will take.
• How far from the door can the van realistically park? Even 100-200 metres makes a big difference when you're carrying furniture and boxes back and forth.

You don't need to arrange ULEZ or the London Congestion Charge separately. Drivers are responsible for any ULEZ charges their vehicles incur, and if your journey needs to enter the Congestion Charge zone that cost is included in your quote when required. Your focus is on local council parking rules, such as residents' bays, suspensions and visitor permits.

If you would like a more detailed checklist for London moving day parking, permits and access, see our London Moving Day Logistics guide.

You don't have to solve everything alone - your driver can plan around access issues if they know about them in advance.

When you book, you'll be asked to tell us about access at each address, including:

• Number of floors at each address.
• Whether there is a lift, and if it's big enough for furniture.
• Whether there are stairs only, and how many flights.

Your booking confirmation includes your driver's contact details. In most cases your driver will get in touch before moving day, but you can also contact them directly to discuss anything specific about access, timing or parking. We encourage drivers to manage the details of each job directly with you so everything runs smoothly.

This is your opportunity to discuss any access or parking issues with your man and van driver:

• Any tight hallways or doorways.
• Gated entrances, concierge desks or codes needed to enter.
• What parking is available for them on the day.

If in doubt, contact our friendly support team who will be happy to discuss your specific requirements and ensure your move goes smoothly.

In London, when you move can be just as important as where you move from and to.

Things to keep in mind:

• Rush hours: Morning and evening peaks can make even short journeys slow. Where possible, consider mid-morning or early afternoon slots.
• School runs and local rushes: Residential roads can get very busy around school start and finish times.
• Event days and central London: If you're near stadiums, arenas or in central areas, check for major events that might close roads or increase traffic.

When you request quotes, you can mention preferred time windows. A good London man and van will factor traffic patterns into their timings so you're not stuck on the road when you should be unloading.

• Addresses and boroughs: Do you know the full postcodes and boroughs for both properties? Are there any particularly busy roads or restrictions nearby?
• Parking and permits: Have you checked if you need a resident or visitor permit? Do you need to arrange a parking suspension with the council?
• Access inside the buildings: Ground floor, lift, or stairs? How many floors? Any very tight turns, low ceilings or narrow doorways?
• Van size and number of trips: Have you used the Van Size Calculator to choose the right vehicle? Are you confident your belongings will fit in the chosen van in one go?
• Time needed: Have you allowed extra time for walking distance from van to door, stairs, and potential London traffic?

If you can tick off most of these points, you're in a great position to get an accurate quote and a smooth move.