Choosing the wrong van size is the most expensive mistake in moving. Book too small and you're paying for a second trip. Book too big and you're wasting money on space you don't need.
Here's the thing: over 70% of London moves could be done in a smaller van than people think. Most 1-bed flats don't need a Luton. Most studio moves don't need an LWB.
This guide gives you the exact specifications, real-world capacity examples, and a simple framework to get it right first time.
Quick Answer: Which Van Do You Need?
| Your Move | Van Size | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single item (sofa, bed, appliance) | SWB | £50-80 |
| Student room / Small studio | SWB | £80-120 |
| Studio flat / Large 1-bed | LWB | £120-180 |
| 1-2 bed flat | LWB | £150-250 |
| 2-3 bed flat / Small house | Luton | £250-400 |
| 3+ bed house | Luton (may need 2 trips) | £400-600+ |
*Costs based on typical London moves with loading/unloading help included
Van Types Explained
Small Van (SWB - Short Wheel Base)
Ford Transit Custom, VW Transporter, Mercedes Vito
Dimensions
- Length: 2.4m (7.9 ft)
- Width: 1.7m (5.6 ft)
- Height: 1.4m (4.6 ft)
- Volume: 5-8 cubic metres
- Payload: Up to 1,200 kg
What Fits
- 1 × Single/Double bed (dismantled)
- 1 × Small sofa OR armchair
- 1 × Small wardrobe OR chest of drawers
- 15-25 medium moving boxes
- Bags, lamps, small items
Won't fit: 3-seater sofas, king-size mattresses (without folding), large wardrobes, American-style fridges
Medium Van (LWB - Long Wheel Base)
MOST POPULARFord Transit LWB, Mercedes Sprinter, Renault Master
Dimensions
- Length: 3.5m (11.5 ft)
- Width: 1.7m (5.6 ft)
- Height: 1.8m (5.9 ft)
- Volume: 10-12 cubic metres
- Payload: Up to 1,500 kg
What Fits
- 1 × King-size bed (dismantled)
- 1 × 3-seater sofa + armchair
- 1 × Double wardrobe + chest of drawers
- 1 × Dining table + 4 chairs
- 40-60 medium moving boxes
- Fridge, washing machine
Why it's most popular: Fits 80% of London flat moves in one trip. Big enough for real furniture, small enough for tight streets and parking.
Large Van (Luton / Box Van)
Ford Luton, Mercedes Luton, Iveco Daily
Dimensions
- Length: 4.0m (13.1 ft)
- Width: 2.0m (6.6 ft)
- Height: 2.0-2.2m (6.6-7.2 ft)
- Volume: 15-18 cubic metres
- Payload: 1,000-1,200 kg
What Fits
- 2-3 × Beds (all sizes)
- 2 × Sofas + armchairs
- Multiple wardrobes
- Dining table + 6 chairs
- 80-100 medium moving boxes
- All appliances
- Garden furniture
Bonus: Most Lutons have a tail-lift for heavy items like pianos, safes, and gym equipment. The "Luton head" (space over cab) adds extra room for mattresses and long items.
What Actually Fits? Real Examples
Forget the cubic metre numbers. Here's what real London moves look like:
Standard Furniture Dimensions
Studio Flat Move (SWB)
Fits in SWB with room to spare
1-Bed Flat Move (LWB)
Fits in LWB - one trip
3-Bed House Move (Luton)
Fits in Luton - may need 1.5-2 trips for larger homes
The Real Costs: Two Trips vs Bigger Van
This is where people lose money. Let's do the maths:
The Expensive Mistake
Scenario: Moving a 1-bed flat, Hackney to Islington (3 miles)
Wrong choice: SWB van because it's "cheaper"
- Trip 1: Load (1hr) + Drive (30min) + Unload (45min) = 2.25 hrs
- Trip 2: Return empty (30min) + Load (45min) + Drive (30min) + Unload (30min) = 2.25 hrs
- Total: 4.5 hours × £50/hr = £225
The Smart Choice
Right choice: LWB van - everything in one trip
- Load (1.25hr) + Drive (30min) + Unload (1hr) = 2.75 hrs
- Total: 2.75 hours × £55/hr = £151
Saving: £74 AND 2 hours of your time
Our Typical Rates
| Van Size | Per Hour | Min. Booking |
|---|---|---|
| SWB (1 man) | £45-55 | 2 hours |
| LWB (1 man) | £50-60 | 2 hours |
| LWB (2 men) | £70-80 | 2 hours |
| Luton (2 men) | £80-100 | 3 hours |
Prices include driver who helps load/unload. No hidden fees for stairs, congestion zone, or ULEZ.
London-Specific Challenges
Van size isn't just about capacity in London. You need to factor in:
Congestion Charge
£15/day for central London (Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm). Same charge whether it's an SWB or Luton. Weekend moves avoid this entirely.
ULEZ
Covers all of Greater London. Non-compliant vans pay £12.50/day. All our vans are ULEZ compliant - no extra charge.
Parking
Luton vans don't fit in multi-storey car parks. Some narrow streets in Kensington, Chelsea, and Westminster are tight for Lutons.
Building Access
Some mansion blocks and estates have height barriers. We check this before recommending a Luton for your move.
Borough Quick Guide
How to Decide: 5-Step Framework
List Your Large Items
Write down every piece of furniture: beds, sofas, wardrobes, tables, appliances. These determine your minimum van size.
Estimate Your Boxes
Rule of thumb: 10-15 boxes per room. A 1-bed flat typically has 30-50 boxes. People almost always underestimate this.
Check Access at Both Ends
Narrow street? Height barriers? No lift? These affect which van works. A Luton is useless if it can't park within 50 metres.
Factor Time vs Money
If you're paying by the hour, one trip in a bigger van is almost always cheaper than two trips in a smaller one.
When in Doubt, Go One Size Up
The price difference between SWB and LWB is £10-20/hour. That's nothing compared to needing a second trip.
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Forgetting the shed/garage/loft
Out of sight, out of mind. That garden furniture, Christmas decorations, and camping gear adds up fast.
Underestimating box count by 50%
Everyone does it. That "small amount of stuff" in cupboards, drawers, and wardrobes fills more boxes than you think.
Booking SWB for a "small 2-bed"
There's no such thing as a small 2-bed when it comes to moving. Two bedrooms means two beds, two wardrobes, plus living room and kitchen. That's LWB minimum.
Not measuring doorways
Your American fridge might fit in the van but not through your front door. Measure first, especially for sofas and mattresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size van do I need for a studio flat?
A small SWB van (5-8 cubic metres) is usually perfect for a studio flat. This fits a single bed, small sofa, 15-20 boxes, and miscellaneous items comfortably in one trip.
Can a Luton van fit down narrow London streets?
Luton vans are larger but still fit most London streets. However, some Victorian terraces and mews have tight access. We always check your postcode before recommending a Luton.
Is it cheaper to do two trips in a small van?
Almost never. Two SWB trips typically cost £180-220 and take 4+ hours. One LWB trip costs £120-160 and takes 2.5-3 hours. You save money AND time with the right-sized van.
What's the difference between LWB and Luton?
LWB vans have 10-12 cubic metres of space. Lutons have 15-18 cubic metres plus extra height and often a tail-lift for heavy items. Choose LWB for 1-2 bed flats, Luton for 3+ bed houses.
How many boxes fit in each van size?
SWB: 20-30 medium boxes. LWB: 40-60 medium boxes. Luton: 80-100 medium boxes. These estimates assume boxes only - furniture takes up significant additional space.
Do I need a Luton for a washing machine?
No. Washing machines, fridges, and other appliances fit easily in SWB and LWB vans. You only need a Luton if moving the appliance with a full household of furniture and boxes.
Still Not Sure?
Send us a few photos of your stuff on WhatsApp. We'll tell you exactly which van you need - no obligation, just honest advice.