How much does it cost to move to London in 2024?
Are you considering making the move to London from abroad? One of the critical aspects to plan for is the cost associated with moving your belongings. Understanding the average removal costs can help you budget and prepare for this significant transition. In this article, we’ll delve into the typical expenses you can expect when relocating to London.

Understanding Removal Costs:
- Distance and Volume:
The distance your belongings need to travel and the volume of items you’re transporting are primary factors influencing removal costs. Moving from abroad typically involves longer distances and higher volumes compared to local moves, resulting in increased expenses. - Transportation Mode:
Removal companies offer various transportation options, such as shipping containers, air freight, or land transport. Each mode comes with its own pricing structure, with air freight generally being the most expensive due to its speed and convenience. - Additional Services:
Many removal companies offer additional services, such as packing, unpacking, furniture disassembly/reassembly, and storage. These services can significantly impact the overall cost but may also provide convenience and peace of mind.
Average Removal Costs:
Based on industry averages and market trends, here’s a breakdown of the typical removal costs for moving from abroad to London.
| Country of Origin | 1 Bed Home | 2 Bed Home | 3 Bed Home | 4 Bed Home | 5 Bed Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South America | £5000-£6000 | £6000-£7000 | £8000-£10,000 | £10,000-£12,000 | £13,000-£15,000 |
| USA | £5000-£6000 | £6000-£7000 | £8000-£10,000 | £10,000-£12,000 | £13,000-£15,000 |
| Australia | £7000-£8000 | £8000-£9000 | £9000-£10,000 | £11,000-£12,000 | £14,000-£16,000 |
| Africa | £5000-£6000 | £6000-£7000 | £8000-£10,000 | £10,000-£12,000 | £13,000-£15,000 |
| Asia (Singapore / Malaysia / India) | £5000-£6000 | £7000-£8000 | £8000-£10,000 | £11,000-£12,000 | £13,000-£15,000 |
| Dubai and Emirates Countries | £5000-£6000 | £6000-£7000 | £8000-£10,000 | £10,000-£12,000 | £13,000-£15,000 |
| Europe | £4000-£5000 | £6000-£8000 | £8000-£10,000 | £9000-£12,000 | £10,000-£16,000 |
Tips to Reduce Costs:
- Declutter: Before the move, assess your belongings and consider selling or donating items you no longer need. This can reduce the volume of your shipment and lower removal costs.
- Plan Ahead: Booking your removal company well in advance can sometimes result in discounted rates. Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal.
- Pack Yourself: If budget is a concern, opt to pack your belongings yourself rather than paying for packing services. However, ensure proper packing materials and techniques to avoid damage during transit.

Average Removal Times
We’ve included details below of the average time it can take to arrange for your belongings to be moved to London:
| Country of Origin | Door to door time frame for exclusive containers, 2 bedroom and over |
|---|---|
| USA – East Coast | 6 – 8 weeks |
| USA – West Coast | 8 – 22 weeks |
| Australia | 8 – 12 weeks |
| South Africa | 6 – 8 weeks |
| Africa – East/West Coast | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Dubai and Emirates Countries | 4 – 6 weeks |
| Europe | Dedicated journey, delivery same week Part load 2 – 6 weeks |
Rent Affordability
Use our handy calculator to find out if you can afford rent with your current salary.
Conclusion
Moving from abroad to London is an exciting journey, but it comes with its share of logistical challenges, including removal costs. By understanding the average expenses involved and planning accordingly, you can ensure a smoother transition to your new home in the vibrant city of London. Remember to research reputable removal companies, read customer reviews, and communicate your requirements clearly to ensure a stress-free moving experience.For ultimate peace of mind with your move, click here to find out how Simply London can take care of all your moving arrangements for you with our fantastic move coordination service.
How Simply London can help
As the leading London relocation agency, we help individuals, families and employees moving to London. Our entire team is based in London, and everyone has been living in the British capital for a few years, or even a few decades! We are all former expats, and passionate Londoners now. Contact us to find out how we can support you in your move to London.
You can also check out the Simply London Knowledge Base where you will find lots of free articles on the subject of moving to London, including some fantastic insight into many London neighbourhoods.

FAQ’s
- Do you have access to off-market properties? We sometimes do, but the majority of rental properties are advertised online and publicly. We can sometimes access rental properties shortly before they are advertised, if we have already started a search for a client, and the estate agent knows what we are looking for on behalf of our client.
- What is your added value compared to searching on Rightmove and Zoopla? What does help a lot is the relationships we have built with the largest estate agents in London. In a very competitive market, with several tenants interested in the same property, this can give our clients a major advantage to secure the home of their choice.
- What happens if we don’t find anything that we like? It does happen – after a whole series of viewings, nothing suitable has appeared, or, even worse, the offer on the property of your choice has been rejected. Since our home search fees are fixed, we cannot offer an unlimited search. However we are usually happy to set up a few additional viewings for you, within the original search criteria.
- Will I be working with the same person within the Simply London team? Absolutely! One of our fantastic team members will become your dedicated Simply London Expert. She will be your only point of contact throughout, and will be working with you from start to moving in.
Testimonials
Simply London have helped my husband and I when we moved from Paris to London and it’s been a very smooth and great experience! We are very happy that we got in contact with them for this move which made our life so much easier and we now live in our dream home! Would highly recommend them for your next move as well! – Ellinor S.
Simply London’s team are remarkable professionals. I came from Heathrow straight to my apartment, with all arrangements and utilities being already fixed. Most of all, they are so kind and lovely to work with! I cannot recommend them enough! – Sagi V
Article Published 1st May 2024
