Moving on a weekday or at the weekend?

What decides when to move

Moving on a weekday and moving at the weekend are two different situations. It's not just about time off. The difference lies in the traffic, in people's availability and above all in who you can reach if there's a problem. Go through both before you book a van.

Traffic and parking

On a weekday you have to reckon with the morning and afternoon rush hours. On the other hand, it's easier to stop outside the building because residents are at work. At the weekend the traffic is lighter, but all the parking spaces in residential areas tend to be taken all day.

People's availability

Friends who can help out are mostly free at the weekend. That's the strongest argument for a Saturday. On a weekday you usually have to rely on yourself and your partner, or take a day off work.

Who you can reach

On a weekday, everything else works. The building manager, the landlord, the internet technician, the energy supplier, the authorities. If the lift can't be opened at the weekend or the cellar key goes missing, there's no one to call.

Neighbours and peace in the building

A noisy move on a Saturday morning gets relations with the neighbours off to a bad start. On a weekday most people are at work and the racket in the stairwell doesn't bother anyone. If you're moving at the weekend, put a notice on the board in advance and start in the late morning rather than at the crack of dawn.

Moving on a weekday has hidden advantages

A freer lift and corridors

On a working day the building is almost empty. Nobody is blocking the lift, you don't have to squeeze past anyone on the stairs and you can stop outside the entrance. At the weekend in the same building you'll run into neighbours with shopping, pushchairs and another crew who are moving too.

Parking reservation and permission to stop

Reserving a space outside the building is arranged with the authorities on working days only. The application is submitted in advance and in city centres you often can't do without it. So for a weekend move, you have to sort out the reservation during the week.

Shops and repairs are close at hand

Something is always missing. Screws, an extension cable, a replacement lock. On a weekday you can even get hold of a locksmith or a plumber; at the weekend you're dependent on an emergency service, if you can reach anyone at all. Likewise, builders' merchants and hardware shops tend to have shorter hours on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.

Which day to choose

Thursday and Friday are a compromise

The end of the working week combines the advantages of both options. The authorities and building managers are still working, your helpers take one day off and you have the whole weekend for unpacking. Friday afternoon, however, is the worst part of the week for traffic, so bear that in mind.

Saturday morning

A classic that works when everything is ready. A Saturday move only makes sense if the boxes are packed by Friday evening. Otherwise the whole morning goes on packing and you start loading at lunchtime.

Keep Sunday for unpacking

A Sunday move tends to be quiet and free of traffic. The price you pay is that you can't get hold of anything you forgot to buy. Sunday is better suited to bringing over the last few things and cleaning the old flat.

Watch out for the end of the month

The last and first days of the month are the busiest. Tenancy agreements end on the last day, so half the city is moving at once. If you avoid that date, you'll have a bigger choice of vans and helpers.

How to secure your date

Book earlier than you think

Secure your date as soon as you know when the flat is being handed over. Cancellation with us is free up to 72 hours before the start of the rental, so booking early carries no risk. You don't need to register or create a user account.

Non-stop operation covers unusual hours

Pick-up works non-stop, even on a Sunday evening. You photograph the vehicle and unlock it with your phone via the web app, and you'll find the keys in the passenger-side compartment. So you don't have to fit in with a branch's opening hours.

Check how to get to the location

Find out in advance how you'll get to the van. On a weekday morning you're travelling against the flow into the centre; on a Sunday evening public transport runs less often. Go through the route on a map before you set off for the van with a group of people waiting at the flat.

Leave yourself a buffer

A move almost always takes longer. Bear this in mind when planning your return time. The vehicle is returned with a full tank to the same location where you picked it up, and during the rental you can leave your own car there free of charge.

Take a look at other people's experiences. You'll find ratings in the reviews section and available vans in our fleet.