Giga
The short answer
A student man and van starts at £110 door to door
Moving into halls or a shared flat is easiest with a small man and van. With Giga, a small van and driver is £55 an hour with a 2-hour minimum (£110), and the price is the same on any day of the week. Sharing the van with a friend and being packed before it arrives are the best ways to cut the cost.
- A small man and van is the cheapest way to move boxes and suitcases with help.
- Check your halls' move-in slots and parking rules before you book.
- Label every bag and box with your name, block and room number.
- Share one booking with a friend moving the same way and split the bill.
- Clear out old textbooks and clothes before you move. Less to carry means less time.
Student Removals: Finding the Cheapest Path
Money matters when you are a student. Public transport costs little, but it does not work with big boxes, a monitor, bedding and a small desk. Most taxis will not take bulky loads either.
A man and van takes you door to door without the cost of a full removal. You pay for a small van and a driver who helps load and unload, and nothing more.
Navigating University Halls of Residence
Halls have strict rules, especially on the busy September move-in weekend. Many give you only a 20 to 30-minute parking slot to unload.
To avoid fines, have every box packed and stacked by the entrance before the van arrives. Check lift access and gate clearance with the accommodation office before you book.
Related reading: Man and Van London Pricing: What Affects Your Quote? and Single Item Movers London: How to Move One Item Safely.
Packing Hacks for Small Study Rooms
Packing a student room is about using space well. Clothes and bedding are light but bulky.
Vacuum bags shrink duvets, blankets and winter coats to about 75% of their size. Put heavy textbooks and folders in small, strong boxes so they do not split. Wheeled suitcases suit heavy books; save cardboard boxes for lighter things.
Van Sharing: Splitting Relocation Costs
If you and a friend are moving from the same area or to the same campus, moving on the same day saves money.
Instead of two separate small van bookings, book one van for both of you. Load both sets of belongings together and split the hourly bill. Each of you can pay close to half of what a separate booking would cost.
Options Guide
Student moving options compared (2026)
| Moving Option | Pros | Cons | Est. Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transport / Taxi | Very cheap | Extremely exhausting, luggage limits | £15 - £40 |
| Giga Man & Van | Help loading, door to door, fast | Book ahead in busy weeks | £55/hr, 2-hour minimum (£110) |
| Self-Drive Van Rental | Move at your own pace | Age restrictions (21/25+), London driving stress | £70 - £120 |
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Usually a small driver-only man and van, where the driver helps you load and unload. With Giga that is £55 an hour with a 2-hour minimum (£110), plus mileage one way at £1.20 a mile. To keep it down, pack everything before the van arrives, get a friend to help carry and share the van with a flatmate moving the same way.
Yes. Summer storage means you do not have to take everything home. Your boxes and furniture are collected from your halls or flat at the end of term, kept in secure storage and delivered to your new address when term starts. Giga arranges storage through a partner facility. Book early, as the end of the year is busy, and put your name on every box.
Stairs are charged at £10 per person on the crew, per flight, for each hour at that address. A floor is 2 flights; the ground floor is free, and a working lift removes the charge. Tell us your floor and whether there is a working lift at both addresses when you book. Halls often have strict move-out times and lift rules, so check those with the accommodation office too.
There is no separate student discount. Our prices are already low and the same every day: no weekend, evening or bank-holiday premium. A van and driver is £55 an hour with a 2-hour minimum (£110), with no deposit and payment after the job, so a small room move stays affordable.
