If you are about to move to a distant place, you have several options to choose from. You can go by plane and have your things shipped, you can drive your car and tow your things with a trolley, or you can rent a moving van and tow your car. You can also rent a packing crate, pack your stuff, and ship it to yourself. By doing some preliminary research, you can figure out which option is the most affordable and best for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Part One: Make a list
Step 1. Take an inventory of your stuff
Take stock of everything you own, especially vehicles, furniture, and heavy things that take up a lot of space.
- How essential are these things?
- If it costs more to carry them than to buy new ones, are you sure you want to take them with you?
Step 2. Take photos to document things of value
This will give you an "official" record of the condition of your belongings.
If you choose to take insurance, be sure to take one replacement cost only. The other type is literally based on the replacement cost of weight, not value.
Method 2 of 5: Part Two: Research
Step 1. Check the cost of airfares
If your move date is flexible, use the option flexible date on online booking sites to find out when the cheapest flights are.
Check how much baggage the airline is allowed to carry. In some cases, you can carry up to 50 kg. of baggage with you, and additional baggage at a reasonable price. This can be useful if, for example, you want to take your computer with you for fear that the transporters will ruin it. You can pack a computer by wrapping it in bubble wrap plastic and put it in a suitcase as part of your luggage
Step 2. Ask for more quotes for trucks and vans
There are many different possibilities. Make sure you do your research and write down quotes. Once done, you can evaluate the one that best suits your possibilities.
- Be prepared in advance if you need a trailer! If you want your car towed, make sure they have hooks in stock. Sometimes you have to order them and it takes a few days for them to arrive.
- If you rent a van, how much will the size you need cost you, and how many days and kilometers are included in the rate?
- If you have a vehicle, how much would it cost to tow it? It may also be more convenient to do things another way: drive your vehicle and tow a cart. How much would it cost?
Step 3. Check out the moving companies
Find out how much it would cost to rent a full service one (it could be easier in terms of loading, unloading, etc, see the Warnings below).
- You can also look for a "Do-it-yourself move" service, which provides you with a loading unit, allows you to load it when it suits you best and then comes to pick it up and transport it for you.
- There are sites where you can describe your needs and people make offers with their rate for you. As in all of your research, ask how much it costs, how long it will take and how you are protected from risk of damage.
- Books can often take up a lot of space and weigh a lot. Do not be afraid! They can be mailed at a 'good rate'. This allows you to pick up your things even 2 weeks later, which is useful if you don't know where you are moving!
Step 4. Check the reliability of your vehicle
Do you trust to drive it perhaps for 1000 km, without fear of it breaking? Does it need major repairs before embarking on a long journey?
- Most cars, reliable or not, should be carefully checked by the mechanic (with particular attention to the radiator, transmission, and brakes) before embarking on a cross-country trip. The cost of maintenance could save you thousands of dollars (literally) in emergency repairs, towing, etc.
- If you are considering towing a cart, have you verified that your car has enough horsepower to tow it the distance you need?
- Driving through a country often means crossing different altitudes, climates and terrains. Can your car cope with the mountains? Are the brakes in good condition? Does it tend to overheat? Do the air conditioning and heating work?
- Check the weather. Meteo.it and similar sites can give you the weather forecast on your route. Consider things like mountain passes, avoid them if possible, or be prepared to fit chains on the car if the situation calls for it. Map your route online and don't leave without an updated Road Atlas. Decide whether investing in a satellite navigation system is within your budget.
Method 3 of 5: Part Three: Calculate
Step 1. Calculate the cost of the trip with your car
Determine the fuel consumption of the vehicle you will use in order to estimate its cost.
- Check how many kilometers you will have to travel, then divide the number by your consumption km / l (kilometers per liter). So you will know how much fuel you will need to consume for the trip. Multiply the number by the price of fuel to see how much you will spend in total.
- Example: if your journey is 1,000 kilometers and your vehicle travels 15 kilometers. with a liter, then 1,000 km ÷ 15 km / l = 67 liters approximately. If the price of fuel is around 1.8 € per liter, you will spend on fuel 67 liters x € 1,8 = € 120.
- Remember that the consumption of your car will increase if you tow a cart or if you load the car a lot.
Step 2. Prepare a reliable list of road travel costs, primarily room and board
- How long will it take you driving?
- If you have to stay overnight in hotels or motels, how much will it cost you? How much will you spend on meals and snacks?
- Are you planning to make some sightseeing stops, such as tasting some wine or food, or visiting friends along the way?
Step 3. Check the rates for shipping the car
There are companies that specialize in shipping vehicles over long distances. Call and ask the following questions:
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
- How am I protected against damage to the vehicle?
- What is the reputation of the company? You can usually find comments and ratings online.
Method 4 of 5: Part Four: Evaluate
So far, you have done enough research to be able to calculate the cost of all the possibilities to move. Now you have to compare your options not only from a cost point of view, but also from other aspects, such as the pleasantness of the journey. Here are some scenarios.
Step 1. Scenario one:
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Drive the car, get your things shipped.
• Be aware that your belongings are more likely to be damaged if they are in someone else's hands.
• Driving the car rather than shipping or towing it means more wear and tear on the car itself.
• There are more possibilities to make tourist stops.
Step 2. Scenario two:
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Drive the car, tow a cart with your properties.
• Consider the least chance of damage to your belongings if they stay with you.
• Driving the car rather than shipping or towing it means more wear and tear on the car itself.
• Towing a heavy truck will put extra strain on your car, and you may need to fit a towbar.
Step 3. Scenario three:
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Drive a van with your stuff, tow the car.
• Consider the least chance of damage to your belongings if they stay with you.
• Less wear and tear on your car.
Step 4. Scenario four:
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Drive a van with your stuff, ship the car.
• Consider the least chance of damage to your belongings if they stay with you.
• Less wear on the vehicle, but more chance of it being scratched or damaged.
• Get an escort car at your destination, in case yours takes longer than expected to be dispatched.
• You can add a trolley to the van to carry more things.
Step 5. Scenario five:
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Arrive at your destination by plane, ship your car and property.
• Consider the greater likelihood of damage to your belongings if they are in someone else's hands.
• Less wear on the vehicle, but more chance of it being scratched or damaged.
• It is simpler but more expensive in case there are children.
• Get an escort car at your destination, in case yours takes longer than expected to be dispatched.
• You may arrive at your destination before your belongings.
• You can take something with you on the plane.
Step 6. Scenario six:
Selling the car and other bulky items. Send the rest. Take a plane. It may be cheaper or just a little bit more expensive to sell the car and other things first and then buy them new once you move. Calculate the cost of shipping these bulky items and the cost of buying them back. In the case of cars, computers, TVs, you must also consider that you can have objects with newer technology
Method 5 of 5: Part five: but above all …
Step 1. Be creative
Consider possibilities that we haven't listed here and that are specific to your situation.
- Maybe a friend or relative wants to drive your car and your belongings for you; you can offer to refund fuel, accommodation and more, and it may still be cheaper than using a shipping service for the car.
- It might really make sense for you to get rid of all your bulky stuff and travel by train or bus. The possibilities are endless. Consider what's best for you in your situation and enjoy the ride!
Advice
- Moving costs can be tax deductible - ask an expert or your accountant.
- Consider the likelihood that if you rent a cart or van, they could steal or damage them.
- If you decide to use a moving company, be sure to check its reliability. Consider specialized carriers; for example, if you have a piano, you could contact an instrument transport company.
- Moving can be tough on pets. Taking a pet on a trip might be better because it stays with you, but it can also be uncomfortable and stressful for both of you. Sending your pet on a plane alone is quicker and makes the journey shorter, but can be more stressful.
- Consider making more than one trip. You could take a lot of your stuff on a trip, go back by bus or plane, and then drive your car with the rest of the stuff to your new address.
- Always allow for unexpected changes: detours, flight delays, flat tires, bad weather and many other things can change your plans. Don't make a schedule so rigid that a small change can ruin the whole trip.
- Consider hiring a moving company if you don't want to handle the whole thing yourself.
Warnings
- If you don't load the cart with weight well balanced, or if you load it too much, your journey could be a disaster, especially considering the variables you will encounter.
- Unless you're used to carrying heavy loads, get advice on how you should drive the van. The wind can literally knock a truck over on the highway, and the car's thrust will be minimal if the load behind it exceeds the weight of the car itself.
- Shipping companies keep your things if you don't pay for the fine print at the bottom of the contract. Read it carefully!
- If you are not in good health, loading and unloading a van or cart on your own is probably not a good idea. Find a good moving company to do it for you.
