What is the cheapest way to send something next day in the UK?

Want to send something tomorrow but don’t want to get hit with a £50 courier bill? You’re not alone. Every week, people in Bristol, Manchester, and Glasgow are asking the same thing: what is the cheapest way to send something next day? The truth is, there’s no single answer - but there are smart ways to cut costs without sacrificing speed.

Don’t default to Royal Mail

A lot of people think Royal Mail’s Next Day service is the cheapest option. It’s not. Sure, it’s everywhere, and you can drop it off at any post office, but for a small parcel under 2kg, you’re looking at £7.95 for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. That’s expensive if you’re shipping regularly. Plus, Royal Mail doesn’t guarantee delivery time if the item is late - just a refund if it misses the deadline. And refunds take weeks.

Compare local couriers - they’re cheaper than you think

Local courier networks like DPD, UPS, and FedEx aren’t your only options. In the UK, regional services like Parcelforce Worldwide (owned by Royal Mail) and Hermes (now InPost) often undercut the big names. For example, sending a 1kg parcel from Bristol to London via Hermes’ Next Day service costs £5.99 if you book online. That’s £2 cheaper than Royal Mail, and you get tracking, signature, and a 2-hour delivery window.

Here’s the trick: book online. Always. Walk-in prices at couriers are 30-50% higher than web-only deals. Even DPD’s in-store rate for next day is £9.50 - but book through their website and it drops to £6.99 for a small parcel. Same goes for UPS: £8.75 at the counter, £5.99 online.

Use parcel locker drop-offs

InPost has over 5,000 lockers across the UK. You drop your parcel in a locker by 6pm, and it’s delivered next day. No waiting for a courier to pick it up. No signing for it. No missed deliveries. The cost? £5.49 for a small parcel (up to 2kg) to anywhere in mainland UK. That’s the cheapest guaranteed next day option available right now.

You can find InPost lockers in supermarkets, petrol stations, and train stations. In Bristol alone, there are over 80. Just print your label at home, stick it on, and drop it in. No need to leave your house.

Timing matters more than you realize

Most next day services have cut-off times. Miss them by 15 minutes, and your parcel goes out the next day. Here’s what you need to know:

• DPD: Cut-off 5:30pm (weekdays), 12pm Saturday
• Hermes/InPost: 6pm (every day, including Sundays)
• Parcelforce: 5pm (weekdays), 12pm Saturday
• UPS: 5pm (weekdays)

If you’re sending something on a Friday evening, don’t wait until 5:45pm. Use InPost - their lockers accept parcels until 6pm, and they’ll still deliver Saturday. That’s a weekend delivery for a weekday price.

Weight and size are your biggest enemies

Every courier charges based on dimensional weight, not just actual weight. That means if your parcel is big but light - like a box of DVDs - they’ll charge you as if it’s heavier. For example, a 1kg parcel that’s 30x30x30cm might be charged as 2kg. That’s why slim, compact packaging saves money.

Rule of thumb: Keep parcels under 20x20x15cm if you want the lowest rate. Use padded envelopes instead of boxes. Wrap items in bubble wrap, not in a cardboard box. Many couriers offer free envelopes on their website when you book online.

Use courier aggregators - they’re free and smart

Don’t check each courier one by one. Use a price comparison site like Parcel2Go, ParcelHero, or SendMyBag. These sites don’t charge you - they just show you real-time prices from 15+ couriers. You book directly through them, and they handle the logistics.

For example, a 1kg parcel from Bristol to Edinburgh:

• DPD: £7.49
• Hermes: £6.29
• Parcelforce: £7.99
• InPost: £5.49

Parcel2Go will show you all of these side by side. You pick the cheapest, pay once, and get tracking. No hidden fees. No upsells. Just the price you see.

What about weekends?

Most people think next day delivery means Monday to Friday. But if you need it Saturday, you’ve got options. InPost and Hermes both deliver Saturday for the same price as weekday. DPD charges extra - £1.50 more. UPS doesn’t deliver Saturday unless you pay for premium service.

And Sunday? Only InPost delivers on Sundays - and only if you drop off by 6pm on Saturday. That’s the only next day service in the UK that includes Sunday delivery at standard rates.

Pro tip: Use free packaging

Most couriers give away free boxes and envelopes if you book online. DPD, Hermes, and UPS all send you packaging materials when you schedule a pickup. No need to buy boxes. Just print your label, pack your item, and leave it out. Some even offer free collection from your door.

For example, if you’re sending a small parcel from home, book with Hermes. Choose ‘collection’ at checkout. They’ll pick it up the next day - no trip to the post office needed. And you still pay £5.99.

What to avoid

• Buying packaging at the post office - you’ll pay £3 for a box that costs £0.50 online.
• Using Royal Mail for anything over 2kg - their pricing jumps sharply. Use DPD or UPS instead.
• Waiting until the last minute - if you wait until 4:50pm, you’ll miss the cut-off. Plan ahead.
• Assuming ‘next day’ means tomorrow - if you send on Friday, ‘next day’ is Monday. Always check the delivery calendar.

Real-world example: Sending a birthday gift

Last week, someone in Bristol needed to send a 1.2kg gift to Cardiff for Saturday. They had two options:

• Royal Mail Special Delivery: £8.95, delivered Monday if sent Friday
• InPost: £5.49, dropped in locker Saturday morning, delivered Saturday afternoon

They chose InPost. Saved £3.46. Got it there on time. No stress.

Final checklist: How to send next day for under £6

1. Make sure your parcel is under 2kg and under 20x20x15cm
2. Book online - never walk in
3. Use InPost if you can drop it in a locker by 6pm
4. If you need pickup, choose Hermes or DPD with free collection
5. Compare prices on Parcel2Go before booking
6. Send before the cut-off time - check the courier’s website
7. Use free packaging - don’t buy boxes

There’s no magic trick. Just smart choices. The cheapest way to send something next day isn’t about the courier - it’s about how you use them. Book online. Pack small. Drop early. And you’ll pay less than £6 - every time.