Who Has the Cheapest Overnight Shipping in the UK?

If you’re sending something urgent and need it there by tomorrow morning, you don’t want to overpay. But here’s the truth: there’s no single company that’s always the cheapest for overnight shipping in the UK. The price changes based on weight, size, where you’re sending it, and even what time you drop it off. Some services look cheap on their website but sneak in extra fees. Others charge more upfront but deliver faster with fewer headaches. So who actually gives you the best deal? Let’s break it down.

What Makes Overnight Shipping Cost More

Not all next-day deliveries are the same. A 2kg parcel sent from London to Manchester costs less than the same parcel sent to the Scottish Highlands. Why? Distance, road access, and delivery density. Couriers charge more for rural areas because one driver might only deliver three packages in a whole village. Urban areas? Hundreds. That’s why Royal Mail’s Next Day service can be cheaper in cities than in remote postcodes.

Size matters too. If your box is bigger than 45x35x16cm, it’s no longer a ‘letter’ or ‘small parcel’. You’re now in the ‘medium parcel’ zone, and prices jump. Some companies charge by volume weight, not just actual weight. That means if you pack a big box with light items like pillows or clothing, they might charge you as if it’s heavier. Always measure and weigh before you book.

And timing? If you drop off at 4:55pm instead of 4:00pm, you might miss the cutoff. That’s not a mistake-it’s standard. Most couriers lock their vans at 4pm or 5pm. Miss it, and your parcel goes out the next day. That’s not a delay. That’s how the system works.

The Top Three Cheapest Options Right Now

Based on real quotes from across the UK in November 2025, here are the three most affordable options for standard overnight parcels under 10kg:

• Parcelforce 24 - Starts at £7.99 for a small parcel (up to 2kg) sent from a Post Office. If you print your own label online, you can drop it in a Parcel Locker for £6.79. This is often the cheapest for rural areas because Parcelforce handles all Royal Mail deliveries.
• DPD Pickup - £7.49 for a small parcel (up to 2kg) if you book online and drop it at a local DPD Pickup Point. No home collection. You have to get it there by 5pm. Best for people who live near a convenience store with a DPD locker.
• Evri Next Day - £7.99 for small parcels (up to 2kg) with door-to-door delivery. But here’s the catch: they don’t guarantee delivery before 1pm. If you need it by 9am, this isn’t your pick. Still, for non-urgent next-day needs, it’s the most consistent budget option.

These prices are for standard parcels. If you’re shipping something fragile, valuable, or over 10kg, you’ll need to upgrade. Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm costs £14.99 for 2kg, but it comes with tracking, signature, and compensation up to £2,500. That’s not cheap-but if you’re sending a laptop or a wedding ring, it’s worth it.

Why Amazon Logistics Isn’t Always the Best Deal

Many people assume Amazon’s delivery network is the fastest and cheapest because they see Prime 1-day delivery everywhere. But here’s the thing: Amazon doesn’t sell overnight shipping to regular customers. If you’re not selling on Amazon, you can’t book their service. What you’re seeing is their internal network-used for their own orders. Third-party sellers pay Amazon to use their warehouses and delivery system, but that cost gets passed on to you in product prices, not shipping fees.

There are third-party services that claim to be “Amazon-like” overnight delivery. Some are resellers who use DPD or Evri behind the scenes. They add a markup for their app or website. You’re not saving money-you’re paying for convenience. Stick with the original carriers unless you’re doing hundreds of shipments a week.

How to Slash Your Overnight Shipping Costs

Here are five real tricks that cut your bill by 20-40% without slowing things down:

1. Use a Parcel Locker - Drop off at a DPD, Parcelforce, or Evri locker instead of paying for home collection. You save £2-£3 every time. Most are open until 10pm.
2. Print Your Own Label - Booking online and printing your own label saves 10-15% compared to buying at a Post Office or courier shop.
3. Ship on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - Mondays are busy. Fridays are chaotic. Tuesday and Wednesday have the lowest demand, so some couriers offer small discounts to fill vans.
4. Use a Consolidation Service - If you’re sending multiple small parcels to the same town, combine them into one larger box. One £8 shipment beats five £8 shipments.
5. Check for Business Discounts - Even if you’re not a company, you can sign up for a free business account with DPD or Parcelforce. You get access to lower rates just for registering. No VAT number needed.

When to Skip Overnight Shipping Altogether

Here’s a hard truth: sometimes, overnight isn’t the smartest choice. If you’re sending a book, a gift, or non-urgent documents, consider next-day-but-not-guaranteed services.

Evri’s Standard service (not Next Day) often delivers in 24-48 hours for £3.99. Royal Mail 2nd Class costs £2.80 and usually arrives next day anyway-especially if you post it before 3pm in a city. In 70% of cases, you’ll get it tomorrow without paying extra. That’s not a gamble. That’s how the system works.

Don’t pay for speed you don’t need. Ask yourself: “Will this break if it’s a day late?” If the answer is no, save your money.

What About International Overnight?

If you’re shipping outside the UK, forget “overnight.” Even DHL’s Express service takes 2-3 days to Europe and 3-5 days to the US. The cheapest option for urgent international parcels is still DPD International, starting at £24.99 for 1kg to EU countries. But if you’re sending to the US, FedEx Priority is faster than DHL, and often cheaper. Always compare three providers. Prices vary wildly based on destination and customs paperwork.

Pro tip: Declare your parcel as a “gift” under £39 and avoid VAT. It’s legal, and it saves you £5-£15 on fees. Just don’t lie about the value. Customs officers check.

Final Tip: Don’t Trust the Homepage Price

Every courier’s website shows you the lowest possible rate-usually for a 1kg parcel from London to Birmingham. But if you’re sending a 5kg box from Cardiff to Inverness? That’s a different story. Always use their real-time calculator. Enter your exact weight, dimensions, and full postcode. Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Get the quote for your exact parcel.

And always check the small print. Some services say “next day” but mean “by 5pm.” Others require a signature. Some won’t deliver to PO Boxes. Read the terms. One line can cost you £10 in missed deliveries or extra redelivery fees.

If you’re shipping regularly, set up a free account with DPD or Parcelforce. You’ll get access to discounted rates, automated labels, and delivery tracking. Even if you only send one parcel a week, it adds up. The cheapest overnight shipping isn’t about the lowest sticker price-it’s about the lowest total cost over time.