What is express freight?
Express freight is a top-priority order: the vehicle carries only your shipment, leaves as soon as it is loaded and drives straight to the consignee – no groupage, no cross-docks and no waiting for other goods. The difference from standard transport is not the driving speed itself but the absence of all stops and waiting.
When express pays off
- line-down situations – a missing part has stopped production; an hour of downtime usually costs more than the whole express,
- spare parts for service – a machine at the customer is down,
- a delayed or lost delivery that must be replaced,
- a fixed deadline – a trade fair, a store opening, installation on site,
- time-sensitive goods that should not stay long on the road.
How fast is it?
| Route | Usual delivery |
|---|---|
| Within the Czech Republic | same day with morning loading |
| Vienna, Bratislava, Dresden, Katowice | same day |
| Berlin, Munich, Budapest | same day by van, next morning by truck |
| Other EU countries | depending on distance, see transit times |
Which vehicle for express
Most often a van – a box van for up to 5 pallets (about 1 t) or a curtain-sided van for up to 10 pallets (about 1.3 t). It is fast, easy to park at the consignee and not subject to weekend driving bans. Heavier shipments go by 7.5–12 t rigid truck, full loads by articulated truck as a direct run.
Express at weekends and on long routes
Sunday and holiday driving bans apply to vehicles over 7.5 t; vans up to 3.5 t can run at weekends. On long routes, mandatory breaks and a single driver's daily driving time limit the speed – so Europe-wide express runs use a two-driver crew that takes turns at the wheel and keeps the vehicle moving almost non-stop.
What to prepare so the express leaves early
- exact loading and delivery addresses with a contact at both,
- dimensions, weight and number of pieces,
- when the goods are ready and the required delivery time,
- for international runs an invoice or delivery note; we issue the CMR ourselves.
What express costs
Express costs more than standard transport because the vehicle carries only your shipment and is dispatched with priority. The price depends on distance, vehicle type and how quickly it needs to leave. Compared with production downtime or a contractual penalty for delay, it is often the cheaper option. The calculator shows an indicative price and we send a binding quote within 30 minutes. More on the service: express transport.
Related services: Vehicle types