The consumer transportation market underwent significant changes between 2021 and 2025. Analysis of more than 8,000 transportation quotes shows that not only have absolute prices increased, but there is also a clear shift toward more specialized and sustainable transportation solutions. This analysis provides insight into key trends, price developments and route-specific characteristics of different transportation categories.
Methodology
For this study, 8,342 transportation bids were analyzed from December 2021 to January 2025. All prices include VAT. The data includes both domestic and international shipments, taking into account seasonality, rush orders and specific route characteristics.
Auto Transport: Routes and Pricing
Car transport constitutes one of the most diverse categories, with large price differences depending on the route and service chosen. The median price of €1,071 tells only part of the story.
Popular car routes and prices:
Netherlands – Spain
- Median price: €1,875
- Most frequently used route: Rotterdam – Barcelona
- Delivery time: 5-7 days
- Price structure: Basic transport (€1,500) + Insurance (€225) + Documentation (€150)
Netherlands – Germany
- Median price: €780
- Main routes: Randstad – Ruhr area
- Delivery time: 2-3 days
- Lots of return freight possible, therefore more competitively priced
Netherlands – France
- Median price: €1,236
- Price variation: Northern France 20% cheaper
- Southern France often combined with Spanish routes
Netherlands – Italy
- Median price: €1,814
- Especially luxury cars and vintage cars
- Often combined transport for better prices
Domestic auto transport
The domestic market has its own dynamics with median prices of €363 for standard shipments. What is interesting is the wide variation between regions:
- Randstad internal: €250-€400
- Northern Netherlands to Randstad: €400-€600
- Zeeland/Limburg to Randstad: €500-€700
Mobile homes and Chalets
The mobile home and chalet transport market has developed into a specialized sector with specific routes and pricing structures. The median price of €1,815 is strongly influenced by seasonal patterns and popular vacation destinations.
Main routes:
Netherlands – France (vacation park routes)
- Median price: €2,500
- Main destinations: Dordogne, Provence
- Permits and guidance included
Netherlands – Spain (costa routes)
- Median price: €3,025
- Peak season: February-March
- Often combined with other transports
Domestic recreational parks
- Median price: €1,250
- Strong regional differences
- Often linked to seasonal changes
Pallet transport: Efficiency by Volume
Pallet transport is characterized by a high degree of standardization and efficiency. The median price of €375 is the result of years of optimization and economies of scale.
Route-specific prices:
Domestic network
- Randstad intern: €150-€200
- Interregional: €200-€300
- Next-day delivery standard
Benelux routes
- Netherlands – Belgium: €275 median
- Netherlands – Luxembourg: €375 median
- Often combined routes
International pallet routes
- Germany: €450-€600
- France: €600-€800
- Based on zip code zones
Container and Sea Transportation
The (sea) container transport category shows a median price of €1,075, with a wide spread due to the various applications. Due to global logistics challenges, this category is rapidly evolving.
Route-specific prices:
Intercontinental routes
- Netherlands – China: €1,750 (20ft container)
- Netherlands – US: €2,150 (20ft container)
- Including port handling
European container transport
- Domestic: €450-€800
- To Germany: €800-€1,200
- To UK: €1,200-€1,800
Value Transportation and Art
A specialized category with a median price of €665.50, where safety and expertise are paramount. Among other things, insurance plays a larger role as a result.
Price structure by type:
Art Transport
- Domestic: €375-€800
- International: €1,500-€3,000
- Climate controlled: +40%
Antique transport
- Median price: €356.95
- Specific packaging included
- Comprehensive insurance standard
Chilled and frozen transport
A specialized market with stringent requirements and specific equipment. Median prices of refrigerated transport range from €1,500 for domestic to €4,500 for international transport.
Type-specific:
Refrigerated transport (+2/+8°C)
- Domestic: €150-€300 per pallet
- International: €250-€450 per pallet
- Temperature recording included
Freezer transport (-20°C)
- Domestic: €200-€400 per pallet
- International: €300-€550 per pallet
- Continuous monitoring
Private and Business Relocations
Private removals:
Domestic
- Studio/Apartment: €400-€800
- Family home: €800-€1,500
- Includes basic insurance
International
- Within EU: €2,500-€5,000
- Outside EU: €5,000-€15,000
- Complete documentation
Piano transport
A niche market with very specific requirements and a median price of €250.
Type-specific prices:
- Upright pianos
- Domestic: €200-€400
- International: €500-€1,200
- Includes pedal assistance
- Grand pianos
- Domestic: €400-€800
- International: €1,000-€2,500
- Special equipment including
Specialist services:
- Climate Control
- Stair climbing specialists
- Voice service possible
- Temporary storage facilities
Conclusions and Future Prospects.
Market Developments
- Consolidation: Mostly visible in the middle segment
- Specialization: Increasing focus on niche markets
- Price differentiation: Growing difference between premium and budget segment
Expectations 2025
- Further price increases in international transportation
- Stabilization in domestic transportation
- Increasing focus on sustainable transportation
Recommendations for Carriers
- Pricing Strategy
- Focus on value addition rather than price competition
- Develop seasonal pricing models
- Invest in specialization
- Market Approach
- Target specific market segments
- Develop clear USPs
- Build long-term customer relationships
- Operational
- Optimize routes and utilization rates
- Invest in digitization
- Improve customer service
This research is based on real-time market data from transportation bids during the period December 2021 to January 2025. All prices include VAT.