- You can move house during Christmas and New Year, but book early and confirm the date in writing. Crew, trucks and good slots fill up faster in late December.
- For a local or domestic move in India, book at least 3–4 weeks ahead if you can, and pick a weekday over a weekend.
- For an international move, treat the holidays as a deadline for paperwork and booking, not just packing day. Book 8–10 weeks before you want packing to start, and expect port, customs and destination-office closures to add days.
- If your new home isn’t ready, use storage rather than rushing a move.
- Ask your mover which holiday dates their crew, trucks and customs partners are working, and get the answer in writing.
To check slots for your dates, message Pikkol on WhatsApp.
Why is moving during Christmas and New Year different?
| Type of move | Suggested booking window | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Same-city move | 2–3 weeks | Slots fill, but local crews are flexible |
| Intercity move in India | 3–4 weeks | Longer routes need truck planning |
| International (LCL, a few boxes) | 6–8 weeks | Consolidation sailings depend on cut-off dates |
| International (full container) | 8–10 weeks | Survey, paperwork, booking and customs filings take time |
| Air freight, essentials | 2–4 weeks | Faster, but still depends on documents and airline space |
These are planning guides, not guarantees. Your coordinator will confirm the real dates after a survey.
What should you check before choosing a mover?
Our guide to comparing international moving quotes applies to local moves too. For a holiday move, add these questions:
- Is the move date confirmed in writing, along with the crew size?
- Are the truck and crew assigned to my move, or “subject to availability”?
- What is the policy if the move is delayed by weather, a society restriction or a holiday closure?
- Is the quote itemised, with any holiday or peak-season surcharge shown?
- What is covered if something is damaged? See our risk guide.
- Is storage available if my new home isn’t ready?
How do you move house in India during the holidays?
If you’re moving within or between Indian cities, start with Pikkol’s house shifting service, then use your city page for packers and movers:
| City | Packers and movers | Storage |
| Bengaluru | Packers and movers in Bengaluru | Storage |
| Hyderabad | Packers and movers in Hyderabad | Storage |
| Delhi | Packers and movers in Delhi | Storage |
| Gurugram | Packers and movers in Gurugram | Storage |
| Noida | Packers and movers in Noida | Storage |
| Mumbai | Packers and movers in Mumbai | Storage |
| Pune | Packers and movers in Pune | Storage |
| Chennai | Packers and movers in Chennai | Storage |
For a Mumbai move, see also house shifting in Mumbai. If you also need to move a car or bike, check vehicle shifting.
Practical tips for a domestic holiday move:
- Pick a weekday where possible. Weekends and the days right around 25 Dec and 31 Dec are the most requested.
- Start packing non-essentials first: decor, books, off-season clothes, and anything tied to the holidays.
- Keep one “first night” box with chargers, toiletries, bedding, medicines and documents.
- Tell your society office about the date early, and ask about lift booking and deposit rules.
- Photograph high-value items and furniture before packing.
How do you handle an international move over Christmas and New Year?
For an international move, the holidays affect the whole chain: your home, the Indian port, the shipping line, the destination port, customs and the destination delivery partner. Pikkol runs its own teams in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai, and works with partners overseas, such as American Relocation Experts in New York and Maple Relocation Services in Toronto.
| Step | Holiday-season question to ask |
|
Survey |
Can it happen before mid-December? |
|
Quote and booking |
What are the cut-off dates for my sailing or flight? |
|
Packing |
Which dates are available, and which are tight? |
|
Export clearance |
Is the customs process affected by holidays? |
|
Transit |
Are there schedule changes or blank sailings? |
|
Destination clearance |
Is my partner working on public holidays? |
|
Delivery |
When can the destination crew actually deliver? |
Public holidays in your destination, such as 25 Dec and 1 Jan in the USA, and Boxing Day (26 Dec) in Canada, can push delivery out. Ask your coordinator for dates rather than assuming.
How much does an international move cost?
Indicative Pikkol door-to-door figures for two of its busiest routes. They exclude destination duties, exam fees, storage and insurance, and the survey confirms your price.
| Home size | Typical volume | Method | India to USA | India to Canada |
|
1BHK / studio |
$\approx 10.3\text{ CBM}$ |
LCL |
₹3.3-4.7 lakh |
₹3.7-5.2 lakh |
|
2BHK |
$\approx 18.3\text{ CBM}$ |
20ft container |
₹4.5-6.5 lakh |
₹5-7 lakh |
|
3BHK |
$\approx 27.7\text{ CBM}$ |
20ft container |
₹4.5-6.5 lakh |
₹5-7 lakh |
|
4BHK / villa |
$\approx 40.3\text{ CBM}$ |
40ft container |
₹7-9.5 lakh |
₹7.5-10 lakh |
|
Air, essentials only |
$\approx 250\text{ kg}$ |
Air freight |
₹1.38-2.12 lakh |
₹1.5-2.25 lakh |
For route detail, see India to USA, India to Canada, Australia, Singapore, Germany and the UAE. City pages are here: Hyderabad, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Bengaluru.
How long does it take?
| Route | Door to door (sea, full container) | Air |
| India to USA | 55-80 days | 7-14 days |
| India to Canada | 55-85 days | 7-14 days |
If you plan to land in January, shipping your essentials by air and the rest by sea is often more realistic than expecting a container to arrive on time. For a small shipment, the international parcel service starts at ₹999/kg and works for India to abroad only.
Read the customs, visa and documentation guide for the paperwork that most often causes delays.
What if your new home isn’t ready after the holidays?
Holiday timing makes delays more likely, as builders, landlords and agents often slow down. Instead of paying for a second move, put your goods into managed storage. Pikkol’s storage includes packing, barcode tagging and a stored-goods inventory, so you can have items delivered when you’re ready. Ask for the access, delivery and insurance terms in writing before you sign.
What are the most common holiday-move mistakes?
- Booking late and taking whatever slot is left.
- Not checking society rules, then being blocked at the gate on moving day.
- Packing documents in the main load. Keep passports, visas, property papers and school certificates with you.
- Ignoring destination holidays on an international move.
- Choosing the lowest quote without an inventory or a damage-claim process.
- Leaving utilities and keys to the last day.
Holiday moving checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks before | Get quotes, book a survey, confirm your move date |
| 4 weeks before | Book your mover, notify your landlord or society, start decluttering |
| 3 weeks before | Order packing materials, sort what to sell, donate or store |
| 2 weeks before | Pack non-essentials, redirect mail, update your address |
| 1 week before | Confirm crew, truck and time in writing; pack essentials last |
| Moving day | Do a walkthrough, check the inventory, take meter readings, keep valuables with you |
| After delivery | Check items against the inventory, report damage quickly, and unpack the essentials first |
For the arrival stage, see Pikkol’s settling-in guide and settling-in services.
Pikkol’s take
The holidays aren’t a reason to avoid moving. They are a reason to decide early and put things in writing. Ask for the date, crew, truck, inclusions and what happens if there is a delay. Read more about Pikkol, browse the FAQs or contact us. Pikkol has completed more than 1,00,000 moves since 2015 and is FAIM, IAM and ISO certified.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move house during Christmas and New Year?
Yes. Book early, confirm the date and crew in writing, and check building rules. Expect tighter availability around 24–26 December and 31 December–1 January.
How early should I book packers and movers for a December move?
For a local move, 2–3 weeks. For an intercity move, 3–4 weeks. For an international move, 8–10 weeks.
Is moving during the holidays more expensive?
It can be, because demand is higher and slots are limited. Ask whether the quote includes any peak-season charge, and get it itemised.
Will an international shipment be delayed by the holidays?
It can be. Port, customs and destination offices may run reduced hours, and destination public holidays can push delivery out. Your coordinator should give you milestone dates, not just a pickup date.
What if I move in December but my new home is ready in January?
Use storage in between. Confirm access, delivery and insurance terms before you sign.
Can I ship urgent items by air?
Yes. Air freight takes about 7–14 days on Pikkol’s USA and Canada routes, and suits essentials. For small items, use the international parcel service.
Can Pikkol move my pet or vehicle too?
Pikkol offers pet relocation and vehicle shifting. Rules vary by country and by season, so ask early.
What should I keep with me, not in the load?
Passports, visas, tickets, property papers, medicines, laptops, chargers, jewellery and a first-night kit.
Get your free quote
Tell us your city, move date and home size, and we’ll confirm availability. Get a free quote or chat on WhatsApp.