For a one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne, an extra large cargo van is the size most people need, doing the move in one or two trips. If your apartment is lightly furnished, or you are only shifting part of it, a smaller 1 tonne or 2 tonne van will do. If it is fully furnished with a big sofa, a queen bed, and a full kitchen, you can still do it in a van across two trips, or step up to a small moving truck to get it all in one load. The right choice comes down to how much furniture you have and whether you would rather make two quick trips in a cheaper van or one trip in a larger truck. For most one-bedroom moves, the extra large cargo van from $90 a day is the practical pick.
The short answer on van size
A one-bedroom apartment holds more than a single van load but less than a house, which is why the answer is usually the largest van rather than a small one. The extra large cargo van takes the bulk of a one-bedroom in a load, so you finish in one or two trips depending on how much you own. A 1 tonne or 2 tonne van is smaller and better suited to a studio, a part move, or a lightly furnished flat, where it might need a few trips for a full one-bedroom. And if you have large, bulky furniture and want to avoid a second trip entirely, a small moving truck does a one-bedroom in a single load. Match the size to your furniture, not just the label on the van.
Turbofleet van sizes and what each holds
Here is how the vans compare for a one-bedroom move:
| Vehicle | Size | Best for | Trips for a one-bedroom |
| 1 tonne van | Smaller | A few items or a studio | Several trips |
| 2 tonne delivery van | Medium | A studio or a part move | Two or more trips |
| Extra large cargo van | Largest van | A light to full one-bedroom | One to two trips |
| Small moving truck | Bigger again | A full one-bedroom in one load | One trip |
All the vans start from $74.55 a day, the extra large cargo van is from $90 a day, and they all drive on a standard car licence. You can see them on the van hire Melbourne page, and the trucks on the truck hire Melbourne page.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment hold?
To choose the right size, it helps to know roughly how much you are moving. A one-bedroom apartment usually works out at around 10 to 15 cubic metres of furniture and boxes once everything is packed, though it varies a lot. A minimalist apartment with a bed, a small sofa, and a few boxes sits at the lower end, while a fully furnished one-bedroom with a large lounge, a full wardrobe, a desk, and a packed kitchen sits at the top.
A cargo van holds less than a truck, so a one-bedroom rarely fits in a single van load, which is why the extra large van and one or two trips is the normal answer. Because apartment moves are usually local, a second trip across the suburbs is quick, and it keeps you in a cheaper van rather than paying for a truck.
What actually fits in a cargo van for a one-bedroom
To give you a clear picture, an extra large cargo van comfortably takes a good chunk of a one-bedroom in one load: a bed and mattress, a two or three seat sofa, a fridge, a washing machine, a small wardrobe or drawers, a desk, and a stack of boxes, though not always all at once. The things that eat the space are the big items, the sofa and the mattress, so if you have both plus a full kitchen, plan for two trips. What does not fit well is a very large corner lounge or a tall assembled wardrobe. The way to make a van work is to disassemble the bed and flat-pack furniture, stand the mattress on its edge, and split the move into two loads if needed. If you would rather not do two trips at all, that is where a small moving truck earns its place.
One trip or two, and does it matter?
For an apartment move, two trips in a van is usually no hassle, because you are moving locally and the depots are nearby. You load, drive, unload, and come straight back for the rest, all within the day and all on the one daily hire, so the trade-off is a bit of time and fuel against the lower cost of a van. One trip in a small truck makes more sense when your old and new homes are far apart, so a second trip means driving the distance twice, or when your furniture is bulky enough that two van loads would be a squeeze. A few suburbs over with a normal amount of stuff favours the van and two trips; crossing town or a lot of large furniture favours the truck and one load.
Van or a small truck for a one-bedroom?
Both can move a one-bedroom, so here is how to choose between them clearly. A van is cheaper, easier to drive, and far easier to park, which matters a lot for an apartment. It fits in standard car spaces and apartment car parks, and it slips into tight streets and driveways a truck cannot. The cost of that is doing the move in one or two trips.
A small truck holds more, so it does a one-bedroom in a single load, which saves time and suits a more furnished apartment. The cost is a higher daily rate and a larger vehicle to park, which can be awkward around an apartment block. For most one-bedroom apartments, especially lightly to moderately furnished ones, the van wins on cost and ease; for a heavily furnished one or a long-distance move, the small truck wins on time. The moving truck rental guide covers the truck sizes if you decide to step up.
Apartment-specific things to plan for
Moving out of or into an apartment adds a few things a house move does not, and they can affect which vehicle suits. Check whether there is lift access or stairs, since carrying furniture down several flights changes how long the move takes. Find out if the building has a loading dock or a moving bay and whether you need to book it, as many do. Check the parking near both addresses, since a van is far easier to fit into a short-stay bay or a narrow apartment car park than a truck, and note any loading-zone time limits. A van’s smaller size is often the deciding factor for an apartment, because getting close to the door saves more time than a bigger load would.
Tips to fit a one-bedroom in one or two van loads
A little planning makes a van move quick. Pack your boxes and disassemble the bed frame, table legs, and any flat-pack furniture before you collect the van, so nothing takes up more room than it needs to. Load the heaviest and largest items first, low and against the front wall, and use the tie-down points to keep everything steady. Stand the mattress and any cushions on their edges to free up floor space, and fill gaps with soft items and bags. If you are doing two trips, group each load by where it goes at the other end, so unloading is fast. Done well, a light one-bedroom fits in a single extra large van load, and a fuller one fits in two.
Do you need a special licence?
No. Every van in the range, and the moving trucks up to 4.5 tonnes, drive on a standard Australian car licence, since they sit under the weight limit. They are automatic with power steering, so if you can drive a car you can drive the van you choose for your one-bedroom move. There is no need for a truck or heavy vehicle licence.
How to book the right size
Once you know your load, booking is quick. For most one-bedroom apartments, choose the extra large cargo van, or step up to a small truck if you are heavily furnished or moving a long way. Pick the depot nearest you at Craigieburn or Ravenhall, reserve ahead since weekends book out fastest, and take an early pickup so you have the full day for one or two trips. If you are unsure whether a van or a truck suits your apartment, contact the Turbofleet team with a rough list of your big items, and they will help you pick the right size.
Frequently asked questions
What size van do I need for a one-bedroom apartment?
An extra large cargo van is the usual pick, moving a one-bedroom in one or two trips. A smaller 1 tonne or 2 tonne van suits a studio or a lightly furnished flat, and a small truck does a full one-bedroom in a single load.
Will a one-bedroom apartment fit in one van?
A light one-bedroom often fits in a single extra large van load. A fully furnished one usually needs two van trips, or one trip in a small moving truck if you would rather not go back and forth.
Is a van or a truck better for a one-bedroom move?
A van is cheaper and much easier to park at an apartment, doing the move in one or two trips. A small truck holds more and does it in one load, which suits a heavily furnished apartment or a long-distance move.
