Piano Shipping Cost from Johannesburg to Zurich

Upright Piano Shipping Costs Upright pianos, being more compact, cost less to ship internationally. On average, you'll pay between $2,000 to $5,000 for overseas shipping of an upright piano. This price typically includes basic packing, transportation, and standard insurance.

Piano moving costs typically range from $200-$400 for a simple local upright move to $1,000-$2,000 or more for a grand piano across long distances, with factors like stairs, distance (often $1.50-$10/mile), piano size, and obstacles (e.g., tight turns, elevators) adding significant fees ($5-$240+ per stair/obstacle). Expect a minimum cost of around $250-$300, even for short moves.

Moving a 500 lb piano requires proper preparation, the right tools (like a piano dolly, blankets, and straps), plenty of help (3-4 people), and extreme caution to protect both the instrument and yourselves; you'll need to wrap it, secure it to a dolly, use ramps or skid boards for stairs, and always lift with your legs, never tilting it too far.