There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting all weekend for an important delivery, only to be left wondering if it might show up on a Sunday. That’s exactly what happened to me a few months ago when I ordered a last-minute birthday gift online—and started asking myself: do Royal Mail deliver on Sundays?
I’d always assumed Sunday was a no-go for the post in the UK, but with so many services now offering weekend options, I decided to dig deeper—and share what I learned and experienced first-hand.
Why I Wanted to Know If Royal Mail Deliver on Sundays?
It all started when I placed an order on a Saturday morning through a major UK retailer. At checkout, I noticed the option for Royal Mail Tracked 24 with Sunday delivery. I didn’t even realize Sunday delivery was a thing. I selected it, paid the extra charge, and waited.
Naturally, by Sunday morning, I was glued to the tracking page—and curious whether the postie would really turn up.
Do Royal Mail Deliver on Sundays in the UK?
Yes—Royal Mail does deliver on Sundays, but only for specific services and in certain areas. Here’s what I found out:
- Tracked parcels, not letters, are eligible for Sunday delivery
- Sunday delivery applies to:
- Royal Mail Tracked 24 (if the seller has opted in for Sunday service)
- Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm (in select cases)
- Standard letters and 1st Class post are not delivered on Sundays
If you’re expecting a regular birthday card or something without a tracking number, don’t count on it arriving on a Sunday.
Table: Royal Mail Weekend Delivery Options (2024)
| Service | Sunday Delivery Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Class Post / Standard Mail | No | Delivered Monday to Saturday only |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | No | Weekend delivery is not included |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | Yes (selected areas) | Must be specifically marked for Sunday delivery |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Sometimes | Location and booking dependent—check service availability |
| Letters / Postcards | No | Traditional letter post is not delivered on Sundays |
My Personal Experience with Royal Mail on a Sunday
So, did my parcel arrive? Yes—right around 11:30am, delivered by a cheerful postie with the usual red van. It was a small tracked package, and it came exactly when Royal Mail’s tracking said it would.
The label clearly showed “Tracked 24 – Sunday Delivery” and I received email updates right up to the drop-off. I didn’t get any other post—just that one tracked item, which confirmed that only eligible parcels are delivered.
For me, it was a smooth experience. But I’ve since learned that not all postcodes in the UK currently get Sunday deliveries, so it’s important to check.
Where in the UK Does Royal Mail Offer Sunday Delivery?
According to Royal Mail’s own updates and user feedback on forums like MoneySavingExpert, Sunday delivery is currently focused on:
- Major cities and towns: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, etc.
- High-volume areas where demand for next-day delivery is higher
- Expanding gradually to more regions across the UK
My town isn’t massive, but we’re well-connected—and I’ve now received parcels on two different Sundays via Tracked 24. So chances are, if you’re in or near a city, you’re covered.
How to Know If Your Parcel Will Arrive on Sunday?
Here’s how I now check if a delivery might arrive on a Sunday:
- Seller confirms Tracked 24 with Sunday delivery at checkout
- shows estimated delivery as Sunday
- I receive an email or text confirmation of the day and time window
If your parcel is via Tracked 48, or it’s untracked entirely, don’t expect it on a Sunday. And always double-check with the seller—some retailers offer Tracked 24 without the Sunday option.
Does Royal Mail Deliver on Bank Holiday Sundays?
This one tripped me up.
If the Sunday happens to be part of a Bank Holiday weekend, don’t expect your delivery to arrive. Royal Mail generally does not operate on Bank Holidays, including Bank Holiday Mondays—so Sundays tied to them are often excluded.
If you’re relying on Special Delivery, Royal Mail may still deliver on the next working day, but it’s best to plan ahead.
Final Thoughts: Can You Rely on Royal Mail Sunday Deliveries?
After a few orders and a bit of trial and error, here’s my honest take:
- Yes, Royal Mail can and does deliver on Sundays, but only if:
- The service is Tracked 24 or Special Delivery
- The seller has chosen Sunday delivery
- Your postcode is within an eligible zone
- No, you can’t rely on it for letters, standard post, or anything sent without tracking
Overall, I’ve found Royal Mail Sunday delivery to be reliable, surprisingly fast, and a great option when I need something urgently over the weekend. It’s not perfect yet—it’s still expanding—but when it works, it works well.
If you’re waiting on a parcel and wondering, do Royal Mail deliver on Sundays?—now you know the answer: sometimes, and only under the right conditions.
