Lockers At Dulles Airport: What You Need To Know

If you're looking for a place to store your luggage at Dulles Airport, you might be out of luck. Due to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations, Dulles International Airport does not provide a designated storage area for luggage. However, there are some alternative options available.

Some local hotels may offer daily rates for a room to keep your luggage, and you can always contact your airline to see if they will accept your checked baggage earlier than their suggested check-in time. Additionally, there are luggage storage companies that operate in Washington, D.C., such as Vertoe and Bounce, which offer storage spaces in various locations across the city. These companies provide convenient and secure options for storing your luggage, often at affordable prices.

Luggage storage options near Dulles Airport

Dulles International Airport is one of the most important air travel hubs in the United States, serving millions of passengers each year. Unfortunately, due to TSA regulations, the airport does not provide on-site luggage lockers. However, there are several alternative luggage storage options available near the airport. Here are some of the best options:

Bounce:

Bounce is a popular luggage storage service that connects travellers with local businesses offering secure storage for their bags. They have a user-friendly app and a wide network of storage locations, including over 15,000 spots globally and several near Dulles Airport. The cost of storing luggage with Bounce starts at $4.10 per bag per day, and they offer flexible booking options with free cancellation.

Vertoe:

Vertoe is another excellent option for luggage storage near Dulles Airport. They offer more than 25 locations in Washington, DC, with convenient spots like souvenir shops and convenience stores that are open early and close late. Vertoe's rates are competitive, starting at $5.95 per day, and they provide a generous $5000 in insurance for your luggage. Their mobile-optimised website makes booking quick and easy, and they have excellent reviews from customers.

StoreMe:

StoreMe is Washington, DC's first on-demand mobile app luggage storage service. They have a network of over 110 locations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, including 20+ in the nation's capital alone. StoreMe offers affordable rates, with the first 30 minutes free and hourly or daily rates starting at $2 for small bags and $3 for large luggage. All reservations are insured for up to $3,000, providing peace of mind for travellers.

Hotels:

If you're staying at a hotel near Dulles Airport, it's worth inquiring about their luggage storage options. Many hotels accommodate early arrivals and are usually happy to store your luggage before check-in or after check-out, allowing you to explore the area hands-free.

Off-Airport Storage Locations:

There are several off-airport storage locations near Dulles Airport, such as:

• Herndon Storage Spot (52 minutes from the airport)
• Giant Food Herndon Storage Spot (1 hour 33 minutes from the airport)
• Dulles International Airport Storage Spot (1 hour 42 minutes from the airport)
• South Riding Storage Spot (1 hour 48 minutes from the airport)
• Broadlands Storage Spot (2 hours 1 minute from the airport)

With these luggage storage options, you can explore the area or wait for your flight without the hassle of carrying heavy bags. Each service has its own perks and features, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs and enjoy your time near Dulles Airport!

TSA regulations prohibit lockers at US airports

Unfortunately, there are no self-service luggage lockers at Dulles Airport, or any other airport in the United States for that matter. This is because the TSA no longer allows lockers at airports in the country.

If you need to store your luggage at the airport, you have a few options. You can call your airline and ask them how early you can check your bag, as some will allow you to check your luggage hours before your flight. You can also look into luggage storage companies that operate in Washington, DC, such as Vertoe and StoreMe, which offer luggage storage at various locations across the city.

If you are looking for things to do around Dulles Airport, you might consider visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, which has an annex outside the airport called Udvar-Hazy.

Luggage storage apps

Unfortunately, TSA no longer allows lockers at airports in the United States, so you won’t find self-service luggage storage at Dulles Airport. However, there are several luggage storage apps that you can use to find a place to store your luggage.

Vertoe

Vertoe is America's largest on-demand short-term storage provider, with a presence in over 20 major cities and 300+ locations in the US, as well as 45+ major international cities and 500+ locations. They have over 25 locations in Washington DC, many of which are open 24/7. Vertoe’s rates are among the cheapest in Washington DC, with bags costing $5.95/day (online price). They offer a very generous $5000 in insurance and provide complimentary tamper-proof security seals at their locations. You can book in advance and cancel anytime for a full refund.

StoreMe

StoreMe is Washington DC's first and leading on-demand mobile app luggage storage service with 20+ strategic Host locations across the city and growing. With StoreMe's mobile app, you can discover convenient, vetted, and rated locations by taking a picture of what you plan to store and reserving space by the hour or day with just a few clicks. Prices start at $2.00 for small items and $3.00 for large items for the first hour, with each additional hour costing $1.00 and $2.00, respectively. All reservations are insured up to $3,000, and they offer 24/7 support.

Bounce

Bounce has luggage storage locations in over 4,000 cities worldwide, with several near Dulles Airport. They charge from $4.10 per day (24 hours) for luggage storage. They partner with local businesses that have secure spaces to store luggage for travellers. You can book online or via their app.

Radical Storage

Radical Storage has 3,000+ luggage storage locations across the world, mostly concentrated in major cities across Europe and the USA. They charge a flat rate of €5.00/day/bag and offer a $3,000 guarantee per bag.

Stasher

Stasher has 1,000+ locations in more than 200 cities worldwide, concentrated around larger cities in Europe. They charge a flat rate of $6/day/bag and offer insurance of up to £1000 per bag.

Airline policies on early check-in

Unfortunately, there are no lockers at Dulles Airport, as they are no longer permitted by the TSA. However, there are several alternative luggage storage options available, and you can always check with your airline about early check-in policies.

While most airlines allow passengers to check in online within 24 hours before the flight's departure, in-person check-in times vary. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3-4 hours for international flights. This allows enough time for checking luggage and passing through security. However, some airlines may have earlier check-in requirements, so it is important to check with your specific airline.

For example, American Airlines recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. They also have specific check-in deadlines: passengers must check in at least 45 minutes before a domestic flight and 60 minutes before an international flight. Similarly, Southwest Airlines assigns seats on a first-come, first-served basis, so checking in early is important for getting a preferred seat.

Some airlines may also charge additional fees for early check-in, and there may be restrictions on how early you can check in bags. For instance, at Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Portland, Oregon (PDX) airports, you cannot check bags more than 4 hours before departure, and at Honolulu (HNL) and Savannah (SAV) airports, the limit is 6 hours. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check your airline's specific policies and restrictions ahead of time.

Hotels offering daily rates for luggage storage

Unfortunately, TSA no longer allows for self-service luggage lockers at any airport in the United States, including Dulles. However, there are several alternative luggage storage options near the airport.

If you're staying at a hotel, you can inquire about their luggage storage options. Many hotels will accommodate early arrivals, allowing you to drop off your bags before check-in time.

Other luggage storage services

There are several luggage storage services with locations near Dulles Airport, including:

• Bounce: With Bounce, you can connect with local businesses offering secure storage spots for your bags at a great price, starting at just $4.10/day. They have a user-friendly app to help you locate and book convenient storage options on the fly.
• Vertoe: Vertoe is America's largest on-demand short-term storage provider, with over 300 locations in the US and 500+ locations in 45+ major international cities. Their rates are among the cheapest in Washington, DC, at $5.95/day, and they offer $5000 in insurance.
• StoreMe: StoreMe is Washington, DC's first and leading on-demand mobile app luggage storage service, with 20+ strategic host locations across the city and growing. Prices are affordable, with the first 30 minutes free on every reservation and small and large storage items starting at $2.00 and $3.00 for the first hour, respectively.

Frequently asked questions