Lockers For Layovers: Airport Convenience For Travelers

If you're facing a long layover, you might be wondering if you can leave the airport to explore the city. While you're free to do so, you'll probably want to leave your luggage behind. Luckily, many airports have lockers where you can store your bags. However, this isn't always the case, and these lockers can be expensive and lack flexibility. For example, Heathrow Airport charges £7.50 for storing luggage for 0-3 hours, and you'll have to pay an extra £7.50 for every 24 hours after that. Additionally, most airports charge based on storage time and item size, and you may have to pay extra for special items like surfboards or bicycles. Furthermore, airports usually don't offer refund or insurance policies for stored luggage. As such, it's important to check the availability and cost of luggage storage before planning any excursions during a layover.

Airports with lockers for layovers

If you're planning to make the most of a long layover and explore your layover destination, the last thing you want is to be weighed down by your luggage. Luckily, many airports have lockers where you can store your bags for a few hours or even days. Here are some airports with lockers for layovers:

Heathrow Airport, London

Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, offers luggage storage facilities. You can store your bags inside the airport, with prices starting at £7.50 per item for up to 3 hours. However, these prices can add up quickly, and there is no guarantee or refund policy included.

Gatwick Airport, London

Gatwick Airport, another major London airport, also offers luggage storage. The starting price is £7.50, but there is no refund policy included.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the largest airport in France, provides left-luggage lockers in Terminals 1 & 2. The storage is provided by Bagages du Monde, and prices start from €3 per three hours for an accessory.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is known for its high passenger volume and long security lines. If you find yourself with a layover here, you can make use of their luggage storage options. They have lockers airside where you can leave your carry-on bags.

Tokyo Narita Airport

Tokyo Narita Airport offers luggage lockers for travellers with a simple and convenient process. There are three size options: small, medium, and large, priced at 300 Yen, 400 Yen, and 500 Yen respectively. These prices are good for up to 8 days, and you can claim your luggage anytime during this period.

In addition to these airports, many other major airports and train stations have luggage storage options available. It is always a good idea to check the availability and rates of luggage storage at your specific layover airport before your trip. This will help you plan your layover activities without the burden of your luggage.

Cost of airport lockers

The cost of airport lockers varies depending on the airport and the size of the baggage.

Pricing by airport

Narita International Airport offers coin-operated lockers with a daily charge system for large, medium, and small baggage. Small baggage costs 400 JPY per day, medium baggage is 500 JPY per day, and large baggage is 600 JPY per day. They also offer an hourly rate for large, medium, and small baggage. Small baggage is 300 JPY, medium baggage is 400 JPY, and large baggage is 500 JPY.

Haneda Airport offers coin lockers with rates depending on the terminal. Terminals 1 and 2 offer small lockers for 400 yen/day and large lockers for 600 yen/day. Terminal 3 offers small lockers for 400 yen/day, large lockers for 600 yen/day, and extra-large lockers for 1,000 yen/day.

San Francisco International Airport has luggage storage options starting at $4.10/bag/day.

Heathrow Airport charges £7.50 for up to 3 hours of luggage storage. For storage longer than 72 hours, they charge an additional £7.50 for every 24 hours.

Additional fees

Some airports, like Heathrow, charge extra for special items like canoes, surfboards, and bicycles. These items are also only accepted if there is space available.

Alternatives to airport lockers

There are alternative luggage storage options outside of using airport lockers, such as Stasher, Bounce, and Excess Baggage. These companies offer luggage storage at various hotels, cafes, shops, and offices near the airport, often at cheaper rates than the airport lockers. For example, Stasher offers luggage storage near Heathrow Airport for £4.75 per day, while Heathrow Airport charges £7.50 for up to 3 hours of storage. Similarly, Bounce offers luggage storage near San Francisco Airport starting at $4.10/bag/day, while luggage storage at the airport starts at $4.90/bag/day.

Alternatives to airport lockers

Airport lockers are a convenient option for storing luggage during layovers. However, they may not always be available, and there can be limitations and high costs associated with their use. Here are some alternatives to consider:

• Luggage storage facilities inside airports: Most airports offer luggage storage services, but they tend to be more expensive and less flexible than other options. They often charge based on storage time and item size, and special items like sports equipment may incur additional fees.
• Luggage storage near airports: Companies like Stasher offer luggage storage in hotels, cafes, and shops near airports. They provide flexible and affordable options, with no size or weight restrictions, and insurance coverage for your belongings.
• Peer-to-peer storage platforms: Platforms like Stashbee connect individuals who need storage space with those who have extra space. This can include spare rooms, garages, or commercial storage units, providing a convenient and affordable solution.
• Other luggage storage companies: There are several other companies that offer luggage storage services at airports and travel destinations worldwide. These include Vertoe, LugLockers, LuggageHero, Radical Storage, NannyBag, and Airkeep. Each company has its own pricing, insurance, and location offerings.
• Baggage claim and recheck: Depending on the airport and your citizenship, you may need to claim your baggage during long layovers and recheck it before your next flight. This process can vary, so it's important to check with the specific airport and airline for their policies.

Convenience of airport lockers

Airport lockers are a convenient option for travellers who want to explore the city during long layovers without having to carry their luggage around. They are especially useful when you have multiple bags or heavy luggage that would be a hassle to transport.

Most major airports have lockers available, and they are usually located in easily accessible areas. These lockers offer a secure place to store your belongings for a few hours or even days, giving you the freedom to move around without the burden of your bags.

The process of using airport lockers is straightforward. You can find them by asking for directions or checking the airport map. Once you've located the lockers, simply choose one that fits your luggage, and lock it. In some cases, you may need to pay a fee and obtain a key or receipt to access the locker later.

Using airport lockers can be more affordable than other storage options, with prices typically ranging from $2 to $10 per day. This makes them a cost-effective solution, especially for travellers on a budget.

In addition to lockers, some airports also offer luggage check services, where you can hand over your bags to staff and retrieve them later for a fee. This option may be more expensive, but it can be a good alternative if lockers are not available or if you prefer the added security of a staffed service.

When planning to use airport lockers, it's always a good idea to check the availability and specific procedures at your particular airport in advance. This will ensure that you are familiar with the process and can make the most of your time during layovers.

Size of airport lockers

When it comes to the size of airport lockers, there is no "one-size-fits-all" as it varies from one airport to another. However, here is some information on the sizes of lockers in two different airports.

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport offers coin lockers in three sizes: small, large, and extra-large. The small locker measures 35cm in width, 65cm in depth, and has a height of 32cm or 40cm. The large locker also has a width of 35cm and a depth of 65cm, but its height is 130cm. As for the extra-large locker, it measures 35cm in width, 65cm in depth, and has a height of 175cm.

Tokyo Narita Airport

At Tokyo Narita Airport, the lockers come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The large locker, which is the biggest of the three, has a door opening of about 22" and is described as being "huge," capable of accommodating a massive bag filled with prototypes, as well as some excess stuff from a messenger bag.

It is worth noting that the availability of lockers at airports may depend on the terminal and that usage fees and periods can vary.

Frequently asked questions