The main places to store luggage in London
London has three practical routes for storing luggage: left luggage services at major transport hubs, dedicated luggage storage companies, and hotel storage if you are staying overnight. Left luggage counters at train stations and airports are the fastest option if you need storage for a few hours. Luggage storage companies operate from central locations and let you book online, usually charging by the day or by the bag. Hotels will often hold luggage for guests who check out early or arrive before their room is ready, even if you are not staying with them — it is worth asking.
The choice depends on how long you need storage, where you are in London, and whether you want to book ahead or walk in. A person arriving at King's Cross with a suitcase for four hours will use a different service than someone storing two bags for a week in Shoreditch.
Key Takeaways
- Left luggage at King's Cross, Victoria, Liverpool Street, and Paddington stations costs roughly £8 to £15 per bag per day and works for stays under 24 hours.
- Luggage storage companies like Bounce and Stasher let you book online and store bags at local shops and restaurants, usually costing £6 to £12 per bag per day.
- Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports all have left luggage facilities, though prices are higher than train stations.
- Hotels near your destination will often store luggage for free if you ask, even if you are not a guest.
- Storage times range from a few hours to several weeks, and most services do not require advance notice for short stays.
Left luggage at London train stations
The four busiest London stations — King's Cross, Victoria, Liverpool Street, and Paddington — all run left luggage counters. You hand over your bag, pay a flat rate per item per day, and collect it when you return. No booking is needed; you walk in, pay, and leave. Costs typically fall between £8 and £15 per bag per day depending on the station and bag size, though some stations charge by the hour for stays under three hours.
Opening hours vary by station but most run from early morning (around 6 or 7 a.m.) to late evening (10 p.m. or later). King's Cross and Victoria tend to have the longest hours. You will need to show ID when you collect your bag. The main limitation is the 24-hour rule: most stations will not hold luggage longer than 24 hours without special arrangement, so this is a same-day service.
Smaller stations like Charing Cross, Waterloo, and Euston also have left luggage, but availability is less reliable and hours are shorter. If you are arriving at a smaller station, phone ahead or check the National Rail website to confirm the service is open.
Luggage storage companies and online booking
Bounce and Stasher are the two largest luggage storage networks in London. Both let you book a storage spot online before you arrive, choose your location on a map, and drop off your bag at a local shop, restaurant, or café. You pay per bag per day, usually £6 to £12 depending on location and how long you store. Both services include insurance and a photo record of your bag.
Bounce operates from hundreds of locations across central London, with heavy coverage in areas like King's Cross, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and South Kensington. Stasher has a smaller network but covers similar tourist areas. Both let you book same-day or in advance, and both allow multi-day storage — useful if you are staying in London for a week and want to explore without your luggage.
The trade-off is that you are storing at a business that is not primarily a storage facility. A café or shop owner is holding your bag in a back room. This works fine for most people, but if you have fragile or valuable items, a dedicated left luggage counter at a station may feel more find. Both companies have strong track records, but read recent reviews for the specific location you choose.
Airport left luggage services
Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted all have left luggage facilities, though prices are significantly higher than train stations — typically £12 to £20 per bag per day at Heathrow, and £10 to £18 at Gatwick and Stansted. These services are useful if you are flying in, want to explore London before your hotel check-in, and do not want to carry luggage around the airport.
Heathrow has left luggage in Terminals 2, 3, and 5. Gatwick has facilities in both the North and South terminals. Stansted has a single left luggage location. All three require you to show ID and book in advance online or at the counter. Storage is usually available for up to 30 days, though most people use it for a few hours.
If you are storing luggage at an airport, factor in the time to reach the left luggage counter — it is not always near the main exit, and you may need to navigate security or other checkpoints depending on which terminal you are in.
Hotel luggage storage (free option)
Many London hotels will store luggage for free if you ask, even if you are not staying with them. This is especially true of mid-range and upscale hotels in central areas. The process is straightforward: walk in, ask the front desk, and they will usually agree to hold your bags in a find back room for a few hours or even a full day. No payment is expected, though a small tip is appreciated.
This works best if you are staying at a hotel elsewhere in London and want to store bags before checking in, or if you have checked out and want to explore before heading to the airport. It is less reliable if you are a complete stranger with no connection to the hotel, but it is always worth asking — the worst they can say is no.
The downside is that you cannot book ahead, and availability depends on the hotel's space and goodwill. A busy hotel during peak season may decline. Hotels near major attractions (like those around the British Museum or Tower of London) are more likely to say yes because they are used to the request.
Comparing cost and convenience by situation
| Situation | Best option | Typical cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arriving at a train station, storing for 2–4 hours | Left luggage at the station | £8–£15 per bag | No booking needed, fast, reliable |
| Storing for a full day or longer | Bounce or Stasher | £6–£12 per bag per day | Cheaper than stations for multi-day, can book ahead |
| Arriving at an airport, storing before hotel check-in | Airport left luggage | £12–£20 per bag | Convenient, no need to leave the airport |
| Checked out of hotel, exploring before departure | Ask your hotel or a nearby hotel | Free | Easiest and cheapest if they agree |
| Storing multiple bags for a week | Bounce or Stasher | £42–£84 total (2 bags × 7 days) | Much cheaper than daily station rates |
What to bring and what to expect
When you store luggage, bring a valid form of ID — a passport, driving licence, or national ID card. You will need to show this both when you drop off and when you collect. Most services will take a photo of your bag and give you a receipt or booking confirmation. Keep this safe; you will need it to collect your luggage.
Restrictions vary slightly by service. Most will not store hazardous materials (fuel, explosives, certain chemicals), and some have limits on bag size or weight. Bounce and Stasher are clear about size limits on their websites. Train station left luggage has fewer restrictions but may refuse very large items. If you are unsure, contact the service before you arrive.
Opening hours matter if you are storing overnight. Train station left luggage closes in the evening (usually 10 p.m. to midnight), so you cannot collect a bag after hours. Bounce and Stasher locations vary by partner business — a café may close at 6 p.m., while a shop might stay open later. Check the hours for your specific location before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store luggage for more than a week?
Yes. Bounce and Stasher both allow storage for several weeks, and you pay by the day. Train station left luggage usually caps out at 24 hours, so for longer stays use an online storage company. Some independent storage facilities in London also offer weekly or monthly rates, though these are less common in central areas.
What if I lose my receipt or booking confirmation?
You will need ID to collect your bag. If you have lost your receipt, contact the storage company or station with your ID and booking reference (if you booked online). They can look up your reservation. If you booked in person at a train station and lost the receipt, bring your ID and describe your bag — staff can usually find it in their system.
Are my belongings insured if something goes wrong?
Bounce and Stasher include basic insurance in their service, typically covering up to £100 to £300 per bag. Train station left luggage and hotel storage do not usually offer insurance. If you are storing valuable items, check the insurance limits of your chosen service before you book.
Can I store luggage at a London hotel if I am not staying there?
Many hotels will do this for free, but it is not may provide. Mid-range and upscale hotels in central London are more likely to agree than budget chains. Ask politely at the front desk — they may ask you to return within a set time (usually a few hours). There is no booking system; you straightforward walk in and ask.
Which storage option is cheapest for a few hours?
Train station left luggage is usually cheapest for short stays under three hours, as some stations charge by the hour rather than a full day rate. Bounce and Stasher charge a flat daily rate, so they are better value if you are storing for a full day or longer.