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Yes – most accommodation providers in Reykjavík accept suitcases for short-term storage on arrival. Contact reception ahead of time with your expected arrival hour; many properties will stow bags free for a few hours if reception is staffed. Small guesthouses without a staffed desk may have limited space, so confirm availability by phone or email.
Standard arrival time at most properties is 15:00 (3:00 PM), with departure usually between 11:00–12:00. Expect free short-term holding of suitcases for roughly 4–8 hoursISK 500–1,500 per item per day and special handling (oversize items) can cost more.
If the property cannot accept bags, alternatives in the city centre include self-service lockers at the BSÍ bus terminal and several private left-baggage services; locker prices commonly run around ISK 600–900 per day. At Keflavík International Airport (KEF) there is paid baggage storage/left-luggage options with typical rates around ISK 700–1,200 per day. Compare opening hours and book a slot for peak arrival times (morning flights and high season weekends).
Practical security recommendations: carry valuables, travel documents, medications and electronics in a personal bag you keep with you; lock suitcase zippers and use a small tamper-evident tag; request a written receipt or numbered claim tag from the property or storage provider and photograph your items on drop-off. Verify the provider’s liability limits and consider travel insurance that covers checked/stored items for high-value possessions.
If you need guaranteed immediate room access, reserve the night before or request an early-access option – some properties offer early room availability for a fee (typically ISK 1,500–4,500 / ~€10–30 depending on size and season). Always confirm storage policy, fees and reception hours in writing at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Storage options at local accommodations and transit hubs
Request written confirmation of baggage storage availability, hourly or overnight fees, and maximum liability when you reserve or arrive; if staff cannot provide a signed receipt, arrange airport or city locker options instead.
Questions to ask reception
Ask for: exact storage location (locked room or shelving), monitored access (CCTV or staff-only), fee per item and per day, earliest drop-off and latest pickup times, whether overnight retention is allowed, required identification to collect, and the stated maximum compensation amount for loss or damage; insist on a dated receipt listing item descriptions.
Practical safeguards
Photograph exterior and interior of each bag and keep an itemized list of valuable contents; remove passports, prescription medicines and irreplaceable electronics to carry with you; use a visible luggage tag with local contact number; lock zippers with a small cable lock; confirm whether domestic travel insurance or card coverage applies to stored baggage. For minimalist packing and faster transit, consider a quality carry-on – best luggage for air travel carry on – and use official airport or verified city locker services when accommodation cannot guarantee secure storage.
Properties in Reykjavík and Akureyri that accept bags on early arrival
Drop bags at reception of central properties such as Alda, Canopy by Hilton Reykjavík City Centre, Reykjavík Lights, Skuggi and Kex Hostel; in Akureyri, Akureyri Backpackers, Hrafninn Guesthouse and Kea Akureyri routinely offer same-day reception storage – ring ahead to confirm free versus small-fee handling and hours of service.
| City | Property | Typical arrangement | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | Alda | Usually complimentary short-term storage at reception; staff will tag items | Phone on arrival day if arriving before 14:00 to reserve space |
| Reykjavík | Canopy by Hilton Reykjavík City Centre | 24-hour desk; free same-day bag hold for guests, secure room for longer stays | Mention flight or bus arrival time when booking |
| Reykjavík | Reykjavík Lights | Reception storage typically free; limited space during peak season | Send an email with arrival time if travelling in July–August |
| Reykjavík | Skuggi | Boutique property; complimentary same-day hold, small fee for long-term | Ask at reservation for oversized-item policy |
| Reykjavík | Kex Hostel | Secure left-luggage area; sometimes a nominal fee for large bags | Ideal for early arrivals using shared dorms or private rooms |
| Akureyri | Akureyri Backpackers | Free short-term storage at reception; staff helpful with local directions | Good option if arriving by bus; confirm weekend desk hours |
| Akureyri | Hrafninn Guesthouse | Guesthouse reception will hold bags for same-day arrival, usually free | Call on arrival day for readiness if arriving late |
| Akureyri | Kea (Akureyri) | Reception storage offered; larger groups may be charged a small fee | Request written confirmation of free storage when booking group rooms |
If you need guaranteed 24/7 access or long-term storage, use central left-luggage facilities at the main bus terminal in Reykjavík or private storage services in Akureyri; always get a staff name and receipt for items left at any reception area.
How to request pre-arrival storage: what to say, ID and timing requirements
Contact reception 24–48 hours ahead with reservation number, planned arrival time and the exact count and sizes of your bags; request confirmation of acceptance, any fee, opening hours and the collection window.
Acceptable ID typically: passport or national photo ID and the booking confirmation; some properties also ask for the card used to reserve or a refundable deposit/signature. Retain a photographed copy of the claim tag/receipt and photos of contents and external condition.
Larger properties commonly staff reception 06:00–23:00; small guesthouses often operate 09:00–18:00. Early-day drop-offs reduce wait. Overnight storage is frequently possible but verify; arrivals outside staffed hours require an after-hours code, scheduled hand-off, or use of bus-station/airport left-baggage facilities.
Fees: many properties provide short-term storage free. If charged, expect roughly ISK 0–1,000 per item or a flat ISK 500–1,500. Ask for written policy on liability limits–most set low caps–and confirm whether valuables are excluded from coverage.
Email template: Subject: “Storage request – reservation #12345 – arrival 12 Aug 14:00” Body: “Hello, I have reservation #12345 arriving 12 Aug at 14:00. I would like to drop off two medium suitcases and one backpack prior to room access. Please confirm acceptance, any fee, required ID, claim-tag procedure and reception hours. Contact: +354 XXXXXX. Thank you.”
Phone template: “Hello, this is [Name], reservation #12345 for 12 Aug. I plan to drop off two suitcases at 14:00. Will you accept them? What ID do you require, do you issue claim tags, and is there a fee?” Always request a signed receipt listing item count and condition; avoid placing cash, jewellery or passports inside stored items.
Fees, storage limits and liability for stored bags
Recommendation: remove passports, electronics and jewelry from any items left with reception; insist on a written receipt listing item count, time-in/time-out and any declared value, and photograph contents and tags at drop-off.
Typical fees
Common practice: short-term holding (a few hours to a day) is frequently complimentary; standard charges for longer periods range from ISK 300–1,500 per item per day. Small guesthouses and hostels often charge ISK 300–700, mid-range properties ISK 500–1,200, and upscale properties ISK 1,000–2,000 for extended storage. Some places apply a flat fee for the first 24 hours and a smaller per-day rate thereafter.
Expect a surcharge for oversized items (skis, surfboards) – typically 1.5–3× the normal per-item rate – and weekend/holiday premiums. Always ask whether the quoted fee is per piece or per booking and whether VAT is included.
Maximum storage duration and liability
Duration limits: many establishments accept items for 24–72 hours free or at the standard rate; longer-term holding is usually allowed but commonly capped at 7–30 days and may require advance arrangement and a written agreement. Properties may refuse indefinite storage or charge escalating daily/weekly rates beyond an agreed window.
Liability: responsibility for lost or damaged items is typically limited by the property’s internal policy. Valuables (cash, jewelry, cameras, medication) are often excluded from liability unless a declared-value agreement is signed and insurance/extra coverage is purchased. If no declared value is agreed, many accommodations limit compensation to a modest fixed sum or to an amount defined in their terms and conditions.
Claims procedure: keep the receipt and timestamped photos; report damage or loss immediately and obtain a written incident report. If the property declines responsibility, file a claim with your travel insurer and provide the receipt and incident documentation. For high-value items, arrange declared coverage in writing or retain the item with you rather than leaving it at reception.
Options if accommodation refuses storage: airport lockers, bus stations and private left-baggage services
If your accommodation refuses to store bags, choose airport lockers, bus terminal compartments or licensed private left-baggage providers that offer online booking, insurance and hourly or multi-day tariffs.
Airport and terminal options
- Consult the relevant airport website for on-site baggage desks or contractor-operated locker areas; many terminals publish exact locations and opening hours online.
- Standard locker sizes to expect: small (up to 40×30×20 cm), medium (up to 70×40×40 cm), large (up to 120×70×40 cm). Bring a padlock for coin-operated units when allowed.
- Typical pricing ranges: small compartments ~600–1,500 ISK/day; medium/large ~1,500–3,000 ISK/day. Staffed counters sometimes charge a per-item daily fee instead of per-compartment pricing.
- Security checklist: choose locations with CCTV or a staffed desk, obtain a receipt or claim tag, photograph the sealed item and retain the claim reference until collection.
Bus stations and city terminals
- Major coach terminals often provide coin lockers or staffed left-baggage counters; confirm opening hours since some close in the late evening.
- Fee profile: usually lower than airports – expect roughly 500–1,500 ISK/day for a standard compartment; ask about overnight access rules before leaving items.
- If planning multi-day storage, verify whether collection requires arriving during business hours or if after-hours retrieval is possible.
Private left-baggage platforms (examples: Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero and local operators) list partner shops and storage depots in city centres; advantages include instant online reservations, clear price breakdowns and declared insurance limits (commonly around €1,000–€2,500 per item on many platforms).
- Booking steps: compare daily rate, insurance limit, cancellation policy and exact drop-off address; reserve a slot and carry a copy of the booking confirmation and your ID.
- What to carry with you: keep passports, medication and electronics in hand luggage; photograph both the exterior and interior of checked items and attach contact details to the bag.
- Liability and payment: confirm the declared liability amount in writing, check accepted payment methods (card/mobile), and request a receipt or QR-code claim token at drop-off.
Suggested phrasing at a counter or partner shop: “I have a reservation under [name]. I will drop one medium suitcase for X days and have ID – please confirm the daily fee and declared insurance coverage.” Keep that confirmation until you retrieve the item.
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FAQ:
Do hotels in Iceland usually hold luggage if I arrive before check-in?
Yes. Many hotels and guesthouses in Iceland will accept bags for arriving guests so you can explore without your suitcases. Reception staff often store luggage behind the desk or in a locked room. Policies differ by property, so call or email ahead to confirm hours and whether there is a fee.
Can a hotel store my bags if I am not staying there yet or I arrive a day earlier?
Some properties will hold bags for non-guests, but this is less common. Hostels and larger hotels tend to be more flexible than small guesthouses or remote farms. If you are not a registered guest, expect staff to ask for ID and possibly charge for storage. Contact the property in advance to avoid surprises.
How long will a hotel keep luggage and are there limits or charges?
Storage duration varies. Many places will hold luggage for several hours up to a day at no charge, while longer storage (multiple days) may incur a fee. Hotels sometimes set a maximum storage period and will not accept responsibility beyond that time. Ask for written confirmation of any limits or fees, get a receipt when you drop off items, and note any declared value for valuable goods.
What should I do with valuables or fragile items before leaving my bags at a hotel?
Avoid placing passports, cash, electronics and jewelry in checked luggage. Keep those items with you. If you must leave valuables, ask whether the hotel offers a secured safe or locked storage and request a receipt. Photograph items beforehand and keep records of serial numbers. Consider travel insurance that covers loss while luggage is stored away from your supervision.
If a hotel won’t store my luggage, what alternatives exist in Iceland?
If the property declines, try the international airport luggage service at Keflavík, staffed left-luggage facilities at major bus or ferry terminals, or private luggage storage providers in Reykjavík. Some tour operators and shuttle companies offer baggage holding for customers. Another option is a luggage forwarding service that sends bags between locations, which can be handy for multi-day road trips. Always check opening hours and drop-off procedures before you travel.
