Can you check your luggage at kings cross

Primary recommendation: Use the staffed baggage desk or reserve a spot with a third‑party bag‑drop provider before arrival; for short stays, on‑site coin or electronic lockers offer the fastest solution when space is available.

Locations: storage points are concentrated around the main concourse and the Euston Road forecourt. Look for signs reading Left baggage or Lockers, or follow station maps and digital wayfinding screens to the nearest facility.

Opening times and booking: staffed desks operate limited daytime hours, while automated lockers often run 24/7. Reserve via platforms such as Bounce, LuggageHero or Stasher to secure a slot and receive a QR code or reference number for collection. Walk‑ins are possible but risk no availability during peak travel periods.

Size, weight and price guidance: lockers typically come in small/medium/large sizes; expect dimensions roughly 30×40×50 cm for small units and larger compartments for suitcases. Weight caps commonly range from ~20–30 kg per item. Typical short‑term rates in central London span approximately £6–£12 for a small item up to a day and £10–£20 for larger items, with discounts for multi‑day bookings through reseller platforms.

Security and prohibited items: high‑value items should not be left unattended in unstaffed lockers. Prohibited goods include hazardous materials, perishable food and controlled items; proof of identity or the booking reference is required for collection. Retain the receipt or digital code and allow extra time at reclaim to avoid missed departures.

Alternatives and final tip: if no station options suit the schedule, book a nearby shop or hotel storage via an app, or arrange direct baggage transfer services with major train operators when available; always verify the operator’s current policy and opening hours before travel.

Storage options near the central London rail terminus

Book a pre-paid private storage slot (app-based) within a 5-minute walk – station-operated left-bag services are limited and often pricier.

• Staffed desk at the adjacent international terminal (St Pancras International): operated by Excess Baggage Company; typical opening 07:00–21:00; typical tariff range ~£9–£15 for the first 24 hours depending on size. Exact hours and charges must be verified on the operator website before arrival.
• Peer-to-peer and high-street partners (Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero): many shops/hotels accept drop-offs within a 2–8 minute walk; published rates commonly start from £5–£8 per item per 24h, with discounts for multi-day bookings. Pre-book to lock price and location.
• Automated lockers: very limited in this area; if an unattended locker is required, search provider maps beforehand – expect smaller size limits and higher per-hour rates.
• Hotel day-storage: if staying nearby, request same-day hold at reception; frequently free or low-cost for registered guests, convenient for shorter waits.

Practical drop-off checklist:

1. Confirm maximum dimensions and weight allowed by chosen provider; many lockers limit to ~70 x 40 x 30 cm and 20 kg.
2. Keep passports, medication and high-value electronics with passenger; declare any high-value items if required by the provider.
3. Photograph items and packaging on arrival; retain booking/reference code and a physical or digital receipt.
4. Check insurance clause and refunds/cancellation window before handing items over.
5. Allow an extra 20 minutes for drop-off during peak times (early morning and late afternoon).

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Exact locations and opening hours of left-baggage services at St Pancras and nearby stations

Primary staffed left-baggage desk: St Pancras International, main concourse (adjacent to the taxi rank and ticket barriers). Typical opening hours 06:30–21:30 daily; confirm live times on the operator’s website before arrival.

Operator details: Excess Baggage Company – counter located on the St Pancras concourse close to platforms 1–8; address: St Pancras International Station, Euston Road, London N1C. Desk handles drop-offs and collections, charges by item and 24‑hour period; operator site lists current tariffs and exact counter location.

Nearby staffed alternative: Euston Station left-baggage desk (Excess Baggage Company) on the main concourse by the Euston Road entrance. Typical opening hours 06:30–22:00 Monday–Friday, slightly reduced at weekends; verify same-day availability online.

App-based drop-off networks (Bounce, LuggageHero, Stasher): multiple shop partners and secure storage points within a 5–12 minute walk of St Pancras. Typical partner opening windows 08:00–20:00; some partner sites offer 24/7 access. Use each provider’s interactive map to filter by exact address, live opening hours and walk time from the station.

Automated locker options: a small number of private locker banks operate within walking distance on Pancras Road and York Way; availability fluctuates and sizes vary. For guaranteed space, reserve via the locker operator’s booking page and confirm maximum dimensions and time limits.

Eurostar-side specifics: Eurostar departures use a separate check area and the concourse left-baggage counter serves international passengers; allow additional time for passport/boarding formalities when dropping or collecting items before an international departure.

Practical recommendations: arrive at least 15 minutes before advertised closing time for drop-off; confirm permitted item types, maximum dimensions and declared value insurance at the point of booking; retain the receipt or digital reference and note the operator’s emergency contact number displayed on the provider page.

Using lockers at the station: sizes available, booking and payment options

Pre-book via the operator app to guarantee required size and pay contactless at arrival.

Sizes and typical capacity

Small (daypack) – approx 45 × 35 × 20 cm; fits a backpack or small tote; typical price ~£6 per 24 hours.

Medium (cabin case) – approx 60 × 40 × 30 cm; fits cabin-size suitcase or two medium bags; typical price ~£8–10 per 24 hours.

Large (checked-size) – approx 90 × 45 × 35 cm; fits a large suitcase or multiple items; typical price ~£12–15 per 24 hours.

Oversized parcels and sports equipment may exceed locker dimensions; reserve alternative storage via the operator’s website or staffed left-luggage counter.

Step-by-step booking and payment

Step 1 – Find locker zone: follow station signage to the locker bank near the main concourse or use the operator map in the app.

Step 2 – Select size: choose required compartment size on the touchscreen or in-app interface; dimensions and real-time availability are shown before booking.

Step 3 – Choose duration: select hours or full days; most systems default to 24-hour blocks with extension options by hour via the app or terminal.

Step 4 – Pay: contactless card (Visa/Mastercard), chip-and-PIN, Apple Pay/Google Pay accepted at most terminals; online/app bookings accept major cards. Cash acceptance is rare.

Step 5 – Secure locker: terminal/app issues a numeric PIN or QR code; enter PIN on keypad or scan QR at locker door; close and confirm locking via the screen.

Step 6 – Retrieval and extensions: present the receipt code at the locker or extend time via app before expiry to avoid extra fees; staff contact details are displayed on each terminal for lost-code incidents.

Tip: photograph the receipt or copy the digital code immediately after payment and store high-value items separately from stored parcels.

Staffed left-baggage and pre-booked drop-offs: how to reserve, ID required and collection rules

Reserve a staffed drop-off at least 24 hours before arrival; present a valid photo ID plus the booking reference at collection.

Booking and drop-off windows

Reserve via the operator’s online portal, by phone during service hours, or at the staffed desk if same‑day capacity exists. Online bookings accept major cards and display the final tariff and time-slot; phone bookings may require payment over the line. Typical booking rules: minimum notice 24 hours, maximum advance booking 14 days, time slots offered in 30–60 minute windows. Standard retention commonly set at 7 days (extensions available at extra cost). Oversize or unusually heavy items usually require pre-approval and attract surcharges.

ID requirements and collection procedure

Accepted identity documents: passport, UK photocard driving licence, EU national ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Company collections require corporate ID plus a signed authorisation on company letterhead. The name on the booking must match the name on the presented ID; third-party collection is allowed only with a signed written authorisation plus photographic ID for both collector and original booker.

On drop-off staff issue a receipt and attach tamper‑evident tags; retain the receipt until collection. All items are subject to a basic security check; prohibited contents typically include flammables, aerosols above permitted limits, perishable food, and controlled substances. Liability limits vary–common declared maximums are around £250 per item unless higher value is declared and insured. Late collection fees apply per extra 24‑hour period; items uncollected beyond the retention period may be sold or disposed of under operator policy. Lost receipt procedure: present photo ID and booking reference where available; if both are missing, expect additional identity checks and possibly a signed statutory declaration.

Security, prohibited items and liability limits: what will be inspected and how claims are handled

Keep passports, cash, prescription medicines and high-value electronics on person; declare any items with declared value at handover and photograph contents plus exterior condition before deposit.

Inspection steps: staff verify ID and booking reference, scan bags with X‑ray, and perform manual searches if alarms or visible contraband appear. Suspect traces of explosives trigger explosive‑trace screening and may prompt temporary isolation of the item. Unattended or odorous parcels are subject to immediate inspection and removal by security staff or police.

Commonly prohibited items: firearms and ammunition; explosives and pyrotechnics; compressed gas canisters and camping fuel; corrosive acids and strong alkalis; large quantities of flammable liquids (e.g., petrol, solvent); perishable goods and unpressurised live animals; unprotected lithium battery packs and loose cells above recognized safety limits; stolen or illegal substances. Operators also refuse consignments that require refrigeration, produce strong odours, or pose a contamination risk.

On discovery of prohibited or illegal material the operator will refuse acceptance or seize the item and inform police. No compensation is available for seized illegal goods. If an item is refused at drop‑off, owners should collect it immediately; otherwise it may be treated as abandoned.

Liability limits: most station deposit services apply contractual caps stated in their terms and conditions; these caps are typically low unless a higher declared value and extra fee are accepted at handover. To maximise recovery options, retain the drop receipt, photograph serial numbers and packaging, and preserve proof of purchase for high‑value items.

Claims process (recommended steps): 1) inspect contents at collection and note any damage before leaving the desk; 2) if loss or damage is detected, file a written report with the operator immediately and request a copy; 3) if theft is suspected, obtain a police crime reference and submit it to the operator; 4) lodge a formal claim within the operator’s stated timeframe (often 24–72 hours or as specified in the T&C); 5) provide photos, receipts and the drop ticket. If settlement is unsatisfactory, escalate via payment‑card dispute or travel insurance claim.

For bulky wet items consider alternatives to deposit (repairs or replacements) – see best value large outdoor umbrellas. For valuable electronics such as cameras remove memory cards and carry them separately; for family gear research models resilient to handling at short notice: best digital camera for 6 year old child.

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