Reserve online before arrival. Popular platforms (Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero) list local shops and hotels that accept bags; typical rates run about €5–8 per item per 24 hours, with many partners open roughly 09:00–19:00. Presentation of a photo ID and the booking confirmation is standard at drop‑off.
Check the official rail operator website for a staffed left‑baggage office (consigna) at the main local rail hub. If present, staffed hours commonly fall between early morning and late evening and fees tend to range from €3 to €7 per item per day; ask in advance about maximum dimensions and weekend/holiday surcharges.
At handover verify three things: 1) a numbered receipt or tag for each item, 2) the provider’s written insurance limit (many third‑party outlets offer ~€500–€1,000 coverage but policies vary), 3) prohibited items list (cash, fragile electronics, aerosols, perishables). Keep photos of packed items and attach a copy of the receipt to the phone for faster reclaim.
Alternatives when on a tight schedule: arrange hotel concierge holding (confirm acceptance and hours), use bus terminal lockers if available, or prebook a door‑to‑door forwarding service for longer transfers. For short city visits, consolidate essentials into a compact daypack and leave bulky pieces with a booked partner within a 5–15 minute walk from the rail hub.
Late pickup: confirm the provider’s grace period and extra‑day tariff before departure; if reclaim will occur after closing, request written permission for a late retrieval or select a 24‑hour partner to avoid fines or forced storage relocation.
Leaving bags at the city’s central rail hub
Use the staffed left-baggage counter on the main concourse for the simplest option; lockers are limited, so pre-book a private locker if arrival falls during midday or peak travel times.
Locate the service near the ticket hall–look for signs reading “Consigna” or “Left Baggage” or ask ticket-office staff. Counters normally handle suitcases, backpacks and sports equipment and provide a numbered receipt for collection.
Typical opening hours for manned counters run roughly early morning to late evening, but vary by operator; small lockers usually cost around €4–6 per 24 hours, medium €6–9, and large slightly more. Both cash and card are commonly accepted; bring a government ID when dropping off items.
Alternative options: book a private short-term locker via apps/aggregators, leave items at hotel reception for a small fee, or check the nearby long-distance bus terminal for storage facilities. Private services allow online reservations and may offer longer opening hours than the rail hub.
Security tips: place valuables in carry-on, photograph the baggage and the receipt number, note opening hours before committing, and record contact details of the operator. Items left beyond the operator’s retention period may be processed according to local rules, so confirm maximum deposit duration when handing over.
For current availability, fees and exact opening times consult the national rail operator’s website or the rail hub’s phone listing on Google Maps before travel.
Availability of lockers and staffed baggage services at the city’s main rail terminal
Prefer the staffed baggage office for items larger than a backpack; coin-operated lockers suit daypacks and small suitcases when available.
Staffed baggage office (consigna)
- Location: usually inside the main concourse, close to the information desk or ticket hall; follow signage for “consigna” or “left baggage”.
- Hours: commonly open during most service hours; seasonal changes occur–confirm on the rail operator’s website or at the on-site info point before planning a drop-off.
- Requirements: valid photo ID and railway ticket often requested at drop-off; register name and contact details; obtain a paper receipt or barcode tag mandatory for collection.
- Size/weight limits: typical acceptance up to ~20–25 kg per item; oversized sports equipment or palettes may be refused or require advance arrangement.
- Fees and payments: typical range €4–€10 per item per 24-hour period; card and cash accepted in most staffed offices, exact tariffs vary by operator.
- Security and liability: insured coverage limits apply–retain the receipt; declare high-value items separately or consider alternative options for valuables.
Automatic lockers
- Availability: limited number of units; large-size lockers are often scarce and occupy prime areas, so occupancy can be high during peak travel times.
- Sizes and pricing: usually small/medium/large; approximate tariffs €3–€6 per 24 hours depending on size.
- Access and payment: electronic code or token system; some accept contactless card/pay-apps, others require coins–carry small change as backup.
- Operational notes: some locker banks may operate 24/7 while others are accessible only while the terminal is open; long-term storage (multiple days) can be blocked by maximum time limits.
- Failure or lost-code procedure: contact the staffed office or info point immediately; recovery often requires ID and the receipt printed at deposit.
Practical recommendations:
- For bulky or valuable items, opt for the staffed office and keep the receipt/tag safe.
- Reserve lockers early during peak seasons; if none are free, check nearby private left-baggage services or hotel concierge options.
- Confirm current opening hours, tariffs and size availability via the rail operator’s official channels or the terminal’s information desk before arrival.
Operating hours, fees and accepted payment methods for baggage facilities
Prefer the staffed baggage office for multi-day holds; it operates daily 07:00–21:00 while self-service lockers are accessible roughly 05:30–23:00 (hours may change on holidays).
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Opening times
- Staffed counter: 07:00–21:00 (daily).
- Coin-operated and electronic lockers: typically 05:30–23:00; some individual units accept retrieval outside staffed hours but availability varies.
- Holiday schedule: reduced hours on public holidays – confirm before arrival.
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Fees and tariffs
- Small locker (handbag/cabin-size): approx. €3–€4 per 24-hour period.
- Medium locker (weekender): approx. €5–€6 per 24-hour period.
- Large locker (checked-bag size): approx. €7–€8 per 24-hour period.
- Staffed counter (per item): typical rate €6–€10 for first 24 hours, then a reduced daily rate thereafter; longer-term deposits often negotiated.
- Lost-key or forced-opening fee: usually €10–€20 depending on provider.
- Grace periods: many lockers charge by the 24-hour block; partial days may be rounded up.
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Accepted payment methods
- Lockers: coins and contactless card readers on modern units; older units may require exact change.
- Staffed counter: cash (EUR), major debit/credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), contactless payments and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) in most cases.
- Prepayment and online reservation: some providers offer app or web prebooking with card payment and QR-code pickup.
- Receipts: request a printed or emailed receipt when paying at the counter to prove payment for multi-day holds.
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Practical recommendations
- For late arrivals, choose lockers rated for 24/7 access or confirm extended retrieval windows with the staffed office.
- Keep important documents and electronics in a carry item rather than left behind; consider suitability via this guide: best luggage for young adults.
- Retain the receipt and note locker number; photograph the unit and any identifying stickers to speed up claims.
- For stays longer than 72 hours, compare daily locker costs with the staffed counter – longer deposits at the counter can be cheaper for bulky items.
Size limits, prohibited items and security checks for deposited baggage
Select a compartment that exceeds the largest dimension by at least 5 cm and keep item weight under 25 kg for unattended lockers; manned left-baggage counters typically accept single pieces up to 30 kg with prior notification.
Accepted dimensions and weight classes
Class | External dimensions (L × W × H, cm) | Max weight | Typical contents |
---|---|---|---|
Small | 45 × 35 × 25 | 10 kg | daypacks, briefcases, small camera bags |
Medium | 60 × 40 × 35 | 20 kg | medium suitcases, instrument cases (compact) |
Large | 85 × 55 × 45 | 25 kg | large checked-style cases, sports gear |
Oversize / Manned counter only | up to 120 × 80 × 60 (by prior arrangement) | 30 kg (often limited by facility) | bicycles (partly disassembled), bulky equipment |
Prohibited contents and handling rules
Items refused for deposit: explosives, flammable liquids and gases, compressed gas cylinders, corrosive or toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, strong oxidisers, infectious substances, live animals, perishable foodstuffs that may spoil, stolen or illegal goods, and whole or replica firearms and ammunition. Batteries larger than typical consumer size (e.g., loose lithium-ion packs above airline limits) are frequently rejected.
Do not leave valuable items such as cash, passports, jewelry, irreplaceable documents or sensitive electronics; facilities usually disclaim full liability for high-value contents. For weather-sensitive or fragile contents consider additional protection such as a cover or case–see best umbrella for lupus for an example of protective options.
Avoid depositing open food containers, homemade preserves, or strong acids/condiments without sealing; if attempting to transport vinegars or similar liquids check safe alternatives and guidance: can i substitute red wine vinegar for rice vinegar.
Security procedures: CCTV coverage and access controls operate continuously; staff conduct X-ray screening or manual inspections at manned counters. Random or cause-based checks may require presentation of deposit receipt and photographic ID prior to release. Tamper-evident seals are applied in some services; any bag exhibiting suspicious contents will be retained and referred to local authorities. Items left beyond permitted timeframe are handled according to local regulations, often involving clearance, auction or disposal.
Step-by-step: book, deposit and retrieve bags at the rail terminal
Book online at least 24 hours before arrival to secure space; save the confirmation code or QR on the phone and print a copy if possible.
Use the official operator website, the terminal’s app or an authorised third-party platform to select service type (manned desk or automated locker), pickup/drop-off date and preferred size; complete payment and note the reference number and pickup deadline shown on the voucher.
Prepare items before arrival: remove batteries from devices if required, separate hazardous materials, photograph contents and serial numbers, and attach a visible tag with contact details; place passports and valuables in a carry-on item rather than in deposited baggage.
At the terminal, head to the labelled baggage area or the manned counter referenced on the booking confirmation. For kiosk-managed lockers, scan the QR or enter the reservation code, then follow on-screen prompts to open the assigned compartment; for counter service, present the confirmation and a valid photo ID matching the booking name.
During handover staff will apply a tamper tag or hand over a key/PIN and issue an itemised receipt with barcode and expiry time. For automated lockers the system will confirm locker number and access PIN; retain the receipt until retrieval.
To collect, return with the receipt and the same photo ID used at deposit. For lockers, enter the PIN or scan the barcode at the locker terminal; for counter retrieval, present the receipt and sign the exit form if requested. Inspect contents before leaving the area and keep the collection receipt until any billing adjustments are finalised.
If the receipt or key is lost, report immediately to the terminal desk and be prepared to prove ownership (photos, booking email, ID). Replacement access often requires an identity check and a handling fee stated in the operator’s terms.
If extending the hold period is needed, attempt extension via the app or at the counter before collection deadline to avoid late charges; unresolved overdue items follow the operator’s uncollected-items procedure detailed on the booking confirmation.
Keep emergency contacts: the phone number and email printed on the reservation and the terminal’s official website. For damage or missing items, submit a claim on-site before leaving and preserve all receipts and photos as evidence.
Nearby alternatives: private storage providers, app-based services and hotel baggage holds
Prefer app-based pick-up platforms for same-day drops: typical pricing ranges €5–€9 per item for the first 24 hours, partner locations normally operate 09:00–20:00, and most platforms accept card, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay. Key providers to check: Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero and Nannybag – all allow instant booking, show exact partner addresses on a map and publish insurer limits (commonly €1,500–€3,000 per item).
App-based platforms – how to pick the best option
Select listings with instant confirmation and clear insurance caps; confirm opening hours on the partner’s profile before booking. Expect surcharges for oversized items (typically €3–€7 extra per piece) and for late drop-offs or after-hours retrievals. Required documentation: passport or national ID for each claim, booking reference and a photo of the item at drop-off. For claims, platforms usually require a police report only for high-value losses; smaller claims are handled directly between user and partner under platform mediation. Book refundable options if plans might change – cancellation windows range from immediate (non-refundable) to 24 hours prior.
Private storage shops and hotel holds
Independent storage shops near main railway hubs often offer 24/7 access, CCTV and per-item rates of €6–€12/day; they will publish hourly rates when available. Hotels typically accept baggage holds free for registered guests; non-guests are commonly charged €3–€10 per piece and may be limited by space. For multiple or oversized items, call the property in advance and get a written confirmation of any fee and opening hours. Always label items, keep the deposit receipt, and photograph contents before handing over – these steps speed up any loss/damage resolution and support insurance claims.