Are there luggage lockers at san francisco airport

No – as of June 2024 SFO terminals do not provide public self‑service storage cabinets for baggage. If you need to leave bags temporarily, plan alternatives before arrival: prebook a third‑party drop‑off, arrange early check/hold with your carrier, or use a hotel concierge at check‑in or check‑out.

Third‑party drop‑offs operate within a short rideshare or public‑transit distance from the terminals and in downtown locations. Common providers (examples: Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero) list availability by address and hours on their sites; expect typical rates roughly $6–15 per item per day, variable by size and location. Always confirm exact pick‑up/drop windows and size limits when booking.

Airline and hotel options: contact your carrier for early baggage hold or gate‑check rules (policies differ by airline and fare). Many hotels near SFO and in downtown offer short‑term storage via concierge–call ahead to confirm fees and ID requirements, and request a written receipt.

Shipping and meet‑and‑greet services provide door‑to‑door delivery or terminal pick‑up for a fee; companies such as Luggage Forward and Send My Bag quote prices by weight, route and delivery speed. Use shipping when timing is tight or when you need guaranteed delivery to a hotel or residence.

Practical checklist: book storage or shipping before you travel, keep valuables with you, retain all receipts and tracking numbers, verify operating hours for drop‑off and pickup, and allocate 30–60 extra minutes for handover at busy times.

Bag storage options at SFO terminals

Use third-party short-term bag storage services (Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero) located near downtown and tourist areas; reserve online before arrival, show the provider’s QR/confirmation at drop-off, and expect typical rates of about $6–15 per day. SFO terminals do not offer unattended self-service compartments inside secure zones, so plan for off-site pickup or same-day drop points.

Costs and booking

Compare providers by daily rate, insurance coverage and size limits; book the time window (many operate roughly 08:00–20:00) and confirm exact drop-off address in the listing. Bring photo ID, reservation confirmation and a printed or digital receipt. Common prohibitions: hazardous materials, perishable goods and weapons; oversized items may incur extra charges.

Alternatives and practical tips

Ask your airline at the ticket counter about early checked-bag drop for long layovers; use hotel concierge storage if you have a reservation; consider downtown drop-off since BART from SFO to Union Square/Powell is roughly 30–35 minutes. Allow at least 90 minutes extra for transit plus pick-up/drop-off, photograph bags before handing them over, keep valuables with you, and verify cancellation/refund and insurance policies on the provider’s site.

On-site bag storage at SFO

No unattended storage units operate inside SFO; use airline-checked baggage for ticketed travelers or book a third-party drop-off near terminals for short-term hold.

Quick options

• Airline checked baggage: available only to ticketed passengers at ticket counters in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the International Terminal; fees, size and weight limits vary by carrier.
• Third-party networks (examples: Bounce, Vertoe): app/website reservations, walk-in drop-off at partner shops near the airport or downtown; typical pricing ranges $6–$20 per item per day; many include basic insurance (verify coverage per booking).
• Courier and shipping services (examples: Luggage Forward): door-to-door pickup and delivery; recommended for multi-day or long-distance storage but substantially pricier than daily drop-off.
• Security rule: unattended personal items inside terminals may be removed by SFO security or TSA; do not leave valuables unattended and label stored items clearly.

Booking checklist

• Reserve in advance for guaranteed space and best rates; show government ID at drop-off.
• Confirm operating hours and terminal access for the chosen provider; some partner locations close evenings or on holidays.
• Verify maximum dimensions, weight limits and prohibited items; oversized items may incur extra fees or be refused.
• Keep digital and paper receipts, note insurance limits, and photograph contents and tags at handover.

Check SFO official website or contact customer service before travel for the latest on accepted on-site services and terminal policies.

Exact terminal locations and access points for any SFO baggage storage

No public self-service storage units exist inside SFO; use airline ticketing/checked-baggage counters for short-term holds or reserve an off-airport storage provider and plan pickup/drop-off via the airport’s transit links.

On-site options and terminal specifics

Ticketing and checked-item services operate at each terminal’s departures/ticketing level; approach your carrier’s counter (listed on your reservation) for hold policies, accepted dimensions, fees and required ID. Information desks located in all terminals can confirm whether a carrier will accept temporary holds that day.

Access points for off-site providers and step-by-step routing

Primary transit hub for external storage vendors: the BART station located at the International Terminal complex. From Terminals 1–3 use the free AirTrain to reach the International Terminal/BART station and the Ground Transportation Center. Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” on the arrivals/curb level to reach shuttle pickup islands where off-site services arrange passenger transfers or meet-and-greet drop-offs. For walk-in or courier drop-off, use the provider’s map pin and allow 30–60 minutes for transfer between terminal curbs and vendor locations; always confirm the exact meeting island (island numbers posted at the Ground Transportation area) and vehicle description in your booking.

Before booking, confirm these three items with any provider: confirmed pickup/drop-off terminal (International Terminal preferred for BART access), accepted item types and size limits, and required ID/booking reference for release. Quick tip for cleaning soiled items prior to drop-off: how to clean potatoes without a scrubber.

Alternative short-term baggage storage options near SFO

Use an app-based storage network (Bounce, Vertoe, Stasher, Nannybag) for the quickest same-day hold: reserve online, drop bags at a partner shop or hotel, keep the digital receipt and a photo inventory.

How the services work: providers list partner locations in Millbrae, Burlingame and the I‑380 corridor; typical pricing ranges from about $6–15 per day with some hourly options starting near $5/hour; standard protection commonly covers roughly $1,000–3,000 in value, with paid upgrades for higher-value items.

Typical pick-up/drop-off clusters: downtown Millbrae near the Caltrain station, Burlingame Broadway/Old County Road retail strip, and hotel clusters along North McDonnell Road adjacent to SFO terminals. Apps display walking distance, transit time and hours for each partner location.

Hotel bell-desk holds: Grand Hyatt at SFO and many full‑service hotels adjacent to the terminals accept short-term bag holding for registered guests and sometimes for non-guests for a fee; call the specific property to confirm acceptance, hours and charges before relying on this option.

Timing and transit: allow 30–60 minutes from terminal curb to most downtown partner spots when using shuttle or rideshare; typical rideshare fares run about $10–25 one way depending on traffic and pickup point–factor this into reservation times to avoid missed flights.

What to check before booking: partner hours, exact street address, required ID for drop/pickup, prohibited items list (hazardous materials, perishable goods, often firearms), maximum item dimensions and declared-value limits; capture photos of each item and keep the in-app reservation number.

Booking and cancellations: many platforms permit free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled drop; customer support usually via in-app chat or phone; refunds and claims follow host-specific terms, so screenshot confirmation and insurance details at booking.

Pricing, accepted payments, and operating hours for SFO-area storage

Book an off-site, staffed storage spot near SFO at least 24 hours in advance; typical rates: $8–20 per day for a single bag, hourly options $2–4, weekly caps $40–120 depending on size and provider.

Accepted payments

Major providers accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover; contactless methods supported: Apple Pay, Google Pay. PayPal available with some apps. Cash is rarely accepted at staffed counters near terminals; use online booking with card for guaranteed hold. Expect a refundable hold or authorization of $20–150 on the card for high-value claims.

Operating hours and access

Typical staffed locations close to SFO: 06:00–23:00 daily. City-center partners often operate 09:00–21:00 or 24/7 depending on the storefront. Self-service kiosks and automated booths near transit hubs may run 24/7 but can have intermittent maintenance–confirm live availability before arrival. Same-day drop-off or pick-up outside posted hours often requires prior arrangement and an extra fee ($5–25).

Insurance and fees: basic liability commonly included up to $100–500; optional coverage sold at $5–12 per day for declared value up to $1,500–2,000. Cancellation windows vary; many services offer free cancellation up to 24 hours prior, nonrefundable within 24 hours.

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Size limits, prohibited items, and insurance options for stored baggage

Recommendation: measure and weigh carry-ons and checked bags before arriving; use staffed drop-off for pieces larger than typical compartments and declare high-value items with purchased coverage.

• Typical compartment dimensions (self-service):

  • Small: ~30 × 30 × 45 cm (12 × 12 × 18 in) – fits daypacks and small duffels.
  • Medium: ~45 × 45 × 65 cm (18 × 18 × 26 in) – fits standard roller carry-ons and medium suitcases.
  • Large: ~80 × 45 × 65 cm (31 × 18 × 26 in) – fits large checked-style suitcases, within length limits.
  • Weight limits for compartments commonly 20–30 kg (44–66 lb); items above that typically rejected by coin-operated stations.

• Staffed drop-off size and weight guidance:

  • Most staffed services accept items up to 28–32 inches (72–81 cm) in longest dimension and weights up to 23–32 kg (50–70 lb); very large items (surfboards, full-size instruments) require pre-approval.
  • Oversized gear may incur a surcharge or need special handling; request measurements and maximum permitted weight before arrival.

• Commonly prohibited items:

  • Explosives, firearms, ammunition, and other weapons.
  • Flammable liquids and gases (fuel, lighter fluid, propane canisters), corrosives, oxidizers.
  • Loose lithium-ion batteries above regulated watt-hour ratings; e-bike batteries and large battery packs usually refused.
  • Perishable food, live animals (service animals excepted), plants, biological hazards.
  • Controlled substances and illegal materials.
  • Human remains and certain cultural artifacts requiring permits.
  • High-value items that exceed a service’s declared-value allowance when not explicitly declared (cash, bullion, rare jewelry, unregistered artwork).

• Insurance and declared-value options:

  • Onsite liability: many staffed providers publish a maximum liability per item or per claim; common caps range from $100 to $3,000 depending on vendor and whether a declared value was purchased–verify the exact figure on the receipt or terms of service.
  • Declared-value upgrade: available for an extra fee; requires itemized list and receipt copies; payout tied to declared amount minus deductible in most cases.
  • Third-party coverage: travel insurance policies often include baggage loss/theft protection (typical limits $500–$3,000 per incident); dedicated personal effects riders can raise limits for valuables.
  • Credit-card benefits: some premium cards extend secondary or primary baggage protection when trips are purchased with the card; confirm coverage limits, exclusions, and claim process with issuer.
  • Documentation needed for claims: dated photos of items and serial numbers, original purchase receipts, storage receipt/ticket, police report if theft suspected.

• Practical checklist before storage:

  1. Measure length × width × height and weigh each bag; compare with chosen provider’s published limits.
  2. Remove prohibited materials and loose lithium batteries; store expensive electronics with batteries inside devices when permitted and declared.
  3. Itemize and photograph valuables front/back/serial numbers; keep originals and copies of receipts.
  4. Decide on declared-value purchase based on replacement cost; for items worth over $1,000 consider third-party travel insurance or credit-card coverage instead of basic onsite limits.
  5. Retain the claim ticket; verify provider contact details and opening hours before leaving possession of items.

• Small tip:

  Carry a compact rain shield for quick protection of stored gear while in transit: best studry umbrella for preschoolers.

How to reserve, drop off, and pick up bags before or after SFO flights

Reserve storage at least 24 hours before travel; for holidays and large events book 48–72 hours ahead.

Reservation steps: pick a vetted provider (examples: Bounce, Stasher, Vertoe, LuggageHero), enter SFO as reference point, select drop-off or courier pickup, choose date and time slot, pay with card or mobile wallet, save the confirmation QR/code and receipt sent by email or app.

Drop-off protocol: arrive 10–20 minutes before your slot with photo ID and booking confirmation; staff will tag items, issue a paper or digital claim receipt, and attach tamper-evident seals on request. If you need a same-day transfer to a terminal, schedule drop-off at least 3–4 hours before departure to allow ground transit.

Courier pickup from a terminal or hotel: book a pickup window at least 4–6 hours ahead; select provider that lists terminal pickup as an option and confirm any shuttle timing. Expect a 15–30 minute vehicle turnaround after the driver checks ID and the claim code.

Post-flight pickup: factor in customs and transit time–allow 60–120 minutes from touchdown for international arrivals before heading to a storage point. Present photo ID and the original booking confirmation; providers typically release items only to the named guest unless an alternate pickup authorization is pre-registered.

After-hours retrieval and delays: choose a 24/7 provider if your arrival or departure falls outside normal business hours. If your flight is delayed, update the provider via app, phone, or chat; most services hold items for a grace window (commonly 1–2 hours) and charge a late fee per additional day or partial day–check the provider’s policy on the booking page.

Payment and cancellation: major credit and debit cards plus Apple/Google Pay are standard; cash acceptance is rare. Free cancellation commonly applies up to 24 hours before the reserved start time; last-minute cancellations often incur partial or full charges–confirm refund rules during booking.

Security and proof: photograph items and attached tags before drop-off, note serial numbers for electronics, and keep small valuables with you. Consider the provider’s declared-value coverage or buy additional insurance for high-value pieces; request a written insurance limit and file any claims within the stated period.

Practical timing tips: for outbound flights, drop off no later than 3–4 hours before departure if relying on ground transfer; for inbound pickups, allow at least 90 minutes for domestic and 2 hours for international passengers to clear arrival formalities before pickup.