Can you leave luggage at brisbane airport

Book a certified storage slot online for BNE and choose either a terminal drop-off point or a city collection location. Typical rates run between AU$6–15 per item per 24 hours for standard bags; larger items usually incur AU$10–25/day. Common size limits are ~150 x 80 x 80 cm and weight caps of 30–35 kg per item–confirm limits on the provider’s booking page before arrival.

Bring a government photo ID and the booking reference at drop-off; providers require both for handover and retrieval. Expect a short intake process: 5–10 minutes per item for tagging and a signed receipt. Prohibited contents normally include perishables, controlled substances, weapons and hazardous materials–pack valuables and travel documents on the person or in airline-checked baggage.

For international transfers, place stored items on the public side of the terminal (pre-immigration) if you want easy same-day access; items stored post-immigration may require re-clearing customs to retrieve. If transit involves checked baggage to a connecting carrier, compare the cost and convenience of third-party storage versus placing items in checked hold through the airline.

Alternatives: short-term storage desks at nearby hotels, secure lockers at major rail stations, or meet-and-greet pick-up/drop-off services arranged via storage platforms. Before finalising plans, verify opening hours, insurance coverage (declared value and excess), refund/cancellation rules and COVID-related handling policies directly with the service provider.

Short-term bag storage options at BNE terminals

Primary option: visit the terminal information desk on arrival for a third-party short-term storage service; verify hours and current availability via the official BNE site (https://www.bne.com.au) or at the terminal information counter.

Off-site providers operate in the CBD and nearby suburbs–common brands include Bounce and Stasher–offering fixed daily rates, online booking and partner drop-off locations. Typical pricing ranges AU$6–15 per item per day for standard suitcases; reserve at least 24 hours ahead to guarantee space and check whether pickup/dropoff to the terminal is available for an extra fee.

Airline and hotel options: major carriers (Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar) sometimes accept early-checked bags for same-day departures – confirm policy and any fees at the carrier check-in desk. Hotels in the Skygate precinct (for example Ibis, Rydges) frequently offer short-term bag hold for guests and, occasionally, for non-guests for a small charge; call ahead for confirmation.

Security and documentation: remove valuables and important documents, photograph contents, attach a visible tag with contact details, and retain the operator receipt or booking confirmation. Operator liability limits commonly range between AU$300–500 per item unless higher value is declared and additional insurance is purchased; travel insurance with declared contents is recommended for high-value items.

Operating hours and peak times: terminal-based services commonly open from early morning to late evening (approx. 05:00–22:00), while some off-site partners provide extended or 24/7 access. Expect higher demand and potential limited availability during school holidays, major events and long-weekend periods – pre-book where possible.

Quick checklist before drop-off: tag and photo each item, note serial numbers for electronics, pack liquids to meet security rules for later travel, keep the booking/receipt accessible, and confirm collection window and fees (per hour, per day, oversized rates). For live confirmation consult the official terminal site (https://www.bne.com.au), Bounce (https://usebounce.com) or Stasher (https://stasher.com), and contact the carrier check-in desk for bag-hold policies.

Locations of official and third-party storage serving BNE terminals

Priority recommendation: Book a vetted third‑party bag‑storage provider that lists BNE pick‑up/drop‑off or terminal‑adjacent branches – these services provide online reservations, item insurance options and clear hourly/daily rates.

Official options

Airline check‑in counters: carriers at Domestic and International check‑in zones handle hold and excess‑baggage procedures; policies, size limits and fees vary by airline so confirm with the specific carrier before arrival. Hotel concierges at properties adjacent to the terminals may accept short‑term drops for registered guests; long‑term car park offices sometimes offer secured storage for items kept with a parked vehicle, but availability is limited.

Third‑party providers and typical locations

Commercial services operate in three formats: (1) fixed drop‑off shops inside the terminal precinct and nearby commercial strips, (2) city CBD storage points within a 10–20 minute transfer of the terminals, (3) on‑demand couriers that collect from terminal forecourts, hotels or private addresses. Search provider websites or apps for exact pickup addresses, operating hours and insurance limits; common requirements include photo ID, an electronic booking confirmation and size/quantity restrictions.

Practical tips: obtain a written receipt showing storage expiry, photograph seals if provided, and allow an extra 60–90 minutes for collection or delivery to account for terminal access and security checks. For same‑day transfers, choose services offering guaranteed time windows.

Opening hours, maximum storage duration and overnight rules

Check operating hours and retention limits with the chosen storage provider before arrival. Typical staffed counter hours run roughly 07:00–20:00 daily; smart-locker facilities often provide 24/7 access at BNE terminals but availability varies by operator.

Retention windows commonly fall into three bands: short-term (hourly up to 72 hours), standard (1–14 days) and long-term (up to 30 days). Extensions beyond the stated maximum may be possible by arrangement and usually attract additional fees; some providers offer multi-week or seasonal plans on request.

Overnight storage is usually permitted. Staffed services often stop processing collections after closing time, so retrieval may only be possible the next business day; lockers allow retrieval outside staffed hours. After-hours collection or emergency access commonly carries an extra charge, typically in the range of AU$10–AU$40 depending on provider and time.

Typical pricing examples (indicative): small bag AU$8–15 per day, large bag AU$15–30 per day; locker bookings from AU$6–20 for the first 24 hours; weekly or multi-day discounts often available. Late-collection penalties accumulate daily and missed-collection policies can lead to disposal or auction after a provider-specific abandonment period (commonly 30–90 days).

Practical rules: present valid photo ID at drop-off and keep the receipt or digital booking confirmation; photograph contents and label items; remove perishables, aerosols, batteries and prohibited or high-value items (cash, original passports, precious stones) unless the provider explicitly accepts them under insured terms. Verify insurance coverage and declared-item procedures before placing items in storage.

Typical fees, discounts and accepted payment methods

Typical fees

Allocate approximately AUD 8–12 for small locker storage per 24 hours; medium-sized lockers or single suitcase storage commonly falls between AUD 12–20 per 24 hours; oversized items, sports equipment or multiple-case deposits usually range AUD 20–35 per day. Short-term hourly rates (for stays under 4 hours) are sometimes available at automated lockers: expect AUD 3–8 per hour. Weekly caps or multi-day packages typically equal about 3–5 times the daily rate; monthly flat fees for long-term deposits often start around AUD 60–120 depending on item size.

Discounts and accepted payments

Pre-booking online generally reduces the price by about 10–20% with third-party depots. Student and senior concessions are offered by select operators on presentation of ID; corporate and group rates are negotiable for repeat or bulk bookings. Accepted payment methods include Visa and Mastercard (widely), American Express at many counters, contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile transactions, plus online gateways such as Stripe or PayPal for reservations. Cash acceptance varies and is less common at automated sites; EFTPOS is regularly available at manned desks. Expect some providers to place a temporary card hold for high-value items and to offer optional insurance or declared-value protection for an extra fee–confirm coverage and refund/cancellation terms prior to deposit.

Size, weight limits and items not accepted for storage

Single items heavier than 30 kg or longer than 2.2 m must be handled at the terminal baggage desk or via a pre‑arranged oversized-item service; standard storage lockers typically accept items up to 30 kg and aggregate dimensions (length + width + height) of 158 cm unless a larger locker is specifically booked.

Typical locker dimensions and weight caps

Restricted and forbidden articles

Storage services refuse hazardous and regulated goods: explosives, ammunition and firearms unless declared and licensed; flammable liquids and fuels; compressed gas canisters; corrosive chemicals and toxic substances; industrial batteries and bulk lithium‑ion battery packs; radioactive materials; perishable food and biological samples; live animals and live plants; human remains; stolen or illegal goods. High‑value items such as large sums of cash, passports, jewellery, and irreplaceable documents are generally not accepted for unsecured storage – use secure safe‑deposit facilities or insured premium storage if retention is necessary.

Special handling rules: bicycles often must be partially disassembled and boxed; surfboards and skis may incur size surcharges; crates and pet carriers require advance approval and proof of health/quarantine clearance. Always photograph contents, affix a durable external tag with contact details, declare anything fragile or hazardous, and obtain written receipt and condition record. For kennel/crate security tips when travelling with pets, consult how to keep dogs from digging out under fence.

Step-by-step: how to drop off, tag and collect your bags

Drop-off and tagging

Deposit bags at the airline check-in counter or the official storage desk at least 90 minutes before domestic departures and 120 minutes before international flights.

Present a photo ID and boarding pass or reservation confirmation; staff will weigh and measure items, declare any restricted contents if requested, and advise if additional screening is needed.

For airline-checked items: staff attach an airline-issued tag with flight code and destination, then hand over a matching claim stub–keep that stub until retrieval.

For self-service kiosks: print the barcode tag, thread the loop through the main handle and zip, then place the bag on the automated scale; confirm the printed receipt contains the tag number and collection location.

For third-party storage services: staff often apply a numbered security tag or RFID label and provide a paper receipt showing the storage reference, drop-off time and operator contact; retain this receipt and take a photo of the tag number.

Expect random security inspections; if an item is opened for screening, the operator will note the inspection on the receipt. Use TSA-approved or comparable locks and photograph valuables, serial numbers and external condition before handing items over.

Collection and inspection

Present the original receipt or booking reference plus the same photo ID used at drop-off; operators will verify identity, scan the tag and retrieve the corresponding item from secure storage.

Inspect external and internal condition immediately in front of staff. If visible damage or missing contents are found, request a signed damage/shortage report and obtain a reference number before leaving the desk.

If a security seal is present, do not remove it until the item is inspected; report any broken seal to staff and get an incident record.

If unable to collect in person, submit written authorization naming an alternate collector and ensure that person presents their photo ID and the original booking reference; many operators require prior notice for third-party pickups.

Report disputes in writing within 48 hours of collection, attaching photos, the receipt and any relevant proof of value; retain all documentation for insurance or refund claims. If collection will exceed the paid period, contact the operator to extend storage and avoid disposal or additional handling charges.

Liability, making a claim and insurance tips

Declare value and secure insurance for high-value items before drop-off; retain the storage receipt, photographic proof and purchase invoices.

• Typical operator liability

  Most official and third-party storage operators limit liability by default. Common caps range from AU$100–AU$500 for unattended lockers and AU$300–AU$2,000 for manned services with basic coverage. Higher declared-value cover usually requires an extra fee and written confirmation. Cash, jewellery, passports and single-piece high-value electronics are often excluded unless explicitly declared and insured.

• Evidence operators request

  Claims usually require: storage receipt/tag number, photos of contents (pre-drop), purchase receipts or serial numbers, statement describing loss/damage, and a copy of the storage terms signed or provided at drop-off.

• Initial reporting timeline

  Report theft/damage to the operator immediately on discovery; most operators expect notification within 24–72 hours. File a written claim within 7–14 days of discovery; failure to meet these windows commonly voids liability.

• Escalation steps
  1. Collect evidence: storage ticket, photos taken before deposit, receipts, serial numbers and any CCTV reference provided by the operator.
  2. Notify operator in writing (email + recorded delivery if necessary). Subject line example: “Claim – storage ticket #12345 – Missing item(s)”.
  3. Request a copy of the operator’s terms and footage reference number; ask for a written acknowledgement of the report and an anticipated response timeframe.
  4. If theft suspected, obtain a police report and include the incident number in the claim packet.
  5. If unsatisfied with the operator’s outcome, escalate to relevant small-claims tribunal or consumer protection agency with all documentation.
• Insurance recommendations
  • Household contents or specialised travel insurance: confirm policy wording explicitly covers items placed in third-party storage facilities and whether cover applies for short-term commercial storage.
  • Declared-value cover: take a policy that covers at least the full replacement cost of high-value items; typical travel policies carry per-item and total limits–check per-item limits if carrying cameras, lenses or jewellery.
  • Excess and exclusions: verify excess amount and any exclusions for unattended or public storage. Some policies exclude cash and certain electronics unless accompanied by receipts and serial numbers.
  • Payment method benefits: some premium credit cards extend coverage for items charged to the card or for trip-related storage–check issuer benefits and required activation steps.
• Mitigation and practical tips
  • Photograph packed contents and record serial numbers before depositing. Store copies of receipts in a separate carry item or cloud folder.
  • Keep the storage ticket and bag tag on the person until retrieval. If tags are detachable, photograph tag numbers as backup.
  • Avoid storing high-value items where possible; retain passports, large sums of cash, expensive watches and top-tier electronics in personal possession.
  • Use sturdy carry options and tracking devices inside stored bags; consider models such as the best travel tote with rotating wheels or the best backpack for fly fishing for durability and ease of identification.
  • When choosing a facility at BNE terminals, request written confirmation of liability limits and any available declared-value upgrades before payment.