Can you leave your luggage at heathrow airport

Manned baggage-storage counters operate in the main terminals (check terminal map for exact positions). The most common operator is the Excess Baggage Company; peer-to-peer services such as Stasher and Bounce offer vetted drop-offs at nearby hotels or collection points. Operating hours typically match terminal opening times; a small number of locations provide 24/7 service – confirm for the specific terminal before travel.

Typical pricing structure: initial 24-hour slot from roughly £7–£15 per item depending on size, then a reduced daily rate for subsequent days; weekly tariffs commonly range from about £30–£70 per item. Size and weight limits usually apply (standard cap ~32 kg per piece and limits on linear dimensions); prohibited items include hazardous materials, perishable goods and high-value items such as large sums of cash, unbacked jewellery and original identity documents.

Practical recommendations: present valid photo ID and a flight or booking reference at drop-off, keep the issued receipt/claim tag, photograph packed contents, insure high-value possessions separately and avoid storing essential medication or travel documents. Allow an extra 20–30 minutes for drop-off or collection during peak periods and reconfirm opening times on the day of travel.

Alternatives to on-site counters: hotel concierge storage, city-centre luggage hubs near major rail stations, or door-to-door forwarding services that collect at LHR and deliver to a specified London address. For early-morning or late-night departures, verify 24-hour availability or arrange an off-site option to avoid being unable to retrieve stored items.

Storage options and immediate recommendation for LHR

Use on-site left-baggage providers inside LHR terminals and pre-book online where possible; expect basic daily charges from roughly £6–£12 per small item and higher rates for oversized cases.

Where to go and what to expect

• Locations: left-baggage desks are usually in arrivals halls of the main terminals and near transfer zones; operator names include Excess Baggage Company and other accredited firms–check the terminal map before arrival.
• Opening hours: most desks mirror terminal operating times but some close overnight; confirm exact hours on the operator’s site.
• Identification and paperwork: photo ID plus flight details or booking reference required; a receipt/tag will be issued and must be kept for collection.
• Security and restrictions: items are subject to screening; prohibited goods (flammable liquids, certain batteries, firearms) are refused; size and weight limits apply–items over ~30 kg often declined or charged extra.
• Storage duration: short-term (hours to 30 days) standard; long-term storage available via specialist contractors or off-site warehouses with monthly tariffs.

Practical checklist before drop-off

• Pre-book online to lock in price and guarantee space.
• Label each piece with contact details and flight info.
• Remove high-value items or place them in a declared, insured package; most operators limit liability.
• Photograph contents for insurance claims if necessary.
• Compare on-site rates with city-centre storage and courier forwarding for multi-day or long-term needs; city options can be cheaper for extended periods.

Storage locations and contact points for each LHR terminal

Store bags at the official Excess Baggage Company (EBC) desks inside each terminal; pre-book via the operator’s website for oversized, valuable or long-term items.

Terminals 2 & 3

• Terminal 2 – EBC desk in Arrivals (ground floor), immediately adjacent to the main information point and baggage reclaim corridors. Typical opening window: early morning to late evening (approx. 05:00–22:00). Services: short-term hourly, 24-hour and multi-day tariffs; special handling available by prior arrangement. Primary contact: https://www.excess-baggage.com. On-site enquiries handled at the Terminal 2 Information Desk.

• Terminal 3 – EBC counter opposite Baggage Reclaim 1 in the Arrivals hall. Typical opening window: early morning to late evening (approx. 05:00–22:00). Accepts suitcases, sports equipment and oversize items with prior notice; insurance options offered at point of deposit. For immediate assistance, approach the Terminal 3 Information Desk or consult the EBC website.

Terminals 4 & 5

• Terminal 4 – Deposit desk in the Arrivals concourse near the taxi rank and Customer Services pod. Hours commonly mirror other terminals (approx. 05:00–22:00); seasonal variations possible. Large musical instruments and commercial consignments require advance booking through the operator.

• Terminal 5 – EBC facility in the Arrivals zone close to the central exits; separate handling for premium/oversize items available on request. For connections that require short-term storage (under 24 hours), use the dedicated short-stay service at the Terminal 5 counter. Contact via EBC website for quotes and pre-booking.

Immediate contact points for any terminal: on-site Information Desk (ground/arrivals level) and the Excess Baggage Company web portal for reservations and full price lists. For protection during transit, pack a compact rain cover or umbrella such as best umbrella for girls.

Opening hours, pricing tiers and accepted payment methods for baggage storage

Store bags at staffed left‑baggage desks during daylight service (typical window 05:30–23:00); for arrivals outside those hours, pre‑book online or use 24/7 locker units where present.

Opening hours (typical)

Staffed desks: Terminal 2 & 3 – roughly 06:00–22:30; Terminal 4 – roughly 05:30–23:00; Terminal 5 – staffed 06:00–22:00 with additional 24/7 self‑service locker availability in some arrival areas. Seasonal and airline operational peaks may shift times; check the terminal’s live info or bookable service page before travel.

Pricing tiers and payment methods

Short‑term (up to 4 hours): £5–£8 per item. Standard day rate (24 hours): small bag £8–£10, medium case £11–£14, large case or sports gear £15–£20. Multi‑day discounts: 3 days ≈ 2× single‑day rate, 7 days capped at approximately £40–£60 depending on size. Oversized, unusually heavy or specialist items (bicycles, musical instruments, appliances) incur bespoke charges from £25 upward; secure a quote when booking.

Accepted payment methods at staffed points and online booking: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, debit cards, American Express; contactless (tap‑to‑pay) and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted. Cash (GBP) remains accepted at some desks but card/contactless preferred; advance online prepayment often yields lower rates and guarantees space. Request a printed or emailed receipt and confirm liability terms for valuable items.

For storage of large household items or cases with metal backing, review manufacturer specs before booking: are the logik range of fridge freezers metal backed.

Store only items within operator limits: single pieces should be ≤32 kg and ≤150 × 80 × 80 cm; keep passports, cash and high‑value jewellery on person and declare fragile goods at drop‑off.

Permitted items and packing guidance

Acceptable articles: suitcases, backpacks, holdalls, sealed parcels, boxed consumer goods, sports equipment (skis, golf clubs, surfboards), musical instruments, folded pushchairs, mobility aids and sealed business shipments. Bulky items such as bicycles require disassembly and boxing before handover.

Packing recommendations: use hard cases for fragile items, wrap electronics in bubble wrap, drain fuel from petrol-powered kit, tape battery terminals or remove spare batteries, and affix a durable label with contact details. Fragile or unusually shaped items should be handed in at a staffed desk and declared on the receipt.

Prohibited and restricted items

Not accepted: firearms, ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids and solids, corrosives, compressed gas cylinders, radioactive materials, toxic or infectious substances, live animals, human remains and illegal drugs. Perishable foodstuffs and plants subject to biosecurity controls are refused.

Valuables and sensitive documents: cash, passports, ID documents, bank cards, precious stones, negotiable instruments and high‑value electronics should be carried on person; many storage operators exclude these from liability and refuse responsibility for loss or damage.

Batteries and electronics: spare lithium‑ion batteries and power banks are generally prohibited. Devices with built‑in batteries should be powered off; removable batteries ought to be removed and terminals taped where allowed. For any item containing fuel, compressed gas or chemicals, obtain written confirmation of acceptability before drop‑off.

How to book storage, drop off bag and required ID or paperwork

Book online at least 24 hours before arrival; prepayment secures a timeslot and provides a QR or reference number required at the drop-off desk.

How to reserve

Select an operator via official left‑luggage provider or third‑party platform (examples: Excess Baggage Company, Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero). Enter terminal number, flight number and expected arrival/departure time, choose a collection window, then complete payment by card. Save the confirmation email and a screenshot of the QR code; note the booking reference and operator contact number.

Drop-off checklist and required documents

Present photo ID plus booking confirmation and travel proof at the drop-off counter. Acceptable ID: passport (recommended for international travellers), national ID card, or UK driving licence. Boarding pass or e‑ticket is required when storing items between flights. For corporate bookings supply company authorisation letter and the card used for payment.

Staff will tag and weigh items, issue a numbered claim receipt (paper or electronic) and record ID details. Keep the claim receipt until collection; loss of that receipt typically requires identity verification and may delay release.

Specific paperwork cases: medication beyond personal needs needs a prescription or doctor’s letter; items declared as high value often require a signed inventory form and may incur additional insurance or refusal. For items containing lithium batteries follow operator guidance and declare battery capacity if requested. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who signs the collection form and presents ID.

Practical recommendations: photograph items and record serial numbers before drop-off, remove previous travel tags, ensure liquids comply with storage rules, and allow extra time for drop-off during peak hours or security delays.

Liability, insurance coverage and steps to take if a bag is lost or damaged

Purchase travel insurance that explicitly covers stored and checked bags with per-item cover of at least £1,000 and overall baggage cover matching declared value; verify policy excess and single-item limits before handing over any stored property.

International carriage liabilities are governed by the Montreal Convention: maximum compensation for checked items is 1,288 SDR per passenger (SDR-to-GBP rate fluctuates; convert at the time of claim). Ground storage operators set contractual liability limits in their terms and conditions, often far below airline limits unless a higher declared value has been paid.

Immediate steps after discovering loss or damage: inspect the item in front of the storage or airline representative; obtain a written report or Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number; take timestamped photographs of damage or empty contents; request a copy of the storage receipt and the operator’s incident document.

Required documentation for any claim: incident report/PIR, storage ticket, boarding pass or travel itinerary, baggage tag(s), original purchase receipts or valuations for high-value items, repair quotes or invoices, passport/ID, photos of damage, police crime reference if theft suspected. Keep both digital and hard copies.

Deadlines and time limits: notify the carrier about damage within 7 days of receipt of the item; notify the carrier about delay within 21 days (loss is usually established after the delay period). Court actions under international carriage rules must be started within two years. Storage operator contracts can impose shorter claim windows – check terms and submit claims accordingly.

How compensation is calculated: airline payouts use SDR limits unless a higher declared value was lodged before travel; storage operators pay according to their contractual cap or declared-value fee. Travel insurers reimburse up to policy limits minus excess; if an insurer pays, subrogation rights allow recovery from carrier or storage operator on the insurer’s behalf.

Practical risk-reduction measures: declare and pay for increased cover at drop-off for high-value items; remove irreplaceable items from stored property; photograph contents and seals before handover; save all transaction receipts and correspondence; if payment was by credit card, check issuer purchase-protection benefits and file a chargeback if eligible.

Collecting bags: retrieval process, proof needed and late-pickup or unclaimed fees

Present the original collection receipt plus a photo ID at the storage counter; without both items release will be refused.

Retrieval process and proof required

Step 1: Locate the provider’s counter using the booking confirmation number or storage tag barcode. Step 2: Present the printed or digital receipt and one government-issued photo ID (passport, EU/UK driving licence, national identity card). Step 3: Staff will check the receipt against the storage tag, scan the barcode and request signature on the release form. Step 4: Staff may open items in front of the bearer for verification; sealed containers remain sealed only if stated in the operator’s terms.

Acceptable proof: passport, full driving licence, national ID card. Proof of payment: card used for payment, transaction reference, or the emailed payment receipt. Third-party collection requires a signed authorisation letter from the depositor, photocopy of the depositor’s ID, and the collector’s ID; some operators also require the original receipt.

Late pickup, uncollected items and fees

Most operators charge additional daily storage for items held beyond the paid period; typical increments range from £5–£15 per day for small items and £10–£40 per day for larger pieces. Outstanding balances must be settled before release. If a courier or re-delivery service is requested, expect a separate dispatch fee (commonly £15–£50 depending on size and destination) plus any postage/customs costs for international shipments.

After a defined uncollected period (commonly between 14 and 30 days) operators usually attempt contact via phone and e-mail, then transfer items to the terminal’s central lost-property service or arrange disposal/auction. Operators deduct outstanding fees and administrative charges from sale proceeds where applicable. To avoid escalation, keep the booking reference, payment receipt and tag number accessible and respond to operator messages within 48 hours.