Can you store luggage near waterloo station london

Fast facts: app networks such as Bounce, Stasher and LuggageHero typically list multiple partner shops clustered around the South Bank rail hub. Typical pricing ranges from £5–£12 per item per 24‑hour period; hourly tariffs are often ~£1–£2 with a daily cap. Station-run or staffed desks (where present) frequently charge £6–£18 depending on case size and duration – check the operator’s live tariff before arrival.

Automated locker machines are found at several large termini and at nearby commercial points: size tiers generally cover small (handbag/cabin case), medium (standard checked case) and large (oversized trunk). Approximate internal dimensions for planning: small ~40×30×60 cm, medium ~60×40×80 cm, large ~80×60×120 cm. Availability drops during peak commuter hours and event days; booking a shop-based slot avoids queuing for lockers.

Opening hours and access: many private partners operate roughly 07:00–21:00; staffed desks commonly run 06:00–22:00 on weekdays with reduced weekend hours, while a minority of kiosks offer 24/7 access. Electronic booking confirms exact opening times and guarantees a drop-off window.

Security and documentation: expect ID checks and a claim receipt or barcode; photograph high-value items and keep the digital receipt. Opt for providers that include basic insurance in the fee or offer add‑ons up to a stated value – retain the insurance reference on pickup. Avoid leaving passports, large sums of cash, jewellery or irreplaceable items.

Payments: most outlets accept major cards and contactless; some accept cash. Cancellation policies vary – free cancellation windows are commonly 24 hours before the booked slot, with no‑show or late‑collection fees applied thereafter. For oversized or unusually shaped items, confirm acceptance and extra charges directly with the chosen provider before arrival.

Use staffed left-baggage providers at the South Bank transport hub for the quickest, safest short- or long-term options.

Staffed counters and verified third-party networks offer the best balance of security, opening hours and insurance cover for bags and bulky items within a 5–10 minute walk of the South Bank rail hub (SE1).

Recommended providers and typical costs

• Excess Baggage Company – counter service with baggage handling, sizes accepted up to oversized suitcases; typical rates: £7–£12 per item per day; ID required; optional declared-value cover available.
• App-based networks (Stasher, LuggageHero, Radical Storage) – partner shops and hotels that accept drops; book and pay online; average £5–£8 per item per day; most include liability cover between £500–£1,500 depending on booking option.
• Self-service lockers – contactless payment, multiple sizes (small/medium/large); short-term pricing around £3–£6 per hour, daily caps commonly £7–£12; best for quick hourly holds without pre-booking.
• Hotel concierge drop-off – independent hotels within walking distance sometimes accept non-guest drops for a fee or donation; confirm hours and policy before arrival.

Practical checks before drop-off

• Verify opening hours and last-collection time on provider website or app; evening closures are common for small shops.
• Confirm maximum dimensions and prohibited items (electronics, liquids, valuables) and whether photographic inventory or seals are provided.
• Compare insured value limits and add declared-value cover if items exceed standard liability.
• Reserve a slot online when possible to guarantee space during peak holiday weekends or sporting events.
• Keep booking/reference number and photograph contents and external condition of each item at drop-off for claims or disputes.

For same-day short holds, prioritise staffed counters or lockers for access speed; for multi-day storage, app-based providers often yield the best price and flexible drop/pick windows within a short walk of the South Bank hub.

Official left-baggage lockers inside the main South Bank terminus: exact locations and size limits

Use the staffed Left Baggage office on the main concourse (south end, adjacent to the Travel Centre) for items exceeding automated locker dimensions; automated locker banks handle small and medium items and are quicker for short deposits.

Exact locker/office locations: south concourse – staffed office next to Travel Centre and toilets (near platform 1 entrance); central concourse – bank of automated lockers between platforms 6–9 by the main escalators; lower concourse – lockers by the Underground passage opposite Costa Coffee; north exit corridor – additional automated bank at the York Road entrance. Signage on the concourse points to each bank.

Locker size limits (internal dimensions): Small: 35 x 30 x 20 cm – weight limit 15 kg. Medium: 60 x 40 x 30 cm – weight limit 25 kg. Large: 80 x 50 x 40 cm – weight limit 32 kg. Staffed office accepts items up to 150 x 80 x 60 cm and weights up to 35 kg (oversize sports equipment assessed case-by-case).

Operating rules and fees: automated lockers operate 24/7; pickup must occur before expiry shown on the locker ticket. Typical automated pricing: Small ~£6 per 24 hours, Medium ~£8 per 24 hours, Large ~£10 per 24 hours (rates subject to change). Staffed Left Baggage opening hours frequently run 06:00–21:00; staffed deposits offer multi-day storage (usually up to 28 days) for higher daily or flat fees and require valid photo ID at drop-off and collection. Payment: automated lockers accept contactless/card; staffed office accepts card and cash.

Operational tips: measure external case dimensions before using an automated unit; oversized boxes and items should be routed to the staffed office on arrival. Remove valuables and label items with the locker ticket number. For compact day carry or student-sized cases, consult best luggage for college girl; for hands-free short excursions check best waist pack for trail running.

Commercial bag-hold services: prices, opening hours and walk times from the main South Bank rail hub

Recommendation: Use app-based host networks (Stasher, Bounce, Radical Storage, LuggageHero) for short-term bag drop – typical rates £5–£9 per item per 24 hours, many hosts open 08:00–20:00, most locations a 3–8 minute walk from the main South Bank rail hub.

• Stasher – Typical fee: ~£6 per item per 24h. Common host hours: 09:00–19:00 (some 07:30–22:00). Walk: 3–7 minutes from the rail hub depending on which host is chosen. Booking: prepaid via app; instant confirmation. Protection: host insurance included (check booking page for exact cover).

• Bounce – Typical fee: £5–£8 per item per 24h or hourly options at some hosts. Host hours: many open 08:00–20:00; select hosts 24/7. Walk: 4–9 minutes for central South Bank hosts. Booking: reserve in app and show QR code at drop-off. Protection: item coverage included (policy amount listed in app).

• Radical Storage (formerly BagBNB) – Typical fee: £4–£7 per item per 24h. Host hours: usually 09:00–18:00; some extended openings. Walk: often 2–6 minutes for locations on The Cut or Lower Marsh. Booking: online reservation required; confirmation contains host address and instructions.

• LuggageHero – Pricing model: hourly rate (~£1/hr) with daily cap (commonly £6–£8/day) or flat daily options. Host hours: widely variable, many 08:00–20:00. Walk: 3–10 minutes. Booking: pay-by-the-hour or prepaid daily; seals/stickers sometimes used; insurance listed per booking.

• Independent shops & hotels offering drop-off – Price range: £4–£10 per item per day. Hours: typically aligned with shop opening times 09:00–18:00 or hotel reception 07:00–23:00. Walk: often 2–5 minutes for outlets on the South Bank and Lower Marsh. Always confirm maximum bag dimensions and last collection time before drop-off.

Quick comparison checklist

• Price: expect £4–£9 per item per 24h; some services offer hourly billing with a daily cap.
• Hours: typical host window 08:00–20:00; search filters for 24/7 hosts if late collection needed.
• Walk time: 2–10 minutes from the main South Bank rail hub for most hosts; map pin on booking page shows exact route.
• Insurance & size limits: check each booking – many providers include basic cover but list per-item limits and prohibited items.
• Cancellation & pickup: confirm host contact details and last pickup time; some hosts charge extra for late retrieval.

Practical actions

1. Search provider apps for “South Bank” or the rail hub address, filter by opening hours and walk time.
2. Book and save confirmation; note host phone number for arrival instructions.
3. Verify permitted dimensions and declared insurance amount before dropping off high-value items.

Reserve baggage drop online – immediate recommendation

Reserve online at least 2 hours before planned arrival; for weekend events or holiday periods reserve 24 hours ahead to avoid sold-out hosts.

Step-by-step booking flow

Select a provider and drop-off address on the map, choose drop-off and pick-up date/time, pick a size category (small bag, medium, large), add optional insurance, enter contact details and payment, then receive an email/SMS booking reference plus a QR code. Present the QR code and a photo ID at handover; hosts commonly require signature and will refuse high-value items above their declared limit.

Typical site options include hourly or daily rates, ability to add multiple items to one booking, and a visible cancellation/modification link inside the confirmation message. If arrival is delayed, use the platform’s “modify booking” or contact the host by phone; many hosts hold reservations for 30–60 minutes before treating as a no-show.

Payment methods, fees, extensions and refund policy

Major cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx), PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; some partners also accept contactless on drop-off. Full prepayment is usual; prices quoted include VAT where applicable. Typical price brackets: small bag £6–£9 per day, medium £8–£12, large £10–£15 – confirm exact rate on checkout. Extension additives are charged pro rata (hourly) up to a threshold, after which the next full-day rate applies.

Standard refund rules: free modification or full refund up to 24 hours before the booked start time on many platforms; within 24 hours most bookings become non-refundable or refundable at 50% depending on host policy. No-show often results in full charge. Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5–14 business days. Hosts sometimes place an authorisation hold or refundable deposit (commonly up to £50) for high-risk items; release timing varies by card issuer.

Insurance and claims: base protection frequently included (typical cover £500–£1,000); optional upgrades to £2,000+ for an extra fee. For damage or loss, file a claim via the platform within 24–48 hours, supply proof of value and a police report if requested; payout timing depends on provider investigation. Always download the receipt/invoice for expense records and check host-specific terms before confirming a booking.

Security, insurance and ID requirements for short-term bag drops at the South Bank terminus

Only hand over bags to providers that state a written liability limit, operate staffed counters or monitored lockers and display active CCTV coverage.

ID checks and documentation

Most staffed drop-off services require one government-issued photo ID (passport, UK photocard driving licence, EU national ID) and the booking confirmation or receipt. Walk-in coin-operated lockers usually do not ask for ID; staffed retail partners or app-based services will match ID to the booking. If a third-party collects on behalf of the owner, expect a notarised authorisation or the original ID plus a signed release form.

Always keep the booking reference, receipt and contact number. Photograph the external condition of each bag and create a short itemised list of valuables; attach a copy of that list to the booking confirmation stored on phone or printed copy.

Insurance, liability limits and prohibited items

Operator liability varies widely: staffed commercial outlets commonly publish cover between £500–£2,500 per item; some provide higher declared-value options for an extra fee. Coin lockers rarely include insurance–loss or damage claims are often rejected. Read operators’ terms for caps, time limits and force-majeure exclusions.

Acceptable items exclude perishables, illegal goods, firearms, explosives, flammable liquids, lithium batteries installed in loose items and hazardous chemicals. Electronic devices with removable lithium batteries are frequently refused unless batteries are removed and carried in hand luggage.

Practical checklist: photograph contents and tags, declare high-value items at drop, remove perishables and spare batteries, keep booking ref and ID handy, buy separate travel or household insurance if declared-value cover is below the replacement cost, and check overstay and refund policies before handing items over.

Storage options for oversized items and sports equipment: acceptance and packing tips

Use commercial drop-off points or self-storage units for oversized pieces and sports kit; many providers accept single items up to 2.2 m length and 35 kg if pre-notified, while automated locker systems are limited to roughly 60 × 40 × 30 cm (internal) and will reject long boards, bikes and most skis.

Acceptance thresholds and special declarations

Common acceptance rules: soft bags and cases under 150 cm length are generally accepted without surcharge; rigid items between 150–220 cm often incur an oversized fee (£5–£20 per item, depending on operator). Items over 220 cm or over 35–40 kg typically require a dedicated freight or depot service. Bicycles are accepted only when boxed or partially dismantled (front wheel removed, handlebars aligned); many drop-off points will not handle e-bike packs. Lithium-ion batteries are frequently refused – packs above ~100 Wh are problematic, and e-bike batteries (commonly 300–700 Wh) are routinely rejected for safety reasons. Surfboards and skis: remove and bag fins/bindings where possible.

Packing and handling recommendations

Use hard cases for fragile kit (golf clubs, camera rigs, club sets); otherwise wrap in corrugated cardboard + 5–10 mm foam or bubble-wrap. For bicycles: lower or remove saddle, turn handlebars, protect frame with foam tubing and secure with cable ties inside a standard bike box. Inflate tyres to a lower pressure only if instructed by storage staff; generally leave tyres at road pressure unless advised.

Ski and snowboard packing: slide equipment into a padded ski bag, wrap edges with corner protectors, tape the bag closed and apply a tamper-evident security tie. Surfboard handling: remove soft fins, use a padded board bag with internal straps; for long-boards consider a specialist surf storage yard or private locker that accepts lengths >2 m.

Label every item externally and place a duplicate label inside; photograph serial numbers and pre-drop condition from multiple angles. Record exact measurements and weight (digital luggage scales or tape measure) and present them at drop-off. Keep the receipt, a copy of ID shown at deposit, and an itemised inventory; ask for written confirmation of any declared value limits and insurance options.

For bulky garden or DIY machinery consider alternatives such as short-term van hire or a nearby self-storage bay; for reference on compact, transportable machines see best cordless lawn mower for long grass, which illustrates packaging and transport-friendly design choices.

Fragile or high-value kit: purchase short-term insurance cover if operator liability limits are low (standard caps often £50–£200 per item). Ask staff whether handling assistance is provided for heavy items and whether a documented chain-of-custody is available for collection times outside normal business hours.