Michael Turner
Recommendation: Use staffed left-baggage desks in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 arrivals, or book a vetted private storage provider near the terminals to drop off bags quickly; coin-operated units are rare and should not be relied upon.
Staffed deposit points are usually located inside the arrivals halls and the TGV/RER rail hub at Terminal 2. Operating hours vary by terminal and season, commonly covering early morning until late evening–check the official terminal maps and service listings before travel.
Typical pricing: expect roughly €6–15 per item per 24-hour period, with higher charges for oversized baggage. Payment methods commonly include card and cash; staff issue a receipt and security tag–keep both until collection.
If arrival or departure times fall outside staffed hours, prebook a certified private provider (examples: Stasher, Bounce, Nannybag) that lists specific drop-off addresses near Roissy terminals or adjacent train stations. Reserve online to guarantee space, present ID and booking confirmation at drop-off, and verify opening times in advance.
Practical tips: keep valuables in your carry-on, photograph tags and receipts, allow an extra 30–60 minutes when dropping off or picking up, confirm size limits and prohibited items, and verify live details on the official Paris Charles de Gaulle website before travel.
Charles de Gaulle – short-term bag storage: immediate recommendation
Use staffed left-baggage counters in Terminals 1 and 2 for secure short-term bag storage; automated coin-operated compartments are rare across terminals, so rely on manned desks or pre-booked private services.
- Where to go
- Ask any terminal information desk for the nearest left-baggage counter – staff will direct you landside or airside depending on arrival/departure.
- Terminal 2 hosts the largest staffed service; Terminal 1 and the public area around Terminal 3 also offer options, though availability and exact locations change seasonally.
- Typical hours
- Most staffed counters operate roughly 06:00–23:00; some desks close earlier. Confirm hours on the terminal information screens or via the operator’s online page before arrival.
- Pricing guidance
- Expect a per-24‑hour tariff. Typical ranges: small bag €6–€10, medium €10–€15, large €15–€25. Exact fees depend on operator and size class.
- Partial days are often charged as a full day; long-term storage rates may reduce daily cost after several days.
- Size & weight limits
- Most counters accept items up to ~30 kg per piece and standard checked-bag dimensions; very large items (surfboards, oversized sports gear) require advance arrangement.
- Drop-off / collection procedure
- Present passport or national ID and the booking confirmation if pre-booked.
- Staff will tag and inventory items, issue a receipt with a unique claim code – keep this receipt safe; no receipt usually means delayed retrieval and extra verification.
- Reclaim by presenting the receipt and ID; expect a short wait at peak times (allow 30–45 minutes round-trip from security checkpoints).
- Security & prohibited items
- Do not deposit perishables, flammable/hazardous materials, or large amounts of cash and high-value items (jewellery, rare collectibles) unless explicitly accepted and insured by the operator.
- Declare electronics and high-value goods; operators sometimes require itemised lists and limit liability per item.
- Alternatives to on-site counters
- Pre-booked third-party services (e.g., city partners linked to the terminal) can offer delivery to/from the terminal and flexible time windows.
- Station consignes (e.g., Gare du Nord) and city luggage storage networks (Bounce, Nannybag and similar) provide automated lockers or manned desks near transport hubs – useful when terminal counters are closed.
- Many hotels will store bags for a few hours or a day, often free for guests; ask the reception.
- Pre-booking & online options
- Reserve space online when travelling during peak season to guarantee drop-off window and lock in rates; online bookings also often offer insurance add-ons and faster check-in at the counter.
- Lost receipt & unclaimed items
- Without the claim receipt, recovery requires ID verification and additional delays; operators may charge an administrative fee.
- Uncollected items are usually stored for a defined period (commonly 21–30 days) before being transferred to local authorities or auctioned – check the operator’s terms.
- Practical tips
- Label internal contents and enclose valuables in carry-on with you.
- Photograph items before drop-off and keep photos with the claim receipt.
- Allow extra time between drop-off and departure/arrival procedures – budget 45–60 minutes when counting transit time through security.
Terminals and exact locations with secure baggage storage
Use staffed baggage-deposit counters in Terminal 2 or at the Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV/RER station for short-term holds; bring photo ID, expect per-item size/weight limits and pay by card or cash.
Quick guidance: if you arrive into Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, take the free CDGVAL shuttle to Terminal 2 or follow signs to the TGV/RER concourse to access staffed storage services; unattended coin-operated cabinets are not generally available inside passenger terminals.
| Terminal / location | Exact spot | Service type | Typical opening hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Arrivals hall (ground level) – no dedicated staffed deposit on-site | Nearest option: transfer to Terminal 2 or train concourse | Dependent on destination desk | Use CDGVAL shuttle (free) to reach Terminal 2 or TGV/RER station; plan +20–40 minutes |
| Terminal 2 (general) | Arrivals level of main halls (ground floor), near baggage reclaim and public exits | Staffed baggage-deposit counter (short-term storage) | Typically early morning to late evening (hours vary by hall) | Ask information desk in your arrival hall for the nearest counter and current hours |
| Terminal 2 – sub-halls (2A–2F) | Each sub-hall: arrivals concourse close to carousels or exit gates | Staffed desk or central desk serving multiple halls | Varies by hall; some counters close overnight | Services accept daily and hourly rates; oversized items may be restricted |
| Terminal 3 | Small arrivals area by the information desk – no permanent staffed deposit inside | Nearest: transfer to Terminal 2 arrivals or station concourse | Dependent on chosen deposit point | Follow signs to shuttle/transfer point or ask an information agent on arrival |
| Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV/RER station (Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2) | Main concourse beside the ticketing area / platforms access | Staffed baggage-deposit office; occasional automated options in station areas | Usually aligned with train service hours; often early morning–late evening | Best option for rail passengers; verifies direct access without terminal transfers |
If timing or item size is an issue, reserve an off-site city storage provider with delivery/pickup options; confirm dimensions, declared value rules and insurance before drop-off.
Locker sizes, permitted items and maximum storage duration
Use staffed left-baggage desks when storing items exceeding 90 × 60 × 45 cm; automated storage units accept bags up to 65 × 45 × 35 cm.
Size categories: small – 35 × 25 × 45 cm (backpacks, small carry cases); medium – 55 × 40 × 25 cm (typical cabin suitcases); large – 75 × 55 × 35 cm (checked-size cases); oversize – up to 120 × 80 × 50 cm (handled only at staffed desk). Recommended maximum weights per compartment: small 10 kg, medium 20 kg, large 30 kg; oversize weight assessed at drop-off.
Allowed items: clothing, sealed toiletries, cameras, laptops and tablets, documents, boxed retail purchases and non-hazardous sports gear. Battery guidance: power banks and spare lithium cells are generally not accepted; lithium batteries installed inside switched-off devices usually pass acceptance checks. Prohibited items: explosives, flammable liquids and aerosols, compressed gas cartridges, corrosive or toxic chemicals, live animals, perishable food, plants and illegal goods.
Maximum continuous storage times: automated units – 72 hours (3 days); staffed left-baggage desks – standard 30 days, with extensions sometimes granted up to 90 days subject to extra fees and written agreement. Uncollected items past the agreed deadline are moved into lost-property procedures and may be auctioned or disposed according to operator rules.
At drop-off: verify compartment dimensions against item measurements, declare high-value goods at the desk and retain the receipt. Photograph packed contents and label the bag with contact details; these steps simplify claim disputes and insurance processes.
Opening hours, holiday schedules and temporary closures
Confirm storage counter hours on the official Paris-Charles de Gaulle website or by calling the relevant terminal information desk prior to travel.
Typical staffed desk windows run roughly 05:00–23:00 in most terminals; selected terminals maintain 24/7 self-service storage units. Timetables differ between Terminal 1, Terminal 2 sub‑terminals (2A–2F, 2G) and Terminal 3, so check the exact terminal page and the live status feed the day of arrival.
Public holidays that commonly affect timetables: 1 January, 1 May, 8 May (VE Day), Ascension and Pentecost dates, 14 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December. Expect reduced staffing, earlier closures or complete suspension on those dates; seasonal calendar changes are posted at least 48–72 hours in advance when planned.
Temporary closures result from scheduled maintenance, security measures, industrial action or extreme weather. If a storage point appears closed, consult the terminal information desk, the official website noticeboard and airport social channels. If service is suspended, preserve any receipts and photograph signage that states the closure time and reason.
If desk hours conflict with your itinerary, reserve a privately operated city storage service near the train stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est) or arrange a same‑day courier transfer of essential bags to your hotel. Allow an extra 60–90 minutes when switching storage solutions during peak travel periods and major holiday windows.
When using any facility, confirm opening hours and holiday surcharges at drop‑off and keep the retrieval receipt securely until collection.
Payment methods, pricing tiers and refund or extension rules
Prefer contactless payments (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay); carry a chip-and-PIN card as backup; staffed left-baggage desks accept cash (EUR) and issue paper receipts.
Automated storage units typically accept EMV chip cards and contactless only; some machines also take coins and notes while others are card-only. Keep the transaction ID displayed at payment to expedite any dispute.
Representative price bands (examples, euros): Small item (handbag or daypack) €6–10 per 24-hour block; Medium (carry-on) €9–14 per 24-hour block; Large (checked-size suitcase) €12–20 per 24-hour block. Weekly pricing often reduces the daily equivalent by roughly 15–30% starting on the eighth day.
Billing rules: each commenced 24-hour period is usually charged as a full block; multi-day reservations billed as successive 24-hour blocks; partial refunds are uncommon once a storage unit is secured. Posted tariff sheets at each point of service are authoritative.
Extensions can be arranged at the staffed desk or via the operator website; payment for the extended period must be settled before access is restored. Some automated units allow on-site extension via the touch panel using the original payment method.
Refund policy: refunds are granted only in cases of operator error or confirmed machine malfunction and require presentation of the receipt and transaction reference. Automated terminals generally do not return funds once a storage compartment is locked; dispute the charge with the operator first, then the card issuer if unresolved.
Retrieval problems and forced openings: forgotten codes or lost tokens require ID verification and a retrieval fee; forced openings incur the full-day rate plus an additional handling charge. Unclaimed items beyond the operator’s retention period are processed under French lost-property rules; contact the operator immediately to avoid additional costs.
Reserve, access and extend a storage unit: online, kiosk or app
Book online at least 24 hours ahead via the operator’s website or mobile app; arrive with the booking reference and payment card to skip queues.
Online and app: exact steps and expected codes
Select date/time, pick box size, enter name, phone and email, then pay by card or contactless wallet. Confirmation arrives by email and in-app immediately with a 6-digit numeric code and a QR code containing the reference plus expiry timestamp. Save that confirmation: it shows start time, expiry and unit ID. The app stores active bookings, sends push reminders (12 hours and 1 hour before expiry) and displays a live expiry countdown. To extend remotely, open the booking in the app or click the QR link in the confirmation email, choose extra hours or days, confirm the additional charge and accept the updated expiry; the system updates the booking instantly and issues a new QR and code.
On-site kiosk, retrieval and emergency procedures
At the self-service terminal tap ‘Retrieve’ or ‘Extend’, then scan the QR from your phone or type the 6-digit code plus the last four digits of the card used at booking. The kiosk prints a receipt showing the new expiry. If the kiosk reports an error, go to the staffed counter: staff will verify ID and payment receipt, then open the unit manually after verification. If the confirmation email is lost, the kiosk supports lookup by phone number and card last four digits; the app offers ‘recover booking’ too. Keep the printed receipt until final pickup; many manual interventions require it. Common quick fixes: if the QR fails, use numeric entry; if an attempted extension is declined, try a different card or complete the extension at the counter; if the code has expired, extend via app before approaching the terminal. Contact details appear on the kiosk screen and printed receipts; request assistance at the nearest terminal desk when remote methods fail. Protect stored contents from moisture with a compact cover such as this option: best umbrella for boys
What to do if you forget a code, lose a ticket or need to recover an item
Contact the lost-property desk immediately by phone or at the counter; present government ID, the storage-unit number or ticket reference, date/time of deposit and a precise description of the item.
Forgotten access code
Ask staff to verify ownership using ID plus one of: original booking confirmation, payment card used at deposit, boarding pass or a clear photo of the item with serial number. If verification succeeds a temporary access voucher or staff-assisted opening will be issued; expect identity check, signature and a written receipt. If the system is kiosk-based, staff can trigger an electronic reset after remote verification; allow 10–20 minutes for processing and ask for a reference number.
Lost ticket or recovery of an item
File a lost-item report at the desk and online when offered; include date/time, storage-unit number if known, exact description (brand, model, colour, serial number, distinctive marks) and photos. Keep copies of the report number and any email confirmations. When ownership is disputed staff will request additional proof such as original purchase receipt, product packaging, registration documents, or detailed photographs showing unique identifiers. If theft is suspected obtain a police report and supply a copy to the lost-property team; this speeds escalation and insurance claims.
If the recovered item must be shipped, authorize release in writing, provide recipient ID and a prepaid shipping label; third-party couriers typically require a signed release and ID scan. High-value items may be retained until formal proof of ownership or a police clearance is presented. Hazardous items (batteries, aerosols) remain subject to safety inspection and may be refused release until declarations are completed.
When documenting tools or equipment photograph model plates and serials before deposit; a useful example of model documentation is available here: best cylinder mower striped lawns. Retain all receipts, photos and communication threads until the item is returned or an official closure is issued.
