Does london gatwick have luggage storage

Where to go: The Excess Baggage Company operates desks in both terminals at LGW – one in the North Terminal arrivals hall adjacent to the airport train station and one in the South Terminal near the arrivals forecourt. Counters generally open early morning and close late evening; confirm exact times on the operator’s website before travel.

Typical fees and rules: Expect charges from about £6–£8 for a small bag for a few hours, approximately £8–£15 per 24 hours depending on size, with weekly rates commonly in the £30–£65 range. Payment by card is accepted; ID is required at drop-off and a claim receipt is issued. Items over ~30 kg or classified as hazardous are refused.

Practical tips: Measure your items and classify them as small/medium/large before arrival to avoid surprises. Keep passports or photo ID handy, attach external name tags, insure valuables separately and carry irreplaceable items in your hand baggage. Arrive 20–30 minutes before closure if you need same-day access during busy periods.

Alternatives to on-airport desks: Use third-party drop-off networks (examples: Stasher, Bounce) that list nearby verified shops and hotels taking bags for short-term fees – these can be cheaper but check distance from the terminal and opening hours. Hotel concierge or local courier services can also accept items for a fee; compare price, collection flexibility and insurance limits before booking.

Short-term bag facilities at LGW

Use the airport’s official left-baggage desks in both terminals and reserve online to guarantee space and lock in published rates.

• Operator: The Excess Baggage Company runs manned desks in North and South terminals; search “Excess Baggage LGW” for the operator page and booking portal.
• Typical opening hours: most desks operate roughly 05:00–22:00 (hours vary by terminal and season) – confirm times before travel.
• Approximate tariffs (2024):
  • Small bag / day: ~£6–£8
  • Medium suitcase / 24 hrs: ~£10–£15
  • Large / oversized item / 24 hrs: ~£15–£25
• Accepted items: standard suitcases, backpacks, camera cases and similar personal items; very large, fragile or high-value items may require declaration and extra fees or insurance.
• Restrictions: hazardous goods, perishables and certain batteries are refused; follow the operator’s prohibited list.

Quick practical steps

1. Book online where possible to secure a slot and view exact prices.
2. Bring photo ID and your booking reference to the desk on arrival.
3. Allow an extra 10–20 minutes for drop-off during peak times.
4. Keep the claim tag/receipt safe; replacements can incur delays or fees.

Alternative options

• Third‑party apps (e.g., Stasher/Bounce) with nearby shops offering drop‑off and pick‑up.
• Hotel concierge services if you’re staying nearby.
• Courier or same‑day collection services for door‑to‑door transfer when planning longer storage or oversized items.

Practical tips

• Compare on‑site desk rates with nearby off‑airport providers; off‑airport options can be cheaper for multiple days.
• Photograph items before drop‑off and declare valuables explicitly to avoid disputes on collection.
• If arriving late or before opening hours, confirm whether 24/7 acceptance is offered or arrange an alternative.

Where the on-site left-baggage counters are and their opening hours

Use the Excess Baggage Company (EBC) counters in both terminals; exact positions and usual opening times are listed below.

Check EBC’s web pages for live opening times and tariff information; counters sometimes alter hours during strikes, bank holidays or reduced flight schedules. Keep your receipt and photograph labels on drop-off. For high-value electronics consider additional insurance and verify locker/counter security – see are door cameras secure for guidance on camera-based protection and privacy considerations.

Costs and size/weight limits for baggage deposit at LGW

Expect typical on-site left-baggage rates of about £6–£12 per item for the first 24 hours: small lockers from ~£6, medium units ~£8–£10 and large lockers or counter-checked items from ~£12 upwards; multi-day bookings usually charge per additional 24‑hour block or offer a capped weekly fee.

Standard weight allowance for a single item is commonly 20–25 kg under standard pricing; items over 25–30 kg usually incur an extra-handling fee or must be declared as oversized. Typical maximum dimensions accepted without surcharge are in the region of 90×60×40 cm (or around 160 cm linear). Oversize items (skis, bikes, musical instruments, surfboards) attract special tariffs and may require advance arrangement.

Operators accept card payments and contactless; some let you pre-book online to lock a rate and guarantee space. If you plan short-term drop-off for hand baggage only, compare locker sizes before arrival. For alternative third-party options and innovative services that may offer cheaper daily rates or more flexible size limits, see best luggage startups.

Reserve, drop off and collect bags: step-by-step

Reserve online 24–48 hours before arrival to secure a slot, select terminal (North or South), pay by card and save the QR code or booking reference for drop-off.

1) Reservation details: enter date, preferred time window, number and type of bags, passenger name and contact email/phone. Cancellation or amendments usually accepted up to 24 hours before the booked time; consult the provider’s booking page for exact rules.

2) Pre-departure prep: remove passports, large sums of cash, jewellery and loose lithium batteries; photograph each bag and note distinguishing marks; attach any airline-required tags you must keep with you.

3) Drop-off at the counter: arrive within the reserved window, present photo ID plus QR/booking reference on a smartphone or printed copy, allow staff to tag items and issue a receipt with barcode; keep that receipt until collection.

4) Drop-off in self-service lockers: select locker size shown on the kiosk, pay by card or contactless, insert bags, collect the printed or digital code and photograph it; oversized items must be processed at a manned counter.

5) Collection procedure: present the original receipt or show the QR code and photo ID at the counter, or enter the locker code at the kiosk; staff will scan and release items, and a joint inspection is completed before signing the release form if requested.

6) Damage or missing items: inspect contents at collection and report damage or discrepancies on the operator’s incident form before leaving; keep copies of all documents and any photos taken at drop-off and collection.

7) Late collection and extensions: daily or weekly fees apply for extended stays; uncollected items are retained only for the period stated in the operator’s terms, so check retention limits and contact customer service by phone or email to arrange extensions.

8) Time management tips: allow an extra 15–30 minutes for drop-off or pick-up during peak hours, factor in terminal transfer time when booking a slot, and schedule returns well ahead of airline check-in deadlines.

Nearby alternatives: private lockers, hotels and meet-and-greet within 10 minutes

Book a prepaid drop-off via Stasher or Bounce for the fastest, lowest-cost offsite option located within a 10‑minute taxi or shuttle ride from the terminals.

Private locker networks and local drop-off points

Major peer-to-business platforms (Stasher, Bounce, Nannybag, RadicalStorage) list multiple partner shops and locker points in the airport campus, Manor Royal and Horley areas. Typical rates: £5–£12 per bag per day for shop-based drop-offs; dedicated lockers (where available) run about £6–£18 depending on size. Most partners accept single items up to ~32 kg and up to 158 cm linear dimensions; oversized items may be rejected or charged extra–check the partner listing. Opening hours commonly 08:00–20:00, though selected lockers or 24/7 outlets exist. Booking steps: reserve online, note the exact address and opening times, present the QR/booking code at drop-off and get a receipt; cancellations and refunds vary by operator.

Hotels and meet-and-greet bag valet

Terminal-adjacent hotels and on-campus chains typically hold bags for registered guests free of charge and offer day-hold for non-guests for £3–£10 per item (policies vary). Walk or shuttle transfer times from terminal forecourts are generally 2–10 minutes. For hands-free door-to-door service, use meet-and-greet couriers (AirPortr and similar local bag-valet firms): expect £15–£35 per bag for collection from the curb and delivery to a hotel or private address; same-day returns and urgent pickups incur surcharges. Meet point: designated forecourt or arrivals kerb – operator will specify time window and require photo ID plus booking confirmation.

Practical tips: confirm operating hours before booking; photograph bags and note contents for claims; check weight and size limits and insured value on the provider’s terms; allow at least 30–45 minutes for handover with meet-and-greet services and factor in peak-hour traffic for transfers.

What items are prohibited, how is baggage insured and what to do if a bag is lost?

Immediate instruction: do not deposit valuables, hazardous articles or perishables in a left‑bag facility – keep passports, cash, jewellery, cameras, smartphones and important documents with you or declare them at the counter for special handling.

Typical prohibited items: explosives and pyrotechnics (fireworks, flares), firearms and replicas, gas canisters and camping fuel, petrol and other flammable liquids, large quantities of aerosols, corrosive chemicals, radioactive materials, live animals, perishables likely to spoil, illegal drugs and stolen goods. Spare lithium batteries and power banks are commonly banned unless fixed inside the device; check the operator’s written list before depositing. Tools with long blades or heavy striking parts are often refused.

Insurance and declared value: on‑site deposit operators usually limit liability under their terms and conditions – common caps range from modest sums up to several hundred pounds per item unless higher cover is purchased or declared. High‑value items (typically electronics, jewellery, watches, antiques) are frequently excluded unless explicitly declared and insured for an extra fee; photographic proof and original receipts speed settlements. Personal travel insurance or a homeowners policy may cover stored items – keep the deposit receipt, booking reference and an itemised inventory for any third‑party claim.

Steps if a bag is missing: 1) return to the deposit counter straight away with the deposit ticket and photo ID; 2) request a written incident reference and complete the operator’s loss report; 3) supply an itemised contents list, purchase receipts and photographs; 4) if theft is suspected, obtain a police crime reference and attach it to your claim; 5) submit a formal claim to the operator within their stated deadline (check the ticket – common windows are 7–30 days) and keep copies of all correspondence. If the operator rejects a claim, escalate to your travel insurer, the payment card issuer used to pay the deposit, or a consumer‑rights body; preserve timestamps, staff names and any CCTV reference to support an appeal.

Practical safeguards: photograph items and interiors of bags before deposit, retain the receipt/booking confirmation, declare high‑value contents in writing at drop‑off, and buy additional declared insurance if available. Do not rely solely on the facility’s standard liability when storing expensive or irreplaceable possessions.