Luggage storage at King’s Cross Station: your 2023 guide
You’ve just arrived into the big, beautiful King’s Cross Station in central London. No matter where you’re coming from, or where you’re headed next, one thing is for certain. Nobody likes to drag their bags and luggage around unnecessarily! Perhaps you’re leaving from Kings Cross on a trip out of London, or you’ve just arrived into the city and need somewhere to store bags. Don’t worry! This guide will show you your best options for luggage storage at King’s Cross Station, so read on if you need to safely store something away!
Kings Cross Station is one of the most iconic train stations in London. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a bustling hub of activity, with people coming and going at all hours of the day and night. The station itself is a sight to behold, with its striking redbrick facade and impressive clock tower. Inside, the station is just as impressive, with its soaring ceilings, grand arches, and Victorian-era architecture.
One of the things that sets Kings Cross Station apart from other train stations is its connection to the Harry Potter franchise. Fans of the series will be familiar with Platform 9 3/4, which is located at Kings Cross Station. There’s even a photo opportunity where visitors can pose with a luggage trolley disappearing into the wall, just like in the books and movies. Aside from its pop culture connections, Kings Cross Station is also a major transportation hub, connecting London to destinations all over the UK and beyond. Whether you’re heading north to Edinburgh or south to Brighton, or hopping on the tube – Kings Cross shares an Underground station with St Pancras station. This is one of the most used underground stations in the city, serving the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
Do UK train stations have luggage storage?
So if you’re in London and need to store your luggage, most of the main train stations like Kings Cross, Paddington, Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Euston, St Pancras International, Victoria, and Charing Cross have left luggage facilities available for you to use. But if you’re in a smaller town or station outside of London, you might have a harder time finding secure left luggage options because of cost of security measures like X-Ray scanning and bag checks.
Thankfully, even if there’s no official left luggage service provided by the station, there are some companies that can help you out. They have storage locations near major train stations, landmarks, transport hubs, and airports where you can store your items and keep them safe until you need them again. And this isn’t just limited to London – bigger cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh have luggage lockers available too.
Top 5 activities around King’s Cross
Kings Cross Station is a bustling hub of activity, and there are plenty of great things to do nearby – just make sure to store heavy bags first!
One of the best things to do is visit the British Library, which is just a short walk away and open to the public. The library houses an incredible collection of books, manuscripts, and other artefacts, including the Magna Carta and the original manuscripts of some of the most famous works of literature. The library also hosts conferences, talks and events that you should check out.
For those looking for a unique shopping experience, the Coal Drops Yard is definitely worth checking out. The former industrial site has been transformed into a vibrant Retail destination, with a mix of high-end and independent shops, as well as restaurants and cafes. Hang out here for a taste of Victorian London during the industrial revolution while being surrounded by modern amenities and architecture.
Harry Potter fans will recognize King’s Cross as the location of the famous train that takes students to Hogwarts from Platform 9 3/4 in the books and films. Now, King’s Cross Station has a dedicated area for the platform, complete with a half-disappeared luggage cart embedded in the wall, where fans can take pictures and immerse themselves in the wizarding world. It’s a great photo opportunity and don’t miss the chance to purchase Harry Potter-themed souvenirs from the nearby shop.
Kings Cross is also a short walk away from Camden Town. This fun, vibrant neighborhood really has it all, famous for its bars and its vibrant market selling all sorts of weird and wonderful items. You’ll also find some of the London’s best street art here, as well as iconic music venues such as the Roundhouse and the Electric Ballroom. There’s also Regent’s Park or Primrose Hill located in Camden if you desire some nature, peace and tranquillity.
Finally, why not check out the British Museum, which is open and free to the public? This is one of the most incredible museums in the world, boasting a collection from almost all the major world civilizations. You’ll find wonders from all continents dating back as old as time itself, in an incredible round building with a glass roof that in itself is an incredible attraction.
Services available at King’s Cross Station
At Kings Cross station, you can find everything travelers may require while waiting for a train. You can enjoy complimentary WiFi while you wait for your train. There’s toilets and showers, including baby changing facilities and disabled access toilets between platforms 9 and 10 as well as on the mezzanine. Additionally, there are numerous seating areas, a first class lounge, and Excess Baggage Company operates the left luggage lockers and lost property service, which is found on platform 9. Check out below for more information on the left luggage lockers.
In terms of food, drink and shopping, there’s loads of options! A full list of all the restaurants and shops found in the station can be accessed here, but know that food options are many. There’s something open for everyone, from smart Italian dining at Prezzo to Wasabi sushi to a good, hearty Gregg’s. There’s loads of coffee options too, like Black Sheep Coffee or Caffé Nero, and shopping to be done at Pandora or Fatface. Why not grab a pint in the historic, Grade 1 listed Parcel Yard Pub where parcels used to be sorted through?
Storage solutions near King’s Cross
So, what are the luggage storage solutions around King’s Cross? Firstly, the station has its own luggage storage service located on platform 9, run by the Excess Baggage Company. These lockers are safe and secure, protected by CCTV and the office is manned 24/7. However, the price is pretty expensive compared to its competitors, with a full day costing £15 per item, and £7.50 for up to three hours.
Other services exist in app or website format that put you in contact with partner locations. There are apps like LuggageHero and Bounce that can help you find affordable luggage storage options nearby? LuggageHero charges an hourly rate of £1.29, but it costs £8.95 per item per day, while Bounce is slightly cheaper, but watch out for hidden fees that may pop up after you book. If you want a hassle-free option with no hidden fees, I’d recommend Nannybag. They charge a flat rate of €6 per item per day, provide secure partner locations, financial protection up to €1000, and the booking process is super easy. Nannybag allows storage for up to 30 days. If you want some really long term storage (like a storage unit) there’s Safe store Self Storage and Access Self Storage at Kings Cross.
Download the best travel app!
If you’re ever at King’s Cross Station, or anywhere in most towns or cities, and have a need to store your bags, we have a suggestion that might make your life a lot easier. Have you heard of the Nannybag mobile app? It’s super simple to use! All you have to do is enter your current location (let’s say King’s Cross Station) and pick a nearby partner location (or Nanny) that meets your preferences. After selecting the best option for you, you can book the service, choose a drop-off time, and store your bags worry-free! Your items will be kept safe with a biodegradable safety seal, so you can explore central London without the hassle of carrying your luggage around.
FAQ
- What are King’s Cross’s opening hours? King’s Cross Station is open: from Monday – Friday 05:00 – 01:36, Saturday 05:00 – 00:36, Sunday 05:30 – 01:36.
- How much is left luggage storage in Kings Cross? Luggage storage with the official station luggage service costs £7.50 for up to three hours and £15 per day. Nannybag, however, costs only £6 per day, a flat rate.
- Is storage for bags safe? Storage solutions near Kings Cross in London are completely safe and secure to use. For example, Excess Baggage Company has 24 hour CCTV monitoring the bags, and the office is always manned. Nannybag meanwhile provides safety seals for all bags, partner locations have been verified, and items are financially protected up to £1000.
- Where can I buy a metro ticket at Kings Cross? Follow the signs to go down to the Kings Cross St Pancras London underground station, where there are numerous ticket machines before the barriers to the platforms.
- Which Tube lines serve Kings Cross? The Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines all serve the Kings Cross St. Pancras London underground stop.
- Where is the lost and found at Kings Cross? Lost property will be sent to the left luggage office (run by Excess Baggage Company) at Platform 9.