There are good reasons you might want to use airport self-storage for your luggage. For example, you might not want to roam around a new city with your luggage in tow. In case you experience an extended layover, it might be a good idea to rent out an airport luggage storage unit before moving out of the airport to explore more of the city. Airport mini storage can be very helpful for weary commuters and short-term travellers.
Do all airports offer luggage storage solutions?
Whilst airport self-storage helps hundreds of commuters with their luggage woes, not all airports offer this service. Surprisingly, some of the world’s major airports don’t offer luggage storage facilities. Take Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), for example. Despite accommodating nearly 260,000 passengers a day, this airport does not have any storage facilities for passengers. The only private facility that used to offer luggage storage solution at Atlanta Airport has closed its doors several years ago.
The absence of airport luggage storage can also be felt in other busy airports across the United States such as the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Which international airports offer self-storage facilities and what are their rates?
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers airport storage offsite. Its rate ranges from $10 to $15 a day, depending on the luggage size. However, it offers extra services like picking your luggage up from the red-marked curb sides and delivering them back to you on demand. The pick-up and delivery services both cost an extra $5 per piece. The rates are subject to change, particularly if your luggage is bulky (i.e. surfboards, bicycles, etc.) and they would also have higher fees. In addition, it charges extra if you make them pick-up or deliver your luggage after working hours (midnight). If you choose to use this airport mini storage service, you need to make sure you have cash on hand, as it doesn’t accept anything else for payment.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers airport storage through the Airport Travel Agency. Its rates are even higher than those of LAX, with daily fees ranging from $40 and up. To compare, the average carry-on bag costs $12 at LAX, but the same would set you back around $25 in SFO.
How would you know if an airport has self-storage facilities?
The fastest way to know whether an airport has either onsite or offsite storage facilities is to contact them a few days before your scheduled flight. If they do offer storage lockers, you can ask their hourly or daily rates as well as the lockers’ actual location in the terminal.
Just remember, airport lockers are always subject to availability. If you are unlucky, you might end up having to pull your luggage along with you simply because there are no more lockers available at the airport.
Need a Long-term Storage Solution?
If you require a long-term storage solution, you can find some secure self-storage lockers near the airport’s vicinity through Spacer. Spacer is an open peer-to-peer marketplace for rented spaces (like an Airbnb for storage). The good thing about using Spacer is that you have the option to choose the best storage space for the most affordable price. For example, you can book a self-storage locker in San Francisco using Spacer for half the price of the normal rates you find at the airport. The rate depends on the locker size, its location (with respect to the airport), and the security it offers.
With Spacer, you can also negotiate the length of storage easily without incurring hidden charges in the process. Spacer offers hundreds of available storage spaces at your fingertips.
The most rewarding experience when you travel is the opportunity to explore new sights without having to drag excess baggage around. Use Spacer and explore new grounds at your own pace.
