We are taking a 2:30 pm train from Kings Cross on Monday 29March. We want to check out of our hotel early and take our bags to Kings Cross, check them, and go to the British Museum, possibly taking the 10:30 docent tour of the museum (90 minutes in length). We will arrive at the museum when they open at 9:00 for gift shops and Great Court.

Questions: Is there a luggage check at Kings Cross?

How much time do we allow to reclaim said luggage and find our train to York.

Thanks for this and all other help.Lynnie

Lynnie-

Yes, there is left luggage service at King's Cross. Can't tell you how much time you'll need, sorry.

http://www.excess-baggage.com/rail_services.asp

These people charge about £5 per item. For that reason, they're not too busy. When you're depositing baggage, it has to go through a scanner, but collecting it is usually very quick. I'd allow at least 20 minutes in case there's any problem; once you've got your bags, you can get a coffee from a kiosk if you have any time to spare before boarding your train. There's usually a rush to board a train but, if you've reserved a seat, there's no need to beat the crowd; just allow enough time to get to your seats which may be at the far end of an 18-carriage train.

Depending on where you are staying and how much luggage you have -- there is another option. IF you are traveling light and your hotel is more convenient to the British Museum than to Kings X, you could check your things at the museum. This might save you having to back track from Kings Cross.

Janis- no, our hotel is by Victoria and it seems too much time wasted to return for luggage which could be better served at the British Museum.

I think you misunderstood me - I meant check your bags AT the British Museum instead of at Kings Cross. As it is now you woild have to travel from Vic. Stn. to Kings X, check your stuff, travel to the British museum, then back to Kings Cross.

If you check your bags at the museum, you would travel from Victoria to Russell Sq and then on to Kings X after you are done at the Museum. This would save you quite a bit of time.

Thank you Janis, That is an excellant suggestion. Do they check big suitcases at the Museum? Do we just wheel them into the Museum? THanks

I should add that our luggage is not huge, but there are 3 of us and we will each have 1 full sized bag, not a carry on size

That's why I qualified my suggestion w/ "IF you are traveling light" - dragging full sized suitcases around and checking them probably would not be my choice. I always use a 21 inch or smaller suitcase so have never had a problem checking at a museum or gallery. If you are using large luggage your original plan for checking at Kings X would probably be best.

(I know you didn't ask, but if you'd like some suggestions for packing lighter/smaller, there have been 3 really good threads in the last week or so)

Janis- I sent an email to the British Museum and received a reply this morning advising me that we could indeed check large suitcases at the North Entrance. They open at 10. So this is what we are going to do. Thanks for the idea.

That's great - the north entrance is a lot less crowded/congested. I couldn't visualize being able to lug big bags through the crowds/steps at the main entrance.