I have an eight hour connection at IAD in a couple of weeks. I would really like to take a photo or two of the White House and Washington Monument as well as a quick visit to the Udvar-Hazy Center. I have checked the IAD website as well as running a search here but can find no reference to any left luggage facilities.

I could understand if it was not permitted because of security but I hope that I am missing something and facilities do exist. Having to carry my hand baggage (and hold luggage if unable to check through from NRT with NH onto LHR with BA on separate tickets) around would be a major PITA.

I am not aware of any facilities - I assume you don't want to, but your only option might be to check your carry-on once you arrive then go off to do your sightseeing.

(just give yourself plenty of time - arrival customs as well as security when you re-enter the airport can be painfully slow).

There used to be a left luggage facility at IAD but it was closed after 9/11. Can you rent a car and put everything in the trunk? I heard the Udvar-Hazy center has medium sized lockers for luggage so that may be an option (call them to make sure). My guess is you may not be able to check your hold luggage all the way through as I think you may have to claim it at customs. After you depart customs you'll have to check it with BA but I don't think their ticket counter is open when the NH flight arrives in the morning. The NH flight arrives during a slow period at IAD for intl. arrivals so hopefully it won't take too long for immigration/customs.

Correct - there hasn't been any left luggage facility at IAD since 9/11. Also correct that you will have to claim all checked items at US Customs. The on-airport Marriott will NOT hold luggage for non-guests. The BA counter won't open for 3-4 hours after your arrival into IAD.

Udvar-Hazy has lockers that will hold a medium size piece (perhaps a 21"-22" rolling piece). You need a US quarter to remove the key from the locker - and you get the quarter back when you return the key to the locker. If you have a piece too large for a locker, you can borrow a wheelchair (no cost) and wheel it around with you.

There is a bus that runs from IAD to Udvar-Hazy every 45 minutes starting at 10:30am weekdays - and every 60 minutes starting at 11:15am on weekends. Bus costs 50 cents.

PM me if you post more questions here.

If you plan on going downtown and also the museum, you might want to just rent a car and create your own locker that way. Parking downtown will be a bear and the museum parking will cost $12 but it might be easier for you to get around that way.

The benefit of this approach will depend on whether there is 1 or 2 of you travelling and what time of day you will be driving around. (there are HOV or higher occupancy roads/lanes here that are a great help during rush hour)

Many thanks to everybody for taking the time to assist me with this dilemma. ^

I think that I'll try to find out whether NH would be able to check my bags through to LHR on a separate BA ticket. I remember (now that I've been reminded) that I need to collect my bags and clear US Customs but there is usually a recheck desk just beyond the Customs exit.

Should I be unable to recheck the bags I think that the rental car may be a great idea. I have taken a look at Alamo and have found a basic car for a little over $50. I can then dump the bags into it and then either leave it at Udvar-Hazy (knowing my luck I'd probably just miss the bus and have to wait another 40 mins for the next) or in one of the airport car parks before catching the coach to West Falls Church and then jumping on the metrorail to do a quick spot of sightseeing.

Well, despite being told otherwise by NH UK customer service call centre, I was able to check my bags in at NRT through to LHR whilst collecting at IAD to clear customs before dropping them off again at recheck.

I was fortunate enough to be offered exclusive access to the dcgators FT limo tour of DC and had a great time seeing the sights. ^

Any new information on day luggage lockers at IAD? Have a 11 hour layover at IAD and plan to go into the city for the day to meet up with some folks. A search of the IAD airport authority website does not show anything.

Going over to Udvar-Hazy would take a large chunk out of the day.

Any day luggage lockers or other ideas for IAD?

No day lockers

As GoingAway mentioned in an earlier response, your best bet is probably renting a car and storing your bags in the trunk. You can then drive into the city, save on transportation into the city (cab fare is about $60 O/W; bus + Metro - departing every 30 minutes - about $12 O/W, Metrobus - which goes every 40 minutes during peak periods, hourly otherwise - is $3.10 O/W), and go directly where you want. As "airport traffic," you'd be able to use the HOV lanes on I-66 both to and from the airport. Parking in the city can be costly but, depending upon the day, arrival and departure time, and location, you should be able find something for less than $20 for the day.

I think you've confused the I-66 HOV lanes with the Dulles Access Road. Airport traffic can use the Dulles Access Road. (In fact, only cars with airport business are SUPPOSED to use it!)

If someone is driving to/from Dulles they are subject to the usual rules on I-66 for 2 or more people in the vehicle during certain hours, regardless of destination.

From this link:

Motorists traveling to and from Dulles International Airport to go to the airport to catch a flight or to pick someone up at the airport are permitted to use I-66 inside the Beltway (I-495) during HOV hours. Motorists traveling to or from Dulles International Airport are not exempt from HOV restrictions on I-66 outside the Beltway (I-495). You are not permitted to use I-66 inside the beltway during HOV hours if you are going to the airport to eat, get coffee, get gas or any other reason other than boarding a plane or picking someone up at the airport.

thanks all for the suggestions, looks like you can get a car at dulles for $50 + gas. Strange way to storage luggage but it does solve the transpaortation issue

thanks

you can probably beat that with Priceline if you were so inclined

by $15