Cloak Room and Locker Charges in Indian Railway: Rules, Tariff and Digital Lockers
Have a few hours before your next train, or want to explore the city without dragging your bags around? Most major railway stations in India have a cloak room (also called the left luggage room) and lockers where you can store your luggage safely for a small fee. This guide covers how the cloak room works, the charges by bag size, the rules, station-wise details, the new digital lockers, and what to do if your luggage is lost.
Written with 18 plus years of hands-on Indian Railways travel experience, so you get practical, real-world guidance and not just a rules copy-paste.
What is a Railway Cloak Room?
A cloak room is a secure luggage storage facility inside a railway station, run by Indian Railways. You deposit your locked bag, pay a fee, and get a receipt or token. You collect the bag later by showing that receipt. Your luggage stays in safe custody while you are free to move around.
You will find cloak rooms and lockers at most big stations such as New Delhi, Mumbai CSMT, Howrah, Chennai, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Pune and other major junctions. Smaller stations may not have this facility.
Cloak Room Charges by Bag Size
Here is the honest position every traveller should know. Charges are not the same at every station. They depend on the station, the bag size, and how long you store the bag. As a general guide, this is the range you can expect:
| Bag Size | First 24 Hours (per bag) | Each Extra 24 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Small (backpack, laptop bag) | ₹20 to ₹30 | ₹10 to ₹20 |
| Medium (carry-on, trolley bag) | ₹30 to ₹40 | ₹15 to ₹25 |
| Large (suitcase, trunk) | ₹50 to ₹100 | ₹20 to ₹30 |
Oversized or overweight bags may cost a little more. Fees tend to be at the higher end at busy stations like New Delhi and Mumbai.
Important: Rates are revised from time to time and differ by station, so always confirm the current charge and ask for the printed rate chart at the counter before you deposit. Most counters accept cash only, so carry some cash.
Rules and Formalities
- You must have a valid train ticket showing that you have just arrived or are departing from the station. Carry a photo ID such as Aadhaar as well.
- Your bag must be properly packed and securely locked. Loose items, unlocked bags or plastic bags are usually not accepted.
- Do not keep food in stored luggage, as it can attract pests.
- You get a receipt or token on deposit. Keep it safe, because the bag will not be handed over without it.
- Staff verify your details at collection, so nobody else can take your bag with just the token.
- Check the cloak room’s opening and closing times, as some have closure periods that affect pickup.
- You can usually store luggage for a maximum of 30 days. Some counters show a shorter limit, so read the notice.
For the size and weight limits on luggage you carry inside the train, see our guide on luggage limits in trains.
Station-wise Cloak Room Notes
Cloak rooms are available at most major stations, but the quality varies. Here is a quick guide to some busy ones:
| Station | Good to Know |
|---|---|
| New Delhi (NDLS) | Near Platform 1 and Ajmeri Gate, gets crowded fast, arrive early |
| Mumbai CSMT | Self-service digital lockers with QR tracking, faster than the counter |
| Howrah, Kolkata | Recently upgraded, multiple counters, keep a strong lock |
| Bengaluru City (SBC) | Clean, barcode tracking, good for longer stays |
| Chennai Egmore | Clean and well run, close to the waiting hall |
| Secunderabad | Spacious, usually less crowded, near Platform 1 |
| Pune Junction | Short wait times, near Platform 1, handy for Lonavala trips |
| Ahmedabad Junction | Fast service, CCTV monitored, near the ticketing area |
Tip: At large stations, make sure you use the cloak room that matches your departure zone or platform side, as some stations have more than one.
Digital Lockers at Railway Stations
To cut queues, Indian Railways has been installing self-service digital lockers at busy stations. Central Railway introduced these in the cloak room area at Mumbai CSMT, and similar lockers are appearing at other stations. You operate them yourself using a touch screen and a QR code receipt, so there is no waiting for an attendant.
How to Deposit a Bag in a Digital Locker
- On the touch screen, select the option to store a bag.
- Fill in your details: name, mobile number, PNR and email ID.
- Choose the locker size, number of bags and hours for storage.
- Confirm the details you entered.
- Pay, place your bag inside the open locker and shut the door.
- Collect the printed receipt with the QR code.
How to Retrieve Your Bag
- On the touch screen, select the bag retrieval option.
- Scan the QR code on your receipt.
- Collect the bag from the locker and close the door.
An attendant is usually present to help, and you may need to show an ID such as Aadhaar or PAN to establish your identity. Digital locker charges are also set per bag per day and vary by station, so check the rate on the screen before you pay.
Common Luggage Situations and What to Do
You arrive early or have a long layover: deposit your locked bag at the cloak room with a valid ticket, take the token, and explore the city hands free.
Your luggage goes missing: report at the Lost and Found counter at once. Under Operation Amanat, the RPF logs found items at major stations with photos, so lost bags, phones and documents can be traced and returned. You can check with the station RPF post for the status.
You need to store for more than a day: most cloak rooms allow multi-day storage. The first 24 hours are at a base rate and each extra 24 hours costs more, so plan your pickup and keep the slip safe.
You are carrying valuables: avoid storing laptops, jewellery, cash or key documents. Cloak rooms are meant for regular travel luggage. Keep valuables with you or at your hotel.
What if Your Luggage is Stolen in the Train?
- For theft or robbery in a running train, forms for lodging a report are available with the Coach Attendant, Guard, TTE and the GRP escort.
- Fill the form and hand it to any of them. It goes to the Government Railway Police (GRP) for registration and action.
- You do not need to break your journey to lodge the report.
- These forms are also available at RPF posts and outposts.
Keep the railway helpline 139 handy for any assistance during your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the cloak room without a train ticket?
No. You need a valid train ticket, either for a journey just completed or one about to start, along with a photo ID.
How much does the cloak room cost?
It varies by station and bag size, roughly ₹20 to ₹100 per bag for the first 24 hours, with a higher rate for each extra day. Always confirm the current rate at the counter.
What is the maximum time I can store luggage?
Usually up to 30 days, though some counters set a shorter limit. Charges add up for each 24-hour block, so collect on time.
Are digital lockers available everywhere?
No, self-service digital lockers are being rolled out at busy stations like Mumbai CSMT and a few others. Most stations still use the staffed counter.
Do cloak rooms accept card or UPI payment?
Many counters still accept cash only, so keep some cash ready. Digital lockers may accept notes or digital payment depending on the machine.
Can I store a laptop or valuables in the cloak room?
It is not advisable. Cloak rooms are for regular travel luggage. Keep valuables, cash, electronics and important documents with you.
Can I book a cloak room online?
No. There is currently no online booking for railway cloak rooms. You use the counter or the self-service locker at the station directly.
Quick Summary
| Facility | Cloak room and lockers for luggage storage |
| Charges | About ₹20 to ₹100 per bag for 24 hours (by size and station) |
| Needed to use | Valid train ticket and photo ID |
| Bag condition | Must be properly locked |
| Maximum storage | Usually up to 30 days |
| Digital lockers | At select busy stations, QR based, self-service |
| Online booking | Not available currently |
The railway cloak room is a cheap and handy way to travel light during a layover or a short city visit. Carry your ticket and ID, lock your bag well, confirm the current charge at the counter, and keep your receipt safe until you collect.
Have you used a cloak room or digital locker recently? Share the station and the charge you paid in the comments, it helps other travellers plan.
