It’s a tale as old as travel itself. You arrive too early to check into your hotel or you’re stranded at the airport with a long layover. Seeing the local sights sounds great, but hauling your suitcase around town is the last thing you want to do.
Thankfully, luggage storage options are plentiful, and leaving your bags in a secure spot is simpler than ever. Follow the advice of seasoned travelers and drop off your luggage so you can make the most of your trip without the burden of baggage.
How Do Luggage Storage Services Operate?
Luggage storage providers give travelers a secure, convenient place to leave bags on demand during lengthy layovers or awkward arrival/departure times. In many instances, you won’t need to reserve storage ahead of time.
Storage lockers or services charge either a flat fee or hourly rate and are commonly found at airports, railway stations and hotels. Local businesses, tourist centers and dedicated baggage storage companies also offer spots for weary travelers to tuck away their belongings.
The best choices are reputable storage locations that include insurance and protections against theft or damage. If you’re traveling with pricey items, keep them on your person or buy extra insurance to be cautious.
Here are seven practical luggage storage solutions recommended by pro travelers:
- Use luggage storage or delivery services at airports
- Store bags at train stations
- Use hotel luggage storage
- Try dedicated luggage storage platforms
- Check with the local tourism office
- Ask nearby businesses about storing luggage
- Think outside the box for creative storage options
7 Luggage Storage Options for Layovers and Exploring
There are many affordable and convenient ways to secure your bags while you explore — you just need to know where to look. Below are seven options to consider when you want to ditch your suitcases for a few hours and enjoy the sights.
1. Use Airport Luggage Storage or Delivery
Most airports offer luggage storage facilities or services. You can leave bags in these centers for a few hours or several days. Time restrictions and charges differ by airport, and some locations have size limits.
Gabby Beckford, a solo travel authority behind Packs Light, says airport storage is often worth the cost if it lets you squeeze in extra sightseeing.
“For instance, Athens is a common transit hub, and I passed through that airport en route from Seattle to Mykonos,” she says. “I had an eight-hour layover, which was enough time to use the airport’s storage for around $20 and then take the train into the city before my evening connecting flight.”
At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, you can leave a bag for approximately $4 to $18 per day. Make sure to confirm how long you’re allowed to leave items because not every airport storage service is open round the clock.
If your layover is short but you want to step out for a meal, many airlines permit you to check bags about four hours before departure.
Some carriers also provide baggage delivery, dropping your luggage at your destination for a fee.
2. Store Bags at Train Stations
Certain train stations have “parcel check” services that will hold luggage for modest fees, sometimes as low as $10 per day. Amtrak’s at-station parcel check is available only to ticketed passengers, which may not be ideal if you’re not traveling by rail.
If you’re in a bind, purchasing an inexpensive train ticket could give you access, but you’ll need to weigh whether the extra cost is worth it.
3. Use Hotel Luggage Storage
Many hotels will keep your luggage after you check out for a small fee; if there’s no charge, staff often expect a tip. Some hotels will store bags even if you didn’t stay there the previous night — just confirm with the front desk beforehand.
When Beckford faces a luggage-storage dilemma, she leverages her loyalty status with hotel chains.
“If nothing else works, because I have Marriott Gold status, I’ll try to find a Marriott to hold my bags,” she says. “They rarely ask if I have a room and generally assume I’m checking in or out. Hotels are usually my go-to backup.”
4. Use Luggage Storage Platforms
Don’t just type “luggage storage [city]” into a search and hope for the best. Use a baggage storage platform that partners with verified hotels and shops to locate secure options.
For a friendly luggage storage app, consider Bounce luggage storage or Luggage Hero. Bounce typically has more U.S. locations, particularly in metropolitan areas, while Luggage Hero often provides more details for international drop-offs, especially across Europe.
5. Ask the Local Tourism Office
The tourist office might not be the first place you think of, but it’s a great resource for locating luggage storage. If they can’t hold your bags, they can usually point you to nearby alternatives.
You can find tourism office listings by state here, and a global directory of tourism offices is available here.
6. Check with Nearby Businesses
Even if a shop isn’t part of a baggage network, some businesses may be willing to keep your bags behind the counter for cash. Cafés, bars, restaurants and retail outlets can sometimes offer a temporary storage spot.
7. Get Creative with Luggage Storage
Full-time traveler and blogger Daniel James Clarke of Dan Flying Solo admits he gets inventive when standard storage options aren’t available. Clarke says he’s safely stashed luggage — occasionally free of charge — at cafés, pubs and even churches.
“Traveling full-time with all my gear, I’ve been surprised at how often places will let you store things,” he says. “My top tip is to just ask — more often than not, the answer is yes!”
So pack your itinerary and fill your suitcases as you like. On your next trip, save money and spare your back by leaving your bags with a trusted luggage storage service, then explore hands-free and worry-free.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at Savinly.
