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Luggage storage is the best way to make the most of an extended layover or a long day when you don’t have a hotel to stash your bags and belongings.
It’s not a good idea to store luggage in a car since it’s common for thieves to check vehicles for valuables. While it’s true that some countries are safer than others, I always advise against keeping belongings in a car, especially when you have a better option available, like a luggage storage service.
If you’re planning a trip and you’re worried about your bags being an issue, I’ll help you out by sharing the best luggage storage facilities and services. I’ll tell you how it works and why it’s a great solution to the problem of lugging heavy bags with you wherever you go.
What is a luggage storage service?
A luggage storage locker or facility is a space where you can safely keep your travel bags and suitcases for a certain amount of time. Normally, you pay for storage per hour or per day, so it’s a convenient and flexible option for travelers.
While luggage storage isn’t exclusively for tourists, it’s designed for those who need a safe and temporary place to keep their backpacks, suitcases, and baggage. This way, they aren’t weighed down with unnecessary bags while exploring their destination.
I used temporary luggage storage during a one-month Eurorail trip I did where I visit many different cities in Europe. There were some stops where I wanted to walk around town and check out the attractions, and I needed someone to keep an eye on my bags. So, this type of service was the perfect solution.
Now that you know what luggage storage is, you should be aware that there are different types of storage located in different places. In the next section, I’ll tell you about each option, how it works, and when you should use it.
How does a luggage storage facility work?
Again, luggage storage is ideal for travelers who arrive at their destination before their hotel’s check-in time or those who have to check out but still want to explore the city for a few hours. It’s also useful for people who are passing through a city or have a layover with some time to kill.
There are different luggage storage facilities, and while they may differ a bit depending on where you go, the general idea is the same. Also, bag storage is generally monitored by security cameras and employees or security personnel.
The concept is simple: your belongings go inside a luggage storage locker or cabinet, which is locked with a key or passcode that you set. You typically have to pay the base rate for the locker to close and lock. You may choose the timeframe that you want to keep your belongings locked up, and if you need more time, you can pay for an extension.
In some instances, the employee will store the luggage for you. If that’s the case, you’ll hand your bags off to the employee, and they’ll give you a receipt that you’ll use to pick up your luggage later.
As always, it’s important to keep the locker key or receipt on you at all times since you’ll need them to access your belongings. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time verifying that the bags are yours, and you’ll have to pay a penalty fee.
Where to find luggage lockers
You can find a storage locker facility in just about any city around the world. We’ve used Nannybag and Bounce, which have both been great, so I recommend either one. Normally, we check both of these luggage storage services and choose the one that’s closest to us or the cheapest one.
Both Nannybag and Bounce have a wide luggage storage network so that you can find lockers at airports, train stations, hotels, and even shops and restaurants.
They also offer discounted prices and a simple platform where you can find the nearest and cheapest luggage storage lockers near you. You can even reserve a locker, so you know you’ll have a place to store your bags once you arrive.
Nannybag, one of the cheapest ways to store luggage
Nannybag is a luggage storage network that’s available 24/7, including holidays. Through this service, you can find a hotel, store, or restaurant that offers secure luggage storage.
The way it works is simple. Go to the Nannybag website or app and enter your destination city and travel dates. Then, Nannybag will show you all the places that offer 24-hour luggage storage. Just choose the place that works for you and reserve your spot.
Nannybag operates in over 500 cities around the world, and its luggage storage facilities are in centrally located hotels and shops. So, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a place to store your belongings for the day.
Bounce, a 24-hour luggage storage app
Like Nannybag, Bounce allows you to find luggage storage in practically any city in the world.
Simply go to the luggage storage app or website and see all the hotels, restaurants, and shops at your destination where you can store your belongings. Bounce is available 24/7, and when you book, you can indicate the drop-off and pick-up times for your bags.
Best of all, Bounce offers travel luggage storage in over 1,000 cities across the globe, and its storage sites are well-located, safe, and convenient.
Nannybag & Bounce travel luggage storage comparison
Nannybag and Bounce are two very similar luggage storage apps that help you find a storage locker or facility quickly and easily.
We’ve used both services multiple times and have never had a problem. That said, if I had to choose one, I think we would prefer Bounce because it’s cheaper and available in more cities. Also, Bounce offers greater protection against theft, loss, or damage, although we’ve been fortunate enough to never run into that problem. We’ve always retrieved our bags in perfect condition.
If you’d like to quickly compare Nannybag and Bounce, here is a comparison chart for the two luggage storage services:
Price | $6/day per bag | $5.90/day per bag |
Cities | 500+ cities worldwide | 1,000+ cities worldwide |
Reservations required | Yes, via the website or app | Yes, via the website or app |
Places | Hotels, restaurants, and shops | Hotels, restaurants, and shops |
Insurance against luggage theft, loss, or damage | Up to $1,000 | Up to $10,000 |
Availability* | 24/7 | 24/7 |
Cancellation policy | Cancellations allowed, 100% refund | Cancellations allowed, 100% refund |
LUGGAGE STORAGE APPS |
*Some lockers may have different hours, so always double-check the timeframe before booking.
When you’re looking to store your luggage while traveling, I recommend checking both Nannybag and Bounce to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Again, both of them are great options since they keep your belongings safe and protected while you explore a new city or destination.
Other places to store luggage
There are other ways to store luggage safely while traveling, so depending on where you are or what your plans are, you may like one of these options:
Luggage storage at the airport
Most airports offer temporary luggage storage, so if you have a longer layover and you’d like to explore the city, you can take advantage of this service. This way, you won’t have to lug around all your things while you’re out and about.
To store luggage at the airport, you usually have to pass your belongings through a security scanner. Then, you can choose a storage locker and pay for the amount of time you need to keep your bags locked up. The price can vary depending on how large the locker is, although some airports charge per bag.
Make sure you keep the key to your locker in a safe place or you remember the passcode, or else you’ll have a hard time retrieving your bags. Also, if you keep your bags in storage for longer than the time specified, you’ll have to pay the difference.
Luggage storage at transportation stations
Larger train stations and transportation hubs usually have luggage storage lockers. They operate similarly to the luggage storage facilities at the airport, so you’ll have to pass your belongings through a security scanner first. Then, select a locker and pay the corresponding amount, which typically varies depending on size.
You may also see luggage storage services operated by an external company, which can charge by the bag instead of by locker. Either way, it’s a good alternative if you’re traveling by train or bus and you want to walk around the city until your next departure.
Hotel luggage storage
Most hotels have luggage storage available for guests, often for free.
Unlike the luggage storage at the airport and train station, hotels typically don’t have lockers or special facilities. Instead, there is usually a reserved area where guests can leave their suitcases and bags, and this room is only accessible to hotel employees.
However, other guests may be able to access the room while dropping off or picking up their bags. This means that your luggage isn’t 100% secure if you store it here. Also, many hotels aren’t responsible for theft, loss, or damage to your luggage, and they may have strict rules on how long you can keep your bags there.
If you’re arriving at your accommodation before check-in, or you’d like to explore your surroundings after check-out, using the hotel’s luggage storage is practical. Of course, I recommend keeping your valuables with you and using a secure lock on your bags.
Luggage storage companies
Finally, there are many companies exclusively dedicated to luggage storage services. Therefore, they offer a more secure and reliable way to keep your bags safe while you travel, and they typically operate in convenient, well-trafficked locations.
One of the main advantages of these companies is that they can store more than luggage. For example, you can keep your bike, surfboard, and other objects with them. Of course, this type of service is more expensive since the price depends on how many items you’re storing, their size and weight, and how long you need them stored.
Overall, these luggage storage companies are very safe, with 24-hour surveillance and smart lockers. Some of them have specific working hours, so make sure they’ll still be open when you want to pick up your things.
Luggage storage pricing
The price to store luggage varies from one place to another, but we like to use Nannybag or Bounce since their rates are very good.
Nannybag charges $6 per bag per 24 hours, while Bounce charges $5.90 per bag per 24 hours. As for the rates at airports and train stations, they can vary depending on the place, and can even be as high as $10 per bag for 24 hours.
External luggage storage companies also tend to have higher rates since they usually charge by size, weight, and time.
Conclusion
If you want a safe, practical, and cheap way to store luggage while traveling, I highly recommend Nannybag and Bounce.
For shorter time periods, it’s fine to store luggage at an airport or train station. In any case, I recommend you always choose a safe and secure option that guarantees compensation in case anything happens to your stuff. This way, you’ll be way less stressed and able to make the most of your trip.
With that, you have everything you need to store luggage safely while abroad or in a new city. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help. Until then, have a wonderful trip!
Im going to NYC with my friend this weekend. Unfortunately we have to check out of our Airbnb at 11am and our flight isnt until 10pm. Is it possible to storage our luggage somewhere until we actually have to get to the airport?
Hi Trinity,
Absolutely! Both Nannybag and Bounce have tons of luggage storage facilities all over NYC.