Imagine this. You have arrived at your destination, but it’s still too early to check-in, so you want to explore a bit of the city first. Or you have already checked out of your hotel, but your flight isn’t until much later in the day.
Sound familiar? Well, this is a really common problem for travelers. After all, we all want to maximize our precious vacation days.
But what do you do when you don’t feel like hauling your luggage around while you wander the city?
I got you. In this blog post, I will show you all the various places you can drop your bags so you can have fun exploring luggage free! I mean, why waste the precious few hours you have, right?
Table of Contents
Luggage Storage Services Makes It Easy
Finding a place to safely store your stuff is a breeze with a dedicated luggage storage service! These storage companies specialize in providing secure storage for travelers. They will often offer several options, including short-term and long-term storage.
And the best part is you can find affordable luggage storage locations in cities around the world all in one place!
First, you find a drop-off location that’s convenient for you through their site or app. Then, select your drop-off and pickup time and you’re good to go!
For example, I used a luggage service to find storage for my carry-on during my half-day layover in Barcelona. It was a left luggage business that was super close to the transit back to the airport. By pre-booking the service, it was a quick in-and-out!
Radical Storage
Radical Storage’s service is available in over 70 countries and is perfect for travelers like you who need a safe place to store your stuff (yes, even bikes!). There are no restrictions on size and weight.
On top of that, they offer $3000 insurance coverage per bag, so you don’t have to stress about your belongings when you’re discovering new places. Reserve your storage spot online!
Nannybag
Nannybag’s app makes it simple for travelers to find drop-off points, so you can focus on having a great time. They’re in 250+ cities all around the globe, with most places open 24/7.
Nannybag charges a flat fee per bag, no matter how big or heavy (with a few exceptions). Plus your bags will be insured up to €10000 per bag.
You can even leave your luggage for an entire month if you prefer.
Nannybag also offers a luggage transport service, if you want your belongings to travel from point A to point B without you having to do all the hard work!
Check out where you can keep your bags!
Stasher
Stasher allows you to store your luggage with local shops and hotels. They have a large luggage storage network with storage sites in over 1110 cities throughout 90 countries!
The insurance covers up to €1000 and the starting rate will differ depending on the city you’re in. They have a fixed price per item per day with no size or weight restrictions! So if you have large suitcases, search for a location on Stasher!
You can even store bikes, sports equipments, and strollers! Just email your request.
LuggageHero
LuggageHero lets you store your bags for as little as an hourly rate of $1 or choose a daily rental.
However, the insurance only pays out $500, which is the lowest on this list. Of course, you always pay to add on a premium insurance when booking to cover up to $3000.
They have locations in over 200 different cities in the world! And you can easily book online, saving you time and hassle.
Vertoe
If you are traveling to the United States or Italy, Vertoe could be the ideal option for luggage storage needs. They offer a wide range of locations in these two countries, as well as in various other cities around the world.
Vertoe has an insurance coverage of $5000! Plus, their rates are affordable with no size restrictions.
Store Luggage Before Check-in and After Checkout
Storing your belongings at your accommodation before check-in and after check-out is the most convenient way to store your bags while traveling. This way, you won’t have to make any extra stops during your trip.
However, it’s important to note that not all places provide this service and storage options vary depending on where you’re staying.
Leave Your Luggage at the Hotel
Hotels usually allow their guests to store their luggage before check-in or after checkout. The bag deposit is a total lifesaver if you arrive early or leave late. So you can save yourself the trouble of dragging your suitcases around the city and just leave them at the hotel.
Most hotels will tag your bags and give you a ticket to pick them up. Don’t worry, your bags will be in a secure location with restricted access. These added layers of security is not always be available in an Airbnb or hostel.
Don’t be shy to ask the reception desk about luggage storage services. This service is usually complimentary, but some hotels may charge a small fee.
Storing Suitcase at the Airbnb
One thing about staying at Airbnb rentals is that it’s not guaranteed that the host will have rooms for luggage.
However, it never hurts to ask your Airbnb host. Just message them when booking your reservation to see if they can keep your bags safe. Even if they don’t have a dedicated storage space, the host might be able to create a temporary luggage storage area for you.
Most times when I arrive early, the host will contact the cleaning lady so I can leave my luggage inside the apartment while she cleans. After your check-out though, you might not have as much luck since they need to prep the place for the next guest, unless they own the building.
Hostel Baggage Storage
Staying in a hostel is a popular choice amongst solo and budget travelers. Luckily, most hostels have places where they can hold your luggage. However, it’s not guaranteed to be safe, since it could be in an open area with traffic, such as right behind the reception desk.
The bigger chain hostels are more likely to have a self-storage facility. Your belongings are safe inside individual lockers. The ones I’ve seen usually have various unit sizes.
Usually, you are prompt to create a passcode while you store your suitcase/backpack in the luggage lockers. Depending on the options given, you may not be able to access the locker multiple times.
The rates are usually based on the size of the locker you choose and the time you’ll be using it.
Left Luggage at Transit Stations
Another convenient way of storing your belongings is at transportation hubs, such as the airport or train station. This way, when you’re ready to hit the road, all you need to do is pick up your luggage and go straight to your next flight or train!

Store Your Luggage at the Airport
Here are some scenarios why you’ll want to ditch your bags at the airport:
- You got a long layover, and you rather explore town than be stuck at the airport.
- You arrived way too early for your flight and it’s a hassle lugging around your bags while you shop duty free, visit the lounges, and feed your tummy.
So where can you store your luggage?
Many airports have dedicated luggage storage facilities where you can store your bags for a few hours or even days. Check your airport’s map for the exact location.
However, keep in mind because of its convenient location, airport storage services are more expensive compared to other options.
Luggage Lockers at Train Station / Bus Station
If you’re traveling by train or bus, keep an eye out for luggage lockers at the stations. You can safely leave your bags at the lockers while you go off and explore the city. It’s super convenient too, since you won’t have to worry about going back to retrieve your luggage later.
Let me show you how I maximized the potential of these storage lockers. Here are a few examples.
- In Japan, lockers are common in metro stations. Once I got off the metro, I left my bags in one of these lockers so I could continue exploring without lugging around my shopping bags.
- During the final leg of my 5-week trip in Asia, I had to transfer trains from Guangzhou to Fuzhou at Shenzhen. I selected the trains that granted me the opportunity to explore for half a day. I left my backpack at the Shenzhen train station’s luggage storage and then started my half day trip!
Find Temporary Luggage Storage at Tourist Attractions
Whenever I visit popular tourist spots, I frequently come across designated areas where visitors can securely store their bags while they explore the attraction.
Typically, these are indoor attractions, such as museums, or outdoor attractions with a big ticket office (such as Chichen Itza in Mexico). Because they focus on catering to tourists, it’s common for them to have luggage storage available.
Be sure to check the official site or online reviews for the first or last stop on your travel itinerary.

Things to Consider Before Choosing A Storage Facility
Consider the following factors before deciding where to store your luggage. Choose the bag storage option that’s most convenient for you and fits your travel plans accordingly.
Location
Look for luggage holding facilities in the general area of your activities. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra if the location fits right into your itinerary without having to make a big detour. It’s not worth the tradeoff if you have to waste all that time traveling back and forth between locations.
Security
- Is the facility in a safe place? Is it indoors or outdoors?
- What type of lock is on the locker? Is it pin-based or does it require you to have a combination lock?
- Does it have on-site security cameras or staff?
These are all questions you should consider before making your decision. The end result should always point to one answer: “it will be safe and secure to leave my bags here”.
Price
You’ll find facilities offering storage spaces for rent at an hourly or daily rate. Do the math and see what works best for you. If you’re only planning to stay in the area for 1-2 hours, it wouldn’t make sense money-wise to choose a place that offers only daily rates (unless it’s the only option available).
Operating Hours
Does the opening hour align with your schedule? Some locations are open only for regular business hours. Here, it won’t make sense if you need to leave your belongings until late at night.
Accessibility
Check to see if the storage lockers have a limit on how many times you can open the locker.
Some places only allow one time access where once you store your items, you cannot open it again. Lockers that allow multiple access during your rental period are the best if you tend to forget stuff.
Tips for Efficient Luggage Storage While Traveling

Compare Prices Using Luggage Storage Apps
Luggage storage apps are the best tools when you’re looking to store your luggage while traveling. It’ll help you find the best luggage storage options in your area by providing information about available storage locations, prices, and user reviews.
Once you take your pick, just book on the app and drop-off the bags. It’s that simple!
Packing Light
One of the best travel tips for easy storage is to pack light. Some places charge per bag while others might charge by weight of your bag. A larger suitcase will always cost more to store than a smaller carry-on.
Minimize the number of bags you carry and only bring essential items. Consider versatile clothing options and pack items that can be easily mixed and matched.
This will not only make it easier to store your luggage, but also make your travels more comfortable. Who wants to lug bulky luggage around?
Make it recognizable
Even though I rarely see other people carrying the same Osprey backpack when I travel in the USA, I see them everywhere in Europe. How do you tell which one is yours without opening it?
That’s why making your bag stand out in a crowd of similar bags is very important. Especially if you have a black suitcase. It’s everywhere.
Label your suitcase or backpack with unique stickers or a luggage tag. It cuts down your search time and prevent others from accidentally taking it too.
Securing Your Luggage
Keep your belongings safe by always locking up your suitcase or backpack. Even if it’s safe inside the locker, I’ll always add an extra layer of security by using a chain combination lock on the zippers.
Final Thoughts
Finding a place to drop off your bags when traveling is an essential part of a hassle-free trip.
Whether you’re storing at a hotel, Airbnb, hostel, airport, train station, or dedicated storage facility, it’s important to select a secure and convenient option that best fits your travel plans. That way you can easily pick them up when you’re done exploring.
By choosing the right storage option and following these storage tips, you can enjoy your journey without any worries.