If you have a long layover and would like to explore the city until you have to catch your next flight, you no doubt want an easy and secure way to store your luggage instead of lugging it around with you as you take in the sights.
After 9/11, storage lockers at many airports were removed, never to be replaced. So, unfortunately, not many airports offer storage lockers these days
There are a few airports that still offer storage lockers, including:
New York/JFK International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
You can expect to pay either by the hour or per day, with prices ranging from $8-40 to store your bag for 24 hours.
Keep in mind that your bag will likely have to go through additional screening and potentially a physical inspection before you are able to use an airport locker.
While unlikely, it’s still always worth contacting the airport you will be flying out of or landing at to find out if they offer a luggage storage facility.
Luggage lockers are more common at airports in other countries, though.
2. Using Apps to Find Luggage Storage Facilities
You will have far more success if you use an app to find a luggage storage facility.
Again, you will either have to pay for storage at an hourly, or more likely, daily rate.
I’ve used a few of them, but I would only recommend a couple of them.
Bounce
I like Bounce because they have over 9,000 storage locations, many of which that are located near the airport itself.
Bounce has a network of hotels, coffee shops, convenience stores, and other businesses that they have partnered with to offer storage areas.
You can choose your dates, drop-off and pickup times, as well the number of bags you want to store.
You have to pay on a 24-hour basis instead of hourly, though the cost is very low at $5.90 for 24 hours of storage for each bag
Best of all is that Bounce offer a $10,000 protection if the worst happens and your luggage is stolen, which fortunately has yet to happen to me.
Nannybag
Nannybag works very similarly to Bounce and even charges a very similar rate at $6 for 24 hours of storage for each bag.
The protection cover they offer isn’t quite as generous at €1000 in case of breakage, loss or theft, but still more than adequate for most.
They also have fewer locations worldwide compared to Bounce.
3. Storing Your Luggage at a Hotel
If your layover is just for the day, it’s unlikely that you have booked a hotel.
Of course, if you did book a hotel, you can always ask the front desk to store your luggage both before and after you check in and check out.
But in many cases, especially if you go to an airport hotel, you don’t necessarily have to be a guest for them to store your luggage for a few hours.
If you’re able to do this, I suggest tipping at least $5 at drop-off and pickup.
4. Storing Your Luggage At Train Stations
You will sometimes be able to store your luggage at train stations, as some offer luggage lockers, but they tend to be a little more expensive than other options.
Similar to airports, luggage lockers at train stations aren’t as common as they used to be, but it can still be a viable option.
Keep in mind that even if the station does offer lockers, they may be on the smaller size, so your suitcase might not fit.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
