Nothing ruins the thrill of sightseeing more than dragging around heavy
Fortunately, there are convenient solutions for travellers to temporarily store their bags, suitcases, backpacks and strollers before check-in and after check-out so you can sneak in a few more hours to explore the city surroundings.
What to with luggage before check in and after check out
In a perfect world, we could coordinate our travel plans perfectly.
Sooner or later, there will come a time when you end up with huge chunks of time between your arrival and check-in time or departure and check-out time.
We’ve all been there.
You arrive at your destination early and have several hours to kill before you have to check in to the hotel.
To get the most out of your trip, you decide you want to do a little sightseeing, explore the city, or sit and have a bite to eat. The only problem is what to do with your luggage before check in. The last thing you want to do is lug around your heavy bags and suitcases like a ball and chain.
On the flip side are the times when you have to check out, but your departure time is hours away. Do you bring your annoying luggage with you, or sit around and do nothing?
Temporary luggage storage options before check in and after checkout
To get the most out of your trip, look for a temporary place to store your luggage.
In terms of what to do with your luggage before and after check-in, there are several options available for temporary and short-term luggage storage locations.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all of these solutions will be available in every city. Here are some places and tips to consider for temporary luggage storage:
1) Can You Leave Luggage at a Hotel Before Check-In? YES
Yes, you can leave luggage at the hotel before check-in
Most hotels provide a free short-term luggage storage option for guests, but some may charge a small fee. To be certain, it’s best to give them a quick call in advance and inquire about their policy.
If you’re unable to call ahead, don’t fret! Just head over to your hotel and approach the front desk to let them know that you would like to store your bags with them before check-in. They’re usually more than happy to accommodate your request, and you can relax without your luggage for a few hours until your room is ready.
2) Can you leave luggage at a hotel after check out? YES
You may wonder if you can leave your luggage at the hotel after check out. And the answer is usually yes.
In fact, most hotels are happy to store your luggage for you until you’re ready to head to the airport, train station, or bus stop later in the day. This can be a lifesaver if you want to explore a bit more or grab a meal without having to drag your bags around with you.
Just ask the hotel staff, and they will likely be more than happy to assist you!
Tipping hotel staff for holding your bags:If you’re storing bags at a hotel before or after your stay, be sure to leave a small tip per
bag for the porter, bellman or service person who puts them in storage and the person who returns them to you to thank everyone who kept your bags safe as favour to you. In my experience it’s usually two different people.1$/1€ perbag is often quoted as the appropriate amount.
3) Hostels can store your backpacks and baggage too
If you’re staying in a hostel and wondering what to do with luggage before check in, many hostels offer safe storage options, just like hotels.
Call ahead to find out if it’s possible and if there are any size restrictions or special hours of operation.
4) Use hostel luggage lockers when you’re sharing a room
If you’re staying in a hostel and sharing a room with other travellers, you may not feel comfortable keeping all of your personal belongings in the same room.
Most mainstream hostels have a solution for this!
Luggage storage lockers.
You can securely store your bags, backpacks, electronics, passport, jewelry, and other valuable items in hostel luggage storage lockers. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing your items are safe while you’re out and about.
So, if you’re planning to stay in a hostel and share a room, be sure to ask about their luggage locker room and take advantage of this convenient and secure option!
It’s a good idea to bring your own lock as many hostels don’t provide them for their lockers.
5) Storing luggage at an Airbnb can be tricky
If you’re planning to store your luggage at an Airbnb, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Unlike hotels or hostels, storing your luggage at an Airbnb before check-in or after check-out can be a bit more complicated.
While some Airbnb hosts are flexible, it may not be possible to store your luggage if someone has booked the place before or after you. This can be an inconvenience not just for the host but also for the other guests.
Another factor to consider is that with many Airbnb rentals, you may not meet the owner or contact person in person. Instead, you’re may be given a code for keyless entry that allows you access to the Airbnb rental for the duration of your stay while the owner manages everything remotely.
However, it never hurts to ask the host if you can store your bags at the Airbnb. They may be able to offer alternative suggestions for bag storage, or they may have some flexibility to accommodate your needs.
So, if you’re planning to store your luggage at an Airbnb, be sure to communicate with the host and ask about their policy. With a little bit of planning and flexibility, you can find a solution that works for everyone involved!
6) Store your luggage in the trunk of your car 
If you have access to a vehicle or a rental car, then storing your luggage in the trunk can be a really convenient option!
The great thing about storing your luggage in your car is that you don’t have to worry about dropping your bags off or picking them up from a separate storage location. Instead, your bags are always with you, which means you can keep them close and accessible at all times.
So if you have access to a car rental or your own vehicle, consider using the trunk to store your luggage in between check-in and check-out times. It’s a simple and convenient way to keep your belongings safe and accessible while you’re on the go!
7) Store your luggage at the airport
Storing your luggage at the airport can be a great option if you have a long layover and want to explore the city during your downtime. Even if you’re not leaving the airport, storing your bags at the airport can help you move around more freely without having to worry about carrying your bags everywhere you go.
Unfortunately, not all airports offer luggage storage, especially smaller airports. In the United States, most airport storage lockers and services were removed after the 9/11 attacks and were never replaced.
Before you head to the airport, it’s a good idea to contact the airport to find out if they offer storage services or lockers. If they do, be sure to have your photo ID ready, as you may be required to show it when dropping off or picking up your bags. You should also check the opening and closing hours of the storage area to avoid any potential issues.
To keep your belongings safe, it’s a good idea to put locks on your bags before storing them at the airport. This will give you peace of mind and ensure that your belongings are secure while you’re away.
- Contact the airport, or check their website to find out if storage services or storage lockers are available.
- Have your photo ID ready; you may be required to show it when dropping off and picking up your stored bags.
- Check the opening and closing hours s you don’t get caught in a difficult situation when it is time to return.
- For added security, it’s a good idea to put locks on your bags.
8) Check in your bags early at the airport
At some airlines and airports, you can drop your bags off hours in advance, which is ideal if you’re staying near the airport and want to get in a little extra sightseeing.
North America
Passengers flying within North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico) can typically check in their bags 2-6 hours before their flight. However, it’s always best to check with your specific airport and airline for their policies.
Europe, Asia, Middle East
In Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, most airlines and airports allow passengers to check in their
For instance, if you’re flying Aer Lingus out of the Dublin airport in Ireland, passengers can check in at a self-service airport kiosk and drop off their bags the day before.
9) Store your luggage at a bus station or train station
One of the benefits of travelling by bus or
Many bus stations and
The bad news is that not every station will have a place to store your bags, but larger
If you’re travelling through the US, remember that many
train stations and bus stations no longer offer lockers due to increased security measures following the Sept. 11th attacks.
Your surest bet is to check out their website to see if they have a
Often, you can make a reservation ahead of time.
10) Dedicated luggage storage facility and Luggage Lockers Near Me:
Some cities have stand-alone
Reservations are usually made online in a web browser or a
You can usually find dedicated short-term luggage lockers near major tourist attractions, shopping districts, and transportation hubs.
For example, in Paris, there is a French company called City Lockers Paris, a 100% automated baggage storage facility. Depending on the luggage storage companies, each will have different procedures on how you can access your bags, but the self-automated ones usually give you a personal access code to drop off and pick up your bags.
11) Temporary Luggage Storage Service: (Airbnb for bags)
Sometimes you need to store your
Enter temporary
temporary luggage storage companies like
Temporary
Here is an example of businesses that work with
- local stores
- restaurants
- souvenir shops
- hotels
- convenience stores
- restaurants, coffee houses
- Bus stations &
train station - and many more…
Luggage storage services almost always have an app so that you can locate a place near you to store your bags.
There are quite a few
Others like Stasher have locations in thousands of cities worldwide and continually add to their network.
How do temporary luggage storage services work?
In general,
You open up a company’s
Cancellations are usually free but may not be for last-minute cancellations.
Stasher is a luggage storage service that connects travellers with hotels and local businesses where they can safely store their bags while on vacation or a business trip, allowing them to freely explore the city. Over 2000 locations in 300 cities worldwide.
Wrapping up what to do with luggage before check in and after checkout
In the world of travel, wondering what to do with luggage before check-in or after check out will always be an issue.
So, the next time you find yourself with that precious time to explore but are burdened with annoying luggage and bags, remember you have options – free from the weight of your heavy bags.
