Luggage storage is becoming a highly useful and important service for many travellers around the world. We all aim to travel light, but in reality travellers very often find themselves with bags, luggage and other items that weigh them down. Carrying around unneeded stuff can mean that you don’t get to see nearly as much of a city than you would have liked to. Carrying around heavy stuff saps your energy, can effect your mood, gets you hot and sweaty (especially if you’re somewhere with a warmer climate) and is generally a massive pain in the neck! In this article we’ll discuss what luggage storage is, when it’s best to use it, and where and how to safely drop off luggage for both short-term and long-term options.
What is luggage storage?
Luggage storage is exactly what is sounds like – leaving an item, like a suitcase or a bag, in temporary storage where it will be safe and protected until you need it again. Storage can range from small lockers storage to larger rooms (which can be more expensive) so you should try to find an option that suits your size. Sometimes, luggage storage facilities are available to be paid for at an hourly rate, but other times it is necessary to pay for at least 24 hours of storage (although obviously you can take out your item whenever is most convenient for you). Items in luggage storage are kept under lock and key, and are usually financially protected or insured. You will get usually some sort of card or token which when you return to take back out your bag.
Many airports and train stations, as hubs for travellers, will have luggage storage services. Take, for example, Charles de Gaulle airport, the largest in France. At the airport, there is a luggage storage service run by the airport that you can use for long term and short term luggage storage, but prices vary hugely depending on what size item you are storing, and for how long. A small accessory costs only €3 to store for up to 3 hours, but this price rises rapidly when things are kept for longer – this small accessory will cost up to €20 per day if kept for over 5 days. Meanwhile, hold baggage, like a large suitcase, costs €7 to keep for up to 3 hours, but a huge €38 per day to keep at the airport luggage storage for more than five days. Also, your items could be subject to random hand searches and will undergo X-Ray screening. Therefore, for larger pieces of luggage, and for situations where you may need to store your things for a long period of time, a good option is to use a luggage storage company. One of the best services to use for the medium and short term is Nannybag luggage storage.
Nannybag
Nannybag, a French company started in 2016, is an online service that connects travellers to its partner locations, or “Nannies”, in major cities and transport hubs all around the world. These Nannies might be a shop, a restaurant, or a hotel. With Nannybag’s app, or on their website, you simply have to enter your location and results will be given showing nearby spots where you can drop off a luggage bag. Travellers select a handy Nanny, pick a drop off time, make a booking and pay online. Then, you simply go to the location at the selected time, drop off luggage, and enjoy your travels unburdened. There are many advantages to using a service like Nannybag. Firstly, there’s a flat daily rate, that does not increase day-by-day, up to a maximum of 30 days. Secondly, size does not matter: you won’t be charged any more for having a larger piece of luggage. The storage locations have been ensured to be trustworthy, and they stringently check IDs and reservations to make sure no one is trying to steal luggage. In the worst-case scenario, however, each item is financially protected for up to €1000, giving you extra piece of mind. Your item also gets a security seal, meaning no one can try to open it, and the security seals are also 100% biodegradable. Sure, it’s a small thing, but it might help assuage any environmental guilt you have about travelling! However, we all know that the most important thing for everyone is the price. The price is Europe is a flat rate of €6 per item per day, and other currencies correspond to this rate – $6 in the United States, $10 Australian Dollars, HK$60 in Hong Kong, for example. Unlike other storage options, many of their storage locations are open 24 hours a day. They also give information and travel advice – look at Nannybag luggage keeper’s page for New York, for example.
When and where to use Luggage Storage
Are you planning aa trip and think that luggage storage might come in handy? There are a multitude of situations where this can come in handy. Sure, in most situations you will be able to keep luggage at your hostel, hotel or Airbnb. But what happens if this isn’t possible? Say, for example, you have to check out of your accommodation by midday, but your flight or train is not until later that night. You have all day to explore the city, but this would be somewhat ruined by having to drag your large bags around with you while you do so. Why not check them into luggage storage, perhaps near the train station or bus that takes you to the airport, so that when it’s time to leave your items will be right there? Maybe you’re staying with a friend in a city and arrive in the early morning, but they’re at work and you can’t go to their place until the evening. Again, keeping your item in a bag hold will mean you can get around freely. Why not drop it off somewhere in the centre of town, or near to the station that you got into? Another scenario in which luggage storage is useful is when you have a layover flight. You might have, say, 12 or 15 hours to explore a city while you wait for your connection. Here, you can find luggage storage at a When and where to use Luggage Storage.
Are you planning a trip and think that luggage storage might come in handy? There are a multitude of situations where this can come in handy. Sure, in most situations you will be able to keep luggage at your hostel, hotel or Airbnb. But what happens if this isn’t possible? Say, for example, you have to check out of your accommodation by midday, but your flight or train is not until later that night. You have all day to explore the city, but this would be somewhat ruined by having to drag your large bags around with you while you do so. Why not check them into luggage storage, perhaps near the train station or bus that takes you to the airport, so that when it’s time to leave your items will be right there? Maybe you’re staying with a friend in a city and arrive in the early morning, but they’re at work and you can’t go to their place until the evening. Again, keeping your item in a bag hold will mean you can get around freely. Why not drop it off somewhere in the centre of town, or near to the station that you got into? Another scenario in which luggage storage is useful is when you have a layover flight. You might have, say, 12 or 15 hours to explore a city while you wait for your connection. Here, you can find luggage storage at a location near the airport, so you don’t have to worry about it when you go an have a day out in the city of your layover.
