10 Best Photo Places in the USA
Transiting Through the USA and want to make the most of those few hours for a quick tour of New York City, Los Angeles, or Seattle? Spending your last day before flying home and already checked out of your accommodation? In both cases, you’re probably wondering where to store your luggage. This article offers tips for affordable, safe, and accessible options for getting rid of your bags for a few hours—or even days.
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Table of Contents
Best Tips for Storing Luggage in the USA
🚫 Valuables Don’t Belong in Storage
Before storing your luggage, make sure to remove your passport, driver’s license, credit cards, medications, electronics, and any other personal documents and valuables. While luggage storage locations are often monitored by security cameras, it’s always best to keep your valuables with you.
Losing important documents right before your flight can significantly complicate your return home.
Some storage services do not allow food items or liquids that may leak from your bags. For full peace of mind, check their policies beforehand.
🚗 Never Leave Luggage in Your Car
Especially in the downtown areas of major cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, remember that your car is not a safe. Leaving your luggage locked inside your vehicle puts you at risk of theft.
I know someone who left all their bags in a car parked on the street in Hollywood and went off to enjoy their last few hours in the city. When they returned, the rental car had a broken window—and their electronics, which were inside their bags, were gone.
🕒 Keep Storage Hours in Mind
If you plan to leave your luggage somewhere downtown, check the storage facility’s operating hours. Most locations follow standard retail hours, so if you come back late, you may not be able to retrieve your bags.
📷 Take Photos of Your Luggage Before You Store It
Be sure to take photos of your bags before handing them over. It’s also helpful to photograph the specific locker, access codes, or receipts. In case of any issues during pickup, having photos can make a big difference.
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Luggage Storage in City Centers
In the downtown areas of New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and other large and small cities across the USA, hundreds of luggage storage options are available. These are often located inside shops, cafes, hotels, or service centers. Anyone can store their bags there for a fee.
To find luggage storage, I recommend using LuggageHero or Bounce. Both services offer dozens of locations in cities like New York, and you can reserve a spot in advance.
Especially during peak travel seasons, storage spots may be fully booked, so I suggest trying both platforms at once. Prices on Bounce and LuggageHero are quite similar. For example, storing a bag in downtown New York starts at $4.90 per day.
Depending on the length of storage, you can usually choose between an hourly rate and a daily rate. Always check whether the price is per item and whether it includes all applicable fees. These services typically offer high security standards.
🧳 Bounce – Luggage Storage in the USA
With Bounce, you can store luggage in nearly 30 U.S. cities. Locations are available in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and more. You can search on a map or near popular attractions.
Bounce offers the advantage of free cancellations and a wide range of 24/7 accessible locations. Bags are insured for up to €10,000$11,695Converted using the exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.17 USD as of June 27, 2025.. If something goes wrong, 24/7 support is available. Storage prices vary by location, and some places may require advance booking.
Bounce does not restrict luggage size, so availability depends on the specific facility. If you’re only storing a small backpack, you’ll likely pay less than for a large suitcase. You can pay by credit card or through Google Pay and PayPal.
🧳 LuggageHero – Luggage Storage in the USA
LuggageHero offers luggage storage at over 2,000 verified locations. It operates in around 27 major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and popular destinations like Niagara Falls, San Diego, Orlando, and Key West.
You can drop off and pick up your luggage at any time during business hours. There are no size or weight limits. For an additional fee, luggage can be insured up to $3,000. Storage without insurance starts at $3.48 per bag per day, depending on the location.
You can reserve a storage spot in just 2 minutes on the website. Payment options include Google Pay, PayPal, or a credit card.
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Store Your Luggage at the Hotel
Hotels are often a convenient choice if you need to store your suitcases for a few hours before your flight home. Most hotels offer short-term luggage storage – usually free of charge, occasionally for a small fee. Just ask the front desk staff during checkout. It’s customary to leave a small tip for the service.
In hostels for backpackers, you’ll often find lockable lockers available without needing to ask staff. However, it’s a good idea to bring your own padlock.
If you prefer more privacy or if your hotel doesn’t offer luggage storage, you can request an early check-in or late checkout. This allows you to access your room earlier or leave it later than usual. Availability depends on the hotel’s current occupancy. It’s increasingly common for hotels to charge for late checkout.
When staying via Airbnb or similar services, storing luggage can be simpler—just make arrangements with your host.
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Luggage Storage at Airports
Short-term luggage storage is available at most international airports in the USA and at some train stations. It is usually labeled as “luggage storage”, “left luggage”, or “baggage storage”. Airport luggage facilities are typically located before the security checkpoint.
Their main advantage is convenience—they’re located right in the terminal building. After landing, you can easily drop off heavy bags and explore the city, then pick up your luggage at the airport before your flight. These facilities are relatively secure and are generally monitored by security cameras.
The downside is the relatively high cost. For example, the Amtrak train company charges $10.00 per item for 24-hour storage (with a valid ticket) or $20.00 without one. A valid ID is always required. Prices were last updated in May 2025.
Older luggage lockers may only accept cash, so it’s wise to have small coins and bills on hand. Newer storage facilities often accept credit cards. It’s recommended to save the access code to your phone. If the code is printed on a receipt, take a photo of it as a backup.
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Lockers at Tourist Attractions
You can store carry-on bags and smaller suitcases in lockers available at museums, galleries, and other attractions while exploring the city.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers coat check for small bags, while the Six Flags amusement park and some other attractions provide lockers for small items. While these don’t accommodate large suitcases, they are perfect for offloading heavy backpacks.
At some venues, lockers are free for ticket holders; at others, they may require a small fee or refundable deposit. Be sure to retrieve your luggage before the attraction closes.
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