Neatly packed bags. Morning arrival in town. Afternoon check-in at hotel or apartment…and hours to kill before then. Or rather, hours to enjoy lunch, a museum, a park, except that you’re chained to your luggage.
It used to be that the solution was the Left Luggage or Baggage Check at the train station, but in all too many depots and airports, the baggage check choices are under-sized lockers or nothing at all. But, as the NY Times points out in a recent article, more choices are developing as an increasing variety of cafes, cleaners and shops of all kind, as well as at purpose-run luggage storage shops.
Many of these now are affiliated with networks that think of themselves as like Airbnb for bags, making it possible to find and reserve a location, and even to rate the ‘host’ afterwards. Some even take items as large as bicycles.
Of course, if you’re staying at a hotel and the location is convenient, the best choice may be simply to ask at the front desk; most hotels will store your bags until check-in, or after check-in on your departure day.
