We recently took an ambitious trip where the travel itself was intended to be part of the fun- going from Rome to Bratislava by air; Bratislava to Vienna by ferry; and then Vienna to Venice by night train. It was my first experience with a night train (I have avoided them until now, and I’m not sure I am a convert after trying it but we survived!)
We arrived in Venice excited, but not overly well rested, and with onward train plans home to Rome the same day, in the afternoon. That meant we had no hotel to check into, and though we were traveling light, we have three small kids and did not want to be carrying our bags around all day.
Enter: luggage storage.
Some train stations in Italy give you the option to drop your bags at a designated office, but the low security makes me a bit nervous and I have personal experience being stuck in excessively long lines to recollect them. This time, we wanted something reliable and safe and decided to book a luggage drop-off so we could make the most of our time in one my favorite cities without navigating the bridges with our backpacks on.
I love living in Italy and recognize that privilege but I know that others who make a long trip to Europe often plan an itinerary with a lot of city hopping with tight schedules, early check-out times, and awkward gaps between accommodations and onward travel. This is especially true if you are renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel— which leads to a classic logistical headache: what to do with your bags after check-out.
In our case, we arrived at 8:40 am and were leaving at 3 pm. I ended up booking a nearby luggage storage spot through an app and dropping my bags off within minutes. The difference it made was immediate. The kids were free to skip through the piazza, we had less to lift over the canals, and we could sit for a spritz without a mountain luggage to keep track of.
It was my first time using a storage service but I would do it again because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of the first and last day of a trip. You’re not relying on a hotel concierge or hoping your host will let you stash your bags in a hallway after checkout. These services operate through local businesses—cafes, shops, or even hotels—that partner with storage platforms to offer secure places to leave your luggage. The process is typically fast, affordable (often less than the price of a pizza), and surprisingly easy to book on the go. Many locations are close to transport hubs or popular landmarks, so you can plan your day without needing to circle back to your accommodation. In our case, we walked over the Grand Canal and found the spot about 100 m down the canal.
Tourist apartment rentals have transformed cities, making it difficult for residents to find affordable housing. If you can, I encourage you to stay in a hotel. But even then, when you have a flight or a train out that day, storage is a godsend in cities like Venice, Florence, or Rome, where walking is the main way to get around, and streets weren’t exactly designed with wheeled suitcases in mind. Free of bags, you can squeeze in a museum visit, a proper lunch, or a spontaneous detour without dragging your belongings with you.
It’s a small expense that pays off in freedom, comfort, and more time to explore. In my case, it turned what could have been a frustrating travel day into an extra mini adventure. And it helps shift you back into traveler mode instead of feeling like you’re in transit limbo.
We used luggage hero, if you want to check it out and find a spot near your accommodation
And if you’re in Venice, once you ditch the bags, I fully encourage you to go immediately for a spritz bianco.
Note: The above post includes affiliate links for a service I have personally used and recommend. If you choose to book through the link, I may receive a small commission, but you are under no obligation to do so.
