What to do with your luggage on your departure day from New York?

Whether you’re staying in a hotel or an apartment, you’ll need to check out by noon. Since most flights to Europe leave in the late afternoon or evening, you’ll have several hours to kill before heading to the airport. Don’t worry—no one wanders the streets of New York dragging luggage around. Here’s what to do with yours:

Luggage storage at hotels

• Hotels make this easy: every hotel has a luggage room where you can store your bags from checkout until you head to the airport.
• Just ask the front desk to hold your luggage. Some budget hotels may charge a small fee (a few dollars), but most offer this service free.
• Tip: write your name and phone number on your bag, especially if it’s black and could easily get mixed up with someone else’s. I’ve never had a problem in all my travels, but it’s worth the precaution.

Luggage storage in an apartment

• If you’re renting an apartment, ask the owner to store your bags. This shouldn’t be a problem. If you’ve booked a legal rental, the owner must be present during your stay—it’s essentially a room rental in someone’s home. There’s no reason they’d refuse.
• If the owner works during the day, they’ll likely arrange for you to keep the keys until the last moment, then drop them in the mailbox as you leave.
• If the owner insists you leave completely, use a luggage storage service. Schwartz Luggage & Storage, a specialized luggage storage shop near Penn Station (357 West 37 Street), charges $10 per bag.
• One more thing: if you’re staying in an apartment, make sure you understand the current rules. Learn more about the regulations governing Airbnb and apartment rentals in New York.