Don't Drag Your Bag Through Rome

Don't drag that suitcase with you in Rome when you can store it for a day, a week or longer.

Photo from the Bags Free web site

Thanks to a post on the Beehive Blog I found  http://www.cross-pollinate.com/blog/2192/where-to-leave-bags-for-the-day-in-rome/  thank you Steve

                         Bags Free 

 near the Termini train station in Rome

On month long trips I often travel from Northern Italy south to Puglia.   Dragging a large suitcase on and off trains in Italy can be difficult:   the platform is often two steps below the train entrance and large bags will not fit above your seat.

Several Italian train stations still offer baggage storage.    The location in Rome and Florence are convenient to leave a bag and return later during your trip.   In Florence I use Mail Box Etc for weekly storage and for forwarding luggage to my next planned stop.  http://hometoitaly.blogspot.com/2013/04/mailbox-etc-in-florence-italy.html

Now there is another option for storage in Rome.    If you have stood for an hour waiting to leave luggage or pick up a bag at the Termini luggage storage (located in the lower level) you know you have to plan perhaps an extra hour to catch you train.

Bags Free has a location only a few streets from the station.   Their web site (http://www.bags-free.com) has a video showing you how to find the location.     

The staff quickly helps you bring your bag into the store

I left a bag in Rome while I traveled for a week in southern Italy.  My bag was quickly checked in.
There was no line, no waiting.  A plastic lock was attached to the zipper to insure that the bag would not be opened.   Upon my return the pick up process took only minutes.

Additional service:
Bags Free offers a transport service too.  I did not take advantage of this but shall consider using it next time.    Their web site states:

1.  Bags-Free will collect your luggage at the hotel, BnB or private home where you are staying
2.  They will bring the baggage to the storage area
3.  At a scheduled time specified by you, they will deliver the bag to 1. airport, train station, bus station etc

Check the web site for rates or email email them for an estimate of fees.    My 10 day storage was LESS than the train station and far easier to drop off and pick up.

There are plans to expand to other cities.     If you are visiting Brindisi and Lecce and visit the Bags Free let me know!

NOTE:  I personally used this company to ship a bag from Rome to Florence MBect who ships my bag and shopping home to the USA every year.

Please remember:  no one works on the weekend in Italy.  I took my bag to this office on Saturday and was told it would not go out until Monday.  Therefore I did not receive the bag until Tuesday.

Keep this in mind so you have your bag when you need it.

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A recent article in Smarter Travel by Ed Perkins described where to store your luggage with LAX storage during an airport layover.   http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/the-best-way-to-store-your-luggage-on-layover.html?id=21112894.

I hope more locations are added for short and long term travelers to leave luggage.


Thanks to Steve at Cross Pollination
"Just read this for a location in Venice:

You're now ready to roam the winding streets and canals of Venice, hands free."

Venice Luggage Deposit
Castello 5496, Calle de la Malvasia
Email: info@veniceluggagedeposit.com
(+39) 041 476 4907; Cell (+39) 320 294 05 00
Hours: 9:30am to 5:30pm (holidays included)

Luggage Storage: 3 Places to Leave Your Bags in Barcelona by Steve