Since Penn Station has no public lockers, this post has the 5 best safe & cheap luggage storage options nearby, from $6/day apps to local hotel hacks so you can explore NYC hands-free.
Introduction: Why You Need Luggage Storage Near Penn Station
Arriving in New York City with luggage in tow can instantly feel like you’re trying to run a marathon in a snowsuit. You want to hit the streets, see the sights, and grab a slice of pizza—not drag a heavy suitcase behind you. As one of the busiest travel hubs in the world and the biggest in the Western Hemisphere, Penn Station is your gateway to the city, but here’s the crucial fact: Penn Station and the adjacent Moynihan Train Hall do NOT offer public luggage lockers.
Whether you’re arriving via Amtrak, NJ Transit, or the LIRR, if you don’t have a check-in or check-out plan, you’re stuck. This guide covers the safest, cheapest, and most convenient app-based and traditional options to store your bags right near Penn Station, so you can enjoy NYC hands-free.
When is Luggage Storage Your Best Friend?
- The Day Tripper: You are visiting NYC for a quick day trip (from Long Island, New Jersey, or a nearby city) and are arriving and departing via Penn Station. You need a safe spot to ditch your bags for 6-12 hours of sightseeing.
- The Early Arrival/Late Departure: Your hotel or Airbnb/Vrbo check-in is late (e.g., 3pm), but your bus/train arrived at 8am, or you had an early check-out, but your evening train/flight doesn’t leave until 9pm.
- The Layover Explorer: You are connecting through one of the NYC area airports (JFK, LGA, or EWR) but have a long layover (6+ hours). You take the train into Penn Station and want to maximize your time in Manhattan without your luggage.
- The Concert/Event Attendee: You are attending a sporting event at Madison Square Garden (MSG) or a Broadway show, and the venue has a strict bag policy that prohibits large backpacks or suitcases.
- The Cruiser: You are heading to or arriving from a cruise at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, located on the west side in Midtown. Rather than bringing your luggage all the way to a faraway hotel before boarding, you store it near Penn Station (a major subway connection point) and explore the city briefly.
Best App-Based Luggage Storage Services (The Quick & Safe Alternatives)
| Service | Price Model | Est. Daily Rate (Per Bag) | Insurance/Guarantee | Key Feature |
| Bounce | Flat Daily Rate | $6.50 – $8.00 | Up to $10,000 | Highest Insurance Coverage. Offers the highest protection per booking and has many 24/7 locations. |
| LuggageHero | Hourly/Flat Daily Rate | $1.49/hour (Max $5.90 – $8.00/day) | Up to $3,000 | Best for Short Stops. Only service offering competitive hourly pricing, ideal for 2-4 hour stops. |
| Radical Storage | Flat Daily Rate | $6.90 | Up to $3,000 | No Size/Weight Limits. Simple flat rate with no restrictions on the size or weight of the luggage. |
| Vertoe | Flat Daily Rate | $5.95 | Up to $5,000 | Most Affordable Flat Rate. Excellent option for budget-conscious travelers needing a full day of storage. |
How Does App-Based Storage Actually Work?
When you use apps like Bounce or LuggageHero, you are utilizing a network of “Host Partners” throughout the city. This means your luggage is not going to a central locker room; it is being stored securely inside existing local businesses. This model allows for maximum convenience and price flexibility.
The Host Partners: Your luggage is stored in vetted, pre-approved locations that have extra space, such as:
- Hotels (using their dedicated bell desk or storage room).
- Local Shops (gift shops, convenience stores).
- Cafes and Restaurants (storing bags in a secure back office).
The Storage Method: The host partner receives your luggage, seals it with a tamper-proof tag, and stores it in a non-public, restricted area (usually a locked back room or behind a secure counter).
Location: When you book, the app will give you a specific address. You go to that business, show your booking confirmation/QR code to the staff, and they tag your bag.
Safety & Insurance: The app vets the business, insures your bag (the amount depends on the app), and requires the staff to use tamper-proof tags and a digital check-in/check-out system. The staff at the partner location is responsible for watching the bags.
Key Considerations for App-Based Services
Pre-Booking is Essential: Unlike traditional lockers, you must book your spot in advance through the app or website. You cannot just show up.
Check Hours: Luggage storage locations are usually local businesses (cafes, shops, hotels). Be sure to check the specific location’s opening and closing hours, especially on weekends, to ensure they match your drop-off and retrieval times.
The Check-in Process: Once booked, you’ll receive a confirmation (often a QR code). You present this at the partner location, and they seal your luggage with a tamper-proof tag, adding a layer of security.
Amtrak Luggage Storage Services (Moynihan Train Hall)
If you prefer the security of an official station service and don’t want to leave Penn Station, Amtrak offers a “Parcel Check” service. It is located within the new Moynihan Train Hall (which now serves as the main Amtrak hub and is connected to Penn Station underground). While this is the most “official” way to store your luggage, it comes with a premium price tag and particular requirements. Follow the signs in Penn Station for “Amtrak” or “Moynihan Train Hall” and look for the Baggage Office near the ticketed waiting area. Read more about Amtrak’s baggage services on their website.
Key things to know about Amtrak Baggage Services
- The Caveat: This luggage storage service is located at the baggage office in Moynihan Train Hall (adjacent to Penn Station) and is NOT a public locker service.
- For Amtrak Ticket Holders: You can store luggage for $20 per item per 24-hour period. You must present a valid Amtrak ticket (for a train arriving or departing that day).
- For Non-Ticket Holders: They sometimes offer storage to the general public for a higher fee ($30 per item per 24-hour period with a valid photo ID required), but because of the high cost and potential for being turned away, I highly recommend using one of the app-based services mentioned above instead.
My Recommendation: Even if they have space, I still recommend the app-based storage spots listed above, because you can save over 50%. Most storage spots are less than a 5-minute walk away, making them a much more budget-friendly choice.
Hotel Concierge/Bell Desk Luggage Storage (The “Sneaky” Option)
This method is the classic “Plan B” for experienced NYC travelers. While hotels are usually only required to hold bags for their guests, the bell desks at many large establishments near Penn Station (like the New Yorker Hotel or Stewart Hotel) will often perform this courtesy for a fee. However, because you are not a registered guest, this is an informal favor, not a guaranteed service.
Executing the Strategy
Be Prepared for a “No”: If they decline (due to strict security policies or a full storage room), accept it gracefully and book one of the apps listed above immediately.
Go Straight to the Bell Desk: Avoid the main check-in line. Walk confidently to the bell desk stand (usually near the entrance) and make eye contact with the bellman.
The Ask: Frame the request as a favor you are willing to pay for: “Hi, I’m catching an evening train and have a few hours to kill. Would it be possible to leave these two bags with you? I’d be happy to offer a gratuity for the trouble.”
Tipping Etiquette (The “Fee”)
Because this is an unofficial arrangement, your tip essentially functions as the storage fee. To ensure your belongings are handled with priority and care, it is standard etiquette to provide a $5.00 tip per bag the moment the attendant accepts them. When you return to retrieve your items, a final gratuity of $2.00 to $3.00 per bag is the customary way to thank the staff for the service.
CRITICAL WARNING: Understand the Liability Risks
Before you hand over your bags, you must understand that you are effectively waiving your rights. Because you are not a guest and there is often no official transaction record, you are exposing yourself to specific risks:
- Zero Legal Recourse: If your bag is lost, stolen, or damaged, the hotel is not legally responsible. You have no contract with them. They can simply say, “We were doing you a favor,” and you will have no way to claim compensation from the hotel management.
- The “Lobby Corner” Risk: unlike paid storage apps, which vet their secure locations, a busy bell desk might just push your bag into a corner of the lobby or a hallway behind the stand. It may not be in a locked room, leaving it vulnerable to “grab-and-go” theft by passersby.
- Insurance Loopholes: If you rely on travel insurance, be aware that many policies require a formal receipt or police report to process a theft claim. If the bellman didn’t give you a claim ticket (or gave you a generic paper tag), your insurance provider may deny your claim for “unattended luggage.”
- The “Mix-Up” Danger: Without a digital booking system, human error is higher. If a bellman accidentally hands your black suitcase to another traveler, the hotel has no digital record of who took what.
The Bottom Line: Only use this method for clothes and toiletries. Never leave electronics, passports, medication, or anything you cannot afford to lose.
Safety Tips & Checklist
Before you drop your bags off anywhere, run through this quick checklist to ensure your belongings stay safe and your trip stays stress-free.
- The “Valuables” Rule:
- Never, ever store your passport, medication, expensive jewelry, or any electronics. Keep these in a small backpack or tote bag that stays with you. If a storage service gets robbed or loses a bag (rare, but possible), insurance often reimburses for clothes, not the $2,000 laptop or the passport you need to fly home.
- Photo Evidence:
- Take a quick photo of your luggage inside the storage location before you walk away.
- Take a photo of your claim ticket or QR code immediately. Paper tickets get lost, and phone batteries die. Having a backup photo can save your day.
- Use a Lock:
- Even though the storage area is “secure,” use a TSA-approved padlock on your zippers. This prevents opportunistic theft or “snooping” if bags are stored in a shared room.
- AirTags/Smart Tags:
- If you have an Apple AirTag or Tile, throw it in your suitcase. It gives you incredible peace of mind to check your phone and see that your bag is exactly where you left it.
- Check the Clock:
- Double-check closing times! Many app-based locations are in gift shops or delis that might close at 8pm or 9pm. If your train leaves at 10pm, you could be locked out of your bags until the next morning.
Conclusions
Navigating New York City is an adventure, but it shouldn’t be a workout. Dragging a suitcase through the crowds of Midtown or trying to squeeze a backpack onto a rush-hour subway car is the quickest way to drain your energy. While Penn Station doesn’t make it easy with public lockers, the options above give you plenty of flexibility. For most travelers, the app-based services (like Bounce or LuggageHero) offer the best balance of price, safety, and insurance. If you are feeling lucky and have cash for a tip, the hotel bell desk method works in a pinch—just remember the risks.
Ready to hit the streets now that you’re hands-free? Make sure you’re prepared for the rest of your trip with my other local guides: Read my NYC subway safety guide and my subway navigation guide, and if you’re heading to Times Square, read my NYC scams to avoid guide.
