New York City is a busy place, perhaps one of the busiest in the world, with over 8.4 million people living in one of its five boroughs (the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan). That’s not even taking into account the number of tourists that come through each and every day. In 2021, NYC had 33 million visitors. With all of these people walking and traveling around when you travel to NYC it’s important to be conscious of your belongings.
Here are 5 tips on how to keep your luggage safe when you travel to NYC.
Keep it on you at all times
There’s the saying, “If you see something, say something,” but it can also apply to how you carry your luggage. In NYC, with literally millions of people around you, it’s best to keep your belongings on you at all times and have an eye on them. This is especially true if you’re in transit either on the subway, the PATH train, Penn Station, or Grand Central. When you have luggage, putting it down for even a moment or taking your eyes off of it for seconds can lead to theft. It’s unfortunate, but the city is safest when your things are secure. The best way to keep your luggage safe when traveling to NYC is to keep it on you at all times. If you’re on the subway, put it on your lap. If you’re in one of the bigger stations, hold onto it.
Leave it at your hotel
Many hotels in NYC will hold onto luggage before check-in. It’s a courtesy they offer because they understand that tourists or business travelers, like to take advantage of all the city has to offer. When you arrive in NYC, even if it’s long before your check-in time, go to your hotel concierge and request they hold your luggage for you until it’s time to bring it to your hotel room. Oftentimes they do this, without charge, just like you can check a coat. It’s a fringe benefit to paying the hefty price tag that can come with many city stays.
Find a place to store it
As you’re traveling about NYC, you’ll want a place to store your luggage that’s safe and locked. And not everyone can afford the prices of a hotel in NYC, but you’ll still want the security of a place to keep your belongings. There are nearly 300 locations for your luggage storage in NYC. There are regional spots like Canal Street, Tribeca, Financial District, the Lower East Side, and Soho. Or you can pick a tourist attraction like Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, Penn Station, Broadway, and the Barclays Center. With luggage storage, you choose how long to leave it there. Are you traveling to Chinatown or Bleeker Street? How about Washington Square Park or Madison Square Park. What about the Flatiron Building or the Ukrainian Museum? If you’re in Brooklyn Heights there’s a place there too. No matter where you go or what you plan to see there’s a place for your luggage so that you can explore hands-free and leave the baggage behind. It can be hours if you plan to visit something like a museum or just want to grab some food, or days, like if you’re overcrowded in an Airbnb apartment and need a place to put the excess baggage that you just don’t need. Whatever your timeline, it all depends on how long you need it.
Keep it at the office
Whether you’re from NYC or are on business traveling to NYC, if you have an office space it’s a good idea to keep your luggage safe to keep it there. This can be only your office needs or really anything you have on you. Offices are secure places with doormen, most times. It’ll only be accessible to those in your office, with the key or code to get in. Plus, many offices have cameras. So, in the rare event that anything does go missing you’ll have security footage to see where it went. Your best bet is to leave it in your designated office area, for maximum safety.
Make sure it’s always locked
This might go without saying, but no matter where you store your luggage or for how long, the only way to keep your luggage safe when traveling to NYC is to keep it locked at all times. It can be a small bag or huge luggage, but be sure to secure your belongings with a key or code at all times so that no one else has access to it other than you.
NYC is just like any other big metropolitan area—there is a fair share of risks when traveling with bags. As long as you’re smart, secure, and safe you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Another handy option for luggage storage in NYC is Vertoe. You can find their services near all major train stations and transit points in NYC. If you need anything near Grand Central Terminal, simply click luggage storage near Grand Central to book a safe place.
