Just bag it

ByJeff Posted on Updated on

As we prepare for our departure, we stumbled upon a problem we didn’t know we had… Imagine you’ve arrived at your destination and are faced with somewhat of a dilemma – It’s 10 am and you can’t check in to your rental place until 4 pm. It’s a beautiful day to have a wander around and get familiar with your travel destination but you have this luggage to deal with…….

Or like us, you’re traveling by train and you have several hours between connections. You’d love to go check out the town square and the market, maybe have a pain au chocolate and an espresso at a sidewalk café while doing some people watching… but you have this luggage to deal with…….

Merde. I guess the only practical way to avoid this is to have staff to deal with the logistics or be a member of the idle rich. Just carry a credit card to buy whatever you need everywhere you go rather than carrying around a suitcase like a commoner.

TheMobileRetiree.com is supported by its audience. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links on our website. Thank you. Learn more>

But wait, maybe there IS a better way?

Enter ‘Radical Storage‘ into the equation; a network of over 5,000 locations around the world where you can drop your bags and go do that thing you want to do.

Radical Storage is built on a network of ‘Angels’ who will keep your bags safe at a reasonable cost – currently it’s €5 per bag per day (except, apparently, in NYC where the rate showed as US$6.90 which is about €6,20 right now) Size doesn’t matter, I mean, I presume you have to be able to pick it up and move it around without a forklift or assistance, so, luggage rather than freight. A 2 liter fannypack and a 55 liter mountaineering backpack are the same price – a bag is a bag.

A ‘day’ in Radical Storage terms is 00:00 to 23:59 so if you want to drop your bag off at 7 pm and pick it up at 7 am you will be paying for 2 days.

How does it work?

Open the app, search for a location near you and make a reservation. easy-peasy. Online booking is required; there is no provision to just show up and drop off your stuff. I can see the logic; you don’t want people just randomly showing up with expectations if you have limited space. The network is comprised mainly of restaurants, cafés, local shops & hotels rather than ‘storage’ places. You can see a general location in the app as well as the type of business but you won’t get an exact address until you’ve made the reservation. Prebooking and paying through the app also allows a measure of control for the company – you pay Radical Storage and they then pay the location.

While YOU can go unburdened into that sidewalk café and enjoy your pastry in peace

Where are Radical Storage locations?

These are just a few examples, and Radical Storage has a widespread network of locations in various popular travel destinations and cities around the world. It’s always best to check their official website or app for the most up-to-date information on specific locations. That being said, some of the popular travel destinations and cities where Radical Storage have had locations include:

Rome, Italy
Paris, France
Barcelona, Spain
London, United Kingdom
New York City, USA
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Berlin, Germany
Tokyo, Japan
Sydney, Australia
Bangkok, Thailand

Remember to verify the current locations and availability on the official Radical Storage website or app before planning your trip.

Jeff Mayernik is a fulltime traveler and storyteller, journeying the world fulltime with his wife, Sandra. With a background in electronics, construction, and sales, Jeff tackles challenges with a practical, hands-on approach. As the main writer and photographer for their blog, The Mobile Retiree, he shares budget-friendly travel tips and experiences. When not documenting their adventures or working on his book, Jeff enjoys fixing things, building projects, and indulging in his love of history, fantasy, and sci-fi literature.