Luggage Storage Chicago

Suppose you’ve arrived too early to check into your hotel, or you’re simply in town during an airport layover, a shopping trip, a cultural visit, or a city hop. In that case, the Qeepl app offers you hundreds of luggage storage spots in and around Chicago at the most convenient of locations.

Today, Chicago is better known as “Mini America.” The city is considered a microcosm of the United States, though there are still plenty of “only in Chicago” things to see and do. Not that Chicago is a small place. It is the third most populous metropolis in the USA, and it packs a whole lot into its 2,000-square-mile urban area.

The capital of Illinois earns its moniker as the all-American city, being home to everything stars and stripes. From culture to architecture, food to communities, history to landscapes, beer to beaches, motorbikes to music, Chicago has long been the crossroads of America, pulling in the iconic cultural movements of the US from every direction.

Chicago sits on the banks of Lake Michigan. The 300-mile length of water is the third largest of the Great Lakes, the chain of freshwater bodies that stretch across east-central America. There are 24 beaches in Chicago spread along the shores of the lake. Much of the city’s best tourist spots sit on the banks of Lake Michigan.

Also known as the City of Neighbourhoods (there are around 200 - each with its distinct character), the individual areas of Chicago represent the city’s diverse cultural heritage. Hang out in the famed Magnificent Mile, the glamorous Gold Coast, explore the hip scene of River North, and take in The Loop areas to discover every side of Chicago.

Chicago is a city renowned for its art, museums, and festivals. Enjoy a river cruise and take in the sights of the city’s many skyscrapers. Grab a hotdog, a Chicago-signature deep-dish pizza, or enjoy fine dining on an evening. Listen to homegrown jazz, mellow out in the native Blues scene, or enjoy a laugh at one of the many comedy clubs that reflect the celebrated Chicagoan sense of humor.

Luggage storage near Chicago’s major airports

Chicago has two major airports, each conveniently situated a short hop from the main tourist spots and the accommodation areas of the city.

• O’Hare International Airport (ORD), to the north of the city, handles most of the air traffic in and out of the town. O’Hare is the world’s sixth busiest air terminal (not so long ago, it was the most active on the planet). Unfortunately, there is no dedicated luggage storage service at the airport itself, so we offer a range of convenient luggage storage in Chicago options in the immediate vicinity.
• Midway airport (MDW), just south of downtown, mainly serves travelers making their way around the southwest, either joining a connecting flight to complete their trip elsewhere or visiting Chicago. Midway mainly acts as a hub for Southwest Airlines. Southwest services their entire network across North and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean from Midway. Delta Airlines also operates flights to Atlanta, Detroit, and Minneapolis from MDW.

Due to safety restrictions in American airports, there are no storage lockers within Midway airport either. However, several dedicated Qeepl storage facilities and drop-off points are located near you.

The Windy City welcomes many travelers through its airports on their way to other parts of the United States. If you have a few hours spare during your layover, store your belongings and head out to Chicago. To not do so and wait in the airport for your connection would be a wasted opportunity to experience the delights of Chicago.

Whether you’re in Chicago for half a day between flights, a weekend city break, or a two-week vacation, all you need to do is choose what to see, what to do, and where to eat during your visit. And don’t forget to drop off your baggage so you can travel light.

Luggage storage near Chicago’s main train stations

Chicago has several railway stations linking the city with the rest of the US.

Chicago Union Station is the main terminal serving long-distance passenger trains and the downtown terminus for six Metra commuter lines. In addition, Union Station is the only intercity train station in the city and acts as a hub for mid-western corridor services.

Luggage storage is offered within Chicago Union Station itself. Prices start at around $10 per bag, or you can opt for a pass to the station’s Legacy Club (first-class lounge) at $20 for the day in which you can store your baggage. The station’s baggage check is located on the concourse level. To retrieve your luggage, though, you’ll need to head for the South Concourse pick-up point.

To save money and stow your luggage close by Union Station, we have access to an extensive network of independent storage points close to Chicago’s main railway stations.

Chicago is a city connected by its metro train network. There are eight “L Train” lines, serving some 145 local stations. The L Train grid operates above ground, street-level, and subway systems.

In addition, the Metra commuter rail train connects the suburbs of Chicago with downtown. There are five Metra stations in the central area of Chicago. Each has its luggage storage service. Alternatively, our network of storage partners offers a drop-off point just a few minutes walk from each Metra stop.

Luggage storage near Chicago’s bus stations

There are several main bus stations in Chicago, each serving different coach operators running short and long-distance services.

The Greyhound Bus Station is situated on the southern edge of downtown and is where Greyhound long-distance services run. It is four blocks from the rail terminal at Union Station.

There are self-service storage lockers at the Chicago Greyhound Bus Station. You can hire them for a part-day (three hours) for around $10 or a full day at about $15. Be prepared, as you can only pay with a charge card. Cash is not an option.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Clark/Lake bus station is located at West Lake Street in the West Loop area of the city. The CTA runs bus services throughout Chicago and its surroundings. Some 128 local bus routes are linking the town with its neighborhoods and suburbs.

Luggage storage is not provided at Clark/Lake. Use Qeepl to locate the nearest and most convenient baggage drop-off store if you’re traveling to or from Clark/Lake, either by bus or using its Metra line stop.

Alternative luggage storage options in Chicago

If you’re visiting a specific area or tourist attraction, you can find plenty of storage options for your baggage in Chicago. Enter your chosen location into our app to find your nearest drop-off location. You will only pay a fix day price to store your luggage at one of our independent partners.

More information about Chicago

Where are the best places in Chicago to stay?

There are several districts in Chicago with lots of hotels to choose from. Which is best depends on the type of accommodation and amenities you’re seeking. Also, pick a hotel near the activities you’ll be undertaking during the day, along with your dining preferences and what kind of nightlife you enjoy. For example:

• Downtown Chicago is perfect for first-time visitors and city break tourists, given it’s the lively attraction-packed center of the city.
• The Magnificent Mile is where many of Chicago’s nightlife hotspots lie. It’s also a shopping paradise (see below).
• Lincoln Park is a leafy suburb, home to the city’s largest park and the Chicago zoo.

For luxury and glamour, the upscale hotels of the Chicago Gold Coast area are near to many of the city’s best beaches.

Where are the best places to eat in Chicago?

Chicago is an absolute food mecca. There are 24 Michelin-star restaurants dotted around the city. Chicago has an eclectic and vibrant dining scene with something for every taste and budget.

• Near West Side is the place to start foodies, given the area’s proximity to Little Italy, the Greektown, and Chicago’s main food thoroughfares. This includes Randolph Street, aka Restaurant Row.
• River North is famous for its high-end cuisine and trendy restaurants. Locals and visitors alike head to the neighborhood to either celebrate a special occasion or dine before a night on the town.
• Pilsen is world-famous for its tacos and multicultural eating experiences. The Lincoln Park and Lakeview areas offer a slower pace with classic dining. Wicker Park is a hip neighborhood in Chicago, popular with younger people enjoying fusion fare.

What are the best tourist attractions in Chicago?

Chicago is one of the finest vacation and city break destinations in the whole of the USA. The city is home to museums regularly voted among the finest and most important in the world, including The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.

• Chicago’s skyline is one of the city’s most notable features, and there are only two ways to take it all in - at ground level and from up high. A cruise along the River Chicago is a relaxing way to take in the impressive cityscape as it glides by. For those with a head for heights, the tallest building in the city (and once the world) offers stunning views across four states from its 1,353-ft high SkyDeck.
• Millennium Park is a green town square situated downtown, close to Chicago’s shopping and dining districts. It is a popular gathering place for locals. Within, you’ll Find the impressive Cloud Gate sculpture, a 110-tonne polished stainless steel spherical arch that reflects the surrounding buildings and cityscape. The Crown Fountain in Millennium Park is a modern art installation that projects images of Chicagoans to give the appearance of water flowing from their mouths. There’s also an outdoor concert venue within the park and the Lurie Garden, a free-to-enter oasis of planting and interactive demonstrations.
• Chicago’s Navy Pier extends miles into Lake Michigan and comprises attractions, shops, eateries, and gardens. Built in 1916 as an amusement area and shipping facility, the Pier hosts the annual Chicago Festival in August each year.

Visitors to the city with kids will be wowed by the Chicago Zoo, home to over 200 species of animals amidst stunning floral displays in 49-acres of green landscaping that provides a habitat for native birds, fish, frogs, and insects.

Where are the best museums in Chicago?

The Chicago Museum Campus lies alongside Lake Michigan in 57 acres of parkland. The Campus is also home to the Chicago Bears NFL football team. The area is the location for three of the finest museums in America’s midwest.

Located at the tip of Northerly Island, the Adler Planetarium is the oldest in the United States. Built in 1930, it is still active in space research, with the Doane Observatory open for public use. The planetarium houses three large theatres and permanent exhibitions telling the story of US space exploration.

Visitors to the Museum Campus will also find the Field Museum of Natural History (one of the premier natural history museums in the world) and the Shedd Aquarium (home to 30,000 animals and nine permanent aquarium zones including recreations of coral reefs, the Amazon river, and the polar regions).

Where are the best art galleries in Chicago?

• The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great art museums. The gallery in downtown Chicago houses the most extensive collection of Impressionist paintings outside of the Louvre in Paris. A staggering quarter of a million works of art in the extensive permanent displays with over 40 visiting exhibitions featuring each year.
• The primary art gallery district in Chicago for browsing and buying is in the River North district. River North has the largest concentration of art galleries outside of Manhattan. Emerging artists, art dealers, and gallery owners occupy the former red-brick warehouses in the neighborhood, which once housed manufacturers and distribution companies.

Where are the best shopping areas in Chicago?

If ever there was a reason to leave some room in your luggage during a visit to Chicago, it’s the city’s reputation as one of America’s premier shopping destinations.

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is undoubtedly the place to head to for those looking for a boutique bargain and the latest designer goods. The shopping stretch from the banks of the Chicago River in the south to Oak Street to the north has been described as a cross between New York’s Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. There are several high-rise malls, lots of independent and specialty outlets, plus plenty of places to rest for a bite to eat along the way.

Venturing a little further from the magnificent malls of the Mag Mile, Oak Street is the famed boulevard in Chicago for high-end labels and exclusive outlets featuring famous designers. Many Oak Street boutiques offer a personal shopping experience, and the area is a favorite with Chicagoan socialites.

If you’re visiting Chicago to mark a special occasion, you can make it all the more memorable with a trip to Jeweller’s Row. Head for Wabash Row (home to gem traders and wholesalers since the 19th Century), and at number five, you’ll find a vast space occupied by individual jewelers, each with their booth.

What luggage storage options are available when visiting Chicago?

The major museums, art galleries, and venues offer some storage options for luggage, and most will have a cloakroom to take your coats and small items from you while you visit. For example, you can drop off your bags, strollers, and other belongings at the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium for a few dollars a time.

We have access to an extensive network of other options for luggage storage in Chicago in places as diverse as stores, restaurants, businesses, private facilities, public buildings, and dedicated storage facilities to meet every baggage drop-off requirement. Enter your details plus where you’re heading, and we’ll deliver you the most appropriate solution straight to your phone.