Student Asking for Luggage Storage Advice
 

I will be backpacking across Europe for three weeks and will be starting and ending in Paris. Can anyone suggest somewhere in Paris where I could store one or two suitcases for two weeks? Is it possible to do this at either CDG airport or at Gare du Nord?
Thank you for your assistance!

I think that is not possible. YOu can't do that at the airport, that's for sure, and the luggage services at the train stations have a limit of 2-3 days max, I believe.

Are you schlepping so much luggage because you are headed to school (or home from school) after your backpack trip? If so, consider shipping your things ahead.

Or is there some other reason you have the two extra suitcases?

You could be like my son, who's finishing a semester in Istanbul and then traveling through Israel and Egypt for 5 weeks before he comes home -- get your mom to meet you and bring home your excess stuff. Lucky me, I get to go to Israel to bring back all his stuff-- we decided it was almost cheaper to buy a ticket than to ship everything! (Although I'm a little worried about bringing back his laptop and Ipod . . . )

He is also arranging with the hotel where we're staying to store stuff for him for a few days before we check in there; you might see if that's a possibility with wherever you're staying in Paris.

I did remember someone mentioning a private luggage storage facility at CDG, and found the link on that
http://www.bagagesdumonde.com

It is for long-term storage only, they don't list rates, but you can inquire. I imagine this firm does that because they have a desk at CDG and then take the luggage away and keep it outside the airport at some storage facility (I don't think the airport would allow it otherwise). That's one reason it is long-term only, I imagine. They have an office in the 20th arrondisement in Paris, as well as the airport.

The only problem is they do require you to have an airline ticket (it says, they might be flexible depending on the situation), but if you have one, that might work.

Not sure how feasible this is or if this is still doable with the security restrictions, but might be worth a try if you're desperate...American Express used to allow AmEx card (and travellers checks) holders to have their mail sent to an AmEx office where they will hold the mail until you collect it (up to 90 days I think). So if you're really desperate, you could send your luggage to yourself in care of the local AmEx office and then collect it when you're ready to leave. Obviously the cost of mailing or Fed-Exing your luggage will add considerable cost, so not sure if this is really feasible.

Before replying to this thread SashaG owes us an answer to janisj's good questions. This is the first post for SashaG.

There is a weight limit for post restante at Amex offices (something like 'letters only, no parcels'), and besides, most Amex travel offices in Europe have closed down - telephone sertvice only.

Thank you all for your help!

In response to Janisj, I will be studying in London for a term and then I will be traveling for several weeks. That is why I would like to store 1-2 suitcases while I travel.

I have read about Bluemarble from some of previous threads. Has anyone used this services and do you know if it is reliable?

Thank you

Ask your hotel you're staying in the first Paris days to store your luggage - many will if you are coming back to that hotel.

Here is a worst case fallback option. At Gare du Nord you can put your stuff in a locker for €4 to €10. This is for 48 hours. Beyond 48 hours the price goes up to €5 per item per day. These are 2006 prices.

It is my experience that all major train stations in Paris and throughout Europe have an attended luggage room. The fee is usually per item. Lockers are usually limited to 72 hours after which the goods are removed and you pay heavily to get them back.

If you were going to Amsterdam I would recommend the attended luggage room at Schiphol Airport. I left a couple of bags there for a month. I imagine that CDG has a similar facility.

My daughter is just finishing up a year of study in London in June after which she is going to meet her older sister and travel around Europe for about 6 weeks. She had the same problem, but one of her school friends offered to hold the bags for her until she returns to London before returning home. Perhaps you will be able to do the same thing.