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12 Luggage Stores to Shop Before Your Next Vacation

By Rebecca Jennings
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By Rebecca Jennings
Masson/Shutterstock

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You're going on vacation—yay! But now comes the sucky part: packing. Whether you're looking for a simple pouch to stash your travel beauty essentials or an entire set of suitcases (hello, study abroad!), these are the stores to hit up long before you hit the airport.

We've included everything from century-old brands like Hartmann and Rimowa to trusty neighborhood travel stores, a buzzy Brooklyn handbag maker, and of course, ubiquitous European brands like Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and Longchamp. Whatever you're looking for, and most importantly, wherever you're going, bon voyage!

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Longchamp

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The French brand's ubiquitous Le Pliage nylon tote bag is practically the unofficial carry-on bag of twenty-somethings in JFK and LGA. It's the perfect travel companion: It's lightweight, stores easily under airplane seats, and folds away for discreet packing. But check out the rest of the offerings at the Madison Avenue flagship for even more luxe luggage options. [Photo: Getty]
713 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(212) 223-1500
(212) 223-1500

Louis Vuitton

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So maybe a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk isn't the most practical of options for jetting away for the weekend, but nothing quite like it that screams "luxury travel." Get your Damier pattern fix on pieces like rolling and soft-sided luggage, and throw in matching weekender-style bags, makeup cases, and passport covers while you're at it. [Photo: Getty]
1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-8877
(212) 758-8877

Rimowa

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You know those hard-side aluminum suitcases? Yeah, that's mostly thanks to Rimowa, the German brand that's been in the luggage industry since 1898. The first grooved aluminum case didn't come until 1950, however, but they've been making them similarly since. Current styles mostly ring in in around the $400 to $500 range. [Photo: Rimowa]
535 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-1060
(212) 758-1060

Tumi

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Though luggage name brands usually aren't on the tips of tongues of fashionistas the way, say, French fashion houses are, we bet you've heard of top-of-the-line Tumi before. Head to this massive flagship location to get your travel gear monogrammed right before your eyes. [Photo: Getty]
125 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-7155
(212) 228-7155

Baggu

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Give your old canvas tote bags a major makeover at this quirky Williamsburg shop, where shockingly bright colors, happy face patterns, or silly squiggles give each product a lighthearted lift. In addition to the classic tote ($9), there's also weather-proof weekenders ($140), makeup pouches ($15), laptops bags ($28), backpacks ($26), and a selection of leather handbags as well ($100 to $200). [Photo]
242 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(800) 605-0759
(800) 605-0759

Altman Luggage

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95 years of experience selling luggage and briefcases (and pens, too) keeps shoppers coming back to this Lower East Side haunt for a mix of brands like Samonsite, Kipling, Heys and Rimowa, plus assistance from an expert staff. [Photo]
135 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
(800) 372-3377
(800) 372-3377

Ghurka

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The leather goods store opened this location two summers ago to compliment its store across from the Plaza Hotel, bringing downtown denizens the same quality selection of twill and leather duffel bags, rolling luggage, and every size of travel case that you could ever need. Pick up a bottle of their leather cleaner to keep your bags looking fresh (in case the TSA isn't as delicate with your stuff as you are). [Photo: Getty]
65 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-4000
(212) 334-4000

The Travel Store

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The name here (which was recently changed from 'For the Go") says it all: You'll fine various collections of Samsonite rolling suitcases, plus smaller travel necessities that are handily divided into section—think car, air, foot, cycle, and kid-friendly. From an airplane pillow to first aid kids, phone adaptors, even Kosher travel meals, this place has it all. [Photo]
908 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-8489
(718) 218-8489

Goyard

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This uber-mysterious French luxury brand opened its first NYC flagship store with barely a whisper last year, but its exterior is unmissable—just look for the giant stack of colorful suitcases parked outside its Upper East Side townhouse. After perusing the store's selection of handbags, small leather goods, and larger trunks—which, fair warning, are quite expensive—make your way to the serene courtyard out back. [Photo: Getty]
20 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065
(212) 813-0005
(212) 813-0005

Muji

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If you're headed to the Times Square flagship pre-vacation to stock up on fairly-priced travel accessories like clear plastic bottles, neck pillows, and cosmetics bags with just the right amount of pockets, don't overlook their luggage selection: It's certainly a challenge to find a better hard-shell suitcase at this price point. [Photo: Muji/Facebook]
620 Eighth Ave, New York, NY 10018
(212) 382-2300
(212) 382-2300

Hartmann Luggage

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In the nearly 150 years since its founding, Hartmann has been perfecting its luxurious travel accessories, which range from durable hard side suitcases ($500 and up) to fancy-pants tweed weekender bags ($645) and leather wallets ($175). Hit up the flagship midtown boutique for the most knowledgeable service (and store accents like casual globes). [Photo]
520 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 702-9164
(212) 702-9164

Flight 001

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Never thought you'd be into shopping for travel gear the same way you're interested in shopping for shoes? Then you probably haven't been to Flight 001 yet, where among the mix of durable luggage (think lots of Avionette and Rimowa) are kitschy luggage tags, patterned cosmetic cases, colorful power adapters, in-flight accessories, and more. Pop by this Carroll Gardens location or check out the shop in Greenwich. [Photo: Flight 001/Facebook]
132 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 243-0001
(718) 243-0001
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Longchamp

713 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
The French brand's ubiquitous Le Pliage nylon tote bag is practically the unofficial carry-on bag of twenty-somethings in JFK and LGA. It's the perfect travel companion: It's lightweight, stores easily under airplane seats, and folds away for discreet packing. But check out the rest of the offerings at the Madison Avenue flagship for even more luxe luggage options. [Photo: Getty]
713 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065
(212) 223-1500
(212) 223-1500

Louis Vuitton

1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
So maybe a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk isn't the most practical of options for jetting away for the weekend, but nothing quite like it that screams "luxury travel." Get your Damier pattern fix on pieces like rolling and soft-sided luggage, and throw in matching weekender-style bags, makeup cases, and passport covers while you're at it. [Photo: Getty]
1 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-8877
(212) 758-8877

Rimowa

535 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
You know those hard-side aluminum suitcases? Yeah, that's mostly thanks to Rimowa, the German brand that's been in the luggage industry since 1898. The first grooved aluminum case didn't come until 1950, however, but they've been making them similarly since. Current styles mostly ring in in around the $400 to $500 range. [Photo: Rimowa]
535 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-1060
(212) 758-1060

Tumi

125 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003
Though luggage name brands usually aren't on the tips of tongues of fashionistas the way, say, French fashion houses are, we bet you've heard of top-of-the-line Tumi before. Head to this massive flagship location to get your travel gear monogrammed right before your eyes. [Photo: Getty]
125 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-7155
(212) 228-7155

Baggu

242 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Give your old canvas tote bags a major makeover at this quirky Williamsburg shop, where shockingly bright colors, happy face patterns, or silly squiggles give each product a lighthearted lift. In addition to the classic tote ($9), there's also weather-proof weekenders ($140), makeup pouches ($15), laptops bags ($28), backpacks ($26), and a selection of leather handbags as well ($100 to $200). [Photo]
242 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(800) 605-0759
(800) 605-0759

Altman Luggage

135 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
95 years of experience selling luggage and briefcases (and pens, too) keeps shoppers coming back to this Lower East Side haunt for a mix of brands like Samonsite, Kipling, Heys and Rimowa, plus assistance from an expert staff. [Photo]
135 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
(800) 372-3377
(800) 372-3377

Ghurka

65 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
The leather goods store opened this location two summers ago to compliment its store across from the Plaza Hotel, bringing downtown denizens the same quality selection of twill and leather duffel bags, rolling luggage, and every size of travel case that you could ever need. Pick up a bottle of their leather cleaner to keep your bags looking fresh (in case the TSA isn't as delicate with your stuff as you are). [Photo: Getty]
65 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-4000
(212) 334-4000

The Travel Store

908 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
The name here (which was recently changed from 'For the Go") says it all: You'll fine various collections of Samsonite rolling suitcases, plus smaller travel necessities that are handily divided into section—think car, air, foot, cycle, and kid-friendly. From an airplane pillow to first aid kids, phone adaptors, even Kosher travel meals, this place has it all. [Photo]
908 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-8489
(718) 218-8489

Goyard

20 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065
This uber-mysterious French luxury brand opened its first NYC flagship store with barely a whisper last year, but its exterior is unmissable—just look for the giant stack of colorful suitcases parked outside its Upper East Side townhouse. After perusing the store's selection of handbags, small leather goods, and larger trunks—which, fair warning, are quite expensive—make your way to the serene courtyard out back. [Photo: Getty]
20 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065
(212) 813-0005
(212) 813-0005

Muji

620 Eighth Ave, New York, NY 10018
If you're headed to the Times Square flagship pre-vacation to stock up on fairly-priced travel accessories like clear plastic bottles, neck pillows, and cosmetics bags with just the right amount of pockets, don't overlook their luggage selection: It's certainly a challenge to find a better hard-shell suitcase at this price point. [Photo: Muji/Facebook]
620 Eighth Ave, New York, NY 10018
(212) 382-2300
(212) 382-2300

Hartmann Luggage

520 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
In the nearly 150 years since its founding, Hartmann has been perfecting its luxurious travel accessories, which range from durable hard side suitcases ($500 and up) to fancy-pants tweed weekender bags ($645) and leather wallets ($175). Hit up the flagship midtown boutique for the most knowledgeable service (and store accents like casual globes). [Photo]
520 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 702-9164
(212) 702-9164

Flight 001

132 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Never thought you'd be into shopping for travel gear the same way you're interested in shopping for shoes? Then you probably haven't been to Flight 001 yet, where among the mix of durable luggage (think lots of Avionette and Rimowa) are kitschy luggage tags, patterned cosmetic cases, colorful power adapters, in-flight accessories, and more. Pop by this Carroll Gardens location or check out the shop in Greenwich. [Photo: Flight 001/Facebook]
132 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 243-0001
(718) 243-0001