Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) luggage storage

About Philadelphia International Airport

Serving over 33 million passengers per year, the Philadelphia International Airport in southeastern Pennsylvania is the 20th busiest airport in the U.S. It opened in 1925 as a training airfield for the Pennsylvania National Guard, but Charles Lindbergh renamed it the Philadelphia Municipal Airport in 1927. However, it did not have a terminal until 1940, and it took until 1950 to get four runways going. 

The airport was used during WWII for the U.S. Army Air Force for training. Then after the attack at Pearl Harbor, the pilots from the airport provided defense from the air. Many soldiers and groups were trained and sent from the airport during the war as well. In 1945, the airport’s name was changed to Philadelphia International when it started sending flights to Europe. Today the airport has almost 500 daily departures to 120 places across the globe. 

You don’t have to worry about going hungry at Philadelphia International Airport because they have more than 50 places to eat. From small kiosks to seated dining, you can spend days just going from place to place enjoying the food. Noobar is a favorite for sushi, Geno’s for Philly cheesesteaks, and you have to try the crab fries at Chickie & Pete’s. Don’t forget to get some cool souvenirs from one of the many gift shops. 

Fun Fact: The ground that the airport is on used to be called Hog Island because of the many pigs that roamed the area. 

Things to do Near Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia is known for its important historical sites like where the signing of the Declaration of Independence took place, the Liberty Bell, and the Betsy Ross House. But there are also quite a few other places you shouldn’t miss during your visit. 

• Visit the 1794 Fort Mifflin on Hog Island Road where you can learn more about the military history of the area
• See some of the fish and other marine life at the Adventure Aquarium on Riverside Drive
• Check out some awesome race cars at the Simeone Foundation Auto Museum on Norwitch Drive
• Head over to South Broad Street for a selfie with the Wilt Chamberlain Statue
• Have a meal or frozen funnel cakes at the Spruce Street Harbor Park
• Run (or walk) up the stairs from the movie “Rocky” where you can get a great view of the city
• Take a walk along the Schuylkill River on the DuPont Crescent Trail
• Learn more about the Swedish heritage and history at the American Swedish Historical Museum in FDR Park

Transit Options Near Philadelphia International Airport

• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Septa)
• Regional Rail
• Septa Bus routes 37, 108, and 115
• Rental car services
• Taxicabs
• Ridesharing apps

Luggage Storage Options Near Philadelphia International Airport

Don’t get stuck sitting at the airport with your luggage. We have many Bounce locations around Philly, where you can leave your things for safekeeping while you explore. Our partners are all insured and vetted, so you don’t have to worry. Locals can also use our service. If you don’t want to go home after work, just drop your bags off at one of our locations before heading out for the night.

Luggage Storage Near Philadelphia International Airport

While you are in Philly, try the Philly cheesesteak and some of the other local delights. There are also quite a few stellar malls and shopping centers where you can get some retail therapy. But don’t drag your bags with you. Download our Bounce app to find the closest location where you can drop off your belongings, so you have your hands free to shop.

Luggage Storage Near Independence National Historical Park

Just 10 minutes from the airport on North Independence Mall and Market Street, the Independence National Historical Park covers 22 blocks and has a plethora of historical items. National treasures like the Syng inkstand to the Liberty Bell, as well as archeology from the 1700s, are all on display at the museum. In fact, the collection has over two million artifacts that are related to the park’s mission and preservation. Ranging from the 17th through the 21st centuries, you’ll see the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, historical portraits, and objects owned by Benjamin Franklin. If you get hungry, check out the City Tavern where they serve 18th-century cuisine like Chesapeake Style crab cakes, braised rabbit, Colonial turkey pot pie, and roasted duck. You cannot bring your bags with you, so be sure to stop at one of our Bounce locations on the way. 

Luggage Storage Near Eastern State Penitentiary

You cannot miss seeing Al Capone’s prison cell at the Eastern State Penitentiary while in Philly. It is only about 15 minutes from the airport on Fairmount Avenue between North 22nd Street and Corinthian Avenue. The notorious bank robber, Willie Sutton, was also held in this prison. It is known as the world’s first real penitentiary with a revolutionary style of incarceration keeping separate confinements for rehabilitation. The warden was legally bound to visit each and every prisoner every day, and guards saw each prisoner three times per day. In fact, it was a model for more than 300 other prisons around the world. Take a guided tour and learn more about this iconic establishment. You will need your camera out of your bag, so don’t forget it when you drop it off at one of our local Bounce locations. 

Luggage Storage Near Philadelphia National Zoo

If you like animals, enjoy a few hours or the whole day at the Philadelphia National Zoo on West Girard Avenue just 20 minutes from the airport. They boast over 1,300 animals spread out over 42 acres. From the African lion to the white-handed gibbon, the zoo has more than 50 species. Go face to face with a lion in Big Cat Falls or up close and personal with a gorilla in the PECO Primate Reserve. Penguin Point is also a fun place to visit. The Small Mammal House has marmosets, sloths, and meerkats, as well as vampire bats. Don’t miss Bear Country, where you can see the Andean bear, South America’s largest bear. Grab some souvenirs at the Zoo Shop and a bite to eat at one of the five eateries while you are there. But leave your luggage with one of our Bounce partners on your way there.