A porter is someone who carries luggage for tourists. If you ever travel by train across the country, you'll be grateful to the porter. The person at an airport, train station, or hotel who's paid to help with your luggage is a porter.

A person employed to carry luggage for travelers is most commonly called a porter. Depending on the specific setting, the terminology can vary in 2026: at a hotel, they are often referred to as a bellhop or a bellman; at an airport, they are frequently called a skycap; and at a railway station, they are traditionally known as a redcap (particularly in the U.S. and UK). In some luxury travel contexts, a private assistant who handles luggage and logistics may be called a butler or a travel concierge. In 2026, as automated "follow-me" suitcases and robotic luggage carts become more common in major hubs like Tokyo or Singapore, the role of the human porter has evolved to focus more on "high-touch" hospitality and assistance for passengers with mobility issues. However, the term "porter" remains the universal professional designation across the global travel and hospitality industry.