My Favorite Travel Organization Ideas
For a long time I was obsessed with finding travel organization ideas to make travel days as seamless as possible. I remember we took a trip to Hawaii when my first daughter was two and I spent DAYS researching exactly how to pack my carry-on bag to survive the long flight with a toddler.
We’ve reached that glorious place where my kids can fend for themselves on the plane and things are certainly a lot easier, but I still like to be organized before we travel.
I try to pack everyone’s carry-on bags the night before we leave so I KNOW everyone’s headphones, chargers and devices are fully charged. Making sure we have plenty of snacks packed is also top of the priority list.
In this post, I’m going to share a few of my favorite travel organization ideas to help you streamline your packing and travel (and I’ll share the best products I’ve found through A LOT of trial and error!).
Shop My Organized Travel Must Haves
Travel Organization Ideas
Start With a High Quality Rolling Suitcase
If you’ve traveled lately, you’ve seen my suitcase at the airport. It’s EVERYWHERE, in a wide range of colors. And people love them for a reason. The hard side shell holds up well, it rolls like a dream, and the color selections are spot on.
If the price is too steep, consider this version- looks almost identical but is half the cost!
Choose A TRavel Backpack that Will Keep You Organized
Choosing a travel backpack made specifically for travel is one of my top travel organization ideas- it will make a HUGE difference in how put together you feel on travel day.
I have actually used this bag as my only bag for a short trip and it works like a charm.
Some of my favorite features:
- Waterproof zippered interior compartment
- Padded laptop sleeve
- TWO different access points to the front compartment which essentially make it work double duty to keep your travel items in place
- Small water bottle pocket
- Secret hidden security pocket on back side
streamline your purse with a cross body bag and a slim card case
Is the number of bags I take to the airport excessive? Perhaps. But I have a system and it works for me!
I wear my crossbody bag from the car to the gate to keep my phone and credit cards/ids (in a slim card case to save space) handy. This keeps everything easy to reach so I don’t have to dig around in my backpack. Then, right before I board the plane, I just stuff my cross-body in my backpack (most airlines only let you take one personal item on the plane, so make sure to leave room if you try this!).
Last year I experimented with several versions of crossbody bags and I landed on this one (made here in Colorado, YAY!).
I chose this because I liked the look of the gold hardware, if I’m being honest. But after over a year of HEAVY use as my main purse, this has held up better than I could have expected.
It has a water-resistant phone pocket, a key ring inside that makes it easy to find your keys, and a little net to give you some separation. And you can change the strap for a fun update! They have bags in several other shapes and sizes and the quality is really, really good for the price in my optionion.
Always use packing cubes and Pouches
I bought a few packing cubes in 2005 before a 3 week trip to Europe and have never looked back. Packing cubes are one of the best travel organization ideas, and if you aren’t using them yet… what are you waiting for?
The image above shows a really pretty set of 6 compression packing cubes at a GREAT price.
I also own the ones that match the backpack I showed above and I’m really happy with those as well. They’re sold as a set of 3, and it includes two heavy-duty compression cubes and a GREAT travel makeup bag, which honestly deserves it’s own post (I love it that much).
Ditch THe Cords with an all-in-one travel wall charger
Nothing used to drive me crazier than keeping track of all the different kinds of charging bases and device cords we’d need before a trip. Does that require a lighting wall port or USB? What kind of plug does the Nintendo need?
I remember thinking “THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY!”. And there is. I’ve found it.
These portable power banks have built-in wall charger outlets, so you don’t need the charging base. Even better? They have a variety of charger adapters that tuck into the sides so you don’t need to bring all the cords!
My sister gave me one for Christmas and I went out and bought one for every single member of our family on our next trip.
They’re great for sports travel trips too, because you can throw them in your bag fully charged and after a long, battery draining day of checking group me and team schedules on your phone, you can plug it in and recharge in your purse!
Thanks for Checking Out My Travel Organization Ideas!
If you’re into home organization content, check out the organization section of my blog for more tips, projects and tips!
Glad you’re here!
xoxo,
