One of the most frustrating things when planning a trip is figuring out what you are going to pack. There are so many things to consider these days like baggage restrictions, weight limits, carry on board rules and much more. 

These rules and regulations are not much of a concern if you are going on a hiking or camping trip, but if you are air traveling, this can be a huge headache. I recently wrote an article on rules for carry on luggage you can read here. 

When packing your electronics, there are many things you need to be concerned with. Traveling with electronics is very common today and you will want to pack them right in order to prevent damage, also ensuring you are not breaking any rules.

In this post, I will show you 11 best travel hacks for packing electronics.

 

Packing Electronics For Air Travel

When you go traveling with your electronics, it is a good idea to pack them in your carry on luggage. You don’t want to pack them in your checked luggage as you won’t be able to access them and you risk them getting damaged, lost, or stolen. I wrote more information on packing your electronics for air travel in the post best tips for traveling with electronics.

1. Pack large electronics last

This will allow your electronics to be easily accessible on top, and you won’t need to go digging through your bag to find them.

2. Pack all your electronics together

This is important for two reasons. If you are on a flight, maybe a short flight, it will be easy to grab a tablet and say headphones together without rummaging around. They will be in the same location and you will know exactly where everything is.

Also, the TSA requires your luggage to be screened prior to boarding and it will be easier to locate and unpack them for agents to screen.

Packing Hacks for International Travel

As you follow the tips above for packing your electronics for air travel, there are also some hacks to follow if you are traveling internationally.

3. Save luggage space by using an App

A great idea for saving space in your luggage bag is to download travel guides onto your smartphone. There are apps available for IOS and Android you can use for this, eliminating the need for bulky paper books and guides.

4. Avoid extra fees – weigh your luggage before leaving for the airport

It’s very easy to weigh your luggage yourself before you travel. The airlines are very picky these days with weight and size limitations and you don’t want to be caught off guard and charged an extra hefty fee. I recommend the Etekcity Digital scale on Amazon. 

5. Use an international travel adapter

If you are traveling internationally, a universal travel adapter is a must-have. I made the mistake of forgetting one myself once. Yes only once! It can be very frustrating when you are in need of an adapter to charge your electronics and they are either nowhere to be found or way overpriced!

In my post 21 Must Have travel Accessories, I mentioned this travel adapter. They are inexpensive and easy to pack in your carry on bag. You can buy one on Amazon here.

6. Use a portable backup device

This is something that not everyone remembers to bring with them when traveling internationally. If you are in an area that doesn’t have internet access, you may be taking photos or videos and need to back them up somehow. A portable backup device will allow you to do just that. I recommend you check out the Seagate backup plus slim on Amazon.

More Packing Electronics for Travel Tips

7. Store your cables and loose cords in a sunglasses case

This is a really cool idea and it works very well. To keep your USB cables, chargers and other loose cords organized and protected, use a sunglasses case you might have sitting around that you are not using.

8. Pack your batteries properly

Recent regulations now state that you must pack battery packs and lithium batteries in your carry on luggage. You can not pack them in your checked luggage. So if you plan to bring a drone or anything else that uses these batteries make sure you follow the regulations of the airline. This article will explain everything you need to know about traveling internationally with a drone, including how to pack batteries properly.

9. Use a smart electronics organizer case

Using an electronics organizer case is a very wise idea. Not only will it help keep your cables and cords organized, but it will also help protect and keep everything clean and all in one place. It is great for carrying and organizing cables, cords, USB, adapter, power bank, phones, Android and apple chargers, and other electric gear. I recommend the smart electronics organizer case on Amazon.

10. Keep your electronics device and charger together

It is important to keep your electronics device, Ipad, tablet, smartphone together with its charger in the same place and not separate them. Far too often, something happens where either your luggage bag will go missing or perhaps even stolen leaving you with a device without a charger. Or a charger without a device.

11. Use proper cases to protect your devices

Traveling can have a huge impact on damaging your devices. Most devices including smartphones, tablets, chargers will have proper protection cases you can buy if you don’t already have one. You can also use a universal travel case that will work for most devices. They will have a solid outer shell to protect from the elements and other hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you save space when packing a suitcase?

Here are a few tips you can try to help save space in your carry on bag or checked luggage.

• If you have a belt, lay it flat or roll it in your shirt
• Pack socks inside your shoes
• Use a pill organizer case instead of packing large bottles
• Avoid last minute packing and stuffing your bag in a hurry. Plan ahead!
• Wear bulky items if needed to save space. You can always carry the item or take it off later like a winter jacket
• Use packing organizer cubes. These are amazing for saving space. I recommend these packing organizer cubes on Amazon.

Here is a great video showing some amazing packing tips.

Can you carry your own headphones on a plane?

Yes, you can. But there may be times when you can’t. I recently wrote an article on the rules for carrying your own headphones on board a plane. Check it out by clicking on the link.

Travel essentials for men – Can you pack a beard trimmer in your carry on luggage?

According to the Transport Security Administration (TSA), yes you can carry these on board. There are certain beard trimmers that I recommend for carry on.

Some Other Great Travel Packing Tips

• When packing your backpack, try to place heavier items towards the bottom and against your back. This will help provide better balance.
• Don’t assume that your medications are OK to pack. Always check the laws of other countries to ensure it is safe and legal to bring into the country.
• Keep multiple copies of your travel insurance and other travel documents. Keep one in your carry on luggage and one in your checked luggage.
• Keep track of your own travel packing hacks and tips that you learn along the way. Write them down or store them on your smartphone for reference for your next trip. It can be helpful for you on future travels!

If you enjoyed our best travel hacks for packing electronics guide, have a look at all our travel gear guides here:

• Sound
• Laptops/Tablets
• Gadgets And Tech
• Photography
• Phones/Sim Cards

Hopefully, you found these guides helpful. As always, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message anytime via our contact form.

Thanks for reading!

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