How To Pack Your Gaming Setup For Travel

Tis the season to travel, and if you’re like me, you aren’t a fan of going an extended time without your favorite system. While the Nintendo Switch is easy to travel with, some may not own the console or perhaps don’t want to be limited to just that.

Over the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling more than I usually do. On both trips–and the one I’m about to take–I’ve carried my PS5 with me.

Now, I know you’re thinking, “that’s a big and expensive console, how are you comfortable taking it with you”.

I’ll set it up with the disclaimer that I have driven instead of flown when I’ve done this setup. I would hesitate to take anything more than my Switch in its Pikachu case in that instance.

This is the post for you if a road trip is in your future. Let me show you how I pack up my gaming setup:

Find the right suitcase

I’ve had this suitcase for a few years now. I got it from Amazon when I had a period where I was regularly flying, and this is carry-on size. We’ve been on adventures together, and she’s seen better days. But this suitcase is the perfect size for a PlayStation 5.

2. Grab a beach towel and place the PS5 on top of it.

I used the largest size I have. Bonus: if where I’m going has water-related activities, I’ve got a beach towel handy and ready to go. Smooth the towel before you go to the next step; it will make it easier.

3. Wrap Your PlayStation 5 like a burrito before placing it in the suitcase.

I fold the ends of the beach towel over the PlayStation before rolling it like a burrito. (I’m sorry to gamers who are currently cringing at me comparing the PlayStation 5 to a burrito, but it’s the best description here.)

You then place it in the suitcase. Wrapped in the towel, it fits perfectly in my blue one, which means it won’t move around during transport.

4. Place any accessories in–and the Nintendo Switch if you plan on bringing that as well.

This changes slightly every time I do it.

But I expand the suitcase to give me a couple extra inches of space and sit the Switch on top. In the pocket on the lid, I place the controller, the charging base, and the accessories for the Nintendo Switch.

Play with this arrangement until you are happy with it. The important thing for this and the rest of the steps is that you are comfortable with the arrangement.

Note I have not mentioned the cords yet.

5. Place cords in bag and place by Switch

I found this bag in a clearance sale and bought it for $3 with this in mind. Inside the bag, I have an HDMI cable, PlayStation power cord, the Nintendo Switch power cord, and the power cord for the PlayStation Controller docking station.

I wrap this up into coils individually, place them in the bag, and zip it up. This keeps them contained and makes it a lot easier to transport them.

We’re in the home stretch now!

6. Place games on the top

While not intentional, I will use any and every excuse to promote the Horizon series.

If I’m going to see friends or to house-sit for an extended time, I want my selection of games with me. I love having the freedom to let people try out games.

This is one of the last things I do; I sit them gently on top. And in case you’re wondering, that’s Horizon: Zero Dawn, the case for Horizon: Forbidden West (the game is inside the console), Spider-Man Miles Morales, and Uncharted.

And finally…

7. Zip up the suitcase

I usually can get it to zip right up. The main problem I have is with the zipper. You can see what some airlines did to it when I was traveling.

And that’s all there is to it! I tend to place this suitcase on the floor or trunk instead of the seat. That way, it moves around even less, if possible.

Hope this helps you! Do you have a unique way you pack up your gaming setup for travel? I’d love to hear more on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord!

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