Abstract: A hanging shelf system and travel organizer is specifically adapted for use in combination with a suitcase wherein the shelf system is adapted to collapse to a size suitable for removable insertion within the suitcase. The shelf system is configurable between a vertically expanded configuration when deployed wherein a plurality of shelves and walls form storage compartments for receiving clothing and other travel items, and a vertically compact, stowed configuration wherein the travel shelf apparatus is compactly configured for insertion into a suitcase for travel. When the user reaches his/her destination the travel organizer may be removed from the suitcase and hung in a closet in the vertically expanded configuration with spaced shelves thereby providing the traveler with ready access to the packed articles while eliminating the need to unpack and repack.