A portable compact pillow system includes a travel carrier having a first half and a second half and also including a latching feature to secure the first half to the second half in a manner defining a hollow interior. A pillow is removably secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the first half, and a resilient member is secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the second half. The first half and the second half are attached one to the other on at least one side with a hinge such that the first half is separable from the second half and is pivotal about the hinge for substantially three-hundred-sixty degrees. The first half in its pivoted position is securable to the second half with the latching feature.