Everyone loves to travel, but nobody loves the headache that comes with packing for their getaway – or the backache that results from lugging 50 lbs. of luggage through an airport. That’s not even taking exorbitant bag fees into consideration. With Memorial Day kicking off the summer travel season, cut out the headache (and the added fees) on your next trip by following these great tips for traveling light.

1.) Choose the right luggage

When your luggage weighs twenty pounds all on its own, it doesn’t take much packing before it becomes burdensome. Make sure to purchase solid, well-crafted lightweight luggage along with some organizers to make the most out of the space you have. May we suggest the Away Carry-On? It’s super lightweight and even has a built-in battery to charge your phone. If possible, always try to travel with just a carry-on. Stick to a weekender bag for short trips, and only break out the big bags when you’re going to be away for a week or more.

2.) Organize your trip

Most people over pack just because of the fear of the unknown. What if the hotel doesn’t have a hair dryer? Or what if you decide to sneak in a workout? Plan ahead, and find out what your hotel provides, as well as what stores are in the vicinity and what the weather outlook is like for the days you’ll be on vacation. If you’re taking a long vacation, it is also beneficial to choose accommodations that have laundry services. This way you can reuse your clothes and not lug 2 week’s worth in your bags.

And take a moment to plan out what you will honestly be doing on your trip. Will you really need those workout shoes on your beach vacation? Probably not. Get organized and write down everything you think you’ll need. Then, double check it against your itinerary and see where you can reduce your load. Stick to packing mostly neutral colored clothing that can be easily mixed and matched. Packing that way also has the added benefit of eliminating the need for you to bring along every pair of shoes you own.

3.) Space matters

You don’t have to be a Tetris master to pack your bag efficiently. Just follow these easy steps: Start off by putting all of the heavy, bulky items such as shoes and toiletry bags on the bottom of your suitcase (preferably towards the wheels if you have them.) Use organizers to keep small items together and save space by stuffing them in between the larger items. Roll your clothes in order to maximize space and also keep them wrinkle free.

Think of ways that you can utilize any empty space that you have, as well. You could stuff rolled up socks into your shoes, or tuck jewelry into purses. Fragile items such as perfume bottles or lotions can be rolled into thick clothing (after first securing them in leak-proof baggies, just to be on the safe side!) And lastly, when possible, try to wear your heaviest clothes when you leave for your trip so they aren’t weighing down your bag.