Planning a trip soon? Don’t pay attention to these common travel hacks that aren’t actually true — here’s what you should do instead.

There’s a lot of bad advice on the Internet when it comes to travel. Certain travel “hacks” are repeated over and over on social media, despite the fact that they don’t actually work.

Here are three of the most common false travel tips, and what you should do instead:

1. It’s Cheaper To Book Flights On Tuesday

You may have heard that Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to book flights.

This isn’t actually true, but it’s not hard to see where this claim may have originated. While there’s no cheapest day of the week to book a flight, Tuesday is one of the cheapest days to fly.

According to Thrifty Traveler, who analyzed Google Flights data, flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays can be as much as 20% cheaper than flights on other days of the week. This goes for both domestic and international flights.

It’s also generally cheaper to fly on early morning and late night flights.

So while the day you book your travel doesn’t actually have an impact, the day (and time) of when you fly does matter. If you can afford to be flexible in your travel dates, flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday is the best way to get a cheaper flight.

2. Using Incognito Mode Gets You Cheaper Fares

Another common travel tip is that you should search for flights in Incognito mode on Google Chrome (or another web browser) in order to see the cheapest fares. Similarly, you may have heard that clearing your browser of cookies before you search can help you find a lower fare.

This originates from the belief that airlines are using browser cookies to track your searches and will show you higher prices based on your behavior, such as if you do several searches for a certain flight over the course of a few hours or days.

The reality is that airfare pricing is dynamic and constantly fluctuating. If you see that airfare for a flight you’ve been considering has gone up a few hours later, it’s not because the airline was tracking you.

While Incognito mode has no impact on airfare fluctuations, one thing you can do is set a fare alert on Google Flights. This will notify you of any changes in price for a flight you’ve been watching.

And keep in mind that the best time to book your flight right now is between 21 and 115 days before you plan to travel.

3. Dress Nicely For A Flight Upgrade

Finally, there’s a commonly repeated travel hack that dressing nicely at the airport can help you score a free upgrade to first class. The thought is that if you are dressed up and ask nicely, the gate agent may give you a complimentary upgrade.

Unfortunately, there is zero truth to this claim, so you might as well trade business casual attire for sweatpants and dress for comfort on your next flight.

While dressing nicely isn’t going to get you an upgrade, there are ways to score first-class flights for free. Earning a higher-tier loyalty status with an airline is one of the best ways to ensure regular complimentary upgrades, while accumulating airline miles is a great way to be able to book first-class flights for free.

It’s surprisingly easy to travel light and look good both on the plane and at your destination. Here are some tips from a stylist on how to do it right.

Between the hassle of flying, jet lag and hauling your luggage around, traveling is challenging enough without worrying about looking fashionable while you do it. But Kate Young, a New York-based stylist who counts actresses Margot Robbie and Michelle Williams among her clients, says that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to look stylish on the road.

“Anyone can look chic while traveling, and there’s no need to spend a lot or pack a lot to do it,” Ms. Young said. She noted that she travels several times a month and rarely checks in a bag. Here are her best tips to traveling light and looking good at the same time.

Pack Clothes In Three Coordinating Colors

When deciding what clothes to pack, choose pieces in three matching colors so you can mix and match each piece to create multiple outfits for different days, or even different occasions. Pick the colors based on where you’re going.

If you’re headed to Paris or another urban destination, for example, any combination of black, white, navy and charcoal is a good bet. For a beach vacation or outdoors excursion, khaki, off-white (or white) and bright hues like orange or yellow always work. Ms. Young likes white linen in particular because it’s cool in warm weather, can be worn during the day and is also nice for evenings out. And when it comes to the actual articles of clothing to take, Ms. Young said that a pair of jeans, a pair of nice pants, a striped button down, a blazer and a comfortable T-shirt are always good options. “Ideally, you should be wearing each piece two or three times on your trip,” she said. “Anything less is a waste of space.”

Minimize the Shoes

Most women don’t need to bring more than three pairs of shoes on any trip, Ms. Young suggests. Exercise sneakers, a comfortable daytime shoe to walk around in (loafers, for example), low boots or sandals and, for evenings, heeled sandals if you want them.

Men on the other hand, can generally get by with two pairs: Sneakers and loafers, which can be worn both during the day and at night. And a tip for everyone when it comes to sneakers: Many sportswear brands make lightweight pairs that fold, to take up less space in your bag.

Of course, there’s no reason to pack or choose your shoes strictly based on traditional gender roles. Pack light and choose a few pairs that serve multiple purposes, rather than trying to bring a pair for every occasion or every evening.

Fly in Exercise Gear

Exercise clothes are becoming increasingly fashionable, and for flights, especially long-haul journeys, they’re incredibly comfortable to wear. They also fold neatly and fit into virtually any bag.

Ms. Young suggested that women consider compression leggings, along with a long-sleeved cotton top and coat while men try a pair of track pants and a track jacket, or a half or full-zip hoodie.

Accessorize the Right Way

A few key accessories can change the look of an entire outfit, Ms. Young said. On her travels, she always packs some costume jewelry, like a statement cocktail ring and a pair of oversized earrings. She also packs her makeup in a sleek pouch that doubles as an evening bag. Men, alternatively, or people who don’t wear jewelry, should consider a few pairs of bright socks in fun patterns, just to add a little personality to otherwise simple, coordinating outfits.

Bring One Dressy, Flexible Outfit

If you have a formal evening or event planned during your trip, don’t bother with bulky dresses and heavy full suits and jackets that take up a lot of space.

Ms. Young suggested that women opt for a slip dress, high-heeled sandals and a pair of bold earrings, while men should go for a pair of slacks, a flexible, multipurpose blazer, a crisp white shirt and loafers. Ideally, all of these are things you could use for another evening, a different outfit, or can be packed easily without adding bulk to your carry-on.

Camera technology continues to evolve with each new smartphone release. Learn how to take great pictures on your smartphone by following these tips.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

It’s all about the light.

It’s what helps make a good image a great image. Check out the shadows that the sun makes on subjects. Notice the reflective light off buildings. Practice during the ‘golden hour,’ the period shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. Watch how the light from a window falls inside a room at different moments.

A smartphone is not always the greatest in low-light situations. It’s best to capitalize on lighting conditions under which your device best functions.

Don’t Rely on Zoom

Be careful when using the zoom feature on your smartphone. Often the images come out grainy or hazy. Move closer to the object if you can. If that’s not possible, use your camera’s built-in editing features or a mobile app to spruce up the shot.

Stabilize Your Shots

Camera shake when taking pictures is a factor on all cameras. The key to fixing this is to practice how you hold your phone.

• Hold it horizontally at all times instead of vertically to get a wider image.
• Try burst mode when snapping pictures of moving objects.
• Know what you will use for the shutter (the button assigned, a software shutter button, a timer, or the volume on your headphones). The idea is to get to where you take clear images with no camera shake.
• Use a tripod for stability. This frees you up to focus on better pictures.

Mix Up Your Angles

Change your perspective on things. Trying different angles gives you better shots and shows how you see the subject. So get down on the ground, climb to a high vantage point, or move to the side to change your point of view. Try as many angles on your subject as possible.

Try Some Apps

Thousands of smartphone apps are dedicated to the camera.

These apps help edit your work. While you can’t correct problems like bad lighting, you can improve other details to make a subject look acne-free, sharpen specific aspects of an image, or add text or other effects over the photo.

Find your favorite photo app, learn to use it well, and you can take your already awesome image to the next level.

Experiment With the Flash

Even though your phone camera doesn’t have as powerful of a flash as a digital camera, you can still get some interesting results.

The flash can help emphasize shade, make colors brighter, and add other nifty effects—experiment by taking one photo with the flash, then one without. Make notes and compare the differences.

Take Tons of Photos

Don’t be afraid to take another shot. Snap away at anything and everything that suits your fancy. The more photos you shoot, the more comfortable you will get, and the more you will determine the direction you’d like to take your mobile photography.

The only thing holding you back is how much storage is on your phone and how long your battery can last.

Use Reflections for More Interesting Shots

Mirrors, glasses, puddles, bodies of water and smooth and shiny surfaces make for good reflections.

Push yourself to look for reflective surfaces and place your subjects at angles or in direct comparison to the reflection. Even simple shades of light can make amazing reflections.

Remember to Have Fun

This is the last and the only rule that you should stick to. If you don’t listen to anything given here, “Have Fun” is the rule you must promise to use when getting into mobile photography.

Join in photo walks with other photographers and communities in your area. It’s always fun to do it alongside others learning and enjoying the art.

Prior to departing for the fall break holiday, each University of Nebraska–Lincoln student should proactively prepare to travel safely. Whether you’re flying to a destination or hitting the road, here are some essential reminders to keep in mind.

Traveling with Friends

• Share Your Location:  Before you embark on your journey, share your location with all the friends you’re traveling with. This way, if you get separated or go in different directions, your friends can easily locate you.
• Altitude and Alcohol:  When traveling to higher altitudes, remember that alcohol can have a different effect on your body. Practice harm reduction by alternating between alcohol and water to stay hydrated and safe.
• Choose Wisely:  If you’re in an unfamiliar location, opt for lower alcohol by volume (ABV) beverages, like hard seltzers, instead of shots or strong alcoholic drinks.
• Document Your Journey:  Take photos of the places you visit and the people you meet, especially if you’re exploring a new town. These photos can be invaluable for retracing your steps if something unexpected happens.
• Stay Vigilant:  Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye out for potential hazards or risky situations and trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.

Driving with Friends

When driving with friends – either to a new destination or to your hometown – here are additional safety tips to ensure a smooth and secure journey.

• Stay Alert:  Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible. For longer trips, plan breaks to stretch, grab a meal, check messages, and change drivers if needed to avoid drowsiness.
• Avoid Risky Behaviors:  Always adhere to traffic rules, avoid distractions like texting, obey speed limits, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impairment can compromise critical driving skills. If you chose to drink, designate a sober driver, or plan for a rideshare company to get you back safe.
• Plan Your Route:  Before setting off, check weather conditions, road status, and traffic updates. Allow ample time for your trip and familiarize yourself with directions and maps. Share your route and expected arrival time with someone.
• Prepare a Roadside Travel Kit:  Ensure you have essential items on hand, including a cell phone and charger, a first aid kit, flashlight, flares, jumper cables, a tire pressure gauge, a jack, work gloves, basic repair tools, water, nonperishable food, and more.
• Buckle Up:  Always wear your seatbelt. It’s a fundamental safety measure that can save lives.