Tips for hitchhiking'''Hitchhiking''' is one of the cheapest ways of travelling. By tradition, hitchhiking is defined as soliciting a ride by standing at the edge of a road, facing traffic, with one's thumb extended. You can meet a lot of people and make lots of friends. You can become very frustrated: Today's drivers are more fearful of picking up hitchhikers than in the past. But it's also a great feeling to get a ride after you've been waiting for a long time. People who do pick up hitchhikers tend to be very friendly. However, hitchhikers also risk being picked up by someone who is an unsafe driver or even a criminal. ==Before== * Buy yourself a map, if you don't know the area, so you can estimate whether a ride actually brings you closer to your destination. * Learn the language, at least a little. Hitchhiking can be a good way to improve your conversation skills. Often drivers pick up hikers to have some conversation on an otherwise long and lonely trip. * Make sure to carry enough drinks and food if you're going for a long trip. Gas stations are usually a bit expensive. * Consider taking a foldable bike with you but be careful it isn't stolen. Put it on the back seat if possible. * Arrange sleeping places. For example a Hospitality Club host, a youth hostel or a squat are good places to start. If you cannot arrange a place, take a tent with you and/or a warm sleeping bag. * Remember, hitchhiking may be illegal in any given locality or on certain types of roads (e.g. along U.S. Interstate Highways in SOME US states, and a FEW counties in states in which pedestriarans are otherwise allowed (Oregon for example allows pedestrians on interstates, but the counties of multnomah, clakamas, and washington do NOT-however, the local transit agency serves all outlying areas so getting to a 'legal position' in the portland metro area is not particularly difficult or expensive ). Enforcement of laws against hitchhiking may vary. Ask locals. It is usually a bad idea to hitchhike if an encounter with the police would create additional problems (e.g. you are in possession of contraband or are subject to an outstanding arrest warrant). ==Getting a ride== ===Location=== The single most important factor for getting a ride is location. You need to find a place where you can be seen early (to let the driver and other car occupants have time to decide to pick you up) and where the driver can safely pull over. Ideally, there should be some traffic, but not too much either as this makes pulling over difficult and makes drivers assume that you can always get a ride with somebody else. * For long-distance travel, highway rest areas are ill-advised, particularly in the USA, due to the number of 'disturbing incidents' at these locales. Passing motorists also tend to assume that you were thrown out of a vehicle there. * An exception to the 'rest-area' rule is '''commercial rest areas''' on toll roads. known as 'oasises' or 'service plazas'. Very few disturbing incidents happen at these locales, due to the regular police patrols, and high foot traffic. You will want to purchase a small item so as not to be trespassing. A CB radio is a good tool for service areas. You can purchase a handheld one for around $40.00 US at many truck stops. *The absolute best place to catch a good ride is on a '''public highway on ramp''', near a truck stop, but not on the truckstop property itself, as the truck stops are good places to get thrown out of for trespassing. In Northern California(US 101) and in the Seattle area many highway on-ramps are also bus stops and thus do double duty in regards to catching a ride. * '''Land borders''' where traffic has to stop are great. * '''Gas stations''' where many cars stop are good. However, if you are not doing business there, you are better off using the nearby public roadway. * '''Laybys''' and '''roadside picnic areas''' are good, although less so in the USA as roadside picnic areas tend to be in the middle of nowhere. * Avoid places where traffic '''cannot stop''' legally, like no-stopping zones, taxi stands, etc. The only people likely to give you a ride from these places are the police, and you may not want to go where they want to take you. Although they could also drop you in a much better spot if they're in a good mood. * If you cannot get a ride from downtown, catch public transport to the '''edge of town'''. City drivers may be reluctant to pick you up as they may think you are too lazy to catch the bus. Check your map, or ask around, to find a good spot. * Getting a ride at '''night time''' is very difficult. You might have some luck at a gas station, where people can see you, but again, if not doing business at said gas station go use the on-ramp if it's well-lit, or find a campsite. ===Attracting a ride=== * '''Asking around''' doesn't hurt. If people notice you're friendly and speak their language you have a much higher chance to get a ride from them. * '''Walk''' in the direction you want to go, especially if nobody is stopping to pick you up. however, if you wander too far from town, people may wonder what you did to get thrown out of the last car. The wisest strategy usually consists of standing at the last traffic or street light in a town on smaller roads.  * Wear '''bright clothing''' so that drivers can see you when waiting or walking. * A big '''cardboard sign''' with an indication of where you want to go can help. A grocery box is about the right size, and it can be folded up or thrown away. Short general directions like ''North'', or ''West'' can be written bigger - and seen from further away - than a longer city or town, but a city is more determined and more useful for drivers. **Nonspecific 'general' directions are really only useful at on-ramps where traffic goes in two directions, like standing before a toll plaza, otherwise, the ''next town with a truck stop'' is recommended. ** Avoid writing destinations far away, this gives you a good excuse to get off if you feel uncomfortable with the driver, you can always agree to go further if the driver turns out to be going your way. Also, indicating close destinations will attract short lifts. In Germany 200 km seems to be a good distance. ** It can be a good idea to not indicate your ''final'' destination. If you can get a ride in a direction that is not exactly the best one, it could still be a good idea to take it, since you might be able to get more rides from that spot. ** Some people do not believe in direction signs, and suggest funny ones ("I DON'T STINK") or nothing at all. If you speak the local language, saying this on your sign may also be useful. * Prejudice: Some drivers will not stop based on their own racial, cultural, or gender prejudice. otherwise, its not an issue. * If you are travelling with a '''companion''', stand together and make it obvious that you want a ride together. Drivers don't want to be surprised by an extra person. * Always '''stay happy''' - even if people react nastily. ===Choosing a ride=== * If you're waiting for a long time and all the cars that want to take you go in the '''wrong direction''' it can be a good idea to let them take you anyway - just to drop you at a better spot. * Sometimes you get an offer that brings you a '''little way''' in the right direction. This can be okay, but if you're at a place where lots of cars stop it could be a better idea to wait for an offer that brings you a lot further. * Ask if you can be dropped at a '''good spot''' for getting more rides if your ride isn't bringing you to your final destination, eg a gas station or a toll place. ==Stay Safe== * Take care who you get a ride with. Some criminals prey on hitchhikers. If in doubt, turn down the ride. * Regardless of gender, choose wisely; some people have loose hands. It's more dangerous when you're riding with multiple people. * At least note the registration number and/or vehicle make, model and colour before you ride. * Choose a car with a single occupant or a couple rather than the last seat in a car full of people. * Sit in the front passenger seat, if you can. Rear doors often have child locks on them, meaning they cannot be opened from the inside. * If possible, hitchhike with a friend. * Keep your bag or backpack in easy reach, so you can grab it if you need to bail out. Be prepared to lose it if it is locked in the trunk. * Wear some of your valuables—i.e. passport, wallet, money, I.D., bank and credit cards, etc.—under or in your clothes, do not put them all in your pack. Keep them in different places, so that if you lose one item, you don't lose them all. A thief or robber who gets your wallet and small change may overlook a concealed moneybelt or second billfold. * In some places, the police take a dim view of hitchhikers and will arrest based on the slightest excuse (or at least cost you time you could use to catch rides by running field interviews on you). * While pedestrians may have the right to walk along most roads, doing so in some places can get you arrested, cited, ticketed, or verbally warned. Find out about which roads you can and cannot walk along. * As a general rule, avoid walking along freeways, particularly if it looks unsafe to do so or the jursidiction you are in prohibits it. In some areas where it is legal to walk on the freeway, it may be wiser and safer to stay on the on-ramp anyway, based on the infrastructure of the road—Blackwell, Oklahoma, for instance, has a rather narrow freeway shoulder on the southbound ramp, but the ramp itself is wide and safe (it is legal to walk on the freeway in this example, but not particularly wise or conducive to getting a ride). Also avoid walking along railway tracks; apart from the risk of encountering a train, it is often illegal to walk along or close to railway tracks. * If you have some doubts, and you found a ride through e.g. #Related Websites | a website, you can request the '''ID number''' of the driver who offers the ride. Pass this number on to your beloved ones. At the moment you meet with the person who offered you the ride, s/he'll show you his ID, and if the number is the same, you can have more confidence getting in the car. Most of the time drivers will understand this precaution. ==People giving rides== Of course you can try every passing car or driver, but it seems some people tend to give rides sooner than others. People who hiked themselves know what it feels like to stand at the side of the road. Working people like to have some conversation, especially if they're on a long trip (which can be of great use for you!). ==Around the world== Hitchhiking around the World ==Africa== Many locals hitchhike in countries throughout Africa, often paying a small fee to the driver. It is best to check the political and social climate of each region before traveling. ===Mali=== Inside Bamako hitchhiking is fairly accepted - if you look like you have enough money (i.e. white skin) - and it's a reasonable alternative if you can't find a taxi at night. Apparently it's also possible to get rides with NGO 4WDs at the police check stations. ==Americas== === Argentina === A hitchhiking club began in Argentina in 2002, inspired by clubs in Russia, Eastern Europe and the US. As a result, hitchhiking has become more acceptable among the younger generation, and raising a thumb at a highway is a symbol many people will understand. === Brazil === Brazil doesn't have a hitchhiking culture. ===Canada=== Excellent. Waits in Alberta and Maritimes are known to be slightly longer. Legal unless otherwise posted; usually tolerated anyway. It is often better to stand directly on the motorway. Crossing the whole country takes about one week on the Trans-Canada Highway. ===Mexico=== Varies according to region. Mexican culture is often accepting of hitchhiking, though in some cases a money contribution is expected for gas. You should make it clear that you have no money to offer before accepting the ride, if this is the case. Hitchhiking is considered fairly safe and easy in the Yucatan Peninsula. ===United States of America=== A long history of hitchhiking comes out of the U.S., with record of automobile hitchhikers as early as 1911. Today, hitchhiking is not as common, but thousands of people still take short or cross-country trips each year. The laws related to hitchhiking in the U.S. were most recently proposed by the ''Uniform Vehicle Code'' (UVC) and adopted with changes in wording by individual states. In general, it is legal to hitchhike throughout the majority of the country, if not standing within the boundaries of a highway (usually marked by a solid white line at the shoulder of the road). Recent research and interpretation of these laws has been conducted by several American hitchhikers, including ''Brian King of Hitcher's Spot on the Web'' and ''Morgan 'Sal'man'' of [http://digihitch.com digihitch.com]. There is also a 'seat of the pants' interpretation by ''Legendary Rob'' at Legendary Rob's Hitchhikers Guide to North America (see External Links below). In many states interstate highways do not allow foot traffic, so hitchhikers must use the entrance ramps. In a few states it is allowed or tolerated (unless on a toll road). Oklahoma, Texas and Oregon are a few states that do allow pedestrians (ie, hitchhikers) on the highway shoulder, although not in ''some'' metropolitan areas. Oklahoma allows foot traffic on ''all'' free interstates, but ''not'' toll roads) and Texas only bans it on toll roads - and on free interstates within the city of el paso. Oregon only bans it in the three counties that make up the tri-met transit district (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington (metro portland). Missouri only bans it within Kansas City and St Louis city limits. If traveling smaller highways, make sure to stay on the far edge of the shoulder and walk facing traffic. Holding a sign with your destination or raising a thumb both work, as most Americans understand that you are requesting a ride. ==Asia== ===Japan=== Japan is an excellent place to hitchhike, although the language barrier can be an issue and knowledge of at least elementary Japanese is recommended. See Hitchhiking in Japan for a detailed primer and a list of choice hitchhiking spots. ===Taiwan=== While Taiwanese themselves don't generally hitchhike, foreigners who have done so say that it was very easy. However, in rural areas people may not recognize the thumb in the air symbol, and you may have to try other ways - flagging down a car might work on a country lane with little or no public transportation, but doing so on a major road might lead to confusion, with the driver assuming that you are in trouble. A sign, especially one in Chinese, would therefore be of great help. The East coast around Hualien and Taidung enjoys a reputation for being especially good for getting rides. Taiwanese people are very friendly and helpful, so striking up a conversation with someone at a transport cafe or freeway service station may well see you on your way. ==Australasia== ===Australia=== The great distances between towns in the Outback (or inner desert regions) can make hitchhiking difficult, but many travelers have made the coast-to-coast trek- notably: Bernd 'The Thumb' Wechner, a native Aussie. Hitchhiking is more popular along the coastal regions (between Melbourne and Sydney, for example). ===New Zealand=== Hitch-hiking around New Zealand is generally possible on most inter-city and major rural roads. Avoid ''motorways'' and try to get out of the middle of town, especially where public transport operates. Wear your pack and look like your touring the country rather than just being a local looking for a lift. You have every chance of being picked up by another tourist as a local, particularly in tourist areas. ==Europe== Hitchhiking in Europe can be a pleasant experience. Some countries are however more pleasant than others. See Hitchhiking in Europe for some more detailed information. ==External Links== *digihitch.com: Hitchhiking, Rail & Road Travel - http://www.digihitch.com/ *Hitchhiking at Suite101.com - http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/hitch_hiking/ *Kinga and Chopin Hitchhike the World - http://www.hitchhiketheworld.com/ *Vilnius Hitch-hiking Club - http://www.autostop.lt/ *Legendary Rob's Hitchhikers Guide to North America - http://www.pcpros.net/~oleson/lrindex.html *Hitcher's Spot On the Web - http://hitchhiker.50megs.com/ *Expedition through Africa - http://africa.kligys.com/ *Bernd Wechner's Hitching Resources - http://www.hitch-hiking.info/ *Autostop Argentina - http://www.autostopargentina.com/ *A New Wiki Project to Gather Hitchhiking Knowledge - http://www.hitchhikingguide.org *Hitchhiking Club Finland - http://www.liftari.org First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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