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'''Germany''' is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]]. It is a great country for [[hitchhiking]], both on motorways (highway motorway ramps, service stations, more seldom - parking lots) and local roads. Motorway is called ''Autobahn'' in German, while a [[service area]] is ''Raststätte''. Latter one is a very common place for hitching a ride - many drivers stop there for re-fuel and some rest. There you will often find [[maps]] (both of Germany and Europe in general) that indicate every single petrol station or any other service area located on motorways; in addition, there are map stands (usually by the main entrance to a petrol station) that give a general overview of all service areas on the territory of Germany. Highway Motorway ramps usually is are a good option to get a free ride, too. One has to make sure, though, not to end up on co called ''Schnellstrasse'' (it usually leads to motorways) where cars go fast and can not stop.

Many German highways motorways have no speed limits, therefore you might wanna first try to get a ride hitching a personal car before asking truck drivers. Trucks are great for a night-ride; however, there are restrictions, like in [[France]], of when trucks are allowed on a motorway. In Germany most trucks aren't allowed on motorways on Sundays or public holidays before 22:00.

If you travel a specific highwaymotorway, have a look at the '''[[Template:Highways DE|"German highwaysmotorways"]]''' page where you can find very specific information and hints about hitchhiking on German highway motorway ramps, etc. - for example, the route [[Amsterdam]]–[[Berlin]] along the [[A2 (Germany)|A2]] and [[A30 (Germany)|A30]].

If you're not staying in Germany for long you can hitch through having any map of Germany that has motorway petrol stations marked on it. For that, go to any petrol station located on a highway motorway and ask for an "Autobahn-Guide" - it is for free. You'll get a booklet describing all services on German motorways and including a map with an overview of all highway motorway petrol stations and other service areas. For more information look here: [http://www.tank.rast.de/standorte/servicenetz/index.php tank.rast.de]. While on a petrol station, you can also find more detailed maps for ~5 Euro.

Hitchhiker [[User:Platschi|Platschi]] suggests that the ''Aral Straßen-Atlas Deutschland & Europa'' can be very good for hitchhiking trips, too: it contains a detailed map of Germany and of the bordering countries, with city maps of the biggest German cities, and all service stations located on highwaysmotorways. Price: EUR 7,95. Available on all ''Aral'' service stations, and in German bookstores.

* [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Autobahn_1-999.png Overview of highways motorways in Germany]

* [http://www.tank.rast.de/standorte/servicenetz/index.php/ Service stations on German highwaysmotorways]