Changes

As '''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of 2011 there have been reports [[England]]. For hitchhikers this is likely the best possibility to cross the [[English channel]], though you're even better off if you can get a ride to France before you get to Dover. Because it is the closest port to continental Europe on mainland Britain with just 21 miles from the [[France|French]] port of Eurotunnel refusing people who are identified as hitchhikers by [[Calais]], Dover is the busiest cross-Channel port in the drivers[[United Kingdom|UK]], with 18 million passengers every year and thousands of lorries (trucks) each day. Tell your driver Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais (''P&O''not mention that you) and [[Dunkerque]] ('re hitchhiking'DFDS Seaways''). For timetables, check the external links at the end of this article.

Also, if you are not a fan of riding with truck drivers then it is best to try to get ride on ==Crossing the [[Channel TunnelEnglish channel]] instead, because most commuters will now (as of 2011to France) prefer the channel tunnel to getting the ferry.==

== To Calais ==Hitchhikers can cross * Drivers pay per vehicle, so bringing an additional passenger will not change the channel costs. If they already have their ticket, they will need to amend it (for free because drivers only pay ) and add another passenger. A foot passenger ticket will cost you about €40. * The border police do not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride for their vehicle and the tunnel or the ferry, '''ask the driver politely not to mention that you're hitchhiking'''. Explain the situation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. * If you want to take the tunnel/ferry, It's best to find a certain number of passengerslift before Dover, up at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20 or [[Medway Services]] on the M2. Don't go to the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]]* 'You MAY try to seven with get a car and two with lift through the tunnel! We met a lorrydriver at Clackett Lane services who was going to tunnel. And he was able to change passenger number at the first barrier. Then on the train with all the truckers * The ferry, as opposed to the tunnel, has the same holds true advantage of having 1.5 hours to find a ride to your next destination. '''Do your best to find the next ride on the ferry''' - even if it's for the a short distance (though many people will be going far!) since hitchhiking out of [[Channel TunnelCalais]]isn't fun. Many drivers don't speak a lot of English, but try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they're queuing up to leave upon arrival, but it might be risky to wait so long. * If you're changing rides, it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allowed to leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and look for you. If you don't want to be hauling it around, maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to keep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the old and new drivers). * Ferries from Dover go to both Dunkerque and Calais. If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going to Calais as you will find it difficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, Germany etc. then you should get the ferry to Dunkerque.

'''To get a lift to France, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20, where you have the possibility to talk to truck drivers that might be crossing.''' Many more trucks stop at [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]] on the M20, but there is security here and if they see you asking for lifts they will tell you to leave. Update January 2012: The security in the Ashford truck-stop does not allow anyone near the trucks, and there were not so many trucks stopping there anyway, only British truck drivers who are not allowed to take hitchhikers for some insurance issues. We tried to hitchhike at all possible spots on the big roundabout and before it, but no one stopped for === In Dover. Ended up taking the bus, which is only 5 pounds day ticket for the whole region. ===

==== In There are several possibilities in Dover ====<map lat='51.12625978268193' lng='1.3254833221435547' zoom='16' view='0' float='right' />:

If you have reached Dover without a ride across ==== Along the Channel, you have a few options,A20 ====

* you can try to get a ride This road is swarming with drivers on the road leading their way to the port. Difficult as there is no [[shoulder|hard shoulder]] and very few breaks in the flow of traffic allowing anyone to stopferry.* you can try hitching after the last round-about. Unfortunately itYour sign should say ''FRANCE''s illegal to hitch on port property (i.e. after the or ''Port of Dover AuthorityFRANCE (ferry)'' sign) and although you might get away with it sometimes, the police is known to enforce this rule and send you away.* you can try your luck inside the Travel Centre or on the car park in front of it. The problem is that both are nowadays very quiet as most people book on-line. If you speak to people here, you might have to convince them that they donnot ''t pay anything extra for taking you across and possibly that you are not an illegal immigrant. [[User:Grégoire|Grégoire]] was told by a person working at a ticket office that you can also directly ask to the people making the queue if they have room in their car before they buy the ticket, so that they can verify it is legal. He found a car in ten minutes, but thinks it should be done discretely. [[User:Pete the Temp|Pete the Temp]] found some leads by approaching cars but there was much suspicion and many people coming to buy tickets were crossing as foot passengers.* you are allowed to stand at the rail of the last roundabout leading into the port, i.e. before the port property. YouFERRY'll be standing at the height of a truck driver who can see you clearly and can pull aside just in front of the Port Police building after the roundabout. This is far from ideal. * much better are the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign that says France.* if you're really stuck you can also try at the Western Docks, there is a truck park where drivers carrying certain types of goods or from outside the EU have to stop to complete some paperwork.* There is a petrol station very close to the ferry ports where it should be easily possible to find a lift.* If you are feeling rich or you are desperate, a one-way foot ticket to Calais otherwise people will cost about GBP 40 (September 2010, as said at the ticket office) with P&O, the only company that operates with foot passengers. A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 13. But be careful, when you go to buy the ticket go without backpacks because they won't sell you the ticket, because they'll say offering you won't come back. Act like you are going for the ride with the ferry <!-- (i with 2 friends did this : we asked if there are any things rides to do on the ferry like video games, or casino, a place where to eat or drink something etcport.)--> Also when you go on the bus, if the person who sold you the ticket is there, try to give your backpacks to someone else until you are on the bus, from there you won't have any problems no more. Good luck!

Disputed information: * '''Natural Halts''"the trucks park in the ferry so close that it's not possible Waiting at places where cars have to stop because of traffic lights or where traffic naturally periodically comes to open the doorsa halt. That means that you'll spend more than 1.5 hour closed in You may wait at a box with pedestrian crossing at a stranger and the driver can only take one person legally - and they check your IDs etc point on the entrance so none of them will take the risk of A20 where traffic naturally comes to a fine therehalt. I don't know if it One such spot is like this on every ferry and all the time[https://goo.gl/maps/3gCJTpxM1vX4zW6G9 at Marine Rd Pedestrian Crossing] (51.125312, but it1.323558).* '''Busstops''' 's not recommended to go with any trucks on a ferry!"'Megger Factory''(probably bad/senseless), ''-EDIT -Hammond's Garage''This experience must be , which is opposite the BP at Limekiln Street an exceptionaverage spot at best.Drivers are often mildly disoriented when they exit the roundabout and have to decide too quickly to stop at the bus-stop.Some drivers do however go to the BP and what you could do is wait for them at the exit of the BP.many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily''Leisure Centre'' seems alright.* '''-EDIT-Petrol Stations'''as far as i have seen everybody is required : October 2019: Unfortunately I was not allowed to talk to get out drivers at either of their cars and go upstairs and then staff lock the parking area, so nobody stays two BPs in their cars/trucks while at seaDover (Limekiln Street (51°07'06.1"N 1°18'25.0"E) and Folkestone Rd). also, truckdrivers have their own rest area on the ferry with free * '''tea/coffee + shower facilitiesThe Ferry Port'''. lots of truckdrivers know each other, so it: There's a good place no point since you won't be allowed on the premises of the port (confirmed 2017). But Tzuiop9c was able to ask around stand at the very entrance (at the roundabout) of the premises for rides thirty minutes without being bothered (several employees drove past with bothering to tell him to go away.) But this spot is problematic since drivers are concentrating on finding the right lane and informationlorry drivers don't have to stop there. * Burger King / the St James Retail and Leisure Centre

Near [[Calais]], there is a huge lorry park with great possibilities for hitchhikers to continue their journey once ==== On the crossing is done!ferry====

It is useful to be aware that ferries from Dover go to both Dunkirque and Calais. * If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going to Calais as can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on the ferry, you will find it difficult to find probably receive a lift otherwisefree-dinner-ticket ( + 2 free drinks) for the Commercial Drivers Restaurant (top floor), when you entered the ferry with the truck/lorry, because they thought you're driver, too. HoweverWhen you're on the ferry without a Commercial Driver at least you can get a free drink (hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you are hitching wish to Belgiumbuy food it will cost you.* Commercial drivers also have better rates for currency exchange, Germany etc. then so if you should get 're hitching a truck, maybe the ferry driver will agree to Dunkirquechange your money for you.

== Other directions == If you are super stuck ====*check the [[English channel]] page for more options on how to hitchhike across the channel.* If hitchhiking doesn't work, carpooling can come in really handy. There are People on Blablacar going every evening to Calais. I paid 5 GBP for the ride. Much better than* A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 18 (as opposed to GBP 30 for a one-way ticket). But be careful, when you go to buy the ticket go without backpacks because they won't sell you the ticket, because they'll say you won't come back. Act like you are going for the ride with the ferry. Also when you go on the bus, if the person who sold you the ticket is there, try to give your backpacks to someone else until you are on the bus, from there you won't have any problems no more. * If all fails you might have to stay for the night. The cheapest place to do so (as far as I'm aware) is the First and Last Pub. Although named a Pub, there are bunks inside for customers to stay for £15 per night(breakfast usually provided). But its reception is located at Russell street, in the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers. == Hitchiking Out ==

 One option is to walk out of the terminal building, through the car park, and follow the road signs pointing cars towards the M20. Unfortunately there isn't really a safe place to pull over until the first bus stop, about 500m away. By this stage traffic is often going quite quickly, and some of it is now local traffic, but it is mostly port traffic, and you should be able to convince someone to stop. A sign would be useful (such as 'M20').* I waited over an hour here, and walked If you walk further to you will find a better spot, but only found the next bus stop, another 500m 500 m or so further down the road. Conditions were no better, but I got a ride in about 5 minutes -Nomad Kat

Here you can try Try to get a lift onto the M20 and follow the motorways up and over.  Another option is to get onto the coastal road (A259) all the way to Brighton.  From my experience I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway. After Folkstone it's largely local traffic, a and long walk out of the town and you sit there wishing you had of kept to the bright lights of the motor way!! However of course it led to a rich experience!

== Extra information Ferrys Timetable ==* When on the ferry try to find the Commercial Drivers Restaurant on one of the floors. From there you can get a free drink (hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you.

* Whilst waiting in the queue for your time to board the ferry, after the passport check, you can try to change rides in order to get on an earlier boat[http://www.poferries. Just walk around asking people that have an earlier leaving time than yourscom/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_dover_-_calais_timetable_timetable_DOCA. Since you passed passport check they should not be afraid to take youhtm P&O ferries timetable Calais–Dover]* [http://www. You can see it on the paper that is usually on their car or truck windowsdfdsseaways. This can save you a lot of timeco. [[User:Gerard|Gerarduk/ferry-routes/ferry-to-france/Timetable/ DFDS Seaways ferries timetable Dunkerque–Dover]], May 2012: Be aware though on changing a ride here, because when we at last were asking people going with another company, a man called us and told us we had a big problem, because we did 'very illegal' things, for which 'you can end up in prison'; however finally he ended up warning us to go back to our car and never do it again.

* Although the ticket buying place You cen put your tent in the ferry terminal closes during the night, you can still find the arrivals building open all night long in case you need somewhere to sleep.White Cliffs of Dover hilss  == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}}  Update January 2012: The ferry terminal is not open during the night, it closes around 23:00, so you cannot spend the night there. Go instead in the train station, it is not too far from the ferry terminal and even if it's locked, you can ask the staff to open it for you. There are also several pubs in the city centre that are open up till 2Local church feeds people at 18:00, if you want a drink.