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|hitch = {{<good}}>|BW = DE

[[ImageFile:2003 Hitch-hiking in Germany.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[User:Sigurdas|Sigurdas]] thumbing towards Nürnberg, 2003.]]'''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 rampsvia [[on-ramp]]s, [[rest area|service stations]], more seldom - parking lots) and local roads. Motorway is called ''Autobahn'' in GermanGermans are a little bit suspicious, while a [[service area]] is ''Raststätte''but nice if you get to know them. Latter one is a very common place Thumbing makes it easier for hitching a ride - many drivers stop there for re-fuel and some restthem to say "no", because they do not even have to look at you. There you Those who will stop are often find [[maps]] (both people who hitchhiked themselves when they were younger. Many of Germany them have families, jobs 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 fast cars now.Because of the main entrance to a petrol station) that give a general overview absence of all service areas speed limits on the territory of Germany. Highway ramps usually is many motorways it's a good option country 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 stophitchhike long distances in short time.__TOC__

Many German highways have no speed limits, therefore you might wanna first try == Road types ==To hitchhike efficiently in Germany it is good to get a ride hitching a personal car before asking truck driversknow the three different kinds of roads between cities and towns. Trucks By descending speed these are great for a night-ride; however, :* motorways or expressways called ''Autobahn'' with no general speed limit (there are restrictions, like can still be signs with speed limits)* federal roads called ''Bundesstraße''* country roads called ''Landstraße''Their use 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 22:00hitchhiking is different and explained below.

If you travel a specific highway, have a look at the '''[[Template:Highways DE|"German highways"]]''' page where you can find very specific === Autobahn ===For more information and hints about hitchhiking on German highway ramps, etc. - for example, the route [[Amsterdam]]–[[Berlin]] along see the article [[A2 (Germany)|A2]] and [[A30 (Germany)|A30Autobahn]].

* See also[[File: Bundesautobahn_7_number.svg|thumb|left|150px|A traffic sign indicating Autobahn A7]] The autobahns in Germany are the fastest links between cities. Their numbers consist of an '''Tips on Hitchhiking GermanyA''', an article on [http://wwwand the number of the highway.digihitch.com/europe/western_europe/149_1_1_article.html Digihitch] On traffic signs the ''A'' is not mentioned but they can be distinguished by [http://www.digihitch.com/userinfo-dsmith4721.html David Smith]the blue colour of the sign.

The lack of a general speed limit is something most Germans are proud of demonstrating to you and what makes them the best choice for longer distances. Subsequently walking and hitchhiking is illegal on the autobahn and the emergency lane. As a general rule, you should always stick to the Autobahn as long as possible and try to change between major autobahns as little as possible, even if this means some detours. As soon as you are on the Autobahn and travel between service stations, you are hitching fast and reliable. For more information about this kind of hitchhiking, see the article on [[petrol station hitchhiking]]. As trucks do not travel faster than 90 km/h you might want 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 an autobahn. In Germany most trucks aren't allowed on motorways on Sundays or public holidays before 22:00. As most truck drivers stop earlier truck traffic already gets less on Saturday afternoons. If you travel a specific autobahn, have a look at the [[autobahn]] page where you can find very specific information and hints about hitchhiking on German motorway ramps, etc. - for example, the route [[Amsterdam]]–[[Berlin]] along the [[A2 (Germany)|A2]] and [[A30 (Germany)|A30]]. ====Getting onto the autobahn = License plates ===There are between one and three letters [[File:Zeichen 330.svg|thumb|right|100px|The on -ramp sign of an autobahn]] To get onto the autobahn either hitch a license plate which show ride from a city, thumb at the on-ramp '''before''' the city sign or region go to a service station by public transportation and walk there. A good possibility is to look for a street with traffic lights that leads to an autobahn. Wait for the red light, then knock at the windows (do not forget to smile!) and ask for a ride. If you look neither like a homeless nor like a drug dealer, they will be happy to help you. ==== Service stations and rest areas ====You have various possibilities for being dropped off along the autobahn to look for your next ride. As petrol station hitchhiking is faster, try to avoid being dropped at on-ramps where you have to thumb. On the car autobahn, it is registeredpreferable to be dropped off at a service station instead of a rest area as rest areas have much less cars stopping. For example, look  [[File:Zeichen 448.1.svg|thumb|right|150px|Autobahn traffic sign of an Autohof]] The ''Raststätte'' is the usual choice for license plates starting with hitchhiking because most cars tend to refuel there. Make sure your ''Raststätte''has not just a restaurant but also a petrol stations because more people stop there and they leave quicker. Most 'B'Raststätten'' if are on both sides of the autobahn and there is often a bridge or tunnel nearby to cross. Therefore youmight consider hitchhiking to a ''Raststätte''re hitching in the opposite direction first to get onto the highway quicker. At the entrance of the petrol station shop there are usually map stands that show the surrounding area and other service stations in Germany.With a few exceptions all service stations can be entered by foot from the side and feature an unlocked door in the fence or wall. The off-autobahn ''Autohof'' is a local fuel station that is marked on traffic signs on the autobahn. Food and fuel is cheaper there but most car drivers don't bother and thus mostly trucks stop there. This means that they are okay on weekdays but have to be avoided on Saturday evenings and Sundays at all cost. Another disadvantage for continuing on the autobahn is that local traffic also stops at the ''Autohof''. === Federal ''Bundesstraße'' roads === [[BerlinFile:Bundesstraße 42 number.svg|thumb|right|150px|A traffic sign indicating Bundesstraße B42]]The federal ''Bundesstraße'' roads are indicated by yellow signs and carry numbers like ''B6'' or ''B49''. Have a look at Like in the case of the autobahn the articles ''B'' is not written on Wikipedia for traffic signs, but federal roads can be distinguished by the yellow colour of the sign. As they are smaller and carry more information: local traffic they should only be used to get from and to the autobahn, though there are a few exceptions to the rule. Their general speed limit is 100 km/h and they usually have no emergency lane so they are difficult to thumb. To get a ride either try petrol stations or choose a place where have a lot of space to see you and stop or where they are going slower, e.g. town exits. Police might consider it illegal to thumb in sites where cars cannot stop without putting the traffic in danger. [[httpFile://enZeichen 331.wikipedia1 - Kraftfahrstraße, StVO 2013.org/wiki/German_car_number_plates German car number platessvg|thumb|right|150px|A fraffic sign indicating the beginning of a ''Kraftfahrstraße'']] To make it more complicated some of the ''Bundesstraßen'' are a so called ''Kraftfahrstraße''. For them most of the ''Autobahn''-rules apply (e.g. no pedestrians and bikes allowed). You can recognise a ''Kraftfahrstraße'' by the sign of a white car in English) front of a blue backround.   === Smaller federal ''Landstraße'' roads === These roads are not numbered on traffic signs and usually connect minor towns. As most of them have lower speed limits thumbing is likely to work. As they might not have a lot of traffic coming through they should only be used for getting from and [http://deto you final destination.wikipedia == The Ruhr area warning == When hitch hiking towards and from Belgium, be carreful passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg).org/wiki/Liste_der_Kfz-Kennzeichen_in_Deutschland Liste der Kfz-Kennzeichen Once you get in Deutschland] , it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (in Germanlost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].

=== Crossing the border =Legal stuff ==Hitchhiking in general is legal in Germany has signed . It is only forbidden to hitchhike on the Autobahn itself, meaning you standing on the autobahn or its emergency lane. It is also forbidden to walk on a [[Schengen Agreement]] which means ''Kraftfahrstraße''. You are perfectly fine stopping at service stations and asking the people but keep in mind that borders with other Schengen countries service stations are openprivate property / leases. On 21th It occasionally happened that owners try to get rid of Dechichthikers at "their" service station.If that happens, 2007, [[Poland]] and [[Czech Republic]] have signed this agreement and became border-free with Germany. As of November 2008, just move to the only border with active checkpoints is with [[Switzerland]]) - when crossing it you can expect German/Swiss custom officers to check your identity parking space and/or your luggagehitchhike there. If you are to hitchhike from a Swiss/German border check point it might be better want to start hitching at the on-ramps, make sure you stand a little bit further away from before the rectangular blue sign indicating the check point so that you will be out start of custom officers' sightthe autobahn.

=== Carpooling ''(Mitfahrgelegenheit)'' ===Germany has a national carpooling website Just like other people, police may or may not be friendly towards hitchhikers. It is said that gives opportunities both to police controls are more frequent in the driver southern states of [[Bavaria]] and to the ride[[Baden-seeker to find each other and share a ride together with its cost for fuel. Unfortunately, the website, called [http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/ MitfahrgelegenheitWürttemberg]], is exclusively in German. Nonetheless, it is quite easy As a foreigner you have to understand how everything works: you can scroll search from carry your departure point ''(von)'' to passport at all times; a destination ''(nach)''; national ID card is sufficient if you can see exact ride dates and number of passenger places offeredare from another EU country. If you search for a ride from or to Germanyare being checked, click on ''Europa'' link. Contacting a driver is usually done by emailbe friendly, although some drivers do show it to them and they will leave their phone numbers). When getting in contact with the driver, one should find an agreement on a price and departure place/date/timeyou alone.

Such === Car registration/number plates ===You can determine where a system offers a low cost alternative to hitchhikingcar is registered by its number plates. While tehre are certain plates on rented cars. A similar system exists in (Europcar has „HH“ (Hamburg), Avis – „EU“ (Euskirchen), Sixt – „M“ (Munich), Hertz „DN-H“ (Düren)), other plates are associated with areas [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Kfz-Kennzeichen_in_Deutschland - DE], [Belgium]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Germany EN]. The first letter is usually the district where it is registered. In addition, there is a little patch beside the number which tells you what state that number plate belongs to, toowhich is useful if you do not know the district letters.

Experiences has shown== License plates ==There are between one and three letters on a license plate which show the city or region where the car is registered. For example, however, that hitchhiking very often is faster than look for license plates starting with '''B''Mitfahrgelegenheit'if you' since re hitching to [[Berlin]]. Have a look at the driver often drives into cities articles on their route to pick up new passengers Wikipedia for more information: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_car_number_plates German car number plates] (in English) and [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Kfz-Kennzeichen_in_Deutschland Liste der Kfz-Kennzeichen in Deutschland] (or to leave them at their exact destination spotin German).

''Note: Abfahrt = Departure / Ankunft = Arrival''that it is no longer required to change plates if you move, so a HH (Hamburg) car may very well belong to someone living in München (M). At the moment this is not yet a big problem, but in due course it may lead to the situation that license plates become as useless as those in many other countries for determining the direction a car might be going...

=== Maps ===[[ImageFile:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from [[Berlin]] to [[Munich]]]]If you're not staying Recommended maps for Germany are listed in [[Maps#Germany for long you |this article]]. You can easily hitch through having any Germany with just a map of Germany that has motorway petrol all service stations marked along the Autobahn on it. For that, go to any petrol station located on There are maps at many service stations in a highway and ask for an "Autobahn-Guide" - it is for little free. Youbooklet which are quite misleading, they do '''not'''ll get a booklet describing contain all services on German motorways and including a map with an overview service stations, just the ones belonging to one of all highway petrol stations and other service areasthe big companies running them. For more information look here: [http://www.tank.rast.de/standorte/servicenetz/index.php tank.rast.de]. While For a good map to print out and bring with you that has all the service stations on it have a petrol station, look here: [http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/rastekarte.jpg/ Rastekarte]. This is the same one you can also will find at the service stations as big overview maps, more detailed maps for ~5 Eurooften than not those can be nicked very easily as well.

Recommended maps for hitchhiking are '''Michelin Regional''', On the orange ones with the numbers 541website: www.autobahnatlas-546online. There are six de you can find detailed listings of these mapsall Autobahnen, with all drive-ups, each covering a different part interchanges, all types of Germany. They are very detailed and show every single petrol stationrest stops, hoteltunnels, restaurantand bridges along their ways, or a parking place on German motorwayswith exact kilometer allegations. The scale is equal This comes along handy when hopping from station to 1:350000. Bigger city maps are included, too. You can usually get these maps in local bookstores for about EUR 8station.

Hitchhiker On a longer journey with several route options, [[Userhttps:Platschi|Platschi]] suggests that the ''Aral Straßen//www.diercke.de/content/deutschland-stra%C3%9Fenverkehr-978-3-14-100800-5-64-1-Atlas Deutschland & Europa'' can be very good for hitchhiking trips, too: it contains a detailed 1 this map of Germany and of ] showing the bordering countries, with city maps traffic volume of the biggest German cities, and all service stations located on different highways. Price: EUR 7,95. Available on all ''Aral'' service stations, and in German bookstoresmight help you deciding which could be faster due to more traffic.

=== Eating ===Try to avoid eating For those using mobile app MAPS.ME, you may download a .kml file with all the service plazas for viewing on your map offline. Considering Germany is extremely well mapped on motorway [[rest area|service stationshttps://openstreetmap.org OpenStreetMap]] if you want , these locations can be assumed to save money be very accurate and up-to have a good taste of food-date. These restaurants are notoriously expensive (very often you have to pay for You can view the toilet, too) [https://overpass-turbo.eu/s/MGq data extract here] and click Export > Download as KML and then open the food quality is quite low.kml file on your phone to be loaded in MAPS.ME

At some service stations == Language ==Despite German being the major language, (with over 95% of the population speaking it as a first language [[Sanifairhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/european_languages/countries/germany.shtml]] system ) you get a EUR 0,50 check for the toilet which you can use will find that many Germans speak English or French as a valid equivalent to monetary payment when buying things at the petrol station shop or second language. Other common languages in the restaurantcountry are Turkish, Russian and Arabic.

Nearly everywhere in Germany you === Learning to speak German ===The basic hitchhiker needs can drink water from be satisfied by a look at the tapphrasebook [[western Europe phrasebook|here]].

Keep in mind When asking your drivers for help it pays off to know that most shops (including supermarkets) are not allowed the German word ''Straße'' for street contains the weird letter ''ß'' which looks a bit like a B. If you pronounce it like an ''s'' Germans will understand you. Contrary to be open popular belief the diacritics on Sundays. There are no 24h-shopsÄ, ä, Ö, although non-stop petrol stations often offer some food choices (very limitedö, though)Ü and ü are not metal umlauts and thus they do affect pronunciation. When If in bigger citiesdoubt try to pronounce the word as if the diacritics didn't exist. For instance, if you can usually get pronounce the cheapest food at Turkish and Italian restaurantscity ''Würzburg'' as ''Wurzburg'' you will probably be understood.

=== Practical Useful links === * [https://warmroads.de/en/hitchhiking-in-17-germany/ Comprehensive guide about hitchhiking in Germany] by [[User:Korn|Korn]] on https://warmroads.de

* [http://www.hitch-hiking.org/ www.hitch-hiking.org], general information on hitchhiking (in English and German)* [http://www.liftershalte.info/?country=DE A map with good/bad places to hitchhike]* [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Autobahn_1-999.png Overview of highways autobahns in Germany]* [http://www.bestmokli-restaurantshelp.de] helps you find free showers/aurade.htm A map with motorway restaurants in Germany]food/emergency accommodations, some of the listed ressources are aiming to ‘solve the problem of homelessness’ - just pick what suits you (please delete if it doesn’t belong here)* [http://www.tank.rast.de/standorte/servicenetz/index.php/ Service stations on German highways] == Trashwiki & Nomadwiki == {{nomadwiki}}

 [[wikipediapl:GermanyNiemcy]][[trashru:GermanyГермания]][[digitr:GermanyAlmanya]]__NOTOC__