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In the [[United States of America|United States]], [[train hopping]] is still quite popular. In many states it's easier than hitchhiking.

Looking == [[Belgium]] ==In Belgium you can get fined for not having a ticket, or not using the one that you have correctly. Taking a train from Charleroi to Brussels, a conductor issued a fine of 72 euros for a 12 euro journey, all because the details of the trip (a 10 journey pass) where written in pencil and not in pen. Be careful. Regional trains are very bad, smelling badsometimes they're checked quite heavily, having no luggageand, hopping on the train last since they have so many stops you are unlikely to make it anywhere. There are the things non-Thalys TGV trains going to France from Brussels, although it may not be that can instantly attract attentionobvious at first. If you really cannot  : Much to their own annoyance, '''Belgian railway staff do anything about not have any legal right to ask for your suspicous appearanceID''', so under no circumstances show it's best to note when your they ask for it! [[User:Prino|Prino]] 09:58, 3 May 2011 (CEST)   == [[Czech Republic]] and [[Slovakia]] == There are many types of train is coming in the Czech Republic and take a walkSlovakia. This two countries are very similar about free riding in trains. The local trains (OS) have many stops, instead distances between stops are usually 3-10 km. These trains have only few carriages and one conductor. But there are often small amount of people in this type of waiting at the stationtrain. Faster local train is (SP - spesny vlak). If there This type is somebody standing at the entry similar to the platforms looking whether everybody local train (OS) but average distance between stops is validating tickets, see if there about 10 mm. Local trains have many stops and relative short journey usually less than 100 km. The interval to next train is another way usually 1 to get there 2 hour. The R- such as getting over trains (and some ex trains) have stop usually once a fence10-35 km, about 5-8 carriages and usually two conductors or only one conductor. The interval between trains s 1 or 2 hours but in the most frequent area (Prague-Olomouc) is the interval between trains 30-60 min. The long-journey trains EC, IC, Ex (often international trains) have about 7-11 wagons, restaurant wagon and first class wagon . You This type of train have large number of passengers and two conductors. The distance between stops is 40-70 km (25-50 km for EX trains) and especially in overcrowded trains conductor check tickets and the time interval to look where the inspector next control is long (30- at 60 min and more). But if you are captured, you will bee challenged to pay penalty or the start or conductor ask for your ID card. The time to next stop is long and conductor have enough time to write the end of penalty. In Czech is the ticket price equal for all trains belongs CD (Ceske drahy). The speed train EX, EC, IC and R have the same price like OS.You have to buy seat reservation only in SC/Pendolino - [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] does not recommend it. But some EC/IC trains (Black Leo Express and yellow Regiojet, this trains belongs private company) have another special tickets and this trains are very difficult. In Slovakia R- go to trains are little bit more expensive than OS-trains and EC,IC trains are more expensive (difference is about Eur 2-4). Regiojet have yellow OS train in Slovakia and this type is OK. '''Important:''' Do not use the other endspeed long-journey train SC (Pendolino). If It is expensive a you really don't know - sit in have to buy seat reservation. There are small number of passengers and big probability for get penalty. Be careful on the middle journey between Prague and Ostrava. The most of trains in Czech and Slovakia belongs to state company and trains that belongs CD are OK. But some IC trains (yellow Regiojet and black Leo Express) belongs private companies. Problems is that you have to seat reservation and the train conductor have all reserved seats in computer and keep an eye conductor do not ask for tickets. But if you are on the seat and the conductor. When he's comingcomputer signalize free seat, run but you are on the opposite directionseat - this is problem. This is reason that you can use short-journey ticket trick or similar tricks. And black IC "Leo Express" is worst - you have to show ticket before boarding.Regiojet have some local trains in Slovakia. In yellow local trains is all OK. You can hide use the short distance ticket trick (see bellow). Unfortunately many stops and small amount of passengers is reason that travel complete free is very difficult. '''Important:''' Conducter is in the toilet train always except some local trains, '''but''' the inspector (reviser) randomly enter in trains, check the tickets (like in public transport), but he check too conductor's work and if itthe inspector find some person without ticket, he can give a penalty for conductor. The inspector check all - passengers, toilets, conductor's possible work. Some Person travelled from Prague to close Ostrava and had ticked only for short distance (to Pardubice). But the door ticket inspector came and gave them penalty for every stop (6 stops without locking itticket = 6 fines), the passenger showed the short distance ticket which end far away. If Fortunately, the inspector in train is checking tickets at quite rare, once a 10 000 km. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] has travelled more than 70 000 km and meet inspector 5 times and paid only one penalty. The inspectors do not wear a uniform, conductors usually wear a particularly long stopuniform (blue suit, pink in region and black in Leo express). You can detect conductor relative easily. Generally -there are few trick how to travel in train without ticket. I travel in Czech Republic in trains during years 2009-2014 more than 70 000 km and this contains 50 000 km without ticket. Because his appearance is not average, [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] does not travel without ticket complete, but usually uses short journey ticket trick. He paid penalty CZK 400 (USD 20) only once a time (the inspector came) but he had to leave the toilet train about 10-15 times and had to buy ticket about 15 times (more expensive ticket, difference is your only option CZK 40 CZK about USD 2, in Slovakia about Eur 2). He has met a train inspector 5 times. The very successful method in not to get caughtcomplete free but very cheap travel. If you made [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] used it to for more than 70 000 km in last 5 years. For extreme case - he travelled 346 km and paid only CZK 26 / EUR 1. Important is that the conductor check only new passengers in the next stopcontrol, there usually ask who is no reason new (Pristoupili?) You buy ticket only to get short journey, conductor check you and you do not leave train in stop, where your ticket end, and continue the journey. Conductor do not remember terminal stations on passenger's tickets and look for new passengers. You can look out instantlyof window, "sleep" or read a book. If the conductor in most cases remember your terminal station, you tell that you do not know where is or tell that you asleep. Importrant is that the conducter must come before terminal station, which is going to get off written on the ticket. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] usually looks where the train while conductor is and the direction of inspection and goes near him. The optional distance is 10-20 km or 3-5 stops in local train OS (SP is standing similar), 1-2 stops or 20-40 km in R train and 1-2 stops or 50-80 km in speed long-journey train with restaurant (EX, EI, IC). The long-distance trains with restaurants have many carriages and two conductors. Because there are many passengers and you do not know the station and direction of ticket control, the situation is sometimes difficult. If you travel long journey, especially though big city - you can run be surprised with conductors change. New conductor check ticket in all passengers (NOT only new passengers). You must have second ticket from the city where conductors changed to near stop. The next tactic is for travel complete without ticket. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] has told that part of conductor check only new passengers and he ask, who is new (Pristoupili?) and you are new but do not respond. If the train which have a lot of passengers, the conductor has already checkeddo not remember who is new (but if your appearance is not usual, there is big chance that conductor ask you for ticket). But many of local trains and sometimes too R-trains have small amount of passengers, especially in the night. If caughtIn the long-journey trains with restaurant (EX,IC, deny having money EC) is this method very successful because there are a lot of carriages and passengers and too long time intervals between ticket inspection. Problem is starting the journey in first stop or an IDconductor change. When choosing which train All passengers have to takeshow ticket during first control (or new conductor). You can try go around conductor during ticket inspection and stay in area, opt for express where tickets have been already checked. You can go into this already checked area in a stop (get of board an boarding into optional area).In local trains - those near big city is too a lot of passengers and you can there use another trick. The train with fewest stopsname City Elephant have two floors. If the conductor walk though first floor through carriage, as you are unlikely can go though second floor and get behind the conductor in the zone where tickets were checked. You have to get far look when conductor is coming into your carriage. You can use similar in one floor long local train with many passengers near big city. Look which part of train is occupied with regional ones - conductor and you may can get stuck off and boarding into opposite part of train in a station where almost no trains the stop. It's very useful to memorize For example conductor is near first carriage and you go near last carriage. If you are captured, you can buy the ticket (for short journey of course) in the train. This ticket is often more expensive (difference is CZK 40 or write downabout USD 2, in Slovakia Eur 2) , but if you remember the timetable, so stations without ticket selling - the ticket that you instantly know which buy in train is for the best same price like in station. But if you are captured that you have been hidden and try travel without ticket, you will be kicked out of train in the most cases (in OS or R train) or you have to take buy the ticket. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] recommends to look for interval to next train or time of last train before travelling (for example web page www.idos.cz - choose trains (Vlaky)). The local trains have often long interval and the last train arrive quite early. The R-trains, EE, EC, IC is usually more often (1 hour) and last train is just during night. Sometimes, you can get fine (penalty). The fine is CZK 400 or USD 20 (and CZK 1000 or USD 50 if you pay the fine it later than 14 days after you have been captured). You can get the fine especially in the long-distance train with restaurant. In OS or SP and usually R-train you are often only kicked out of the previous onetrain.

== [[BelgiumUser:PeterOB|PeterOB]] ==Belgium does not recommend hiding in toilet, it is similar very wrong tactic in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Conductor has to Germany: there are no fines, you can buy check the toilet (it is rule for a ticket on the train conductor) and, when caught, you'll simply conductor have special key to get off at open locked door. If you do not lock the next stopdoor, the conductor sometimes check toilet too and look into toilet. You can try choose relative invisible position in toilet (and other passengers can open the conductor will want to door and see your passport firstyou). Regional Hidden in the toilet is worst in long-journey trains are - conductor usually check toilets there. But it is very bad, sometimes they're checked quite heavily, in all type of train. You can try walk around the conductor during ticket inspection and, since they go in the area where tickets have so many stops you are unlikely to make it anywherebeen checked. It is much better than stay in the toilet. There are nonIt is good especially in long-Thalys TGV journey EC,IC,EX trains going to France from Brussels, although it may not be that obvious at firstwith many carriages and too in local train near city.

TGV trains are best, TER trains are For non-French citizens fines virtually don't exist. Feel free to give your passport and a fake (or real) address. You can have as many fines as you want. They disappear from their system within two months. Whatever it says on the back of the worstfine (about fines adding up etc.) might or might not be true, others are tolerablebut it ONLY applies to French citizens. South of Paris Sometimes ticket inspectors bluff (a lot) that they will call the police are liberal and will only write down your name, birth date, etc., north of Paris while trying to get you can expect to get arrested and pay on spot. You have serious trouble if nothing to worry about. As long as you really keep calm and polite they have no IDlegal reason to call the cops. They just hate writing fines because it is extra work for them and they get to write a lot of fines every day. If So if you donare nice and have a good story, they won't mind a fine written pressure you or try to your name, the conductor will allow kick you to continue your journey with the same trainoff, whether on a TGV or a TER trainas they sometimes do.

I If you don't have hitchhike an ID the cops will be called and, as the law is in France, you have to prove your identity, which means just giving your name, address etc. Unfortunately it is up to the cops' opinion whether you are telling the truth or not and they may arrest you. North of Paris you are more likely to get arrested than to the South. ''Tip: Before getting checked it is best to locate yourself in-between carriages, where there are a few seats, a table and luggage compartment. Usually nobody stays there. When the inspector comes the atmosphere is more informal as they don't have to keep up an image of 'master-of-the-train' in front of other passengers and it goes more smoothly. After you get your fine (which is a valid ticket) feel free to sit wherever you like in the train.'' TGV trains are best because they are the fastest and with the least stops, so in the unlikely event of you getting kicked off, you will still get pretty far. TER trains are slower and with more stops.  It is quite possible to speak with the driver and the controller before the train start and tell them you want a ride for free. Some of them are kind enough to let you in. [[User:Bikepunk|Bikepunk]] got better luck with TER than TGV with this technique so far. [[User:Mipplor|Mipplor]] hitchhiked a train from Luxembourg to Nancy,Lyon,Marseille,Monaco,Nice,and Perpignan in Oct October 2009. Actually 1/3 of my his time was spent in the toilet to read newspapernewspapers.I am so He was a lucky dog that no single inspector came to trouble me .Because of my occupation, one French guy got so angry to hold for so much time of his wastehim.

Germany is great for riding the trains for free. ICE and IC are the best trains (with fewest stops). There's always two conductors on them. They are pretty pedantic about checking tickets, so it's pretty unavoidable to get caught. Once you're caught, however, you'll simply have to get off at the next stop. Sometimes they'll ask you to show your passport or remind you that you can buy a ticket on the train. They'll never call the police or give you any fines. The regional trains are not that bad too, they are lightly checked. The trains go all night (unless you're somehow stuck in a very bad station), so they're a great option when it's too late to hitchhike. Taking the very small train from Aachen to Liege (Belgium) is a very big mistake, you will get kicked off in a small village far from any main road and you will have problems getting out of there.  On the weekends, it's easy to hitch regional trains with other people's group tickets. There's a ticket valid for up to five people on regional trains throught Germany on Saturday and Sunday called the '''Schoenes Wochenend Ticket''', which is generally cheaper than a round trip ticket or two tickets. The result is that any group from two to four people is using one of these tickets, and has a free spot. Simply get on any regional train (not IC or ICE) or walk around the platform before the train arrives. Ask groups of people if they're traveling with a SW ticket and if they have a free spot on the ticket. Usually they will let you ride for free, but if they ask for a few euroes, you can always barter (another person doesn't cost them any more) or ask more people. On most regional trains, there's someone who will let you ride for free. Beware of rideshares (mitfahrgelegenheit), which always ask for money. Also, when you reach your ticket-holder's destination, ask if they still need the ticket! If they're transferring or taking the S-Bahn, they will probably use the same ticket. But if not, they will probably give you their ticket and you can use it to continue on your way. Take it even if they wrote their name on it, because you will rarely be asked to ID yourself. Questions about this method of travelling can be directed toward [[User talk:Dr.Keith|Keith]], who has used this method extensively throughout Germany. == [[Greece]] ==Greece is a great destination for train hopping. The coductors are asking in the wagon if somebody is new(from the last destination). If you are not getting on in the start(when everybody should be checked), then is quite easy to avoid paying. Wait some minutes before the train arrives, and choose not the first and last wagon. Get in and pack your belongings fastly. Find a place to sit down(better when the both seats are free,as the system prefers to replenish the seats until the end), and then listen to music or pretend that you are sleeping. Preferably trains are the fast ones IC and ICE. You shouldn't try(if possible) to the night train between Athens and Thessaloniki as the coductors are stricter, probably because many people are trying. If they catch you, they will ask you to pay for your trip. The ticket will be then almost the double price. I have no personal experience what will happen if you tell them a story and try to convince them. I suppose that some of them could be convinced. If you don't want to pay, you should get off to the next stop. Then, you can try to the next one.

The local trains (CFL) have two floors; be aware that there is a ticket booth at the end of the first car - don't accidentially run in it, unless you want to buy a ticket. There are ticket inspectors too. If you want to get out of the country, be aware that the inspector will check tickets on the international train as soon as it departs, so, if the next stop is still in Luxembourg, you're screwed. The cops are not liberal. == [[Norway]] == :''It's insanely easy to hop trains in Norway. When I went to Norway I found it rather difficult to hitchhike, so instead I resorted to abusing Norway's "Ubjent" train system to get me around the country. I managed to train hop from Vestfold (south west Norway) to the Swedish border using just free trains! Go to whatever train station, even if it's Oslo central station, size doesn't matter, and look for trains which are going local. For example, Oslo - Ljan (a tiny village not far from Oslo). These trains will usually be red and old looking, and every 2nd carriage will have "Ubjent" written on the outside doors with a small message (in English) saying that you must have a validated ticket before entering as there is not a ticket inspector (!). This essentially means buy a ticket and get it electronically stamped before entering, but of course, no one ever does this. Just hop on to this carriage and keep going with it until the line runs out. From there, you can get another local Ubjent train until that line runs out again! Keep doing this until your destination. Like I said, I managed to travel from Tonsberg to Holden, about 250km, using this method.''

The regional train commuter trains (S-Bahn) is are great (it even goes out of the country), it has they have A LOT of stops, which means that you can easily jump off. If it has only one floor then you There is no constant presence of ticket inspectors. Most often they are undercover and get on at random stops. They can see be hard to recognize so better sit in the front and keep an eye for groups of 2 to 4 people with big side bags. The S-Bahns also get uniformed ticket inspectors who wear blue jackets and red scarfs. As per the inspector from a large distancebusses, which most of the public bus drivers don't pay much attention. It is helpful. Sometimes there's only easy to get onto the bus whilst no one inspectoris looking, orthrough the back door. If you are stopped however, if often you can get less luckyyour way out of paying very easily, severalbecause the drivers are payed by the kilometer and not passenger. Other  InterRegional trains are bad; the inspector checks tickets often have inspectors that check several times during the trip -- by memory or, sometimesoccasionally, by asking out loud who just got on the train. The cops If caught without a ticket, you'll usually be asked to pay a 90 CHF fine (~110$), as well as the cost of the ticket. There is a bit of wiggle room with this fine, so if you see a controller, your best bet is to go towards the end of the train and buy a ticket on your phone (using the SBB Mobile app, all you need is a credit card - works on iPhones and Androids). Even though you bought the ticket after you left the platform, the controller wouldn't mind seeing as many people do so - just pretend that you care when he lectures you, and explain that their system is very slow (it is). On the Inter City trains (the newer, high speed trains with restaurants), there are ''always'' at least 2 inspectors, usually 4 during peak times and on the last train. If only two are present, they start at the end of the train each time, and work up all the way to the front. It is often possible to avoid the inspectors on short trips during the day if you sit right up against the front. At each station, they usually just go back to the back again, so you may never even be controlled. It is best not liberalto run or act suspiciously when in front of the inspectors, as they can add a penalty of up to 200 CHF for disrespecting the conductor. Contrary to popular belief, there are railway police agents, and the come to the train station in extreme situations. It is very hard to avoid these fines, however there is one loophole in the system: whenever you see a controller, go to the front of the train, and there should be a kids compartment. In that kids compartment, there is a slide, and under the slide, there is a fairly large area which is big enough to hide a person, yet very hard to spot when walking past. Nevertheless, if you do get caught in this space, the penalties can be quite severe. Seeing as most trains have 2 floors, you could just walk down the stairs (calmly), however, this can arouse suspicion, and the inspector can decide to cut you off on the other side of the wagon.

For short journeys, the UK is fairly good for fare-dodging. Quite a few young people get away with not paying fares, partcularly particularly when the trains are busy (e.g. at rush hour). Many trains have no inspectors, and rely on entry/exit barriers to validate tickets. Often these are unmonitored, so a quick hop can get you in. They are often open after 9pm(ish).It is increasingly popular for train operators to have standard fines for people caught sans-ticket. These vary from £10 to double the full adult fare (which is a lot!). A good tip is to look out for 'Permit to Travel' machines. These are designed for people who for whatever reason can't but a normal ticket - the idea is that you buy a Permit to Travel with whatever money you have, then pay the difference later. It shows a general willingness to pay for a ticket - this means that you can escape any fine, so long as you have ample money to pay for a full ticket if caught. The minimum you can put into a machine and get a Permit to Travel is 5p, which is a pretty cheap price to avoid a fine. Also, if you board a train without a ticket and show willingness to pay but just by far not enough money when caught, some inspectors will let you ride for free or be satisfied with your pennies. Permit to travel machines are largely being phased out by train operators. Those remaining are centred around London and the South East. Locations where some machines are still known to be operating are: London, Thameslink, Kent Coast, Great Northern, Great Eastern, South Western, West Anglia, West Yorkshire, Certain routes around Birmingham. Ticket inspectors are '''not''' allowed, legally, to touch you to wake you up. So put your headphones on and fall asleep. They'll loose interest fast. Be aware some inspectors will try to bump you awake with their ticket machines, or ask the passenger next to you if they could wake you. For destinations with barriers get off at stop before and buy a low cost ticket to the next stop.