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Train

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== General guidelines ==
 Looking bad, smelling bad, having no luggage, Train hopping on the train last are the things in Europe is generally easy as countries don't have a good system to track fines. This means that can instantly attract attention. If if you really cannot do anything about your suspicous appearance, it's best to note when your train is coming have for example a Spanish passport and take got a walkfine in France, instead of waiting at the station. If there is somebody standing at you won't get the entry to the platforms looking whether everybody is validating ticketsfine ever, see except if there is another way you move to France one day and get there - such as getting over a fencejob etc. You have There are different approcahes to look where the inspector is - at the start or the end of the train - go hopping but it's good to the other end. If you really don't know - sit keep in mind that the middle ticket inspectors are aware of the train all tricks and keep an eye for the conductor. When he's coming, run the opposite directiongames. You can hide try and stay in the toilet for the whole journey but in some countries and trains they can unlock the toilet if itthey suspect you don's possible t have a ticket. You could leave the door unlocked to close try and fool them but that means every passanger would open the door without locking itas well... If You can run around the inspector is checking tickets at a particularly long stoptrain as well, trying to avoid the toilet is your only option ticket inspector which may or may not work. These techniques may get you into more trouble and are generally not to pleasurable but are very important for people with no ID since if you get caught. If and the ticket inspector wants to write you a fine, they will ask for a passport and if you made don't have one or refuse to give it it to next stop, there is no reason to get out instantlyvery likely that they call the cops.So for people with ID, who are foreigners in the conductor country, in most cases it is going ok simply to get off find a quite place on the train while , wait for the train is standing in the station ticket inspector and you can run kindly explain to that part them your situation (imaginary or not). In a lot of countires the train law says they are obliged to write you a fine (which you will never have to pay as long as you give a fake address or say you don't have one) but they may kick you off. They may also threaten to call the conductor has already checkedpolice. If caughtIt depends on each person how they prefer to deal with this - whether to argue or not, deny having money whether to plea or an not but just keep calm as if you get aggressive it is a valid reason to get the cops on you. In case that a ticket inspector actually calls the police without a valid reason (no ID, being aggressive) don't panic, the most that can happen is they search you and/or escort you off the train station. When Generally, when choosing which train to take, opt for express trains - those with fewest stops, as you are unlikely to get far with regional ones - and you may get stuck in a station where almost no trains stop. It's very useful to memorize (or write down) the timetable, so that you instantly know which is the best train to take after you get kicked out of the previous one.
== [[Belgium]] ==
: Much to their own annoyance, '''Belgian railway staff do not have any legal right to ask for your ID''', so under no circumstances show it when they ask for it! [[User:Prino|Prino]] 09:58, 3 May 2011 (CEST)
 
 
 
== [[Czech Republic]] and [[Slovakia]] ==
 
There are many types of train in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This two countries are very similar about free riding in trains.
 
The local trains (OS) have many stops, 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 train. Faster local train is (SP - spesny vlak). This type is similar to local train (OS) but average distance between stops is about 10 mm. Local trains have many stops and relative short journey usually less than 100 km. The interval to next train is usually 1 to 2 hour.
 
The R-trains (and some ex trains) have stop usually once a 10-35 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 .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 next control is long (30-60 min and more). But if you are captured, you will bee challenged to pay penalty or the conductor ask for your ID card. The time to next stop is long and conductor have enough time to write the 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-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 speed long-journey train SC (Pendolino). It is expensive a you have to buy seat reservation. There are small number of passengers and big probability for get penalty. Be careful on the 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 conductor have all reserved seats in computer and conductor do not ask for tickets. But if you are on the seat and the conductor's computer signalize free seat, but you are on the seat - 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 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 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 the inspector find some person without ticket, he can give a penalty for conductor. The inspector check all - passengers, toilets, conductor's work. Some Person travelled from Prague to Ostrava and had ticked only for short distance (to Pardubice). But the ticket inspector came and gave them penalty for every stop (6 stops without ticket = 6 fines), the passenger showed the short distance ticket which end far away. Fortunately, the inspector in train is 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 uniform (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 train about 10-15 times and had to buy ticket about 15 times (more expensive ticket, difference is 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 complete free but very cheap travel. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] used it 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 control, usually ask who is new (Pristoupili?) You buy ticket only to 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 of window, "sleep" or read a book. If the conductor 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 written on the ticket. [[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] usually looks where the 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 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 direction of ticket control, the situation is sometimes difficult. If you travel long journey, especially though big city - you can 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 conductor check only new passengers and he ask, who is new (Pristoupili?) and you are new but do not respond. If the train have a lot of passengers, the conductor do 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. In the long-journey trains with restaurant (EX,IC, 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 conductor change. All passengers have to show ticket during first control (or new conductor). You can try go around conductor during ticket inspection and stay in area, 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 near big city is too a lot of passengers and you can there use another trick. The train with name City Elephant have two floors. If the conductor walk though first floor through carriage, you can go though second floor and get behind the conductor in the zone where tickets were checked. You have to 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 conductor and you can get off and boarding into opposite part of train in the stop. 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 about USD 2, in Slovakia Eur 2), but if you remember the stations without ticket selling - the ticket that you buy in train is for the 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 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 train.
 
[[User:PeterOB|PeterOB]] does not recommend hiding in toilet, it is very wrong tactic in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Conductor has to check the toilet (it is rule for a conductor) and conductor have special key to open locked door. If you do not lock the door, 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 door and see you). Hidden in the toilet is worst in long-journey trains - conductor usually check toilets there. But it is very bad in all type of train.
 
You can try walk around the conductor during ticket inspection and go in the area where tickets have been checked. It is much better than stay in the toilet. It is good especially in long-journey EC,IC,EX trains with many carriages and too in local train near city.
== [[France]] ==
TGV trains are bestFor 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 fine (about fines adding up etc.) might or might not be true, TER trains are but it ONLY applies to French citizens. Sometimes ticket inspectors bluff (a lot) that they will call the worstpolice, others are tolerablewhile trying to get you to pay on spot. You have nothing to worry about. As long as you keep calm and polite they have no legal reason to call the cops. South They just hate writing fines because it is extra work for them and they get to write a lot of Paris the police fines every day. So if you are liberal nice and have a good story, they won't pressure you or try to kick you off, as they sometimes do.  If you don't have an ID the cops will only write down be called and, as the law is in France, you have to prove your identity, which means just giving your name, birth date, address etc., north 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 can expect 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 have serious trouble if you really have no IDluggage compartment. Usually nobody stays there. If you When the inspector comes the atmosphere is more informal as they don't mind a fine written have to your name, keep up an image of 'master-of-the conductor will allow -train' in front of other passengers and it goes more smoothly. After you get your fine (which is a valid ticket) feel free to continue your journey sit wherever you like in the train.'' TGV trains are best because they are the fastest and with the same trainleast stops, so in the unlikely event of you getting kicked off, whether on a TGV or a you will still get pretty far. TER traintrains 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.
== [[Germany]] ==
[[File:HitchingICE.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] hitching ICE near [[Leipzig]]]]
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 group SW ticket and if they have a free spot on the ticket. Usually they will let you ride for free, but if notthey ask for a few euroes, you can always negotiate barter (it 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|Dr.Keith]], who has done used this method extensively throughout Germany.
== [[Greece]] ==
== [[Switzerland]] ==
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 can see the inspector from a large distance, which There is helpfulno constant presence of ticket inspectors. Sometimes there's only one inspector, or, if you Most often they are undercover and get less lucky, severalon at random stops. Some They can be hard to recognize so better sit in the front and keep an eye for groups of the newer regional trains have 2 floorsto 4 people with big side bags. The S-Bahns also get uniformed ticket inspectors who wear blue jackets and red scarfs. As per the busses, most of the public bus drivers don't pay much attention. It is easy to get onto the bus whilst no one is looking, or through the back door. If you are stopped however, often you can get your way out of paying very easily, because the drivers are payed by the kilometer and not passenger.
InterRegional trains often have inspectors that check several times during the trip -- by memory or, occasionally, by asking out loud who just got on the train. 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).
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