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== To Calais ==
Hitchhikers can cross the channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and a certain number of passengers, up to seven nine with a car and two with a lorry, the same holds true for the [[Channel Tunnel]]. In the online booking process, drivers have to declare the number of passengers in advance. However, this is for statistics and has no effect on their right carry up to seven passengers.
'''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 both drivers and 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 Dover. Ended up taking the bus, which is only 5 pounds day ticket for the whole region.
* 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 will cost about GBP 40 30 (September 2010July 2013, 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 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 to do on the ferry like video games, or casino, a place where to eat or drink something etc.)--> 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!
