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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
<map lat='48.83398957668602' lng='2.34283447265625' zoom='10' view='0' float='right'/>
'''Paris''' is the capital of [[France]]. It is situated within a ring road called ''le périphérique'', or ''le périph''. The actual city is actually relatively small , but is surrounded by endless suburbs, some of them being which are linked to the urban public transportation system at no extra cost(i.e. a standard one-trip city ticket), and while some other others being labelled as outside zones and thus more expensive to reach.
Note that there is an "outer ring road" to the Paris suburb area, motorway A86 (or ''super-périphérique'') and another wider ring even further called "la Francillienne" which isn't completed but still used to connect . If your ride is not going to Paris itself, you might want to clarify which ring they are going to take as it may affect the place where you'd want to be dropped. You may also find them useful if you need to bypass Paris, especially the Francilienne, as it has more gas stations and less complex interchanges.
== Hitching In in ==
During rush hours, it is possible (but illegal) to be quickly dropped on the ring road. This is useful if your ride is not willing to get out of it to drop you (which is often the case). Within the ring area, you are definitely linked to the whole regular fare subway system.
If you are coming from the Northeast and your ride is heading South (which is a normal truck route), chances are that your driver will not drop you on the ring road where it is complicated to stop. A frequent place to get dropped is the first exit South on the A6 called "Rungis". From there, you can reach the Metropolitan subway system by tram with one ticket, then use another one to your final destination. You can also reach other suburbs in the 94 department (Val de Marne) taking the TvM bus, which is also a normal Paris ticket. === Airports ===There are 3 main airports that service Paris. Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly, and Beauvais. It is possible to hitch from the airports into the city, but to get from Paris to the airports, Blablacar is probably the most reliable option.* CDG is in the North, and is the closest. A one-way ticket to/from the airport is 10.30 euros. To hitch into Paris from here, go to Terminal 3 and you will find a parking lot. Follow the signs to Paris and hitch at the parking lot exit.* Orly is South of Paris. A one-way ticket to/from the airport is usually 12 euros, but there is a secret way that is only 3.80 (2x1.90 tickets)! From Paris take metro line 7 to the last stop (Villejuif-Louis Aragon) and then switch to Tram 7, which will take you right to the airport. Or do it backwards to get into Paris. Hitchhiking from Orly should be feasible, also from the parking lot.* [[Beauvais]] is the furthest, and 45 minutes North from Paris. Tickets are an appalling 16.80 euros each way! Luckily, lots of Blablacar rides can take you there for 6 or 7 euros, and it is easy to hitchhike back (See the [[Beauvais]] page).
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== Hitching out ==
There are plenty of excellent spots for hitchhiking North (''Aire La Courneuve''), East ([[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol stations]] and ''[[péage|barrières de péage]]'') and also South (''Aire de Lisses''). It's all about how much you are willing to pay in public transportation, and how daring you are.
=== North/Northeast towards [[England]], [[Lille]] and [[Belgium]] {{afr|1}} ===
These are classified by cost in public transportation from Paris' centre. There is a bonus pro-tip at the bottom involving Arras :)
==== Option 1: Porte de la Chapelle ====
This option costs one local ticket. Porte de la Chapelle is where the [[A1 (France)|A1]] starts. Local drivers say they often see hitchhikers there. To get there , take a the metro line 12 to ''Porte de la Chapelle'', then walk to the roundabout. You can try getting a ride on the roundabout (there are traffic lights, which means that cars have to stop) or you can stand on the opposite side facing the roundabout where the motorway starts. Another good option is to start hitchhiking in the same street where the metro is. There are 2 petrol stations in that very street, just 50m deeper into the city. They aren't overcrowdedand, and at the same time , quite a few cars going up the North north stop here for to refill; nonetheless, at such places , much is depended depends on your luck, and according to some hitchhikers , this place won't make it to the TOP10 top 10 best hitchhiking places in France. It is therefore rather recommended to hitchhike at the roundabout , where a quiet lane right by the traffic lights gives you a good opportunity to get onto the motorway (avoiding at the same time all the traffic that heads for ''Boulevard PeriphiquePeripherique'').
A good option to leave faster is to show at the roundabout a sign for the airport "Charles de Gaulle". There is a petrol station (Aire La Courneuve - see Option 2) before the airport where the driver could let you out; don't miss it! The station is not so big and many drivers just go to the airport but at least you can ask people, whereas it could be hard and long at Porte de la Chapelle. ==== Option 2: Motorway services Aire La Courneuve ====
[[File:Masaru.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Hitchhiker Masaru at ''Aire La Courneuve'']]
This option costs one local ticket or zones 1–3 ticket (eur 2.4575as of 2018). The petrol station [http://hitchwiki.org/maps/?place=5201 ''Aire de Service de La Courneuve''] is about 2 km along the A1, north of Paris.
Take bus 150 from ''Porte de la Villette'' or bus 250 from '''Fort d'Aubervilliers'' (both are on metro line 7) to the stop ''Parc des Sports''.
This bus stop is next to the A1 highway. Just walk to the right from the bus stop, without ever passing under the overpass. Then walk east parallel to the motorway through the parking lot of an apartment complex. There is a wall preventing access to the motorway, but if you continue walking a few hundred meters east and up a slight grassy hill, the wall ends. You can then follow a steep, thorny path full of nettles down towards the motorway and back west towards the petrol station. There is a fence right along the motorway, but near the petrol station it has been trampled down and you can step over it.
 
Attention: in the winter / early spring or after the rain walking down the hill to the motorway might be difficult because of mud. In February it took 2 hitchhikers almost 40 minutes to walk down and reach the fence, after numerous attempts to keep the balance and not to fall down. It might be a good idea in this case to hitch from the entrance of the highway, right at the cross before you turn to the parking lot of the apartment complex.
 
Attention 2: I tried this route September 2017 and although I got there following the instructions, the final fence closing of the petrol station has been fixed. I had to climb a tree to drop into the compound. I'm a clumsy person and I managed, but with a heavy backpack it might be challenging.
 
Attention 3: I used this option in April 2019 and it worked fine, following the original advice. There is a wall but go to the VERY end, up the slight grassy hill... The path goes down, the fence is trampled down, and then you're basically on the motorway for about 10metres before you're at the services.
From the petrol station, most drivers are only going to the airport or local communities. You should ask for a lift at least to the [[toll station]] (''péage'') heading north. This is a 20-minute drive down the motorway (some kilometers after the airport) and everyone has to stop here. It is a great place to get long-distance rides.
==== Option 3: Charles de Gaulle ====
''Charles de Gaulle'' airport can be an option for hitching North-East, although waiting times might vary a lot.
It is easy to jump the metro at terminal 2 and there wasn't anyone guarding it. Maybe the same is true for terminals 1 and 3 but I can't vouch for it.
From terminal 2 walk out of terminal and head straight to the main road. You should see signs for A1 Paris Lille. Keep following these signs until the road splits for A1 Lille. One road goes to the left, under a bridge and there are some traffic lights. The other goes to the right. Stand to the right of the right turn. Cars can stop on a dashed out area to you your left or drive a little past you on the right. A couple of cars stopped right a way straightaway and I was easily able to get a lift to the next service station which had lots of people driving north to Lille, Belgium and Holland. That service station was very busy and it was easy to get a lift as well as a good meal from peoples' leftovers in the restaurant including half a bottle of wine!
==== Option 4: Motorway services Aire de Vémars Est====
<ol>
<li>From 'Nation' bus station (also a metro stop) , take bus 351*351 to 'Roissypole' located at Charles de Gaulle Airport (Terminal 3). It's the last stop and payment isn't required to enter the bus.You can BLACK RIDE on this bus both ways</li><li>From the coach station there (Gare routière), you can catch the 95.01 bus to Vémars, though this bus does '''not''' run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Ask inside at the ticket office/information desk for which parking number the bus will be at (D2 in Oct 2013). The ticket costs eur 2€€2.[BEWARE 95.01 does not work on public holidays and Sundays, so if that is the case, then get off at QUEBEC because the A1 highway (going to Lille) cuts through Paris multiple times and at this petrol station there is a higher chance of finding Dutch cars stopping and giving you a ride to another petrol station on the main highway, which is super busy and easy to find rides going to anywhere from Calais to Antwerp to Lille]</li><li> You can always try to go with the bus number 702 to Vémars centre from the airport (20 stops, 39 minutes). This will also work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (as of 2018)</li><li>From the Vémars bus stop walk straight 400m on 'Rue Pierre Curie' (D17) 400m until it merges with 'Rue de la Mairie.' Walk an additional 350m until merged this merges with 'Rue des Vignolles' (D16).</li><li>On your left , the A1 will be clearly visible, as will the 'Aire de Vémars Ouest' petrol station. From here , it is another 1.25km to any given entrance.</li>
</ol>
Another useful recommendation is this website, where you can virtually create any route you want to take out of the city. Coupled with Google Maps, it's an excellent tool:
http://www.ratp.fr/itineraires/en/ratp/recherche-avancee
For 351 Bus Route refer to link belowhttp://www.ratp.fr/itinerairesinformer/enpdf/ratporienter/f_plan.php?loc=bus_banlieue/recherche-avancee300&nompdf=351&fm=pdf
*Note: The 351 bus service does not run on weekends, but the above link can help find an alternate route.
[[File:Vemars.jpg]]
==== Option 5: Senlis Péage ====
This option costs EUR 9 €9 (25% discount for under 2626s) + a local ticket to Gare du Nord. The peage is 50 km North 50km north of Paris, near the town of Senlis.
Senlis has no train station, but you still buy the ticket from a train station. From Paris Nord, go to Chantilly and switch to a bus to Senlis at the "gare routière" right outside of Chantilly's train station with your ticket. Once there, you need to walk a little and you'll find a "[[péage|péage]]" (motorway payment station - people have to stop to take a ticket). The bus driver gave me the directions. This should take around one hour.
=== A4 East= Option 6: Porte de Bagnolet (A3) ====Google maps: [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Porte+de+Bagnolet/@48.8649082,2.4086197, towards [[Metz]17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x47e66e87e1c7d877:0x17c4d9a47ae58890!2sPorte+de+la+Chapelle!8m2!3d48.897279!4d2.359192!3m4!1s0x47e66d8329157e27:0x2a4ba9074d60ae9a!8m2!3d48.8645542!4d2.4095799]Get a ticket for the station Porte de Bagnolet. This is pretty close to where the A3 starts, which leads to the A1, so a lot of traffic is heading this direction. The place might not be ideal, but it worked for me after just 20 minutes to get a ride on to the A1, There is a bus stop, [[Strasbourg]]where buses often stop so the traffic is slowed down, [[Luxembourg]]furthermore, [[Germany]]there is a small gas stop, etc ===where you can approach drivers directly which cue up there from time to time. Position yourself at the traffic lights before the bus stop to show your sign indicating the direction you want to go to.
==== Going directly to the ''barrière de péage'' ====
==== Bonus Tip: Arras Service Station====Heading north on the A1, there is a ''This one is fantastic'' Esso service station just outside Arras [https://goo.gl/maps/2suUznoe5C42], with people heading pretty much everywhere. You can get rides to the most expensiveUK (Chunnel), Lille, Belgium, longest but takes you the furthest to a great pickup spotNetherlands. Might be a good choice when you don't speak french. Maybe not so good at night Many difference license plates (GB, F, B, NL, D, E) and lots of opportunities.''
---It's not longer properly working=== East towards [[Metz]], [[Strasbourg]], they got a new shiny fence; and when you get to the spot[[Luxembourg]], there's a gendarmerie ([[Germany]] {{Afr|4}} === cops) building right behind it, so it's impossible to jump it without risk yourself... at least, financially.---
Take RER A4 to the last stop (''Marne-La-Vallee - Chessy''). The train journey length is around 40 minutes (EUR 6 something). Take the bus number 59 (doesn't operate on Sundays, the ticket costs around EUR 2) which leaves from the bus stop next to the RER train station at ''Eurodisney'','' Marne-La-Vallee'' ([http==== Option 1://www.metro-pole.net/hor/fiche/6759.17.html timetable 2010 here]). It takes ten minutes to arrive at the “Truffaut” gardening centre which is beside the péage (stop Coutevroult - Truffaut). From there, walk back a bit and go through what seems to be a police Motorway service station's parking area and is called "voie de service" on the map - you will get to the green area right outside the péage - and you won't need to jump any of the fences! From this ''barrière de péage'' it is easy to get rides to [[Metz]] or even straight to [[Germany]]. You might meet people (gendarmes or motorway staff) in that "voie Aire de service" - even if they try to talk you out of it, remember ''it is allowed'' to hitchhike ''in the car parkFerrières'' by the péage.====
Attention, the bus 59 runs every hour''Quite long trip and a bit expensive. It is usually timed Takes you to start 5 min after the arrival of the RER so hurry yourself up from the train. Follow the signs "gare routière" a great petrol station (bus stationgood for both day and night hitching); better if you speak French. If bus 59 doesn't start before 30 min, consider using bus 34 (see bellow).'
If you decide Take RER A to station ''Bussy St.Georges''. You can also get to hitch from this péage on Sunday you can take the RER A station by taking bus no. 34 (EUR 1.60, [http://www.4 or 44 from metro-polestation ''Gutenberg''.net/hor/fiche/5134.20.html timetable]) '' Make your way west to bus stop "Bailly-Romainvilliers - Place de l'Europe" , the D35 and then walk south along it for about 2kilometers1km to a roundabout. You can try hitchhiking from here, but the service station is just a bit more than 2 km from here. You will soon see can walk on the grass field next to the motorway A4 and péage. Here- don's t choose this way in the [http:morning or in autumn//mapswinter as the grass is wet.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=bailly+romainvilliers+place+The petrol station is called ''Aire de+l%27europe&daddr=48Ferrières'' and it's a "TOTAL" company.853562Another option to reach this petrol station is to walk through the industrial zone of the ''Bussy'' district, which lies south of the railway,2.839065&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=15&dirflg=w&sll=48.850992crossing the bridge over the motorway and then continuing on by walking on the grass until the actual petrol station (note that as of February 2011,2.833614&sspn=0there was a nice-sized fence to hop after crossing the bridge.012962Nothing too difficult,0but a big backpack makes it harder!).027637&ie=UTF8&z=15 route]Most of the walk will be on the road which means you will save some time while at the same time such a walk won't be so annoying if you happen to hitchhike in winter (then you apparently don't want to go through the fields).
The Here''barrière de péage'' is located s a [http://maps.google.esfr/maps?f=d&saddrq=48.854077828509,2.83959744594&daddr=&hl=es&geocode=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sllll=48.853788836023,2.839912723494&sspnspn=0.003586034406,0.009656&ie=UTF8071583&llnum=48.850258,2.830095&spn=0.014346,0.0386241&t=hm&z=15 here14 map].
From Bussy-St. Georges there is a bus [https://www.transdev-idf.com/api/1.0/timetablefile/555898245/raw/amv-184092-fhrentree2018-l46-630x240-v2web.pdf 46] to Jossigny, Bout Pecheret, from there its only 1.3 km to walk.
Personal experience==== Option 2. Motorway junction slip-road ====
-Franciscout: IHMO (and experience), it's almost impossible 'This one is close to use this spot. I got thereParis, faster and i tried to talk my way in, but the cops (didn't speak good english) said that "You're not going cheaper to get to the peage"... {I walked and hh'ed a lot, until i got a ride to a gas station, but it was significantly more difficult that the stated still in the description, and alsomegapolis. Starting from there, I paid a more money (iyou'm not completly sure, but i think that re likely to end up either at the train was like 8/9 euros now, and petrol station described above or at the bus keeps in 2péage.Not good at night.. so, something like 10/11 euros for a shitty spot)} --September 2013''
==== Via petrol Take the RER Line A (Red) in the direction of ''Boissy St Legere'' until the station ====''Nogent Sur Marne'' (€2.75 (2016)). Leave the station in direction of ''Rue Joinville'' and follow the sign to the A4. It is a 30 minute walk. There is a red light before the slip road (on-ramp). Lots of traffic, possibility to stop on the ramp for brave drivers.
''Quite long trip and a bit expensive. Takes Ask if your driver can take you at least to a great the next petrol stationwhich is within the free motorway network. better if you speak french and good day-and-nightToll gate is a bit further.''
The first petrol station is close to RER A station ==== Option 3. From within the city limits: Quai de Bercy ====''Bussy StCheap, as you will only need a metro ticket and pretty fast too.Georges''.
''You can also try to catch a bus to Bussy St George nr.4 or nr.44 hitch directly from the metro station ''Gutenberg''.'' From this station walk South for about 1 km along a bigger road which will lead you to a roundabout. You can try hitchhiking from there but the needed petrol station will be just a bit more within Paris rather than 2 km from there. You can walk on the grass field next to the motorway. The petrol station is called ''La Ferrière''. Another option to reach this petrol station is to walk through the industrial zone of ''Bussy'' area, to the South of the railway, then reach the bridge over the motorway and follow further by walking on taking the grass until the actual petrol station (note that as of February 2011, there was a nice-sized fence to hop after crossing the bridge. nothing too difficult, but a big pack makes it harder!). Most of the walk will be on the road which means you will save some time while at the same time such a walk won't be so annoying if you happen to hitchhike in winter (then you apparently don't wanna go through the fields). Here's a [http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=48.828509,2.744594&ll=48.836023,2.723494&spn=0.034406,0.071583&num=1&t=m&z=14 map] train for you. ==== Onramp to the motorway ====''This one is close to Paris, faster and cheaper to get to, but still in the megapolis. Starting from there, you're likely to end up either on the petrol station described above or at the Péage described ab-above. Not good at night.'' Take the RER Line A (Red) in direction of ''Boissy St Legere'' until the station ''Nogent Sur Marne'' (EUR 2.70 (2010-11). Leave the station in direction of ''Rue Joinville'' least half an hour and follow the sign to the A4. It is a 30 min walk. There is a red light before the onramp. Lots of traffic, possibility to stop on the ramp for brave drivers. Ask if your driver can take you at least to the next petrol station which is within the free motorway network. Toll gate is a bit furtherthen walking.
==== From within Take the city limits: metro line 14 to Bercy and exit towards Boulevard de Bercy, take the Boulevard down to the bridge where it intersects with Quai de Bercy. Standing on Quai de Bercy ====''Chaepit is advisable to have a sign indicating you want to get onto the A4. When cars stop, ask if they are going all the way to the toll station (péage), as you will only need a metro ticket and pretty fast toomany drivers turn off the A4 before that but there are not really any convenient places to continue hitch-hiking from before the toll station.''
You can also try to hitch directly from within Paris rather than taking the train for at least half an hour and then walking==== Option 4. Lorraine TGV ====
Take French railway operator SNCF has been running low-cost TGVs under the metro line 14 to Bercy brand [https://www.ouigo.com OuiGO] since a few years. The good news is that from the summer 2018 it runs from Gare de l'Est within city limits and exit towards Boulevard de Bercy, take at a reasonable time (12:55) instead of running at 6 am from the Boulevard down to rail station at the bridge where CDG airport as it intersects with Quai de Bercywas the case before. Standing on Quai de Bercy it is adviseable to have If you book a sign indicating bit in advance you want can get a ticket to get onto Lorraine TGV (in the A4outskirts of [[Metz]] ,https://goo. When cars stopgl/maps/GfXv9v4LGxn) or [[Strasbourg]] main station for as low as 10 €, ask if they are going all although the way fare you're more likely to find is around 15-20 €. The ride takes 1:15 hour. From Lorraine-TGV station it is relatively easy to hitch east towards Saarbrücken and further into Germany. In the toll station (péage)beginning you will have a simple two-lane local road, many drivers turn off which joins the motorway A4 before that but there are not really any convenient places near Forbach close to continue hitch-hiking from before the toll stationgerman border.
=== Getting South or Southwest (A6{{Afr|6}}, {{Afr|10}}, A10 or A11) {{Afr|11}} ===
These spots are close enough to the city to be getting traffic in all southern directions.
==== Option 1: Porte d'Orléans ====
Once the most famous hitchhiking spot in France, this spot isn't bad nowadays, but it isn't great either. The good thing is that drivers aren't surprised to see people there, and that you don't need to get out of Paris in faraway suburbs.
''Porte d'Orléans'' is the terminal subway station of line 4. There is an entry on the ''périphérique'' ring road where lots of people are later heading South. The best place is besides the "Novotel" building or (better) opposite it at the traffic lights. Be warned, traffic here is heavy and fast moving. If you have much baggage or more than one person I would not fancy your chances here. Waiting at the petrol station or even the adjacent war memorial will not give you the best traffic. Edit : I think that the place in front of the hotel is pretty bad. Very hard for the cars to stop there. It's better to stand before, at the red lights. I stood near the gas station at the lights, you miss all the cars not coming from inside Paris, but it's way easier for the cars to see you and to stop.
Make sure to specify with a sign specifying that you go to [[Orléans]] or [[Chartres]] (if you are heading Southwest - A10 or A11), and that the driver will leave you at least at the "péage de Saint Arnoult"or before that at "Limours-Janvry" service station. Beware, just after the "péage", the motorway separates between A10 and A11. If you are heading directly Southonto the A6, have a sign for (you may try "[[Lyon ]]" or Fontainebleau) and make sure to be left at ''Aire de Lisses'', roughly 35 km further, a little bit after Evry (drivers to Evry are not enough for you).
When I was Whenever a diplomat travels between Paris and the Orly airport, he'll go through here in Sept 2011 many hitcher came and later went to get a train a local train to an outlying town because . Which means that there will be police presence. The police don't care about you, but it is very unlikely anyone will stop while they had no luckare around. That happens often enough. They stick around for one hour.
Whenever a diplomat travels between Paris and the Orly airport, he==== Option 2: Porte d'll go through here. Which means that there will be police presence. The police doesn't care about you, but it is very unlikely anyone will stop while they are around. That happens often enough. They stick around for one hour.Italie ====
For more personal opinions and experiences check Similarly ''Porte d'Italie'' which is not far from ''Porte d'Orleans'' is a good place to hitch from. Additionally if you walk down the [[Talk:Paris|talk page]]exit to the traffic lights, there is an overhead bypass which can keep you dry in the rain.
==== Porte d'Italie =South towards [[Lyon]], [[Marseille]], [[Barcelona]], [[Italy]] {{Afr|6}} ===
Similarly ''Porte d'Italie'' which is not far from ''Porte d'Orleans'' is a good place to hitch from. Additionally if you walk down the exit there at the traffic lights there is an overhead bypass which can keep you dry in the rain.==== Option 1: Motorway services Aire de Lisses ====
=== A6 South This option costs EUR 5.85 (but possible to [[Lyon]]have ride without ticket also), [[Marseille]]a zone 1–5 ticket and takes roughly 75 minutes. '''Aire de Lisses''' is the first service area on the A6, [[Barcelona]]situated about 35 km South of Paris. It can save you time because you avoid all outbound traffic not really heading your direction, [[Italy]] ===being located after all the motorway branch-offs.
==== Get the RER D towards Melun via Corbeil. Be careful to get on the right train as there are 2 routes for RER D towards Melun. As of 2010-02, the ID of the train you need was "ZIPE" or "ZOPO" (All trains on RER lines have a 4 letter ID depending on stations served). If it's too confusing (it's very confusing), get whatever train that goes to "Corbeil Essonne" and, from there, whatever train that goes to Melun. Get off at the station '''Villabé''', the second after Corbeil-Essonnes. The station is not marked on Google Maps but don't worry, it's there: [http://goo.gl/8omQ2W''the way from Villabé RER station to Aire de Lisses ===='']
This option costs EUR 5.85 (but possible Otherwise, you can take the RER D to have ride without ticket also)Évry-Courcouronnes centre, a zone 1-5 ticket and takes roughly 1h15from there Bus 415 in direction of Villabé. '''Aire de Lisses''' is Get off at stop "Ikea", the first service area on the A6gas station will be a five minute walk away. Note that as of 2017, situated about 35 km South of Paris. It can save there is a fence you time because you avoid all outbound traffic not really heading your direction, being after all have to climb to get to the branch-offsstation.
Get [Note, Mar 2018: There is no barrier at Villabé and so you can pay the RER D towards Melun via Corbeil. Be careful standard central Paris tarif to get on into the right train as there are 2 routes for RER D towards Melun. As of 2010-02, the ID of the train you need was "ZIPE" or "ZOPO" (All trains on RER lines have a 4 letter ID depending on stations served). If it's too confusing (it's very confusing), get whatever train that goes to "Corbeil Essonne" metro network and, from then just ride out there, whatever train that goes to Melun. Get off at the station '''Villabé''', the second after Corbeil-Essonnes. The station is not marked on Google Maps but don't worry, it's there: [http://goo.gl/8omQ2W''the way from Villabé RER station to Aire de Lisses'']
A problem with a petrol station is that leaving trucks can block the leaving cars, so cars won't have chance to stop at all. [[User:Artti|Artti]] stood there three hours without a sign until he walked to the ramp next to the petrol station. There is more traffic and therefore more chance to get ride. Also cars have lot lots of space to stop.
==== Option 2: Motorway services Aire de Nemours ====
You can take a train to Nemours Saint Pierre (transilien R from Gare de Lyon, a ticket costs about 10 euros) and walk 45min to the service area ( http://goo.gl/VUYmh0 ). Then you're already on a paying section (no local traffic), far out from Paris (80km), and can get a ride to Châlon, Mâcon or Lyon in a few minutes.
=== A10 South-West to [[Orléans|Orleans]], [[Bordeaux]], [[Spain]] and A11 {{afr|10}} & West to [[Le Mans]], [[Nantes]], [[Rennes]] and all parts of [[Bretagne|Brittany]] {{afr|11}} ===
The A10 and A11 motorways follow the route of the '''A6''' (see above) from Paris, and split from it near [[Antony]]/[[Rungis]]. Then, before the A10 and the A11 would split up, there is the service station of Limours-Janvry near Briis-sous-Forges and a [[péage]] near St-Arnoult, 40 km Southwest of Paris. Whichever spot you choose, ask the driver to take you at least until the Limours-Janvry service station or the péage of St-Arnoult. From these places, you can find a driver who takes you on the A10 or the A11 depending on which way you want to go.
====Option 1: Pont de Sevres====[[File:ParisOut.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hitching after the bridge in March 2015]]This option costs the price of an underground ticket. It takes you on to the beginning of the N118 road which connects to the A10-A11 in about 25 km.
Take the subway 9 to Pont de Sevres, its end station. You start walking towards the bridge, where you can see the signs towards Nantes, Bordeaux, etc. The hitchhiking spot is just before the bridge, at the red lights. You can try with the cars coming from the direction of the metro station, and also with the cars which came along the river and are turning left to get to the bridge.
==== Option 2: Motorway junction Massy Palaiseau ====This option costs EUR 4.90, a ticket for zones 1-4. This option is useful to get out of the ring roads and get directly on the A10 after all the branch-offs.
This option costs EUR 2Take RER B to ''Massey-Palaiseau''. Walk down ''Avenue Carnot'' along the ''Massy-Palaiseau'' railway towards the ''autoroute''. After a while there you will see a long stretch of a road with lots of space for cars. Keep going and you will reach a roundabout.95If you keep following this road, you will reach the motorway entrance underneath a 1-4 zones ticketbridge. This option is useful Make sure to get out of a ride to the rings and get directly on first ''barrière de péage'' (30+ km) at St-Arnoult or to the A10 after all Limours-Janvry service station 5 km down the branch-offsroad.
Take the RER B to ''Massy-Palaiseau''. From there, follow the motoway signs for the A10. There are two options==== Option 3: take a bus from the massive transport lot beside ''Massy-Palaiseau'' Motorway service station or walk down a motorway ramp nearby.  '''Motorway ramp option''': Go down the ''Avenue Carnot'' along the ''Massy-Palaiseau'' railway, towards the ''autoroute''. After a while there you will see a long stretch of a road with lots of space for cars. Keep going and you will reach a roundabout. If you keep following this road, you will reach a motorway exit underneath a bridge. Make sure to get a ride to the first ''barrière de péage'' (30+ km) at St-Arnoult or to the Limours-Janvry service station 5 km down the road. ==== '''Bus Option''': The first petrol service station named on the motorway is called Limours-Janvry and it is situated near 2kms northeast of the village called ''Briis-sous-Forges''. To get there you need to take either RER B to ''Massy-Palaiseau'' . From there take the bus 91.03 to ''Briis-sous-Forges''. It runs about 3 times an hour on weekdays, once an hour on Saturdays, and there are no buses on Sundays. The petrol station is situated a couple of km north from Then walk northeast along the village. To reach it you will need to find small local road ''Route d'Invilliers'', a small local road. Once you are there, make sure your driver takes the right road as the A11 starts not far away. (It's not easy to find the road to the petrol station. no one in this village knows what street he is living in let alone that route you're looking for. They don't even know that there's a petrol station in the area. write the instructions and study the map!! I was lost in this village for couple of hours).
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=D131&daddr=Aire+de+Service+de+Limours-Janvry&geocode=FT3X5QIdxnEgAA%3BFZke5gIdK7wgAA&hl=en&mra=ltm&dirflg=w&sll=48.64455,2.16575&sspn=0.115917,0.338173&ie=UTF8&ll=48.626839,2.135124&spn=0.028989,0.084543&t=h&z=14 Briis-sous-Forges to the petrol station map]
[http://maps.google.fr/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.739447,2.302011&spn=0.001638,0.003455&t=h&z=18 this one] (good enough one, according to some hitchhikers). Really good according to others. Took two guys ten minutes to get a ride and a third guy about the same amount of time to a different place. Lots of trucks and cars passing by!
==== Option 4: Péage de Saint-Arnoult ====You can take the RER C train to Dourdan. There are no controls on the exit, so if you are on the cheap, you need to pay only the basic metro ticket (some eur EUR 1.33, I think) to get into the underground network in Paris. Once in Dourdan, cross the rail railroad track and turn left and then go straight on the D836 until you reach the peage péage after 4-5 kilometers. You should be able to hitch a car as there are many passing by and the French take easily on small routes if they see you walking. Get off just after the road crosses the autoroute, go left and in a short while, you will reach the Peagepéage. Look at the map beforehand! You have much higher chances here then anywhere else, there are lots of cars going through.
 ==== Option 5: Chartres: a spot to go directly on the A11, after it has split from the A10 ====
[[File:Zoe.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hitchhiker Zoe in Paris during the [[project 888|888]] event]]
Take the train from ''Paris-Montparnasse'' to ''Chartres'' (EUR 12) and start hitching from there. You might want to go to the service station ''Chartres-Gasville'' on the A11 east of ''Chartres'' (bus plus one hour walk!). From the train station, take one of many [http://www.filibus.fr/pages/55 buses] that stop at the ''Morard'' station. Here starts bus 12, take it and get off at ''N.Conté'' - some minutes before you arrive there, memorize the route: the bus crosses the motorway, and comes to a big roundabout where it turns right and continues to a second small roundabout to turn right again to arrive at ''N.Conté''. Now comes 1 hour of walk: go back to the big roundabout and turn right (east) to follow the N10 until you come to a small city. There you encounter the next roundabout, where you turn left. Follow the street, it bends to the right and ends on the ''Rue du Bois Paris'' where you turn left (north). After 500 meters comes the motorway, continue until you have crossed it. The service station is 400 meters east, so try to pass through the trees on your right and follow the street to the service station.
== = West towards Rouen, Le Havre, Caen {{Afr|13}} ======= Inside Paris public transport ====Public transport in Paris consists of a metro (lines from number 1 to 14)- Quai André Citroën, RER (fast trains serving under the suburbs with relatively few inner city stops, lines from letter ring road overpass. A to E), buses (lines from number 20 to ...?) and trams (lines from T1 to T4). If you want to make a few voyages, the cheapest option is to buy a carnet of 10 single tickets (EUR 12.70 instead of 1.70 each - January 2012). You can travel to the end lot of RER lines for about EUR 15. If you stay in Paris for several days and will use transport often you can also buy a pass "Mobilis" for one or several days (EUR 6.40 for one day inside Paris, zones 1 & 2) - it is valid traffic on metro, RER Fridays and ground transportation. If you stay for a week or more - consider getting a "Passe Navigo découverte", which is a chargeable card with picture (EUR 5 to make). You can then buy a weekly ticket for EUR 17.20. Note that this replaces the former "Carte Orange". All prices Saturdays as many inhabitants of Winter 2010. You can blackride easily, just check for uniformed controllers before you pass the gates. The easiest way 15th and 7th arrondissements go to get in on RER or Metro is to find Normandy for the entrance where there are doors for people with big luggageweekend. This way you can easily pass with them, several people at As a timeresult, no problem. Alternatively you can jump the turnstile if you are fast enough and hold the door thing open after someone has passed. It this spot is quite easy very effective on these days (20 to ask people to go in with them through the baggage gate but also you can just follow without asking. If you do get caught just give your ID and no address. They will ask if you have a French address and you say no. You don't have to sign anything they give you. They should give you a piece of paper with a fine written 30 min on it, average) but since there is no address don't worry. === Metro system ===Ticket checks never occur on actual metro trains, and ticket controllers seem to employ 1 of 2 approaches: first one includes ticket controllers forming a line inside a metro tunnel or station exit and checking all the exiting travelers much worse at other times (since they are uniformed it is easy to see them from a distance unless they decide expect to hide around the corner); second wait one involves civil-dressed controllers watching the gates and busting those jumping over - they'll either stop them directly themselves, or radio-report to uniformed controllers who then will ask a stopped person to show a valid ticket.  Checks are said never to occur during rush half hours; peak times for these controls are evenings, weekends and the beginning of a new month. Except for the major stations, it is pretty easy to jump over the barriers, or pass through following other people passing to the ticket-zone. Only on major stations one is required to have a validated ticket when exiting. As in some other countries, one can be relax about the ticket booth staff since they have nothing to do with ticket checks).
=== RER system ===Uniformed controllers will ask for validated tickets on trains- Porte d'Auteuil, and since at the RER shares last traffic light to the metro infrastructure, you might be a subject to entrance of the checks in similar order mentioned above. It is possible to travel for freeA13, or even though you stand a higher chance of being busted. It seems that checks can occur at any time, so right under the best time to travel for free is a rush hour when controls are impossible due to congestion. The highest risk of being checked seems to occur "no pedestrians" sign on transfer stations from RER the shoulder to metro stations. There are 2 big onesthe motorway just after the light, Chatelet where cars haven't picked up much speed yet and Gare du Nord. If there is control at one of them, try the other. At Gare du Nord it seems the luggage entrance is a little more hidden than at Chatelet so even if there are controllers can see you can probably pass quickly if there are lots of people aroundwell. On some RER stations that are also train stations controllers wait in the tunnels when Ask drivers to take you go down (at least) to change between platformsMorainvilliers petrol station in Poissy.
You often need your ticket to get out of ==== In the stations, as price varies according to the distancesuburbs ====- Mantes-La-Jolie toll: take Transilien J suburban train from Saint-Lazare station. Make sure The fare is €8 but you may not to lose it as it can be tricky controlled. Get off in Mantes-La-Jolie (not Mantes Station). There's a 30 minute walk to get out otherwisethe toll gate: check the map.
=== Buses ===Like in most cities of France, you can walk onto the bus without showing - Poissy rest area (a.k.a. aire de Morainvilliers): take Transilien J or validating a ticketRER A from Paris and get off at Poissy. Checks are said Take bus 20 to be rarebus stop "Auberge". There's one bus every hour on weekdays, fewer than that on Saturdays and occur mainly late at nightit doesn't run on Sundays. See the timetable [http://www.transdev-idf.com/horaire-ligne-20-poissy_aval_2_rives_de_seine_015 here].
=== Fines and punishments ===
French transport police won't make any exceptions for foreigners. Although it is said it might be possible to talk them out of fining a "dumb tourist" they are mainly hostile. Most commonly they will ask for a EUR 40 fine which can be paid directly in cash or by credit card. Alternatively you can plead poverty, and if you show a valid ID they will post a fine to the address and the name written on ID.
 
=== Going to ''Charles de Gaulle''/''Roissy'' airport ===
Bus line 350 goes to ''Gare de l'Est'', and line 351 - to ''Place de la Nation''. You're supposed to validate 3 tickets (which is a lot cheaper than travelling by RER); checks are said rare to occur.
 
=== Vélib’ bicycle rental system ===
The grey bicycles a lot of people are riding on can be rent easily. Just look for a rental station within the Peripherique, you can register there with a credit card that is good for EUR 150 credit. A daily rental pass costs EUR 1.70, a week is EUR 8 (January 2012). With these passes you can rent a bicycle for 30 minutes for free as often as you want. Make sure to return it within those 30 Minutes or you will have to pay additional fees. Check the English [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9lib%27 Wikipedia Vélib' article] for more information. Great and cheap way to get around.
 
== Sleeping in Paris ==
[[File:888_signs.jpg|thumb|240px|right|A small collection of the "Paris" signs for the [[Project 888]] where over 150 hitchhikers gathered and camped in front of the Eiffel Tower.]]
[[Hospitality exchange#Hospitality exchange networks|Hospitality exchange]] networks can be a great choice when staying low-budget in Paris. However, one must plan usually such staying well ahead since Paris is a popular destination for many backpackers, and many hospitality exchange networks' members are usually overloaded with requests to have guests.
It is also possible to sleep in the ''Champs de Mars'' in front of the Eiffel Tower - police generally lets you sleep until 9 or 10 in the morning. There are many trees that offer you a protection in case of a rain. You can also put up a tent (at night) in a discrete spot although keep in mind that police officers will wake you up around the sunrise. You can also sleep under the bridge at the Seine river on the other side of the Eiffel Tower. During the first European Hitchhikers Week ([[project 888|888]]) around 50 people slept in front of the Eiffel Tower.== Resources =={{nomadwiki}}
There are also good places to sleep in the tunnels of Montsouris, which are part of old railway network. It is a hidden place and maybe the most well-known unofficial entrance to the famous Paris Catacombs. You must climb over a wall near the intersection of Avenue Jean Moulin and Rue de Coulmiers ([http://is.gd/hC1Px Google maps]).
 
It is possible to sleep in the catacombs as well. To reach them go down the stairs and turn right. In the middle of the long tunnel there is a hole at the right. Be advised that you should not enter the Catacombs alone or without a person who has a lot of experience climbing around the Paris underground. It is an extremely complicated system of tunnels, perhaps the second largest in the world. In many rooms of the Catacombs you can find a luxury of places to sleep, but you can just as easily get lost in areas where nobody has been or will go for months. The few people who live in the catacombes might become aggressive when you meet them. Sometimes the ground is full of water, around 20cm high. Print a [http://www.google.com/search?q=plan+catacombes map of the catacombes.]
 
== Free Showers ==
[http://www.paris.fr/pratique/Portal.lut?document_id=8972&document_type_id=5&page_id=5458&portlet_id=11757 Here] you can find a map of places where you can have free showers in Paris. ''Bains-Douches'' are open from monday to sunday, they open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., best option is check timetable on Paris' website. Don't go to Bain-douche Castagnary because it is closed! Also you should get there 30 min before the closing time or you will not be allowed inside :)
Showers are free but you need to bring your own soap and towel.
 
== Internet ==
Go to Apple Store behind Opera Garnier or to Apple Store under Louvre Museum in the Carrousel de Louvre.
 
[http://bibliotheque.equipement.paris.fr/ Libraries] offer free internet. If you have your own laptop it's practically unlimited otherwise it's free just 15 minutes using library's computers.
 
On the Avenue des Champs-Élysées there are two fast-food restaurants called Quick, they have free WiFi and also electric sockets and the personnel is not going to bother you because of their use. And there is one Apple store or maybe just a PC store with computers free to use and they also have Internet, but you can't use Facebook and the personal will not allow you to charge your phone there.
 
You can surf on the internet for free in the library of Centre Pompidou either you have a laptop or not.
 
== Useful links ==
 
* [http://www.ratp.fr/ Public transportation of Paris]
* [http://www.voyages-sncf.com/ Trains and regional transports], ticket agency
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