https://hitchwiki.org/en/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Samsa&feedformat=atomHitchwiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T20:57:54ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.32.3https://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Spain&diff=64130Spain2012-09-24T09:40:29Z<p>Samsa: </p>
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<div>__NOTOC__<br />
{{infobox Country<br />
|country = of Spain<br />
|language = Spanish<br />
|capital = [[Madrid]]<br />
|map = <map lat='40' lng='-1.8' zoom='6' view='0'/><br />
|pop = 47.000.000<br />
|currency = Euro<br />
|hitch = <rating country='es' /><br />
|hitchbase = 177<br />
|BW = ES<br />
}}<br />
'''Spain''' is a member state of the European Union as well as the Schengen Agreement. <br />
Spain consists of the 17 ''Comunidades Autónomas''.<br />
<br />
== Language ==<br />
The Comunidades are not only administrative districts; many of the regions have their own culture, language and some even don’t consider themselves as a part of Spain. For example the dominating language in [[Catalonia]] is Catalan, so be aware of that. Nevertheless, everyone speaks ''castellano'' (Spanish).<br />
Aside from Spanish, obviously languages like Basque, Catalan, etc are spoken, and learning a handful of words even in local languages, may make the driver loosen up.<br />
The Spanish phrase ''Vas a... ?'' (are you going to... ?) is an excellent starting point.<br />
In Spain, hitching isn’t a very common concept and mostly done by foreigners. Though, the thumb will be understood. The best method definitely is, to ask people directly, even if your Spanish is very poor. But be careful, many petrol stations, especially in the South, are deserted, if you are unlucky, only one or two non-local cars stop at the station every hour, and you might spend the night there.<br />
Even if you hitchhike alone or in groups of two: be prepared to make much less kilometers than in Germany or France. 500 or 700 km a day may be a real challenge. First time in Spain it might be a good idea to only plan for 300 km a day.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking, ''Autostop'' ==<br />
[[File:Espana.jpg|thumb|left|[[User:Amylin|Amylin]] hitching to Spain from [[Portugal]].]]<br />
[[File:CommunidadValenciana.JPG|thumb|left|Hilde hitchhiking to [[Valencia]].]]<br />
You will find a lot of foreigners in cars from countries where the hitchhiking culture is more developed. You usually have to wait for some time – but those who pick you up at least tend to be really nice. Unfortunately they also seem to be somewhat clueless about distances (to walk) and what is a good spot and what is not (since no one knows much about hitchhiking). Another complication is the paid highways and the unpaid highways. Hitching in groups of three (even girls) turns out to be nearly impossible (about 150 km a day). <br />
<br />
Sometimes you will have to be patient possibly waiting for over an hour! Once, [[User:Latindane|Latindane]] had to wait 4 hours to get a 300 kilometers ride with lunch included towards [[Madrid]].<br />
<br />
When entering the country from [[France]] you should try to get a lift as close to your destination as possible. On the Mediterranean side, a good place for this is La Jonquera, one of the biggest truck stops in Europe. You’ll find plenty of international truck drivers all over the country, because Spain is a centre of the fruit industry, exporting their oranges and tomatoes. On the Atlantic side, there is another huge truck stop near Irun.<br />
<br />
If you arrive by the ferry from [[Africa]] you should try to get a ride on the ferry or at the port. There are lots of people from [[Morocco]], who went to visit their families and now return. You’ll see number plates from many other European states.<br />
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== Road network ==<br />
[[File:Hitchhiking_in_Salamanca_Spain_2010-05.JPG|thumb|right|[[User:Mikael|Mikael]] hitchhiking from [[Salamanca]] to [[Ávila]] in [[Spain]], May 2010.]]<br />
The north of Spain has a well developed system of ''Autopistas''. Autopistas are very similar to French ''Autoroutes'', and so similar rules can be applied when hitchhiking. Autopistas have two or more lanes in each direction, accessed after passing through a ''peaje'' (tollgate) and have large rest stops along the way.<br />
<br />
When hitching at Peajes, usually people have great success, and can obtain long distance rides, even at night time. Usually the police and motorway staff do not interfere, but some stricter police may request that you leave. It is important to note that large peaje sections are usually split by a concrete wall; 2 or 3 lanes for cars, on the inside, and another 2 or 3 lanes for buses and trucks on the outside. The concrete walls usually carry on some distance after the peaje, and end once the vehicles are traveling too fast to stop. It is up to the hitchhiker to decide which lanes to take, however sticking to the outside and waiting for a truck may attract less attention from the authorities than standing further inside waiting for a car. <br />
<br />
When hitching long distances it is a good idea to stick to large peaje sections or rest stops. Bring water and food, since these ''áreas de servicio'' are expensive. It should be noted that hitching at small peaje sections, on motorway exits, is not recommended, as often there is one peaje for both directions, automatically ruling out many vehicles as possible rides.<br />
<br />
In the Southern regions, the motorways are smaller and the petrol stations are usually further away from the road. It is best to be patient at these places. Be careful when people promise you to drop you at a "very busy" petrol station. Often the small petrol stations are deserted, it's possible that you won't see a single "non-local" car for an hour or two or three.<br />
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== Carpooling ==<br />
Carpooling (''compartir coche'') is an alternative. The website [http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/ ¿viajamosjuntos.com?] gives the opportunity to the driver to post their journey in search of passenger to share the cost of the ride. [http://www.blablacar.es/ Blablacar] is another popular ridesharing website. <br />
<br />
== Squatting ==<br />
Despite many houses have been shut down lately, Spain has a very active squatting scene. It’s quite easy to find a place to crash by asking around for a ''casa okupada''.<br />
<br />
== Maps ==<br />
From any tourist-info around country, you can find good roadmap of the region and/or the autonomous area for free of charge.<br />
<br />
== Cities ==<br />
* [[Algeciras]]<br />
* [[Alicante]]<br />
* [[Badajoz]]<br />
* [[Barcelona]], the capital of [[Catalonia|Catalunya]]<br />
* [[Bilbao]]<br />
* [[Burgos]]<br />
* [[Ceuta]]<br />
* [[Cordoba]]<br />
* [[Donostia-San Sebastián]]<br />
* [[Granada]]<br />
* [[Madrid]], the capital<br />
* [[Málaga|Malaga]]<br />
* [[Oviedo]]<br />
* [[Salamanca (Spain)|Salamanca]]<br />
* [[Santander]]<br />
* [[Santiago de Compostela]]<br />
* [[Sevilla]]<br />
* [[Valencia]]<br />
* [[Vigo]]<br />
* [[Zaragoza]]<br />
<br />
== More Pictures ==<br />
<gallery perrow="3"><br />
File:2002_Dec_Hitch_hiking_in_Catalonia_SPAIN.jpg|Hitch-hiking in Catalonia. December 2002.<br />
File:Granada.jpg||Robino hitching from Valencia to [[Granada]].<br />
File:HhPICT1975.jpg|Stop at Valencia, at the trip from [[Germany]] to [[Portugal]].<br />
</gallery><br />
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{{hitchbase_country|177}}<br />
{{Template:Europe/countries}}<br />
{{IsIn|Southern Europe}}<br />
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[[wikipedia:Spain]]<br />
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[[trash:Spain]]<br />
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[[Category:Spain]]<br />
[[Category:Europe]]<br />
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[[de:Spanien]]<br />
[[es:España]]<br />
[[fr:Espagne]]<br />
[[ru:Испания]]<br />
[[tr:İspanya]]</div>Samsahttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Hamburg&diff=63611Hamburg2012-09-06T15:37:29Z<p>Samsa: </p>
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<div>{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='53.5533628' lng='9.989319' zoom='9' view='3' /><br />
|pop = 1.773.218 (28 February 2008)<br />
|state = Hamburg<br />
|plate = HH<br />
|motorways = [[A1 (Germany)|A1]], [[A7 (Germany)|A7]], [[A23 (Germany)|A23]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]], [[A25 (Germany)|A25]]<br />
|BW = DE/Hamburg/Hamburg<br />
}}<br />
'''Hamburg''' is the second largest city in [[Germany]] and is located in the north. <br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
[[File:Hamburg_hitchspot.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Hitching Spot at ramp ''Hamburg-Schnelsen'']]<br />
<br />
=== North: [[Lübeck]], [[Puttgarden]], South: [[Hannover]] [[Netherlands]], [[Lüneburg]] ===<br />
If you want to go south or towards [[Lüneburg]] you should start at '''Raststätte Stillhorn'''. It is easy to get there. Just take S3 or S31 to Wilhelmsburg and then a bus (line #13) to Kirchdorf-Süd. You get off at the last stop (ten minute trip max.). Just follow the road from where you got off the bus in the driving direction straight ahead. You'll walk along a path and get out directly at Stillhorn. After crossing the furthest little bridge on the left, you're already on the parking lot of the [[rest area|service station]]. This is for all traffic going in the direction of Bremen and Hanover. <br />
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If you need to go to the other side of the motorway for traffic going in the direction of Lubeck and Berlin, cross the furthest little bridge on the right and walk right for ~500 meter. There, cross the motorway by walking under the tunnel, and behind it you already see the service station to your left. Just behind the on-ramp there's a little path towards the service station.<br />
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If you are going towards the [[Netherlands]], get a ride south to ''Dammer Berge'' (just before [[Osnabrück]]), where the [[A1 (Germany)|A1]] joins the [[A30 (Germany)|A30]] in the direction of [[Rheine]] and [[Amsterdam]].<br />
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=== North or South towards [[Lübeck]], [[Denmark]], [[Bremen]] ===<br />
==== Option 1 ====<br />
If you want to go south or towards [[Lüneburg]] you should start at '''Raststätte Stillhorn'''. It is easy to get there. Just take S3 or S31 to Wilhelmsburg and then a bus (line #13) to Kirchdorf-Süd. You get off at the last stop (ten minute trip max.). Walk towards the big white apartment block by the grassy area and you will hear the motorway A1. After crossing the furthest little bridge on the left (at the NE corner of the apartment complex), you're already on the parking lot of the [[rest area|service station]]. This is for all traffic going in the direction of Bremen and Hanover. <br />
<br />
If you need to go to the other side of the motorway for traffic going in the direction of Lübeck and Berlin, cross the furthest little bridge on the right and walk right for ~500 meter. There, cross the motorway by walking under the tunnel, and behind it you already see the service station to your left. Just behind the on-ramp there's a little path towards the service station.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2 ====<br />
For going north to mainland [[Denmark]] (direction [[Flensburg]], [[Kiel]], [[Kolding]]) take the metro ''U2'' towards ''Niendorf-Markt''. From there get out and ask people for the bus station (''Busbahnhof''). There take bus #191 until stop ''Sellhopsweg''. Get out there, walk some 200m back to the traffic light. You'll see that the road going left follows the way to the motorway. There's no footpath, so you have to walk along the green space next to the road. Might be tricky in winter, easy in summer. Just take care when [[hitchhiking a truck|trucks]] and cars coming from behind! After some 300m you're at the ramp. There's enough space for you to stand on, and it's easy for cars to recognize you and to stop. Have a look at the picture for this spot. Oh, someone mentioned that this spot might be illegal to stand on, but can you find an ''Autobahn'' sign in the picture ? ;-)<br />
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==== Option 3 ====<br />
Also you can get to a gas station on the A1 heading to Denmark by catching the S-Bahn to the stop called Wilhelmsburg. From there catch bus number 13 to the stop Kirchdorf süd, which is the last stop on the route. Walk up past where the buses turn around, follow the motorway to the right, go under the motorway by way of the tunnel, and there is the petrol station!<br />
Every car I met there was heading towards Hamburg or Luneborg - if you want to go to Denmark, try option 4!<br />
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==== Option 4 ====<br />
<br />
Take a ride or take the S-Bahn A1 to Quickborn station. There take the bus 594 in direction to "U A Norderstedt Mitte" and stop at Heidefriedhof station. There you can maybe buy some flowers (a very nice old women offered us some information -okay it was wrong- and a rose). You should see a bridge across the motorway, cross it, and take the first the small street on right. You will feel you are lost in the country side because after 200 meters, this way doesn't look like a street anymore. Nevermind, go ahead, go ahead go ahead and on your right you will see a oil station. We needed less than five minutes to find a driver to Denmark :D<br />
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=== East towards [[Berlin]] and North East towards [[Copenhagen]], [[Scandinavia]] ===<br />
<br />
[[File:Leaving Hamburg direction Puttgarden.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitching on Horner Kreisel - illegal version!]]<br />
[[File:Hamburg-Berlin.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitching on busstop Caspar-Voght-Straße - legal version!]]<br />
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If you're planing to hitchhike towards [[Berlin]] on the [[A24 (Germany)|A24]], there's a bus stop near a big [[roundabout]] in the southeast of the city where it's possible to catch a ride directly to Berlin or at least part of the way. This spot is called the ''[http://horner-kreisel.hitchbase.com/ Horner Kreisel]'' and is a popular hitchhiking spot for many hitchhikers in [[Germany]]. Here you can stand and wait for a ride. This works fine. For hitchhiking to Berlin prepare a cardboard sign with a huge B written on it, which is the number plate sign for cars from Berlin and understood widely. It's a good spot.<br />
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The easiest way to get there is from the Station ''Hasselbrook'' (S1, S11). You leave the train in the direction of Steindamm, upstairs turn right and the after a few meters left into the Caspar-Voght-Straße. Follow this street 500 meters until the big crossing with Sievekingsallee. On the opposite side of the Sievekingsallee you'll see the busstop ''Caspar-Voght-Straße''. Ask for the road to Berlin if you are lost. Look for a bus stop with a large blue metal pole in front with lots of hitch-hiker traces :). Please note, some years ago they reconstructed the Horner Kreisel. Earlier it was possible to stand in the middle of it on an bus-stop, but now the bus-stop is located ''before'' the roundabout where the cars are driving pretty fast, and on the Kreisel the cars have no opportunity to stop.<br />
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Some hitchhikers claim that hitching on the roundabout turn-off direction Berlin is easier, as here you have much more traffic going your way. It's recommended to stand immediately after the roundabout, in the grass before the blue motorway sign. Cars can stop right after the motorway sign. This place is used by many hitchhikers. It's not uncommon to find a direct lift to Berlin in 5 minutes. But it has to be pointed out that doing so is against the law, for the Autobahn starts there − and you must not walk or stop on it. Hitchhikers and drivers, who stop there, can be fined. Apart form the legal aspect, bear in mind that this may be dangerous for you! <br />
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If you want to go to Puttgarden for going into [[Scandinavia]], you can hitch to the ferry at Puttgarden, and get a ride straight to [[Copenhagen]]. Have a look at the [[Puttgarden]] article for more info.<br />
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== Resources ==<br />
<br />
=== Drink ===<br />
Free refills, pick up a cup and get high on fizzy drinks. At:<br />
* ''Mundsburg(U3)'' in McDonalds<br />
* ''Billwerder-Moorfleet''(S21) in IKEA<br />
<br />
=== Free Internet access ===<br />
* At ''Hauptbahnhof'' in McDonalds.<br />
* Inside ''Mercado'' near Altona Station (between the Reformhaus Englehart and the escalator)<br />
* ''[http://www.buecherhallen.de/go/id/dy/ Zentralbibliothek]'' (Central Library) near Hauptbahnhof<br />
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=== Callshops ===<br />
<br />
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=== Public transport ===<br />
Blackriding is possible, albeit risky. Controllers are very frequent and often wear civil clothes, so they cannot be noticed before the doors are closed. And since they do not receive an hourly wage but a salary depending on how many people they catch, playing the "dumb tourist" will have no effect on them; they want you in their record. <br />
It is very easy to fool them however, they will first ask you for a national ID or a passport and if you tell them that you cannot produce either they will accept anything that has a (supposedly your) name and an address on it. They can't be bothered to call the police as that takes them a lot of time to arrive. Anything from a fake organ donor card, a bank account statement or a letter addressed to you will do - even if that's hand written.<br />
For routes of public transport check hvv.de or http://www.geofox.de/base/welcome.jsp<br />
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== Links ==<br />
* [http://www.hitchbase.com/ergebnisse.php?LANG=eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=19 Hamburg in the Hitchbase] - Nine entries, all in German<br />
* [http://horner-kreisel.hitchbase.com/ Petition] for the roundabout ''Horner Kreisel''<br />
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{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Hamburg]]<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
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[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E45]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E22]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Copenhagen]]<br />
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[[de:Hamburg]]</div>Samsahttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=63471Berlin2012-08-30T13:23:50Z<p>Samsa: </p>
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<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.3' zoom='9' view='0' float='right' height='300' width='400' country='Germany'/><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
For hitchhiking to Hamburg prepare a cardboard sign with "HH" written on it, which is the license plate sign for cars from Hamburg and understood widely. "HRO" stands for Rostock by the way.<br />
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==== Rasthof Stolper Heide ====<br />
The hitchhiking-spot in Henningsdorf '''Rasthof Stolper Heide''' ([http://hitchwiki.org/maps/?place=2153 map]) is the best option to reach [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]]. You are going to have to go on a 2 km walk in total. S-Bahn station ''Heiligensee'' (S25 towards Henningsdorf, EUR 2.40 ticket), walk down Ruppiner Chaussee northwards (left when coming out of the station about 300 meters and turn right on an asphalt walking path (− there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 10-15 minutes. Cross the bridge over the motorway and turn left - you can stay close to the motorway in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Rasthof. As you get closer to the exit for the service station, you will see a tall green fence - it is possible but inadvisable to jump this: alternatively get on the correct side of it before it starts or after it ends. You can easily get a direct ride to [[Hamburg]] from here.<br />
<br />
A (maybe not so good) very close-by spot that saves you the 2 km walk: Get off one station earlier, ''Schulzendorf'' (S25 towards Henningsdorf, EUR 2.40 ticket). Get out from the front of the train, and out of the station, follow Ruppiner Chaussee north, and take the first right (Schulzendorfer Straße). And there you are, on the motorway access ramp, 5 min walk from the station. However, at this spot the access ramp is quite narrow, and there is not a good place for cars to stop safely. There is also a curve in the road, and cars are travelling quickly, so this spot might be dangerous for you and the drivers. You can take ''any'' ride. If the car doesn't go your way, he can drop you off at the petrol station "Rasthof Stolper Heide" some kilometers up the road.<br />
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==== Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the ''S-Bahn'' station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500m down the bridge and you've got a traffic-light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten you to call the police.<br />
<br />
You can also wait opposite of ''McDonald's'' for a lift. Sometimes you will meet other hitchhikers here, too. If someone offers a lift "only" to a gas station on the motorway ("Linumer Bruch" for instance) take it, since from a motorway gas station it is very easy to get another lift. <br />
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==== Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
If you want to hitchhike towards [[Hamburg]] or [[Schwerin]] on the A24 it is the best to go with the U6 towards ''Alt-Tegel'' and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz'' and then start walking towards the motorway. About 2 minutes away from the U-Bahn station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it. (Update January 2009: Spot is open again!)<br />
* [[User:MaxHermens]] says: It's best to ask drivers if they are going on the motorway, and if so, if they can take you to the abovementioned Stolperheide. Then you can avoid the long walk and start hitching straight away.<br />
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=== North East towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
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==== Berliner Allee ====<br />
Borough Pankow, part Weißensee: Take the tram M4 to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' which can be caught at Alexanderplatz. Then walk along the ''Berliner Allee'' just around the half circle of the road and find a decent place where cars can pull over. Many cars at this intersection have Polish License and are heading North East, some as far as Gdansk. Use a sign with the city ''[[Szczecin]]'' and surely a Polish driver will stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by there Polish names. Check the map for the street view.<br />
<br />
==== On Ramp Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
First take the S-Bahn (line S2) from e.g. Friedrichstr. or Gesundbrunnen and go to "Buch" (from Friedrichstr., that will be an about 24 min train ride). From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safty fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be droped off at service station "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This service station is the only one on All and afterwards on A20 (leading towards Stralsund or Rügen) but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Rasthof Michendorf ====<br />
* '''This one also works for South or East!''' <br />
Just 30 minutes by ''Regionalbahn'' (train) south west of Berlin. This is the most direct option. You easily get hitches to the south or west as well as to the east ([[Poland]]). Take a train (e.g. RE7 to [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information.) from the center (ABC 3.10 EUR). Get off at the train station ''Michendorf''. Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße, at the bus stop, and walk for 20 minutes straight on it. <br />
<br />
Alternatively you can get here by bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station in Michendorf. Get off at "Michendorf Abzweig Wildenbruch", and walk south west for the final stretch to the service station.<br />
<br />
To go west or south ([[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] or [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]]) turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|service station]]. Enter via the green emergency door. <br />
<br />
If you want to go east towards [[Poland]] or [[Dresden]] turn right after the tunnel (it's a small sandy track through a wood). Follow the track until you are at the McDonalds restaurant at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the McDonalds and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
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==== Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
'''As of summer 2012 the exit from the A115 is closed. That means there is only the local traffic at the gas station and hitchhiking from here isn't advised. Construction work is said to be ongoing until November 2012.''' <br />
<br />
For going South or West you can try the '''Raststätte Grunewald'''. Take the ''S-Bahn'' train ''S7'' towards ''Potsdam'' or ''S1'' towards ''Wannsee'' and get out at ''Nikolasee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] right of you. Also standing at the traffic lights before the [[on-ramp]] seems to be useful! Get a lift at least to ''Michendorf''.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to queue behind them. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
==== Trampstelle [[Potsdam]] ====<br />
There is a local campaign for an official hitchhiking spot in Potsdam, they made a petition and won it :)<br />
The hitchhiking spot is planned now and will be established soon.<br />
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==== Aral at Kaiserdamm ====<br />
Another option is the ''Aral'' petrol station at '''Kaiserdamm''' near the central bus station. Take U2 to ''Kaiserdamm'' (if you come from direction ''Zoo'') and go out in the driving direction. Leave the station on the left exit. After 50m there's the petrol station. It depends on the day, sometimes it's very easy to get away there, sometimes it's harder.<br />
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=== South towards [[Dresden]] {{Autobahn|13}} and East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|12}} ===<br />
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If you are going further than Dresden (e.g. [[Czech Republic]]) on the A13, also take a look on the [[Dresden]] page.<br />
'''You may also try [[Berlin#Rasthof Michendorf|Rasthof Michendorf]]''' for getting lifts east or southeast.<br />
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''There are 2 ways of entering the upper mentioned motorways:<br />
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''1. From entrances to the new A113 motorway:<br />
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==== [[Airport]] Berlin-Schönefeld ====<br />
It's possible to hitchhike at the on-ramp next to the airport ''(Flughafen) Berlin-Schönefeld''. You can reach the airport with S-Bahn S9 and some [[Deutsche Bahn|DB]] trains. You can not only find lifts mostly towards Dresden or Poland. It's probably the best spot within reach by S and U-Bahn to hitchhike to Poland. Stand right before the ramp with a 'PL' sign. The ramp is pretty small, but you can walk up some 15-20m behind the ''Autobahn'' sign so people can stop along the side of the road safely. Watch the speed of cars coming from the right hidden corner onto the ramp, it's a tricky on-ramp, can be dangerous so hitch carefully here.<br />
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:One hitchhiker waited here for 6 hours without success. Have a look at the [[Talk:Berlin|discussion page]].<br />
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==== Tempelhof ====<br />
Maybe Tempelhof used to be a good place to hitch hike in the past but now it seems impossible to catch a ride there - there is simply no space for a car to stop (or we failed to find a spot which i doubt because we searched the whole neighbourhood). If you still want to test it yourself here is how to get there:<br />
The [[airport]] is easy to reach with S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Once there simply follow the sign towards Dresden (A100). There are two red lights, for people coming from north and south, so they have time to see you. You should ask for A113 or A13, or simply if they are going in the way to Ikea, and get dropped on the petrol station before the big mall (before Waltersdorf, check map also). Bus #263 from S-Bahn station Grünau also goes to/near this petrol station. '''Please read the discussion page'''!<br />
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''2. From the 96a road (not that much in use after opening the A113):''<br />
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==== Schöneweide ====<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the service station in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take a train to the S-Bahn station ''Schöneweide'', get out there and walk out of the station East, turn right on Michael-Brückner Straße and after 300 meter you'll find two big [[rest area|service stations]] − although the is far away these are mostly the last possibilities for cars to get petrol. The place was once crowded with hitchhikers but is normally empty now and works fine! Locals tend to stop at the second petrol station because it's usually cheaper. Also, behind this petrol station is a Burger King "Restaurant". If you choose your spot well, you can show a sign both to cars on the street who could stop at the Burger King entrance (but often drive too fast though) and to people leaving the second petrol station or entering Burger King.<br />
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===== Opinions: =====<br />
* However the attendants at the service station will ask you to look for your ride elsewhere and may even call the police. The road leading to the is a no stopping zone, so the best solution is to stand near the Burger King, where a driver can pull in. There is no better spot further up the road toward the . <br />
* 2008-08-24: I used this petrol stations quite often and never had problems. What the hell did you do? -[[User:atopia|Ben]]<br />
* I tried both the gas station and by using a sign to stop cars from the street. First of all most people weren't traveling to Dresden and even if they were they were very hesitant to give you a ride if you ask them. For all the time I spent there, two other hitchhikers came and they also had no luck. I eventually gave up and had to pay for the bus. I'm not sure if that's a good spot.<br />
* as of August 2010 I consider this the best spot for hitching to Dresden. Living in Dresden and going to Berlin for weekend-trips quite often it worked fine for me as well as for others visiting from Berlin. The catch might be it was almost always Sunday afternoons though. So if you take that into account you should be fine getting a lift to Dresden from Schöneweide, given the number of people returning to Dresden for the start of the week. Both standing by the side of the road with a sign as well as asking people at the petrol station turned out well for me.<br />
* We hitch hiked at the gas station by asking people. (the second, the first was rather empty). Most of the people who get gas over there stay local or are kind of rude. Using a sign we got a hitch after 20 minutes to Dresden.<br />
* Sept 2011 - we got a ride after about 30 minutes by standing at the exit to the 2nd gas station. There was another hitch hiker standing at the entrance and we got picked up before him. Recommended to stay at the exit with a sign and smile.<br />
July 2012. Monday morning and I'm standing a little after both gas stations just outside the Burger King. Traffic from the road, both stations and sometimes coming out of the 'restaurant'. I was picked up in half an hour with a ride all the way to Dresden. A Romanian guy heading to Poland caught a ride just before me. Great place to hitch. LookingforStu<br />
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==== Altglienicke ====<br />
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Go to the S-Bahn station ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you ll see there is a road in parallel to the S-Bahn line, and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using "the bridge" and then cross the road to stand at the red light. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the onramp of the motorway going to Cottbus or Dresden.<br />
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==== Grünbergallee ====<br />
You can also take the S-Bahn one station further to ''S Grünbergallee''. You'll find a big road and a big hardware-store (called ''Hornbach''). There is a right-going lane at the big road. Just show a sign saying ''Dresden'' at the beginning of this lane. Sometimes you can ask drivers at the parking lot of the hardware-store if they can take you to the first petrol station on the Autobahn (this is just a minutes ride). From there you can be lucky, too.<br />
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==== Car pooling====<br />
As there's not really a great spot to hitch out, sometimes worth to consider trying something else. True, agreeing in advance and paying for a ride is totally not hitching, but you can save painful hours of waiting. Normally there are lots of offers on [http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/], till the first petrol station it shouldn't be more than five euros.<br />
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=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
If you are only going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
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Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [http://maps.google.de/maps?q=Mahlsdorf+Berlin&hl=de&ll=52.504777,13.613766&spn=0.001753,0.004823&sll=51.151786,10.415039&sspn=14.819685,39.506836&geocode=FeckIQMdQMLPAA&hnear=Mahlsdorf,+Berlin&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.504771,13.613946&panoid=HBi4_bXjladKpgEY_Ak41g&cbp=12,120.68,,0,7.31 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
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== Hitching In ==<br />
A word about getting into Berlin since the ring is so big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by.<br />
[[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of autobahn/motorway A2/E30]]<br />
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=== The Ruhr area ===<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Service stations are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]]. <br />
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'' I have experienced yesterday: Do not take a hitchhike in direction of Osnabruck/Bremen/Hamburg, be a little bit more patient and wait for a ride in direction Hanover! I have stepped off at the tankstation 10 km before Osnabruck at the A1 and have waited there for 4 hours, all cars go up north. I was coming from Essen.--[[User:Hapiel|Hapiel]] 02:25, 27 July 2012 (CEST) ''<br />
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=== East and West ===<br />
The best is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 20min. Just head north from the gas stations (you can go under the motorway from the southern gas station). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.10 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2hrs, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 10.30PM. So don't leave the gasstation if you get there after 10PM.<br />
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Alternatively, when coming from the east about 2 km before the interchange "Berlin Zentrum" (it's really not a good idea to get off at interchanges on the autobahn), there is an exit for ''[[Königs Wusterhausen]]''. There will be a lot of commercial shopping buildings you will see just before you need to exit and as you are exiting will see the McDonalds. Then, if you can't find a ride going into Berlin (which could be rare actually) walk about 1 km into the nearest town. There is a bus going to Berlin for 1 EUR.<br />
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== Public transport ==<br />
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Blackriding is possible, albeit risky. Ticket inspectors usually wear uniforms on the S-Bahn, although it's possible that there are still some in civil clothing, and since they do not receive an hourly wage but a salary depending on how many people they catch, playing the "dumb tourist" will have no effect on them; they want you in their record. The good news is that even if they ask you to pay the fine on the spot (40€), you can say you don't have the money and then you have two weeks to pay it. Be careful when giving false addresses, as inspectors can check whether the name and address you give them match. Giving a foreign address is your safest bet here. If a controller catches you, use some identification besides your passport, preferably one that doesn't have your real name on it. That way you're not in the system. First time you also may have a good chance to decrease your fine if you write a letter to the S-Bahn office. It´s wise to mention things like it was an unlucky event, you've been overwhelmed by the city and the mass of people and that you usually pay for the good and ecological public transport... :)<br />
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Trams and buses are easier to blackride: Trams have vending machines inside, so keep close to one and in case someone should ask for tickets just be at the point of getting one, after all, it takes a while to find some small cash, figure out which ticket to get, how to use the machine ... :) On buses you'll have to show your ticket to the driver when getting in, but they barely look at it so an old used one usually does just fine. <br />
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Another option is the social one: Most people are actually riding on a monthly ticket called "Umweltkarte". It is valid for *two* adults after 8pm and all day on weekends and public holidays. The same also applies to the 7day ticket, but not the student ticket. So just ask around, but be prepared to explain yourself as it's not common so people may be somewhat puzzled at first. Take it as a way to meet random people and at the same time relax about controllers!<br />
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In case you splurged and got yourself a real ticket, share it! A single one works for a whole two hours, and a day ticket until 3 AM. After you're done using yours just drop it inside a vending machine or on top of the validator thing, and someone will be happy to take it! <br />
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=== Other useful info ===<br />
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Sidewalk express (internet) is located in the food court at ''Hauptbahnhof'', pick up some of the leftover receipts and enter the code, there is usually some time left. This is the internet I'm using now.<br />
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Also, the American library something, close to Halleches Tor has four computers with free Internet access.<br />
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== Eating ==<br />
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At ''Hauptbahnhof'' the McDonalds has free refills, pick up a cup and get high on fizzy drinks.<br />
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