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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
==Crossing the [[English channel]] (to France)==
== 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 with a car and two with a lorry, the same holds true for the [[Channel Tunnel]].General Information====
* Drivers pay per vehicle, so bringing an additional passenger will not change the costs. If they already have their ticket, they will need to amend it (for free) and add another passenger. A foot passenger ticket will cost you about €40. * The border police do not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride for the tunnel or the ferry, '''To get ask the driver politely not to mention that you're hitchhiking'''. Explain the situation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. * If you want to take the tunnel/ferry, It's best to find a lift to Francebefore Dover, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20or [[Medway Services]] on the M2. Don't go to the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]]* 'You MAY try to get a lift through the tunnel! We met a lorry driver at Clackett Lane services who was going to tunnel. And he was able to change passenger number at the first barrier. Then on the train with all the truckers * The ferry, where you have as opposed to the tunnel, has the possibility advantage of having 1.5 hours to talk find a ride to truckdrivers that might be crossingyour next destination.''' Many more trucks stop at Do your best to find the next ride on the ferry''' - even if it's for a short distance (though many people will be going far!) since hitchhiking out of [[Ashford TruckstopCalais]] on the M20isn't fun. Many drivers don't speak a lot of English, but try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they're queuing up to leave upon arrival, but there is security here it might be risky to wait so long. * If you're changing rides, it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allowed to leave it unattended and if you do, they see will panic and look for you. If you don't want to be hauling it around, maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to keep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the old and new drivers). * Ferries from Dover go to both Dunkerque and Calais. If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going to Calais as you asking for lifts they will tell find it difficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, Germany etc. then you should get the ferry to leaveDunkerque.
* If you can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on the ferry, you probably receive a free-dinner-ticket ( + 2 free drinks) for the Commercial Drivers Restaurant (top floor), when you entered the ferry with the truck/lorry, because they thought you're driver, too. When you're on the ferry without a Commercial Driver at least you can get a free drink (hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you.* Commercial drivers also have better rates for currency exchange, so if you're hitching a truck, maybe the driver will agree to change your money for you. == Other directions == If you are super stuck ====*check the [[English channel]] page for more options on how to hitchhike across the channel.* If hitchhiking doesn't work, carpooling can come in really handy. There are People on Blablacar going every evening to Calais. I paid 5 GBP for the ride. Much better than* A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 18 (as opposed to GBP 30 for a one-way ticket). 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. 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. * If all fails you might have to stay for the night. The cheapest place to do so (as far as I'm aware) is the First and Last Pub. Although named a Pub, there are bunks inside for customers to stay for £15 per night(breakfast usually provided). But its reception is located at Russell street, in the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers. == Hitchiking Out ==
=== North towards [[Canterbury]] along the A2 ===
=== North and North East towards [[Folkestone]] and [[London]] along the M20 ===
One option is to walk out of the terminal building, through the carparkcar park, and follow the road signs pointing cars towards the M20. Unfortunately there isn't really a safe place to pull over until the first bus stop, about 500m away. By this stage traffic is often going quite quickly, and some of it is now local traffic, but it is mostly port traffic, and you should be able to convince someone to stop. A sign would be useful (such as 'M20').*I waited over an hour here, and walked If you walk further to you will find a better spot, but only found the next bus stop, another 500m 500 m or so further down the road. Conditions were no better, but I got a ride in about 5 minutes -Nomad Kat
=== West towards [[Brighton]] ===
From my experience I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway. After Folkstone it's largely local traffic and long walk out of the town
== Extra information Ferrys Timetable ==* When on the ferry try to find the Commercial Drivers Restaurant on one of the floors. From there you can get a free drink(hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you.
* Whilst waiting in the queue for your time to board the ferry, after the passport check, you can try to change rides in order to get on an earlier boat[http://www.poferries. Just walk around asking people that have an earlier leaving time than yourscom/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_dover_-_calais_timetable_timetable_DOCA. Since you passed passport check they should not be afraid to take youhtm P&O ferries timetable Calais–Dover]* [http://www. You can see it on the paper that is usually on their car or truck windowsdfdsseaways. This can save you a lot of timeco.uk/ferry-routes/ferry-to-france/Timetable/ DFDS Seaways ferries timetable Dunkerque–Dover]