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===How to get onto the M4 Motorway (West)===
* '''Where to''': ('''''[[West (England)|The West (London)]]'''''), [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ('''''[[South West (England)|The South-West]]'''''), [[Bristol]], [[South West (England)|Devon]], [[South West (England)|Cornwall]],
* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to Zone 3 - approximately 3 UKP from Zone 1.
* '''Last verified''': March 2006
* === West towards [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ([[South West England|The South-West]]), [[Bristol]], [[South West England|Devon]], [[South West England|Cornwall]] [[South Wales]] {{Mgb|4}} === When hitching West out of London and onto the M4, to try to avoid accepting a ride to anywhere before Reading Central. A few of the earlier junctions are hitchhiking nightmare spots - junction 8,9 for Maidenhead and 10 for Reading East are two of the worst junctions for hitchhiking in this area of the country because of the M4 then turning into another motorway for a few miles, thus taking you well off your route. Reading Services is great though, and well worth encouraging your driver to take you the extra few miles to. '''DirectionsOption 1''':M4 Motorway Junction 1 (Chiswick Roundabout) Get A. Take the District Line Underground to ''Gunnersbury'' (zone 3) or train to ''Kew Bridge''. (Alternatively, the Overground at ''South Acton'' doesn't have barriers, but is a kilometer further away.) Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 - one west and one east of the roundabout) along which you walk 500m to Junction 1 of the M4 where you will see the Esso petrol station that is on the corner of the slip road onto the motorway heading west. There is a bus lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west. B. Take bus H91 from ''Hammersmith Bus station'' in the direction of Hounslow West and get off at ''Chiswick Park Roundabout/Gunnersbury'', and you are already at the bus lay-by hitching point. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off peak) from Zone 1. (Bus fare £1.50) '''Option 2''': A4 leading to M4 (or M3) Heading for [[South West England|Cornwall]], it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West England|Dorset]]. Take District Line)Underground to ''West Kensington'' (zone 2). Turn right out of the station, there are traffic lights 10m away. Turn right and there is a lay- from there by where you can find stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the entrance lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways M4 - its about . (It's also cheaper to get to). Cost of public transport: £2.40 (off peak) from Zone 1. '''Option 3''': Motorway service station Heston Take Piccadilly Line Underground westbound and get off at ''Hounslow West'' (zone 5 miles ). Turn right from the station exit and walk 800m west along Bath Road to just past Henleys roundabout where there is a BP petrol station. Right at the exit of the actual entrance petrol station is a footpath heading north. Walk ≈650m and where it splits, turn right 20 metres until you reach Armytage Rd. Turn left onto this road and continue north for another ≈200m, cross over Cranford Lane and then continue north again for another ≈350m along Phoenix Way until it bends to the M4left. Just past the bend, you will see a short path on the right through the bushes/trees onto Heston service station.It's not an overly busy services but enough traffic to justify getting out here and cutting out all the local traffic in the centre. Use a sign as there is a lot of local traffic and also traffic heading onto the M25 both south and north. Cost of public transport: £3.10 (off peak) from Zone 1 === Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], [[Maidstone]], [[Folkestone]] ([[Channel Tunnel]]), [[Dover]] (Ferries to Europe) {{Mgb|20}} === '''Option 1''': Mottingham Take the train from ''Charing Cross Station'' (Zone 1) to ''Mottingham Station'' (Zone 4). It passes through ''Waterloo East'' (Zone 1), ''London Bridge'' (Zone 1), ''New Cross'' (Zone 2) and ''Lewisham'' (Zone 2) stations on its way to ''Dartford'' or ''Gillingham''. Alternatively, take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and from there, the 161 bus to Mottingham. When you can come out of the train station, walk 100m south along Court Road to the intersection with Sidcup Road (A20). At the traffic lights turn left, where you will see a Shell petrol station.<br/ > Cost of public transport: train to Mottingham was £5. The best ride to accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the South-East along the M20 and past the M20/M25 junction, most likely to the [[Maidstone Services]]. Many drivers have said that many hitch-hikers happen to stand and hitch at the M20/M25 junction, but the police might be more likely to pick you up. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. (Mottingham train station doesn't have barriers...)<br/ > NOTE: The most classic method departing London in the direction of continental Europe begins in Mottingham. Most traffic is local, thus it is best to ask people whether they are going onto the M25 ring road. If yes, they will passby the BP @ Swanley as described in option 2. The next major service station after Swanley is after the M25 called Maidstone Services on the M20 Junction 8; be sure to find a ride that exits at junction 8 as the main road exit for the town of Maidstone is junction 7. This is the last major service station located before Dover and it is recommended to find a mile ride directly onto the train or ferry from here. "I have hitched across the channel many times from Maidstone, with waits ranging from 30 seconds to as long as 6 hours." '''Option 2''': BP petrol station on Swanley Bypass (A20) The easiest way to get here is to take a train to Sidcup, then take the 233 city bus towards Swanley and theres an Esso petrol get off at Old Maidstone Road. The service station that will be about two minutes' walk down and across the road. There is on a gate in the fence, though it may be closed in which case you'll have to jump the corner next fence. Another way to get here is to take a train from ''London Victoria'' to ''Swanley''. Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South. (There is also a direct train from St. Pancras to Swanley, but it cost £8.80 (peak) in Nov 2015, so might as well just get a megabus if you're going to pay that much). From the station, cross the tracks with the pedestrian bridge with to Everest Place, turn right on St. Mary's Rd to the roundabout at London Road. From here, turn left (north) along London Road/ Maidstone Road for 2.6kms. Here you'll find the service station behind a fence on the left. It's a longer walk than to the main london Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a lift there in 15 minutes at 22:00 asking people (September 2013). It seemed most traffic running was M20/M25, but might of been the time of night. This is perfect for getting to Maidstone.<br/ > This service station has a BP petrol station and a McDonald's. Cost of public transport: One train ticket ''from zone 1'' (approximately £3.50 off-peak) or take the train from Elephant & Castle in central south-east (no barriers) towards Seven Oaks for a free ride. '''Option 3''': Texaco petrol station, Swanley Same directions as for Option 2 above you, but this time, walk into town from the station, and head to the London Road going south towards M20. On the way there is a Texaco petrol station that seems quite busy. Further down there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you can stand 're hungry or in need of a layby nearby cup of coffee. The road takes you straight down to the motorway. Make sure that you get a ride going to Maidstone Service Station, because it's after the town so someone going to the town of Maidstone won't pass the service station. If you do get a ride just to the town of Maidstone, there is a good lay-by for hitchhiking on the roundabout that leads to the on ramp to the M20, but you'll have to thumb a ride because there is nowhere to ask people. It works with a sign saying M4 west, and someone will pick you up"M20 4 miles" to get to the service station. Gunnersbury Underground Tube Cost of Public Transport: xxx '''Option 4''': Motorway service station Clackett Lane (District LineM25) A. Take the train from ''London Bridge' is also convenient' to ''Oxted''. Walk southeast along Station Road to Westerham Road (A25). Turn left (east) and walk 3.5km till the junction with Clackett Lane. Turn left here and walk 1.6km along Clackett Lane to the entrance to the service station (heading East) just after you pass over the M25 motorway bridge.
Heading for '''Cornwall''', it is much more easier hitching the M4 Cost of Public Transport: You can reach London Bridge by overground from a station without barriers and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch skip the M3 through [[South West (England)|Dorset]]fare.
===How Option 5: (Experimental) : Sun in the Sands roundabout, direct onto the A2 to Dover. Jass passed here the other day and saw what seems to be an ideal spot with a lot of space for vehicles to get pull over on the slip road onto the M20 Motorway (South East)===motorway.<map lat='51Take the overline to Blackheath from London Bridge.43983124736507' lng='0Follow Montpellier Road past the large Blackheart meadows/ park then up Shooters Hill Road till you get to the roundabout.0528717041015625' zoom='15' view='0' float='right' />
* '''Where to''': ('''''=== Southeast towards [[South East (England)|The South East]]'''''), [[Maidstone]], [[CanterburyHastings]], [[Dover]], [[The Channel Tunnel]], [[France]] (''[[Western EuropeRoyal Tunbridge Wells]]'')* '''Cost of public transport''': One train ticket ''from zone 1''(approximately £3.10) * '''Last verified''': October 2007A21 ===
* '''Directions'''Get the Underground to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line - Jubilee Line)'' and get the commuter train to a station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)'' - this is very close to the entrance to the M20 to Dover - head for 'Great Sidcup Road' around 800 yards further down the road is a set of traffic lights (corner of 'Sydcup Road' and 'Court Road'), and you can hold a sign saying Dover from that crossroad and try to get the cars stopped at the lights to let you jump in. You can also stand by 'Sydcup Road' at the Shell Gas Station entrance. Remember that the Shell Gas Station is the only place that a car can pull aside before the highway, it is therefore flaw to try to walk further down 'Sydcup Road'.Add info pls
The train to Mottingham (zone 4) departs from Charing Cross Station (downtown zone 1) through Waterloo (zone 1), London Bridge (zone 1), New Cross (zone 2) and Lewisham (zone 2) stations on its way to Dartford and Gillingham. Mottingham Station (as well as the previous station of Lee in zone 3) does not have a check-in/check-out gate, which means that it is better not to use a Oyster Card when going to that station as you won't have the chance to 'touch out' and be charged consequently. Therefore, it is also possible to simply buy a ticket to the previous station in zone 3 (Hither Green or Lee) and bring the cost of the ticket beneath the 3 pounds. The distance between each stations is no longer than 5 minutes.
The best ride to accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the South-East along the M20 and past the M20-M25 junction=== Northwest towards [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], most likely to the [[Maidstone ServicesWarwick]]. Many drivers said that many hitch-hikers happens to stand and hitch at the junction, but the police might be more likely to pick you up. [[Birmingham]], [[North Wales]] {{Mgb|40}} ===
There is also a BP Gas Station Services [[M40 (Swanley ServicesGB) before the M25 junction but the cars still goes in every direction |M40]] is different from other motorways originating from there and catching a ride might reveal difficult; although London, as it would not be advised starts quite close to go until there, someone might want want to do so if he feels he needs to change landscape ''(gathering more information needed)''. Drivers have also said that some people do hitchM25 as a continuation of the dual-hike at the M20/M25 Interchange Roundabouts, though this sound more likely to be illegal, more information would be welcomecarriageway A40. {{infoneeded|Help getting the accurate evaluation regarding this issue}}
====How to get onto M2 Motorway (South East)====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|South East]]'''''), [[Rochester]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verifiedOption 1''': M40 Junction 1
*Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to ''Uxbridge'Directions''':Get (Zone 6). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and then right at the Underground next big roundabout. From there follow signs to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line M40 - Jubilee Line)'' and you will eventually get the commuter train to a station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)''(''Note that junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch along -hike from there (there's also a nice spot at the M20 and changing traffic lights). You might need to cross parts of the M2 in [[Maidstone]]''){{infoneeded | Help complete this information with the one available for the M20}}road where vehicle will already be flying at motorway speeds - stay safe!!!
====How to get Confirm with the driver that he is going straight onto the M40, and does not turn onto A21 Highway M25 (South EastLondon Orbital)====* '''Where . Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy to''': hitch-hike on ('''''[[South East (Englandsee M40 article)|The South East]]'''''), [[Hastings]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': .
*'''DirectionsOption 2''':{{infoneeded| Help providing the information with the one available for the M20}}A40 Junction (Hangar Lane)
===How to get onto Take the M40 Motorway Central Line tube (North WestRuislip branch) to ''Hangar Lane'' (zone 3)===. As you exit into the main hall of the tube station, have a look at the local area map and find the exit for the westbound A40 slip road. Keep walking along the slip road, and then A40. There are two good places to hitch from:
<map lat=1. A bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd. It has a long lay-by, which is a good place to hitch from as long as there'51s nothing parked there.55322' lng=Legally, it's a "non-stopping except buses" lay-0by.4508' zoom='17' view='0' float='right' />
* '''Where to''': ('''''[[West (England)|2. The West (London)]]''''')other place is half a mile further on, [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], ('''''[[West Midlands a little lay-by with no restrictions. Its good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (England)|The West Midlands]]''''')the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway, [[Warwick]]so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, [[Birmingham]], [[Redditch]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 6 (Hillingdon) or zone 3 (Hanger LaneLynwood Road).* '''Last verified''': 28 December 2007 (Hillingdon), 26 January 2008 (Hanger Lane)
*'''DirectionsOption 3''':M40 is different from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to M25 as a continuation of the dual-carriageway A40.Junction (Hillingdon)
A40 has a number Take the Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line tube to ''Hillingdon'' (zone 6). As you exit the tube station and go to the end of entrances with heavy walkway, turn right and walk until you reach the big trafficlight-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western Avenue' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue). Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the following 2 places grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. The area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night.It is advisable to have been successfully hitched from:a sign saying "Oxford" or something, as a lot of traffic leaves [[M40 (GB)|M40]] at junction 1a to continue on [[M25 (GB)|M25]].There is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearby. If you happen to get really stuck (which I think you won't - I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during a post-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternative.<br/ >
**'''Hanger Lane''' Underground station (Central Line, West Ruislip branch, zone 3)
As you exit into the main hall of the tube station=== North towards [[Luton]], have a look at the local area map and find an exit by the Westbound A40 slip road. Once you are out of the underground[[Milton Keynes]], keep walking along the slip road('''''[[East Midlands|The East Midlands]]'''''), and then A40. There are two good places to hitch from:[[Northampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]] {{Mgb|1}} ===
One of them is a bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd. It has a long lay-by, which is a good place to hitch from as long as there's nothing parked there. Legally, it's a "non-stopping except buses" lay-by.'Option 1''': Motorway service station London Gateway
The other place is half a mile further on - a little lay-by with no restrictionsTake Northern Line tube to Edgware, and then walk 2.5km: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. I (Lnx) have not personally hitched from thereFollow the road along, but it looks like turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, you will then go over a good spot bridge over the M1 and has an advantage of being open come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the entire A40 subway under the roundabout, and come out on the A1 ('Barnet Way), just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the Lynwood Rd bus stop has petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you come to a separation between the incoming slip road on your left with a big sign with three symbols, one of which would translate as 'no access to anyone except authorised vehicles' and clearly goes under the main carriagewaymotorway. Walk down it and you come to [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.6136474, so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road-0.2756824/51.6331801,-0.267389/@51.6234134,-0.28321, or Lynwood Road)14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2707532!2d51.6182613!3s0x487616bd30b5031d:0x8018c6fc46ad7c0a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2601509!2d51.6168185!3s0x487616bf7b9c6b11:0x36592f73c8bb24ff!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2554027!2d51.6210173!3s0x487616ea6c84b413:0x4e9825452a0ab13a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2661023!2d51.6315945!3s0x4876168dfd4886a1:0x9337096bd5773568!1m0!3e2?hl=en London Gateway Services].
**'''Hillingdon''' Underground station Cost of public transport: £3.10 (Piccadilly/Metropolitan Lines, off peak) from zone 6)1.
As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn left and walk until you reach big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western AvenueOption 2''' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue): [http://maps. Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40google. Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stopcom/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51. The area is also well572780,+-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]
There is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearby. Important : If you happen are getting a lift from here, ensure that the driver is driving to get really stuck at least the next service station (Toddington), which I think you won't is approximately 50- I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during a post-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, 60 miles from this might be an alternativespot.
===How to get onto the M1 Motorway (North)===* '''Where to''': ('''''[[The North (England)|The North (London)]]'''''), [[Luton]], [[Milton Keynes]], ('''''[[East Midlands (England)|The East Midlands]]'''''), [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 5. * '''Last verified''': March 2007xxx
*'''Directions'''[[File:Staples_corner_m1.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hitching Spot at Staples Corner for M1]]
** - This place seems to work really well. I get the bus to brent cross and then its about a 10 min walk to this spot. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout ('''Option 1Staples Corner ''West'' '''). You'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place (the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue and is by the ''Western'' side of the railway bridge). It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign.
It - This is possible a very good place, however one user recommends right next to walk from Edgware tube ''the car repair center (Northern Lineon the right of it )'' to London Gateway Services on there is entrance for the M1. There are a few different ways to walk, but the simplest Motorway which is: Turn right out of slightly going upwards before meeting the station onto 'Station Road'highway. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, you will then You may go over a bridge over the M1 up and come make sure to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into stand atleast 100 meters away from the subway under the roundabout, and come out point where cars enter on this road from the A1 ('Barnet Way), just by the petrol stationredlight behind. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', and keep walking until you come to a road on your left with Have a big sign telling you not to go down therethat says M1. Walk down it and you come to '''London Gateway Services'''.[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=Edgware,+Station+Rd,+Edgware,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&daddr=Ellesmere+ave&sll=51.618975,-0.26532&sspn=0.014895,0.039396&ie=UTF8&ll=51.618976,-0.265388&spn=0.014895,0.039396&z=15&om=1 Google map of directions]
Also [http- In case you are going to Edinburgh://mapsonce you are at any of the service stations on the motorway, you will find a lot of people going in that direction, i.e.googlegoing to Leeds and further.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51Somewhere north of Leeds, the M1 becomes the A1(M) highway; however, ensure that once you are on this highway going in the direction of Newcastle, and then Edinburgh, you do not get out at the last petrol station before Newcastle.572780 Get out at the 2nd,+3rd or 4th last petrol station before Newcastle, but not the last one. The second last one has a huge McD and more long-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]distance traffic than the last one, which has a Burger King and Costa and is just a small petrol station with mostly local traffic from Newcastle coming for petrol. Minimal walkingEnsure whoever is taking you drops you off only at a petrol station and not on a country road. For public transportAfter Newcastle, enter there is only one major/decent petrol station in a town called Alnwick (pronounced 'Staples CornerAnnick' in TFL's [http://journeyplanner).tflTry finding someone who is going to Edinburgh directly from one of the earlier good McD stations.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en Journey Planner]. This worked successfully for [[User:System.Exception]] in July 2007A better alternative route to Edinburgh is to take the M1, M6, A74(M), and A707; this way, you won't have to bother about McD and Newcastle.
** '''Option 2'''
Another option is to take the tube to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there you follow the '=== North Circular Road' westwards for about 1kmtowards, and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby[[Stevanage]], [[Peterborough]], although if this road is more convenient for your destination[[East Midlands]], you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre[[East of England|The East]], you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see[[Newcastle]], which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound [[North Circular'. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout. you'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place. It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign. Certainly it is better than the entrance to the M1 used by traffic going eastbound on the 'East England|The North Circular', which has a big camera pointing right at where you would stand.East]] {{agb|1}} ===
Brent Cross tube has barriersMoat Mount Park bus stop on A1. Buses 292, but they are often left open384, so if you can get in without paying, you have 606 tops there. After 5 km there is a good chance of not having problems on the way out.Mimms Service petrol station / rest stop
====How to get onto A1 Highway (North)====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[The North (England)|The North (London)]]'''''), [[Stevanage]], ('''''[[East Midlands (England)|East Midlands]]'''''), ('''''[[East (England)|The East]]'''''), [[Peterborough]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': xxx
*'''Directions''':
''(Same information as to the M1)'' {{infoneeded| Help complete this information with the one available for the M20}}
Another option is to take the tube to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there you follow the 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km=== Northwest towards [[Cambridge]], and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby[[London Stansted]], although if this road is more convenient for your destination[[Norwich]], you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular'. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout. you'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place. It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign. Certainly it is better than the entrance to the M1 used by traffic going eastbound on the 'North Circular'[[East of England|The East]], which has a big camera pointing right at where you would stand.East Coast {{Mgb|11}} ===
Brent Cross Take the Central Line tube has barriersto ''Redbridge'' (zone 4). Once at the station, but they are often left openturn right and use the subways to cross under the A406. Once on the slip road for the A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), so if you can get in without payingthere is a great place for vehicles to pull over. The spot is located just next to the bridge over a canal or river. The traffic will not be coming from A406, but it really is a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you have bring a good chance of not having problems on the way outM11 sign with you.
===How to get onto M11 Motorway Cost of public transport: £2.80 (North Eastoff-peak)===* '''Where from zone 1. Tip: To get to''': ('''''[[East (England)|The East]]''''')the same part of london, [[Cambridge]]you can also take the Central line to Roding Valley. Here there are no barriers as you exit so if you managed to get into the underground system for free, [[Peterborough]], [[Norwich]], [[London Stansted]] * you can get out for free. It'''Cost s about a half an hour walk to the start of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': the M11. For getting into the underground system, you can for example get in at Finsbury Park where there are no barriers either. There are also other stations.
*'''Directions''':
{{infoneeded| Information needed}}
*'''DirectionsOption 1''':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}Lay-by on A316 near Kempton Park
====How Cost of public transport: One ticket/travelcard to get onto A3/A24 Highway (South)====* zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton''Where to''Kempton Park'' railway station. ': (''Kempton Park'''[[South East station is just outside London Transport Zones (England)|The South East]]'''Hampton''), [[Woking]]the previous station on the Waterloo-Shepperton line, [[Porstmouth]]is in zone 6), [[Guildford]], [[Worthing]]* '''Cost but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of public transportmeeting a ticket inspector between ''Hampton': * 'and ''Last verifiedKempton Park''': should be quite remote.
*'''DirectionsOption 2''':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}A316 Junction with A312
''The A24 is best reached directly in Leatherhead outside the M25, there is a on-ramp to the M25 as well''Cost of public transport: xxx
===How to get onto M23 Motorway/A22 Highway (South)===
* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|The South East]]'''''), [[Brighton]], [[Eastbourne]]
* '''Cost of public transport''':
* '''Last verified''':
*'''Directions''':=== Southwest towards [[Porstmouth]], [[Worthing]] A3/{{infoneededagb|Information needed3}}, & A24 ===
''For the M23West Lodge bus stop on A3. Buses 85, possibly Purley''''For the A22, possibly Kenley''265 and 969 stops there. There is also Co-op Roehampton Vale petrol station
===How to get onto A12/A13 Highway (East)===* '''Where to''': ('''''[[East (England)|The East]]'''''), [[East (England)|Essex]], [[Chelmsford]], [[Colchester]], [[Ipswich]], [[Southend-on-Sea]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': xxx
*'''Directions''':
{{infoneeded|Information needed}}
== Transiting in Greater Take a train from ''Victoria'', ''Clapham Junction'', or ''London ==Bridge'' station to ''East Croyden'' (zone 6). From here, take a train to ''Coulsdon South''. Turn left out of the station on Brighton Road and walk 600m to the roundabout. Nearly all the traffic goes to the M23 from here.
Since nearly all the highway networks lead towards London you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The M25 is the ring highway that surrounds the metropole and connects with every possible highway network in destination Cost of the countrypublic transport: £3. It is then better to be left at some very specific Motorway Services to manage to catch a ride further80 (off-peak) (£2.70 off-peak from Clapham Junction)
Be careful: there are only 3 service stations on the M25, and on the whole western part there are none at all. If you get dropped at a junction rather than at services you can get really stuck, as a large part of the traffic is only going round the road a short way. If it is not possible to get a lift to one of the services, consider waiting for a ride that takes you actually to the road you want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere random on the M25.
Possibly Take Hammersmith & City Line or District Line to ''Bow Road'' (Zone 2). Walk east for ≈700m along the best place Bow Road to get lifts on the M25roundabout junction with the A12. There is are traffic lights here, and a bridge here to cross from one side to McDonalds across the road. Hitch on the slip road heading north on the other, which A12. You can be useful get lifts from here to know if, Ipswich or Colchester. I waited 20 minutes. It was OK. There is plenty of room for example, you are trying people to hitch from the M4 to Brighton but get stop as there is a lift with someone who is going to Doverbus stop nearby.
==Public Transport==''See specific article for [[Transport Cost of London]]''public transport: £2.40 (off-peak from Zone 1)
==Sleep==
There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleep. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad off. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside.
The yet unnamed '''[http://wwwPaid transport to and from airports can be expensive.hackneysocialcentreHitching can be a good alternative.blogspot.com/ Hackney Socail Centre]''' are a newly squatted social centre with plans of opening The exits to the public by airports can also be good places to get lifts to other places. For example, if you get stuck on the 14 western part of feb 2008... The top floor is residantial while the bottom floor is M25, try to get to Heathrow, from there people are going to be used for all different things that might comeover the country. Showing up with ideasIf you are coming from Brighton, help, skills and a smile will probebly trying to get around London, you may get a place ride quicker to crach for some nights!where you want to go if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.
The '''[http://www.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is more helpful for people that are planning to find a place to live, but may be able to help you find a place to crash. It's located at the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and is another great place to meet squatters as well as get online for free. The address is Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QX. (Tel. 020-32160099)
===Free===In Since nearly all the ukmotorway networks lead towards London, you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The M25 is the term for eating food ring motorway that would otherwise be thrown away, is called skippingsurrounds the city and connects with every possible motorway network in all directions. Lots It's recommended to find a lift past London as it's somewhat hard to find somebody going off the M25 in your direction from any of people do itthe service stations on the M25. Be careful: there are only 3 service stations, all from people that come from poor countrys and see the entire western section has none at all . It may also be possible to head around the food that goes M25 from junction to waistjunction. However, to people the only problem is that a few of the junctions are political really bad in there way the south, and you can get really stuck as a large part of livingthe traffic is only going round the ring a short distance. Many peopleIf if you do get stuck, especially in try making a sign M25 east or west. So consider waiting for a ride that actually takes you to the squatt sceen live totaly out of food from road you want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere at random on the bins..M25.
Plenty of places throw out food at closing time. Always check the bags out front of '''Pret a Mangers''' and '''Benjy's''' at 5-7pm. If you feel up to it, you can even go inside when they are closing shop and explain that you're homeless and pick out all the food you want instead of getting it off the sidewalk. Feel no shame, you're helping to curb wastefulness!=== South Mimms Services ===
The South Mimms services are in Potters Bar in the northeast of London and are actually just off the M25 at the junction of the A1(M). For some reason, although it's a big services, you can get stuck here for hours. One option, as ever, is to ask people where they''Coffee Republic''' on Great Marlborough Street near re headed... but there are so many directions possible that it could take a long time to find someone headed your way. Standing at the exit of the Oxford Circle and Carnaby Street services is reported unlikely to work, for whatever reason. Several reports of hours of waiting here mean that you probably need to put out garbage bags with totally normal food--boiled potatoestry something else. If you're going towards the west, sandwichesyou can stand at the ridiculous entrance to the west slip road onto the M25. Although insane, etcyou should be able to get a fast ride out. every eveing around 8pm on weekdays Have a big sign and 7pm on weekendssomeone should be able to at least take you further down the M25 to a better junction, or directly to where you're going, be it to the west or down to Sussex.
The sandwich company "Eat" throw away lots of stuff everyday all over town. Have a look in there bins or outside the shops on the street. === Clacket Lane Services ===
Holesale vegtable markets as New Covent Garden Market Clackett Lane services are located in the south of London and New Spitalfield Market have tots of stuff lying around at are possibly the best place to get lifts on the floor that they cant sell but you seranly can eatM25... Go early in There is a bridge here to cross from one side to the morningother, which can be useful to know if, for example, you probebly run in are trying to hitch from the M4 to Brighton but get a lift with someone who is going to some other people skipping..Dover.
Places like Sansberys, Marks Take the train from ''Victoria'' to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 ([http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm timetable here]) south in the direction of Westerham Green and Spencers, Tesco get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and so then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the entrance to the service station (heading east). Continue walking along Clackett Lane for another 400m over the motorway M25 bridge to reach the entrance for the services heading west. You can see where you're going on have a marking system on there packedge food that map [http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap here]. Where it says when "Clacket Wood" is the food should be thrown away and when it should be eaten beforeservice station. The gap between There is also a street view of this days are often two days and you can still have it more or less a week more depending area on what it isgoogle maps.
===Cheap===If you're going Clacket Lane is an excellent place to self cater, stick hitch to '''Sainsbury's''' Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) and '''Tesco''' rather than the convenient Off-Licenses also fairly good for better prices. If you are a bit out of Central London, you might most other directions as well look for '''Lidl''', '''Morrisons''', '''Netto''' or '''Asda''it's a busy station. Anyhow with a decent and wise grocery, you can get your grocery for nearly a week for about 10-15 pounds at any of Best thing is to stand outside the main doors into the mentioned supermarket with decent, fresh station and healthy food ''(to cook)''. Be awere though ask everyone that thees supermakets not in any sense comes out if they are going your way ("etical". They excuse me, are wiping out local shops, taking monpoly on feeding us, destroyng the enviorment and throwing away food every day that could feed hundreds of thousends of people. Better you by any chance going to eat out of there bins or steal from them!Brighton?")== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
If you get tired of peanut butter sandwiches or want to fill up for the weekend, try one of the MANY £5 all-you-can-eat '''Thai Buffets''' witch are almous always totaly vegan! (some good all-you-can-eat start at £3,50). Go early, they get more expensive in the evening. While downtown, you can also get a ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>6inches sandwich of the day<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' at '''Subway''' for 2 pounds. Bear in mind though that Subway is a company not etical better than Mc Donalds!!! Food in the supermarket is margined higher than in any other shop located in the countryside, a margin also applies to shops banded 'Express' or 'City' (Tesco - Sainsbury) compare to larger surfaces stores.{{nomadwiki}}
→Southeast towards The South East, Maidstone, Folkestone (Channel Tunnel), Dover (Ferries to Europe) {{Mgb|20}}: Added extra possible spo.
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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
{{Infobox Location
|country = England
|pop = 8.623 million (2015)
|motorways = {{Mgb|1}} {{Mgb|11}} {{Mgb|2}} {{Mgb|20}} {{Mgb|23}} {{Mgb|25}} {{Mgb|3}} {{Mgb|4}}
|map = <map lat='51.500152' lng='-0.126236' zoom='11' view='3'/>
}}
'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]].
It's worth knowing that London is HUGE (third biggest city in Europe).
== Greater London ==This region is a part of the [[East of England]] and accessible through the motorways M1/A1 and M11. These regions are part of the [[London]] commuter belt and include in part or totally the following counties: '''Bedfordshire:''' [[Luton]] (London Luton Airport) '''Cambridgeshire:''' [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]] '''Essex:''' [[Colchester]], [[Southend-on-Sea]] '''Hertfordshire:''' [[Stevanage]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] / [[London Stansted]] (Airport) ==Hitching OutHitchhiking in ==* London has a motorway ring-road, the [[httpM25 (GB)|M25]]. '''Get dropped off on or near the M25 and use the public transport to get wherever you need.''' If you are coming from the west and your driver is heading south on the M25, ask to be dropped off at the first junction on the M25:Heathrow Terminal 5. Get off at the roundabout at the end of the motorway spur and walk to the terminal building. The Piccadilly Line Underground starts here. If they are heading north, see the description for getting to Uxbridge Underground station below.<br/ >If you are coming from the southeast on the M20, ask to be dropped off at the A20/M20/wwwM25 roundabout. From here you can take the B2173 road 2km to Swanley train station.hitchbaseAlternatively, if they are heading further north, get dropped off at the M25/A12 junction and walk ≈3km west to Harold Wood station.com<br/ >If you're coming from the north and your driver is heading towards the M4/ergebnisseM3 direction, try to persuade them to do a slight detour off the M25 to junction 1 of the M40 (roundabout with A40).php?LANGFrom there, it's a ≈2km walk to Uxbridge Underground station. Otherwise, get off at the last services (Toddington) before the M25 and look for a lift going inside the ring road.<br/ > '''Hitch into London from the last services on your motorway before the M25 (the driver will usually know which one this is).''' Then try to find a ride that bring you close enough to your destination. Check "public transport" for navigating the system efficiently and cheaply. See the transiting around the M25 section below if you just want to bypass London. =eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=444 Hitchbase] has some information about hitchhiking Hitchhiking out of London==
Hitchhiking out of London is pretty tricky, but not impossible - the big problem is getting onto a motorway is a bit of a challenge, once you're on the motorway, stick to the petrol stations, hitching entrance ramp to entrance ramp is quite difficult, especially in the big cities.
B. Take the train from ''Victoria'' to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 south in the direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the entrance to the service station heading East (before crossing over the motorway bridge).
If your driver is going to Oxford or somewhere nearby then request to be dropped off at the 'Welcome Break' services just before Wheatley, junction 8A (just a km after junction 8). This is a busy services and easy to find lifts all over the country.
Take Northern Line tube to ''Brent Cross'' (zone 3). From there you follow the 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km (along Tilling Road), and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is advisable possible to have hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there is a sign saying "Oxford" or somethingbus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, as and a lot of small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1). You can also hitch at the traffic leaves M40 at junction 1a lights (see spot on the map to continue the right) or on the hard shoulder on M25the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lights.
===How to get onto M3 Motorway (South West)===* '''Where to''': ('''''Southwest towards [[South West (England)|The South West]]'''''), [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West (England)|Dorset]], [[Poole|Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': {{Mgb|3}} ===
Take the train from ''London Waterloo''Possible site along in the A316 in Richmond direction of Shepperton and exit at ''Kempton Park'' station. Exit the station (Twickenham Roaddo not go on the footbridge) or junction of , cross the Great Chersey racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road (, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316) and itself, walk on the Hampton Road pavement in Twickenhamthe opposite direction to the traffic.Most logically You will immediately see a good starting point lay-by (chances are some lorries will be along this parked there). You can hitch from there. The position is not perfect, as the road between Twickenham is going downhill, and Richmond.''the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph)
Take the train on the same line as above, and get off at ''Fulwell''Possible site along . Walk south on Wellington Road, and then turn right onto Park Road. Follow this road as it joins the A3 would be located between Putney Heath/Roehampton A312 for about 1.5 km in total. Just below the A316 bridge, which you will see ahead of you as you follow the A312, there is a roundabout. The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the A316. There is a bus stop and New Malden/West Wimbledona pedestrian crossing here, New Malden offering the best opportunities''and traffic is going uphill, and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a sign saying "M3".
==Airports==Paid transport to and from airports can be expensive. Hitching can be a good alternative. The exits to the airports can also be good places to get lifts to other places. For example, if you get stuck on the western part of the M25, try to get to Heathrow, from there people are going all over the country. If you are coming from Brighton, and trying to get around London, you may get a ride quicker to where you want to go if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.* South towards [[London Gatwick]]* [[London Stansted]]* [[London HeathrowBrighton]]* [[Luton {{Mgb| London Luton]]23}} ===
===Clacket Lane ServicesEast towards [[East of England|The East]], [[East of England|Essex]], [[Chelmsford]], [[Colchester]], [[Ipswich]], [[Southend-on-Sea]] A/12 ===
==Airports =Squatting===London has such an abundance of [[squat]]s that you shouldn't ever have to pay for accomodation. Don't worry about the connotation associated with squats. They generally aren't crackhouses or scabie infested punk hangouts. People of all types squat in London and their homes are usually very nice. They are especially helpful if you're planning to stick around for a while, but can also be great if you're just passing through. [[User:Zac Stewart|Zac]]<small><sup>[[User talk:Zac Stewart|talk]]</sup></small> ended up with a squat to sleep in on his first night, and in [[Mayfair]] of all places! There is a strong community of squatters especially in the north east parts of London where a new group have been set for recistens and solidarity. The North East London Squatters Network are having meetings every month as well as a mailinglist etc... For more info, get in tuch with the Hackney social centre that are listed below...
'''[http:[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]''' /'''[[London Stansted|London Stansted]]''' /www.rampart.co.nr/ rampART]''' is a squatted social center in [[WhitechapelLondon Heathrow|London Heathrow]]. This place isn't a residential squat, but they have a "crash room" for visitors. They make it clear that it is not a tourist hostel so you needn't bother them unless you are interested in getting involved with their project for some time while you're there. To stay, you need to contact them well ahead of time. If nothing else, it/ ''s a great place to meet squatters and find a place to stay. They also have free internet! The address is 15-17 Rampart Street, '[[Luton|London, E1 2LA. BE AVERE THAT rampART AT THE MOMENT HEVE MOVED BECOUSE OF EVICTION. THE NEW PLACE IS ON THE SAME ROAD BUT SOME HOUSES AWAY, GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM TO GET TO KNOW THE NEW DIRECTION...Luton]]'''
==EatTransiting Greater London ==Cheap and free food abounds in London.
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