51
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
== Hitchhiking around London ==
Also, on the M25, it may be possible, if hitting London is unavoidable but it needs to be passed, to head around the ring on the junctions. The only problem is that a few of the junctions are really bad in the south..try not to get stuck in this trap and if stuck make a sign with M25 and east or west.
* [http://www.hitchbase.com/ergebnisse.php?LANG=eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=444 Hitchbase] has some information about hitchhiking out of London
=== Direction: West England, South-West England, South Wales ===
==== M4 Motorway ====
<map lat='51== 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.491738177580345' lng='A few of the earlier junctions are hitchhiking nightmare spots -0junction 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.28118133544921875 ' zoom='16' view=Option 1'0' float='right' />: M4 Motorway Junction 1 (Chiswick Roundabout)
* '''Where A. Take the District Line Underground to''': ('''Gunnersbury''[[West (Englandzone 3)|The West (London)]] or train to ''Kew Bridge'''). (Alternatively, [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ('''the Overground at ''[[South West England|The South-West]]''Acton''doesn't have barriers, but is a kilometer further away.), [[Bristol]], [[South West England|Devon]], [[South West England|Cornwall]],* '''Cost Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 - one west and one east of public transport''': One ticket the roundabout) along which you walk 500m to Zone 3 - approximately 5 UKP from Zone Junction 1of 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 are also is a number of buses that run bus lay-by this roundabout. The H91 runs to the hitching spot itselfnearby with a sign saying M4 west. I'll try and get more details next time. * '''Last verified''': April 2010
* B. Take bus H91 from ''Hammersmith Bus station'Directions''':Get in the Underground to Gunnersby tube stationdirection of Hounslow West and get off at ''(District Line)Chiswick Roundabout/Gunnersbury'' or the main line station at Kew Bridge. (Alternatively, the Overground Stop 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 are already at the M4. You want 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 westhitching point.
* '''Last verified'''Cost of public transport: 20th February 2011: I frequentlly hitch £2.80 (off peak) from this spot, works well, and rarely wait more than half an hourZone 1. Wait just before the bus stop as this is where people generally stop. / Verified in July 2013, got lucky and the second car on that Esso petrol station took me until Bristol. / Verified in October 2015, hitched from this point twice recently - only waited approx 15 minutes for a ride onto the M4(Bus fare £1.50)
Heading for '''CornwallOption 2''', it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying : A4 leading to hitch the M3 through [[South West England|Dorset]].An alternative spot for the M4 nearer to the centre and a good one for the (or M3: Exit at West Kensington tube (zone 2 district line). Turn right out of the station, there are traffic lights 10m away. Turh right and there is a layby where you can stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways. (It's also cheaper to get to). I never normally wait more than 30 mins. here.
=== Direction: Heading for [[South-East West England (Kent|Cornwall]], Eurotunnel, Dover, Ferries it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to Europe) ===hitch the M3 through ==== M20 Motorway ====<map lat='51.43983124736507' lng='0[[South West England|Dorset]].0528717041015625' zoom='15' view='0' float='right' />
* ''Take District Line Underground to 'Where to'West Kensington'': ('''''[[South East England|South East]]'''''zone 2). Turn right out of the station, [[Maidstone]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]], [[Channel Tunnel|there are traffic lights 10m away. Turn right and there is a lay-by where you can stand. The Channel Tunnel]], [[France]] advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways. (It''[[Western Europe]]''s also cheaper to get to).
** '''Option 1: Mottingham'''** '''Cost of public transport''': One train ticket ''from zone 1'' £2.40 (approximately £3.50 off-peak) or take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and from there, the 161 bus to Mottingham. (Mottenham train station doesn't have barriers...)** '''Last verified''': July 2014** '''Directions:''' The train to Mottingham Station (Zone 4) departs from ''Charing Cross Station'' (Zone 1) 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.
This is very close to the entrance to the M20 to Dover. When you come out of the train station, head for Sidcup Road (corner of 'Sidcup Road' and 'Court RoadOption 3''', around 800 yards). At the traffic lights turn left, where you see a Shell petrol : Motorway service station. This leads towards Dover. This is the A20, which eventually becomes the M20.Heston
The best ride Take Piccadilly Line Underground westbound and get off at ''Hounslow West'' (zone 5). Turn right from the station exit and walk 800m west along Bath Road to accept from Mottingham just past Henleys roundabout where there is a BP petrol station. Right at the exit of the petrol station is one that brings a footpath heading north. Walk ≈650m and where it splits, turn right 20 metres until you directly into the South-East 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 M20 and left. Just past the M20-M25 junctionbend, most likely to you will see a short path on the right through the [[Maidstone Services]]bushes/trees onto Heston service station. Many drivers said that many hitch-hikers happen It's not an overly busy services but enough traffic to stand justify getting out here and hitch at cutting out all the local traffic in the junction, but centre. Use a sign as there is a lot of local traffic and also traffic heading onto the police might be more likely to pick you upM25 both south and north.
'''Last verified''': Cost of the train to Mottingham was £5public transport: £3. Me and and my girlfriend hitchhiked 10 (off peak) from Mottingham spot and a lorry picked us up in 15 minutes and took us to the start of M20. There we waited about 20 minutes in a motorway entrance, and got a drive by another lorry all the way to Folkestone service station. There a car picked us up after 5 minutes and took us with them on the ferry and all the way to [[Brugge]] in [[Belgium]].Zone 1
** '''Option 2: Swanley'''
** '''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.
** '''Last verified''': November 2015
** '''Directions:''' You can get onto M20 from Swanley. Get a train to Kent from London Victoria (Ashford International, Gillingham, Seven Oakes, etc.). 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.
'''Swanley Bypass:''' From the station head away from town on London Road=== Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], onto [[Maidstone Road]], where you'll find a hole in the fence on the left. There is a BP garage with a McDonalds, it's a longer walk than to the Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a lift there in 15 minutes at 22:00 asking people [[Folkestone]] (September 2013[[Channel Tunnel]]). It seemed most traffic was M20/M25, but might of been the time of night. This is perfect for getting [[Dover]] (Ferries to Maidstone.Europe) {{Mgb|20}} ===
<map lat=Take the train from ''Charing Cross Station'' (Zone 1) to ''Mottingham Station''51(Zone 4).3902018510923It passes through ' lng='0.188269615173336Waterloo East'' (Zone 1), ''London Bridge'' (Zone 1), ''New Cross'' (Zone 2) and ''Lewisham'' (Zone 2) stations on its way to '' zoom=Dartford'15' view=or '0' float=Gillingham'right' . Alternatively, take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and from there, the 161 bus to Mottingham. When you 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/>
** "'Option 3: Clackett Lane'"** "'Last Verified'": April 2015** "'Cost of Public Transport'"public transport: 0-9GBP** "'Directions'": For those in a hurry going South-East, there are trains from London Bridge to Oxted, a 3km walk from Clackett Lane services (on the south of the M25). You can reach London Bridge by overground from a station without barriers and skip the fare. Once there, you're already on the motorway and you just need train to head EastMottingham was £5.
==== M2 Motorway ====* '''Where The best ride to''': ('''''[[accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the South -East England|South East]]''''')along the M20 and past the M20/M25 junction, most likely to the [[RochesterMaidstone Services]]. Many drivers have said that many hitch-hikers happen to stand and hitch at the M20/M25 junction, [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': but the police might be more likely to pick you up.
* '''Directions'''Cost of public transport:Get the Underground to London Bridge Station ''£2.80 (Northern Line off- Jubilee Linepeak)'' and get the commuter from zone 1. (Mottingham train to a station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)''(''Note that you can hitch along the [[M20 (GB)|M20]] and changing to the [[M2 (GB)|M2]] in [[Maidstone]]'doesn't have barriers...)<br/ >
==== A21 Motorway ====* '''Where to'''NOTE: ('''''[[South East England|The South East]]''''')most classic method departing London in the direction of continental Europe begins in Mottingham. Most traffic is local, [[Hastings]]thus it is best to ask people whether they are going onto the M25 ring road. If yes, [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]* '''Cost 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 exit for the town of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': Maidstone is junction 7. This is the last major service station located before Dover and it is recommended to find a 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."
* '''DirectionsOption 2''':{{infoneeded| Help providing the information with the one available for the M20}}BP petrol station on Swanley Bypass (A20)
=== Direction: North-WestThe easiest way to get here is to take a train to Sidcup, Scotlandthen take the 233 city bus towards Swanley and get off at Old Maidstone Road. The service station will be about two minutes' walk down and across the road. There is a gate in the fence, North Wales ======= M40 Motorway ====though it may be closed in which case you'll have to jump the fence.
* '''Where Another way to get here is totake a train from ''London Victoria': ('to ''Swanley''[[West . Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South. (England)|The West There is also a direct train from St. Pancras to Swanley, but it cost £8.80 (London)]]'''''peak)in Nov 2015, [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], ('''''[[West Midlands|The West Midlands]]''''so might as well just get a megabus if you're going to pay that much). From the station, [[Warwick]]cross the tracks with the pedestrian bridge to Everest Place, [[Birmingham]], [[Redditch]]* '''Cost of public transport''turn right on St. Mary': One ticket s Rd to zone 6 the roundabout at London Road. From here, turn left (Hillingdon) or zone 3 (Hanger Lanenorth)along London Road/ Maidstone Road for 2.6kms.* '''Last verified'Here you'll find the service station behind a fence on the left. It's a longer walk than to the Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a lift there in 15 minutes at 22: 28th October 2010 00 asking people (HillingdonSeptember 2013). It seemed most traffic was M20/M25, 26 January 2008 (Hanger Lane), 24 May 2009 (M40 J1)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 ''Directions'from zone 1'':[[M40 (GBapproximately £3.50 off-peak)|M40]] is different or take the train from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to M25 as Elephant & Castle in central south-east (no barriers) towards Seven Oaks for a continuation of the dual-carriageway A40free ride. '''Option 3''': Texaco petrol station, Swanley
A40 has Same directions as for Option 2 above, 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 number big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you're hungry or in need of entrances with heavy traffica 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, and there is a good lay-by for hitchhiking on the roundabout that leads to the on ramp to the following 3 places M20, but you'll have been successfully hitched from:to thumb a ride because there is nowhere to ask people. It works with a sign saying "M20 4 miles" to get to the service station.
** '''M40 junction 1'''Cost of Public Transport: xxx
Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to Uxbridge '''Option 4''': Motorway service station Clackett Lane (Zone 6M25). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and then right at the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to M40 - you will eventually get to junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from there.
Confirm with A. Take the driver that he is going straight on M40, and does not turn onto M25 (train from ''London Orbital)Bridge'' to ''Oxted''. Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy Walk southeast along Station Road to hitch-hike on Westerham Road (see [[M40 A25). Turn left (GBeast)|M40]] articleand 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.
** B. Take the train from ''Victoria'' to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 south in the direction of Westerham Green and get off at 'Hanger Lane'Pilgrims Way'' Underground . 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 (Central Line, West Ruislip branch, zone 3before crossing over the motorway bridge).
As you exit into the main hall Cost of the tube Public Transport: You can reach London Bridge by overground from a station, have a look at the local area map without barriers and find an exit by the Westbound A40 slip road. Once you are out of the underground, keep walking along skip the slip road, and then A40fare. There are two good places to hitch from:
One 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 them is a bus stop just past space for vehicles to pull over on the slip road onto the junction with Lynwood Rdmotorway. It has a long lay-by, which is a good place Take the overline to hitch Blackheath from as long as there's nothing parked thereLondon Bridge. Legally, it's a "non-stopping except buses" lay-byFollow Montpellier Road past the large Blackheart meadows/ park then up Shooters Hill Road till you get to the roundabout.
The other place is half a mile further on - a little lay-by with no restrictions. I (=== Southeast towards [[User:LnxSouth East England|LnxThe South East]]) have not personally hitched from there, but it looks like a good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway[[Hastings]], so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, or Lynwood Road).[[Royal Tunbridge Wells]] A21 ===
** '''Hillingdon''' Underground station (Piccadilly/Metropolitan Lines, zone 6).Add info pls
As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn right and walk until you reach big traffic light-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 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 a sign saying "=== Northwest towards [[Oxford" or something]], [[High Wycombe]], as a lot of traffic leaves [[M40 (GB)|M40Warwick]], [[Birmingham]] at junction 1a to continue on , [[M25 (GB)|M25North Wales]].{{Mgb|40}} ===
There [[M40 (GB)|M40]] is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearby. If you happen different from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to get really stuck (which I think you won't - I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during M25 as a postcontinuation of the dual-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternativecarriageway A40.
Update: I took this advice to travel from London to Oxford in October 2010, and it worked very well: I didn't reach the roadside until 21''Option 1''':00, so the world beyond the streetlights was utterly dark, but still got a ride within half an hour. A good spot to travel Northbound from London.M40 Junction 1
=== Direction: North ======= M1 Motorway ====* '''Where Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to''Uxbridge': ('''''[[The North (England)|The North (London)]]'''''Zone 6). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, [[Luton]], [[Milton Keynes]]and then right at the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to M40 - you will eventually get to junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from there (there'''''[[East Midlands|The East Midlands]]'''''s also a nice spot at the traffic lights), [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]]. You might need to cross parts of the road where vehicle will already be flying at motorway speeds - stay safe!!!
* '''Directions''':Confirm with the driver that he is going straight onto the M40, and does not turn onto M25 (London Orbital). Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy to hitch-hike on (see M40 article).
** '''Option 1''' - [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=15386599078168394493,51.613806,-0.276014%3B7303632460877835457,51.616789,-0.260584&saddr=A5100%2FStation+Rd+%4051.613806,+-0.276014&daddr=A5100%2FHale+Ln+%4051.616789,+-0.260584+to:51.629873,-0.264659&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1&sll=51.62617,-0.269852&sspn=0.017104,0.047035&ie=UTF8&ll=51.622306,-0.273972&spn=0.017105,0.047035&z=15 London Gateway Services]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 5.** '''last verified''': March 2016 - Take a long time to get there, but got a lift in 20 seconds past Luton. May 2016 - waited 30 minutes at the exit; good place to hitch.A40 Junction (Hangar Lane)
It is possible to walk from Edgware Take the Central Line tube ''(Northern LineWest Ruislip branch)'' to London Gateway Services on the M1. The walk is about 2.5km. There are a few different ways to walk, but the simplest is: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Hangar Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, (zone 3). As you will then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down exit into the subway under main hall of the roundabouttube station, have a look at the local area map and come out on find the A1 ('Barnet Way), just by exit for the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this westbound A40 slip road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you come to a along the 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 motorwaythen A40. Walk down it and you come There are two good places to '''London Gateway Services'''.hitch from:
<map lat='511. A bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd.572129' lng=It has a long lay-by, which is a good place to hitch from as long as there'-0s nothing parked there.230595' zoom='16' view='0' width='400px' height='200px' float='right' />** '''Option 2''Legally, it' s a "non- [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780,+stopping except buses" lay-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 3by.** '''Last verified''': 18th August, 2014
[[File:Staples_corner_m12. The other place is half a mile further on, a little lay-by with no restrictions. Its good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway, so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, or Lynwood Road).jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hitching Spot at Staples Corner for M1]]
** This is a very good option :) Another option is to take the tube to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)'Option 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 possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1). You can also hitch at the traffic lights : A40 Junction (see spot on the map to the rightHillingdon) or on the hard shoulder on the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lights.
This place seems Take the Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line tube to work really well''Hillingdon'' (zone 6). I get As you exit the bus tube station and go to brent cross the end of walkway, turn right and walk until you reach the big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western Avenue' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue). Cross the road, then its turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the 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 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 10 min walk ride on an evening during a post-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this spotmight be an alternative.<br/ >
However, it tends If your driver is going to Oxford or somewhere nearby then request to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around be dropped off at the roundabout ('''Staples Corner ''West'' ''Welcome Break'services just before Wheatley, junction 8A (just a km after junction 8). You'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there This is a bus stop beside a car repair place (the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue busy services 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 (worked for [[User:Lnx|Lnx]] - a 5-minute wait in easy to find lifts all over the dark!)country.
This is a very good place, however one user recommends right next to the car repair center ( on the right of it )there is entrance for the M1 Motorway which is slightly going upwards before meeting the highway. You may go up and make sure to stand atleast 100 meters away from the point where cars enter on this road from the redlight behind, since they need some time to spot you and there is plenty of space for them to stop ,if you have a sign that says M1. Worked quite well on 18th Aug 2014. If you are too close to the entrance incline they will zoom past by you so ensure you walk up a bit and give them enough distance to see you and your sign.
Important *** : If you are getting in a car here=== North towards [[Luton]], ensure that the driver is driving atleast 50-60 miles and not getting off on some nearby town before 50-60 miles. From this point on to until 50-60 miles on this highway there is no Petrol Station at all. So ensure you can get a ride with someone who knows a petrol station on this highway and can drop you to a Petrol Station.[[Milton Keynes]], ('''''[[East Midlands|The East Midlands]]'''''), [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]] {{Mgb|1}} ===
In case you are going to Edinburgh: once you are at any of the petrol stations, you will find a lot of people going in that direction, i.e. going to LEEDS and further. Somewhere 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. Get down at the 2nd, 3rd or 4th last petrol station before Newcastle, but not the last one. The second last one has a huge McDonalds. The last one has a Burger King and Costa and it is just a small petrol station with mostly local traffic from Newcastle coming for petrol.A hitchhiking couple got stuck here and could not find a ride for 13 hours beyond Newcastle. So the rule of thumb here is'''Option 1''': do not get out at the last petrol Motorway service station before the city, unless it is a McDonalds. Ensure whoever is taking you drops you off only at a petrol station and not on a country road. After Newcastle, there is only one major/decent petrol station in a town called Alnwick (pronounced 'Annick'). Try finding someone who is going to Edinburgh directly from one of the earlier good McDonalds stations.London Gateway
A better alternative route Take Northern Line tube to Edinburgh is Edgware, and then walk 2.5km: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, you will then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to take a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the subway under the M1roundabout, M6, A74and come out on the A1 (M'Barnet Way), and A707; just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you come to a road on your left with a big sign with three symbols, you wonone of which would translate as 't have no access to bother about McDonalds anyone except authorised vehicles' and clearly goes under the motorway. Walk down it and Newcastleyou come to [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.6136474,-0.2756824/51.6331801,-0.267389/@51.6234134,-0.28321,14z/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].
==== A1 Motorway / A1(M) Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[The North (England)|The North (London)]]'''''), [[Stevanage]], ('''''[[East Midlands]]'''''), ('''''[[East of England|The East]]'''''), [[Peterborough]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': £3.10 (off peak) from zone 1.
* '''DirectionsOption 2''':''(See information for M1[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780, Option 2 +- 0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner. Hold the sign saying "A1 North". There must be better places to get onto A1, though...)'']
This is untested, but should workTake Northern Line tube to ''Brent Cross'' (zone 3). Take From there you follow the tube 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km (Northern Linealong Tilling Road) , and you get to High Barnet, here take the 84 bus to South Mimms services, at bottom of the junction between M1 (don't get confused with the M25 and A1(Mwhich also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from here). One user tried thisAfter passing the shopping centre, and thinks you should see the junction M1. It is too bigpossible to hitch at the first entrance you see, and which is the traffic too fastcoming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for this to be a good spotM1). Another user spent 5 unsuccessful hours You can also hitch at South Mimms trying the traffic lights (see spot on the map to get the A1(Mright) North, most people aren't likely to stop at or on the first service station hard shoulder on their way out of the cityon-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lights.
=== DirectionImportant : East AngliaIf you are getting a lift from here, East Coast ======= M11 Motorway ====* '''Where ensure that the driver is driving to''': at least the next service station ('''''[[East of England|The East]]'''''Toddington), [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]], [[Norwich]], [[London Stansted]] * '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 4* '''Last verified''': March 2012which is approximately 50-60 miles from this spot.
* '''Directions'''Cost of public transport:The M11 begins near Redbridge, so this is an ideal place to go to. [[User:Siinvincible|Simon]] and [[User:Whisperingofthestars|Jason]] managed to get a ride to Newmarket from the train to Redbridge, as someone noticed us making a sign.xxx
Redbridge is on the Central (Red) underground line and local buses (66) stop next to the station[[File:Staples_corner_m1. Once on the station, turn jpg|thumb|400px|right and use the subways to cross under the A406. Once on the ramp on for A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), there is a great place |Hitching Spot at Staples Corner 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 is really a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you bring a M11 sign with you. Personal experience was that even with this sign, a few cars will stop heading towards other destinations.M1]]
TIP: To - This place seems to work really well. I get the bus to brent cross and then its about a 10 min walk to the same part of londonthis spot. However, you can also take the Central line it tends to Roding Valley. Here there are no barriers as you exit so go slightly quicker if you managed to get into walk 2 minutes more around the underground system for free, you can get out for freeroundabout ('''Staples Corner ''West'' '''). ItYou's about ll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a half an hour walk to car repair place (the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue and is by the start ''Western'' side of the M11railway bridge). For getting into the underground systemIt doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you can for example get in at Finsbury Park where there are no barriers either. There are also other stationshave a sign.
=== Direction: South- This is a very good place, South West - Hampshire and Dorset ======= M3 Motorway ====* '''Where however one user recommends right next to''': the car repair center ('''''[[South West England|The South West]]'''''on the right of it ), [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West England|Dorset]], [[Poole|Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket/travelcard there is entrance for the M1 Motorway which is slightly going upwards before meeting the highway. You may go up and make sure to zone 6 + one ticket stand atleast 100 meters away from the point where cars enter on this road from ''Hampton'' to ''Kempton Park'' railway stationthe redlight behind. Have a sign that says M1.* '''Last verified''': 27 March 2008
* - In case you are going to Edinburgh: once you are at any of the service stations on the motorway, you will find a lot of people going in that direction, i.e. going to Leeds and further. Somewhere 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. 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-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. Ensure whoever is taking you drops you off only at a petrol station and not on a country road. After Newcastle, there is only one major/decent petrol station in a town called Alnwick (pronounced 'Annick'). Try finding someone who is going to Edinburgh directly from one of the earlier good McD stations. A better alternative route to Edinburgh is to take the M1, M6, A74(M), and A707; this way, you won'Directions''':t have to bother about McD and Newcastle.
M3 is not an easy motorway to get to, although the following worked for [[User:Lnx|Lnx]]:
Take the train bound for ''Shepperton'' from ''London Waterloo'' and exit at '''Kempton Park''' station. Exit the station (do not go on the footbridge)=== North towards, cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road[[Stevanage]], which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself[[Peterborough]], walk on the pavement in the opposite direction to the traffic. You will immediately see a lay-by (chances are some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from there. [[East Midlands]], [[East of England|The position is not perfectEast]], as the road is going downhill[[Newcastle]], and the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph).[[North East England|The North East]] {{agb|1}} ===
'''Kempton Moat Mount Park''' station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton''bus stop on A1. Buses 292, the previous station on the Waterloo-Shepperton line384, 606 tops there. After 5 km there is in zone 6), but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of meeting a ticket inspector between ''Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be quite remote.Mimms Service petrol station / rest stop
* '''An Alternative, joining the A316 before it becomes the M3'''
Get a train on the same line as above=== Northwest towards [[Cambridge]], and get off at '''Fulwell Rail'''. Walk South on Wellington Road[[London Stansted]], and then turn right onto Park Road. Follow this road as it joins the A312 for about 1.5 km in total. Just below the A316 bridge[[Norwich]], which you will see ahead [[East of you as you follow the A312, there is a roundabout. England|The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the A316. There is a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing here, and traffic is going uphillEast]], and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a sign saying "M3".East Coast {{Mgb|11}} ===
==== A3/A24 Motorway ====* Take the Central Line tube to ''Redbridge'Where to''': ('''''[[South East England|The South East]]'''''zone 4). Once at the station, [[Woking]]turn right and use the subways to cross under the A406. Once on the slip road for the A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), [[Porstmouth]]there 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, [[Guildford]], [[Worthing]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': but it really is a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you bring a M11 sign with you.
* '''Directions''Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. Tip: To get to the same part of london, 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, you can get out for free. It':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}s about a half an hour walk to the start of 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.
''Possible site along the A3 would be located between Putney Heath/Roehampton and New Malden/West Wimbledon, New Malden offering the best opportunities''
''=== Southwest towards [[South West England|The A24 is best reached directly in Leatherhead outside the M25South West]], there is a on-ramp to the M25 as well''[[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West England|Dorset]], [[Poole|Bournemouth]] {{Mgb|3}} ===
==== M23 Motorway/A22 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East England|The South East]]'''''), [[Brighton]], [[Pease Pottage]], [[Eastbourne]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verifiedOption 1''': Lay-by on A316 near Kempton Park
* Take the train from ''London Waterloo'Directions'in the direction of Shepperton and exit at '': Take a train to Coulsdon South from East Croyden Kempton Park'' station. Exit the station (zone 6do not go on the footbridge) Turn left out of , cross the station racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself, walk 600m up to on the roundabout. Nearly all pavement in the traffic goes opposite direction to the M23 traffic. You will immediately see a lay-by (chances are some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from there.The position is not perfect, as the road is going downhill, and the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph)
=== DirectionCost of public transport: East (Essex) ======= A12One ticket/A13 Motorway ====* travelcard to zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton''Where to''Kempton Park'': (railway station. '''Kempton Park''[[East of England|The East]]'station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton''), [[East of England|Essex]] the previous station on the Waterloo-Shepperton line, [[Chelmsford]], [[Colchester]], [[Ipswich]]is in zone 6), [[Southend-on-Sea]]* '''Cost but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of public transport'meeting a ticket inspector between '': * Hampton''and 'Last verified'Kempton Park'': should be quite remote.
* '''DirectionsOption 2''': So to go towards Ipswich, take the tube to Bow Road Station. Here you need to ask direction to the A12. Walk along Bow Road. At the end of the road you will come to a round about A316 Junction with traffic lights on it and also a McDonalds You can get lifts from here to Ipswich or Colchester along either the A12 or A11. I waited 20 minutes. It was OK. There is plenty of room for people to stop at there is a bus stop right near.A312
== Airports ==Paid transport to Take the train on the same line as above, and from airports can be expensiveget off at ''Fulwell''. Hitching can be a good alternativeWalk south on Wellington Road, and then turn right onto Park Road. The exits to Follow this road as it joins the airports can also be good places to get lifts to other placesA312 for about 1.5 km in total. For exampleJust below the A316 bridge, if which you get stuck on the western part will see ahead of you as you follow the M25, try to get to HeathrowA312, from there people are going all over is a roundabout. The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the countryA316. If you are coming from BrightonThere is a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing here, and trying to get around Londontraffic is going uphill, you may get and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a ride quicker to where you want to go if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage servicessign saying "M3".* [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]* [[London Stansted]]* [[London Heathrow]]* [[Luton|London Luton]]
== Transiting in Greater London ==Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the city and connects with every possible motorway network in destination Cost of the country. It is then better to be left at some very specific Motorway Services to manage to catch a ride further.public transport: xxx
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 the best place to get lifts West Lodge bus stop on the M25A3. Buses 85, 265 and 969 stops there. There is a bridge here to cross from one side to the other, which can be useful to know if, for example, you are trying to hitch from the M4 to Brighton but get a lift with someone who is going to Dover.also Co-op Roehampton Vale petrol station
To get to Clacket Lane Service Station from London get a train to Bromley (you can use an Oyster cardCost of public transport: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14836.aspx), then bus 246 (timetable here: http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm)xxx
Ask the driver to tell you when you get to Pilgrims Lane, then walk down Pilgrims Lane and Pilgrims Way to Clacket Lane Services. You can see where you're going on a map here: http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap Where it says "Clacket Wood" is the service station. There is also a street view of this area on google maps.
Clacket Lane is an excellent place to hitch to === South towards [[Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) and also fairly good for most other directions as it's a busy station. Best thing is to stand outside the main doors into the station and ask everyone that comes out if they are going your way ("excuse me, are you by any chance going to Bighton?")]] {{Mgb|23}} ===
To get Take a train from one side ''Victoria'', ''Clapham Junction'', or ''London Bridge'' station to the other walk down the country lane ''East Croyden'' (zone 6). From here, take a train to the back ''Coulsdon South''. Turn left out of the station until you get on Brighton Road and walk 600m to the bridge and cross roundabout. Nearly all the traffic goes to the other side (couple of km)M23 from here.
== Public Transport ==''See the specific article for [[nomadCost of public transport:Transport for London|Transport for London]] on nomadwiki£3.''80 (off-peak) (£2.70 off-peak from Clapham Junction)
== 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.
Also, outside this station Take Hammersmith & City Line or District Line to ''Bow Road'' (Trent ParkZone 2). Walk east for ≈700m along the Bow Road to the roundabout junction with the A12. There are traffic lights here, there is and a Greek BakeryMcDonalds across the road. Behind it lie huge sacks of bread every nightHitch on the slip road heading north on the A12. You can get lifts from here to Ipswich or Colchester. I waited 20 minutes. Please goIt was OK. Its crazy that this could possibly be wasted every nightThere is plenty of room for people to stop as there is a bus stop nearby.
=== Squatting ===London used to have an abundance Cost of [[squat]]s, but it has recently become more difficult. While it is still legal to squat commercial property (warehouses, offices, shops), it is illegal to squat residential buildings (if you admit you are doing this to the cops, you might be sentenced to jail time.) For all information on squatting in the UKpublic transport: the '''[http://www.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is helpful for people that are planning to find a place to live and cannot really 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£2. 40 (Tel. 020off-32160099)That being said, there are still a good couple of squats all around London. Most squats are places where people live and go about their normal business, so don't expect too much peak from them. Perhaps it would be good to find some friendly squatters by word of mouth or on [http://www.couchsurfing.com couchsurfing] or similar. Don't worry about the negative connotations associated with squats. They generally aren't crackhouses or scabies-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 are still some remnants of squatting communities in North London, North East London, and South London. If you want to meet some people, go to the practical squatting nights taking place every week (alternatingZone 1): http://www.squatter.org.uk/for-new-squatters/practical-squatting-nights/For more info on social centers in London, check out [http://www.socialcentresnetwork.org.uk/ Autonomous London]. Generally though, it has become harder to track squats down or just pop up, as there are fewer, and more and more evictions, which means less space. This should in no way discourage you, however!
=== Free ===Hari Krishna offer free food from several locations in '''[[London at lunchtime: outside SOAS by Russel Square from 12:15 to 14:00(Monday thru Saturday), for example. Expect to queue for 30 minutes, arrive early to guarantee a fill - the food does run out. Otherwise...Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]''' / '''[[London Stansted|London Stansted]]''' / '''[[London Heathrow|London Heathrow]]''' / '''[[Luton|London Luton]]'''
If you want Paid transport to and from airports can be expensive. Hitching can be a freegood alternative. The exits to the airports can also be good places to get lifts to other places. For example, warm meal closer to if you get stuck on the end western part of the day: M25, try to get to Heathrow, from Thursday to Sunday there is a food market on Brick Lane, next to people are going all over the vintage market (the one with the vinyl records store)country. Try going there about 18:00-19:00. Most vendors will be closing their booths If you are coming from Brighton, and throwing food away. Just go up trying to get around London, you may get a ride quicker to them and ask(it's handy where you want to have your own container). It's mostly Asian cuisine therefore deliciousgo if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.
In the UK, the term for eating food that would otherwise be thrown away, is called skipping. Lots of people do it, all from people that come from poor countries and see all the food that goes to waist, to people that are political in there way of living. Many people, especially in the squat scene live totally out of food from the bins...
Plenty of places throw out food at closing time. Always check the bags out front of '''Pret a Mangers''' and '''Benjy's''' at 17:00-19:00. 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! (That being said, Pret a Mangers doesn't give any food to random people, just to "charity".)== Transiting Greater London ==
The most luxurious place to skip is always Waitrose. Places like Sainsburys, Marks and Spencers (generally difficult to skip!), Tesco and so on have a marking system on their packed food that says when the food should be thrown away and when it should be eaten before. The gap between this days are often two days and you can still have it more or less a week more depending on what it is.Most bins are secured by fences, cameras, etc. Don't mind them too much, it is rare that they'll call the cops on you as long as you don't "destroy property".=== South Mimms Services ===
Good places 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'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 services is unlikely to work, for whatever reason. Several reports of hours of waiting here mean that you probably need to try in Hackney are Esomething else.AIf you're going towards the west, you can stand at the ridiculous entrance to the west slip road onto the M25.TAlthough insane, you should be able to get a fast ride out.Have a big sign and someone should be able to at least take you further down the M25 to a better junction, Icelandor directly to where you're going, supermarket metros be it to the west or locals and marketsdown to Sussex.
If you get tired Clackett Lane services are located in the south of peanut butter sandwiches or want London and are possibly the best place to fill up for get lifts on the weekend, try M25. There is a bridge here to cross from one of side to the many £5 all-you-can-eat '''Thai Buffets''' other, which are always always totally vegan! (some good all-you-can-eat start at £3be useful to know if,50). Go earlyfor example, they get more expensive in you are trying to hitch from the evening. While downtown, you can also M4 to Brighton but get a ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>6-inch sandwich of the day<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' at '''Subway''' for 2 poundslift with someone who is going to Dover.
The markets in Camden Town have cheap food around 17Take the train from ''Victoria'' to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 ([http:00, especially //www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm timetable here]) south in the Lock Market where, if 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). 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 a few minutes past all map [http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap here]. Where it says "Clacket Wood" is the initial food courts, you can easily find dishes service station. There is also a street view of noodles for GBP 2this area on google maps.
== Internet ==In Westminster, thereClacket Lane is an excellent place to hitch to Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) and also fairly good for most other directions as it's a public library which you can use for free Internet accessbusy station. You might need Best thing is to register yourself, though, stand outside the main doors into the station and ask everyone that process comes out if they are going your way (and waiting for the next available computer"excuse me, are you by any chance going to Brighton?") can take quite some time.== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
Go to the Apple store (on Regent St. near Oxford Circus), ask any '''local''' around Piccadilly or Regent or Oxford street and they should be able to tell you the exact location.{{nomadwiki}}
[[trash:London]]
[[nomad:London]]
→Southeast towards The South East, Maidstone, Folkestone (Channel Tunnel), Dover (Ferries to Europe) {{Mgb|20}}: Added extra possible spo.
__TOC__
{{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 has ==This region is a ring-road, part of the [[M25 (GB)|M25East of England]]and accessible through the motorways M1/A1 and M11. You'll have to use it if you go from anywhere north These regions are part of the Bristol-Oxford-[[London line to Dover resp. the continent, or the other way round. It's recommended to find a lift past London as it's somewhat hard to go find somebody going off the M25 into your direction from any of the service stations on the M25 - there are only three, one in the South, one in the East ]] commuter belt and one include in part or totally the North-East. following counties:
'''Bedfordshire:''' [[Luton]] (London Luton Airport) '''Cambridgeshire:''' [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]] '''Essex:''' [[South MimmsColchester]] services is , [[Southend-on-Sea]] '''Hertfordshire:''' [[Stevanage]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] / [[London Stansted]] (Airport) == Hitchhiking in Potters Bar in the north of == Londonhas a motorway ring-road, on the M25 and right off the [[M1 M25 (GB)|M1M25]]. For some reason, although it '''s a big services, Get dropped off on or near the M25 and use the public transport to get wherever you can get stuck for hours hereneed. One option, as ever''' If you are coming from the west and your driver is heading south on the M25, is to ask people where they're headed..but there are so many directions possible that it could take a long time to even find someone headed your waybe dropped off at the first junction on the M25: Heathrow Terminal 5. Standing Get off at the exit roundabout at the end of the services is unlikely motorway spur and walk to workthe terminal building. The Piccadilly Line Underground starts here. If they are heading north, see the description for whatever reasongetting to Uxbridge Underground station below. Several reports of hours of waiting <br/ >If you are coming from the southeast on the M20, ask to be dropped off at the A20/M20/M25 roundabout. From here mean that you probably need can take the B2173 road 2km to Swanley train station. Alternatively, if they are heading further north, get dropped off at the M25/A12 junction and walk ≈3km west to try something elseHarold Wood station. <br/ >If you're going coming from the north and your driver is heading towards the westM4/M3 direction, you can stand at try to persuade them to do a slight detour off the ridiculous entrance M25 to junction 1 of the west slip road onto the M25M40 (roundabout with A40). Although insaneFrom there, you should be able it's a ≈2km walk to Uxbridge Underground station. Otherwise, get off at the last services (Toddington) before the M25 and look for a fast ride outlift going inside the ring road. Have a big sign and someone should be able to at least take you further down <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 better junction, or directly ride that bring you close enough to where you're goingyour destination.Check "public transport" for navigating the system efficiently and cheaply.be it to See the transiting around the west or down M25 section below if you just want to Sussexbypass London. Any information on going east?
== Hitchhiking out ==
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.
'''London RoadOption 1''' Walk into town from the train station, taking London Road, out of town towards the M20. On the way there is a Texaco petrol station that seems quite busy. Further down (where I hitchhiked, August 2012) there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you're hungry or in need of a cup of coffee. The road takes you straight down to the motorway. [[User:TBF|TBF]] hitchhiked from the Texaco station in Nov 2015 and got a ride to Maidstone in about 20 minutes. 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 "M20 4 miles" to get to the service station. Mottingham
Cost of public transport: xxx
=== Clacket Lane Services Southwest towards [[Porstmouth]], [[Worthing]] A3/{{agb|3}}, & A24 ===
=== Wild East towards [[CampingEast of England|The East]] ===Its quite possible to sleep out in London in considerable privacy despite its gigantic population , [[East of 10 million. Go North East to Trent Park (Picadilly Line NorthEngland|Essex]], [[Chelmsford]], [[Colchester]], second to last stop before Cockfosters - i.e. Oakwood Station). Find the directions for the university (Middlesex) campus and walk (or take the free bus) up the hill. Beside it and beyond the lake are quite a few miles of woodland and and it is incredibly beautiful. [[User:Whisperingofthestars|JasonIpswich]] lived here for 7 months during his final year of university. Be careful with park wardens, they eventually discovered him during the last few weeks of his studies. Build camouflage from ferns if staying for long. People are unlikely to be your greatest threat...dogs are. Dogs! [[Southend-on-Sea]] A lot of people walk them here but you can find amazing places if you search hard enough. And if you search really really hard, you'll find a tree with the dates of the past dweller's residence...;) /12 ===
== Eat Airports ==Cheap and free food abounds in London.
Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London, you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The '''Coffee Republic''' on Great Marlborough Street near M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the Oxford Circle city and Carnaby Street is reported to put out garbage bags connects with totally normal food--boiled potatoes, sandwiches, etc. every evening around 20:00 on weekdays and 19:00 on weekends.The sandwich company "Eat" throw away lots of stuff everyday possible motorway network in all over towndirections. Have It's recommended to find a look lift past London as it's somewhat hard to find somebody going off the M25 in there bins or outside your direction from any of the shops service stations on the streetM25.The bakery 'Paul' in Blackfriars Be careful: there are only 3 service stations, and Paddington throw out a lot of cakes, the entire western section has none at all extremely luxurious and scrumptious. From Blackfriars station walk up It may also be possible to head around the main roadM25 from junction to junction. However, and Paul's will be on your right after the only problem is that a few minutes.If you are into Sushi, try one of the many Wasabi places junctions are really bad in the city when they close at 21:00 or 21:30. They always leave food outsidesouth, and there are always loads you can get really stuck as a large part of people picking it upthe traffic is only going round the ring a short distance. If if you do get stuck, but try making a sign M25 east or west. So consider waiting for a ride that actually takes you'll get some if to the road you're want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere at random on timethe M25.
=== Cheap Clacket Lane Services ===If you're going to self cater, stick to '''Sainsbury's''' and '''Tesco''' rather than the convenient Off-Licenses for better prices. If you are a bit out of Central London, you might as well look for '''Lidl''', '''Morrisons''', '''Netto''' or '''Asda'''. Anyhow with a decent and wise grocery, you can get your grocery for nearly a week for about 10-15 pounds at any of the mentioned supermarket with decent, fresh and healthy food ''(to cook)''. Be aware though that these supermarkets are not in any sense "ethical". They are wiping out local shops, taking monopoly on feeding us, destroying the environment and throwing away food every day that could feed hundreds of people. It's better to eat out of their bins. <!-- Totally irrelevant information! -->
{{Template:Regions England}}
{{Excellent}}
{{IsIn|England}}
