Changes

== Border crossings ==

Germany implemented the [[Schengen Agreement]]. This means, that the border to other Schengen countries are open. At the borders to non-Schengen countries ([[Poland]], [[Czech Republic]] and [[Switzerland]]) there are still checkpoints and German custom officers or sometimes police might control your luggage. These border crossings are usually among the best places in Europe to find a long distance ride. If you want to hitchhike from a border check point, it might be better, to stand a little bit away from the check point, so you are out of the custom officers' sight. The border checkpoints towards [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] will be closed in January 2008.

Germany has a national carpooling website that gives the opportunity to the driver to post their journey in search of passenger to share the cost of the ride. The website, called [http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/ Mitfahrgelegenheit] is sadly exclusively in german. Although, its system is pretty basic as you can scroll search from your departure point ''(von)'' to a destination ''(nach)'' with a date and # of passengers. If you search for a ride going outside Germany or to Germany from another [[Europe|european]] country, you can simply click the ''Europa'' link. Then you simply have to contact the driver yourself (most of the time through email, some does leave their phone number) and agree to a price and a departure point and time. This system can reveal a low expense alternative to hitching, a similar system also exists in [[Belgium]].