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'''Estonia''' is a small country that is a member of the [[European Union]] and is a [[Schengen Agreement]] country. Thumbing and waving a sign with your destination town are both understandable to the drivers ways for driversof [[hitchhiking]] in this country. In case of a bad weather, it is recommended to use a poster sign since it is better seen from a car.

Estonia is relatively a good country for hitch-hiking. The cars (can) stop easily next to both on the highways and small roads. Cars of the drivers that pick you up are varied – You can hitch trucks, old soviet Soviet cars, nice new neat personal cars - and even tractors. ! Officially there is no difference if a truck driver or a car driver offers you a ride – everyone (except tractors) is allowed to go up to 90km/h. Except – in , although during the summer period the speed limit on some main roads it is allowed to go lifted up to 110 km/h. But unofficially – even However, over-speeding is usual in this country, and so getting a personal car usually is a better choice than traveling with a truck drivers like speedingin case you value your time a lot.

Hitch-hiking during [[Hitchhiking at night is quite impossible because there aren't many roads for traveling through country neither people enough long ways they have ]] can be much less successful due to drive during the usually low nighttraffic on the roads in Estonia. As it Since Estonia is not big a very good transit country you one shouldn't hope on for a truck drivers neithereither. If Be aware that if you are standing happen to stand on an unlit a dark road at night, you must (by law) wear a light reflector so that the drivers can see you.

Weather is a lot worse problem than small not the biggest deal in comparison with low car traffic on more local roads or lack of cars(which are very bumpy, too!). Winters , however, are cold, with usually a lot of snow in midland (that makes you harder to walk to a good hitchhiking spot), . It darkens early darkening most time of yearduring the cold season, and there are rainy weather sometimes conditions for long periods."Thanks to" climate warming it is once in a lot easier to hitch-hike in winter nowadays. But i wouldn't advise trying it on smaller roadswhile otherwise.

== Food Eating on the road ==Many people from rural places goes to work in bigger towns. That means Although Estonia is quite a small country, you can might get stuck easily because of on its roads for the night since the traffic is usually low on highway next to turnaway from main road. And no gas station near. It is smaller roads, and for that reason it would be smart to keep have some bread, water food with you - there is hardly any [[service area]] on the roads and chocolate you won't be able to buy food unless you are in your bagsome town. Water is almost everywhere drinkable  You can drink water from the tap and wellsalmost anywhere in Estonia. Even from Some say that even lakes. The color of lake water might be brown but that is contain pure turf enough waterto drink.

In You can get a ride from almost anyone in Estonia share their rides younger and older- from any 18+ person of any social group, age, nationality (both Estonian and Russian origin people), men and womenor sex. Even taxi [[Taxi]] drivers might drive you for free on their way home (for free). You can expect a driver to start a conversation in either Estonian or Russian. English is widely spoken amongst young and middle aged people, although some might have a better knowledge of German and/or other Western languages. Experiences show that Russian-speaking drivers understand well Estonian even if they don't speak it. And Estonian drivers understand Russian pretty much in the same way, too. Generally, Estonians love foreign visitors and are very helpful showing with providing the right direction and giving directions or any other instructions.Don't forget to thank them for that and/or show your gratitude!

Not much money can be saved trying to hitch-hike instead of using public transportalthough prices for the latter one lately go up (as prices for the petrol get higher). But there There are places that have lousy bus connection connections, though, so hitch-hiking is great help comes in hand then.Buses that depart from smaller and bigger towns can be found on Some useful links are:* [http://bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=enIntercity buses].Trains to towns: * [http://www.edel.ee/Trains]Air planes: * [http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/index.php?page=162Air travel]

Only In Tallinn is big enough you will most likely need to take a public transport to get out of the city: , see info [http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/?a=p.routes&transport_id=bus&t=xhtml&l=enhere].

In Estonia there There is a national carpooling website in Estonia that gives a driver the opportunity to the driver to post their journey in search of passenger for passengers who would be able to share the cost of the a planned ride. And ; and vice versaversus. The See the website http://www.kyyt.eu/ which is unfortunately (in Estonian language only). Although, Using it's system is pretty basic as quite possible for foreign travelers, too: you can scroll -search from your departure point (''kust'') to a destination (''kuhu'') with a date and # of passengers. On a main page there are you can see most recent offers. The page isn't very popular , though, since many practice hitchhiking in Estonia anyway.  Similar system systems exists also exists in [[Germany]], [[Belgium]], etc.I would certainly recommend rather hitch-hikingand some other countries.

== Cities and towns ==* Over 100.000 inhabitants:** [[Tallinn]], ** [[Tartu]] – inhabitants over * 30.000-100.000inhabitants:** [[Narva]], ** [[Kohtla-JärvePärnu]], ** [[PärnuKohtla-Järve]] – inhabitants over * 10.000-30.000inhabitants:** [[Viljandi]], ** [[Sillamäe]], ** [[Rakvere]], ** [[Maardu]], ** [[Valga]], ** [[Kuressaare]], ** [[Võru]], ** [[Jõhvi]], ** [[Haapsalu]] – inhabitants over 10.000

Crimes related to hitch-hiking '''are not''' common in Estonia. But a hitch-hiker should However, it is recommended to be totally completely sober and careful when hitchhiking, and avoid cars where is even drunken co-with (slightly) drunk driver and/or passenger(s) which might, unfortunately, occur in this country. There are some known stories regarding crime and hitchhiking in Estonia:* In 2005 , a (drunken) drunk guy who asked for a ride got beaten , and then robbed. In Before that, in 2001 happened , same thing, but the happened to a sober hitch-hiker was sober.* In the end of November 2007 an , a hitch-hiker with a gun demanded that the driver to would make a stop for smoking, waving self-made pistol. Luckily , everything went welleventually.Also there have been situations where * There are known several stories when hitch-hiker hikers stole valuables from a back seat.In 2002 convicted two men who grabbed two girls (not hitch-hikers)Basically, put them in their car, took to their house be careful and rapedavoid situations when you feel that it can bring you troubles. The girls were lucky to escape later.The conclusion is – no No matter is if you're as a driver or a traveler – [[safety ]] first. Better be late or sleep on a mother Earth than get in into untrustworthy vehicle.And Please also be (more or less) aware there of where are you going and where you are all times, especially if you are a [[female hitchhiker]]. No “shorter cuts” are necessaryTrust your intuition when it comes to "shortcuts".

* '''Tere ''' – Hello!* '''Kas ma saaksin... [town name]? ''' – Could I get a ride to...[town name]?* '''Kui kaugele te lähete? ''' – How far are you going?* '''Palun näidake kaardil ''' – Please show on a map* '''Palun peatuge siin ''' – Please , stop here* '''Aitäh sõidu eest ''' – Thanks for the ride* '''Vabandust ''' – Excuse me

----==Links=='''Map of Estonia * [http://www.hitchbase.com/orte.php?LANG=eng&l_id=62Estonia on Hitchbase]'''* [http://www.ikaart.net Map of Estonia]

[[wikipedia:Estonia]] {{IsIn|Northern Europe}}