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Both the ferries and tunnel are free for hitchhikers, as drivers pay per car rather than per passenger. Most drivers purchase tickets for the tunnel or and the ferry in advance. It is very important to tell drivers that it's free to add passengers to their ticket, as most drivers don't know this!If they say that they had to list the passengers on their ticket, tell them that it's very easy and free to add another passenger at the ferry terminal/tunnel entrance.

== From [[England]] To [[France]]==

If you get tired of hitchhiking from one of these service stations, or are beginning from a spot further southeast, then it is often easier to hitchhike a ferry from [[Dover]] than getting a ride through the [[Channel Tunnel]] in Folkestone (although both are possible).

'''Personal experience, June 2019'''I got to Maidstone services and immediately found a van with a Berlin number plate. They couldn't take me, though, because - as most people do - they had booked their ticket in advance and had to state which and how many passengers would be in the car. (If they go for the cheapest option, they cannot amend their ticket.) What worked instead was asking a group of Polish freight drivers in front of their vans. Most of them have a ticket with P&O Ferries and don't need to state how many passengers are in the front. No questions were asked by the ferry/ticket operators. So, as of today, go for the commercial drivers instead of private people. '''Personal experience, October 2019'''We (1 male, 1 female) went to the Maidstone service station, approaching lorries to get a lift to France. A British driver told us since Feb 2019 most lorries can't take an additional "driver" aka hitchhiker for free and are not taking hitchhikers anymore. Interestingly Romanian and Polish trucks are excluded from this regulation since they usually drive a lot further and are expected to have a second or even third driver in the cabin. So if you want to hitch with a lorry, go for the PL and ROM plates.The British driver also told us you can't add extra passengers to the tunnel ticket so we'd do better to ask ferry passengers. We then phoned the two biggest ferry companies to check and yes - on most tickets you can add additional passengers without any fee.At Maidstone itself we couldn't find anyone going to Dover, so we went to the petrol station close to Folkeston and found a guy who took us all the way to Hamburg! If going for the Dover ferry option, stand at the BP petrol station on the road before the ferry port (51°07'06.1"N 1°18'25.0"E) on Limekiln St/A20 roughly a mile before the ferry entrance. Ferries go to Calais and Dunkerque. If you're heading south towards [[Paris]], take the Calais ferry and you'll likely find a direct ride. For those headed North/East to Belgium, Germany, and beyond, both ferries work but Dunkerque may be a bit better (Calais ferries go more often though). Accept any ride going on the ferry, as it should be easy to find a ride further towards your destination by talking to people on the ferry. See the [[Dover]] page for more details.

== From [[France]] To [[England]] ==Look for a ride going to [[England]] from the last service station before [[Calais]] in whichever direction you're coming from. When coming from [[Belgium]], the last service station before the French border seems to be a decent spot. Even if there is little traffic in the middle of the night, a decent proportion of the cars will be going to England.

Look for a ride going to [[England]] If this fails, you'll most likely have an easier time hitchhiking from the ferry entrance than from the last service station before tunnel entrance. Some hitchhikers have reported being kicked out of the tunnel entrance by the authorities, while others have been successful. For ferries, there are two options: [[Calais]] in whichever direction you're coming from. When coming from or [[BelgiumDunkerque]], . The Calais ferry has more traffic and has the last station before the French border seems to be option of buying a foot passenger ticket if you're in a hurry and don't have a decent spotride. Even if there The Dunkerque ferry is little generally more laid back but has less traffic in the middle of the nightand no option for foot passengers, meaning you can only get on if you get a decent proportion of the cars will be going to Englandride.

If this failsFor either ferry, you'll likely have an easier time hitchhiking from the ferry entrance than from parking lot near the tunnel entrance, though this ticket office is debatablea good place to start asking for rides. Some hitchhikers have reported being kicked out of the tunnel entrance by the authoritiesUnfortunately, most people buy their tickets in advance and won't stop here, while others have been successful. For ferriesthough, there are two options: [[Calais]] or [[Dunkerque]]. The Calais ferry has more traffic and has the option of so if you don't find someone buying a foot passenger ticket if , then thumb on the road before the ticket booths/passport control where all cars going to the ferry will see you. Once past passport/ticket control, youcan ask cars where they're going and try to find a ride further in your direction in England. If you get a hurry and lot of rude denials, don't have give up! You'll find a ride. The ! See the [[Calais]] and [[Dunkerque ferry is generally ]] pages for more laid back but has less traffic and no option for foot passengers, meaning you can only get on if you get a rideinfo.

For either ferrythe tunnel, the parking lot near the ticket office there is a good place no great spot to start asking stand, so look around for ridesa discreet spot where cars can stop. Unfortunately, most people buy their tickets in advance and won't stop here, though, so if Make sure you don't find someone buying a ticket, then thumb on re not in view of the police or tunnel employees. Hitchhikers have been successful at the motorway entrance as well as standing behind the arrow sign where the road two roads split before the ticket booths/passport tunnel control where all cars going . It's recommended to ask your driver to the ferry will see not reveal that you. Once past are a hitchhiker to passport/ticket control, you can ask cars where they're going and try as there have been reports of hitchhikers being denied entrance to find a ride further in your direction in Englandthe tunnel. If you get a lot of rude denials, don't give up! You'll find a ride! See the [[Calais]] and More information at [[DunkerqueChannel Tunnel]] pages for more info.

For the tunnel, there is no great spot to stand, so look around for a discreet spot where cars can stop. Hitchhikers have been successful at the motorway entrance as well as hiding behind the arrow sign where the two roads split before the tunnel control. It's recommended to ask your driver to not reveal that you are a hitchhiker to passport/ticket control, as there have been reports of hitchhikers being denied entrance to the tunnel. More information at [[Channel TunnelCategory:England]][[Category:United Kingdom]][[Category:France]][[Category:Ferries]].