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<map lat='36.132051884162735' lng='-5.44647216796875' zoom='12' view='0' float='right' />
'''Algeciras''' is an industrial port-city in southern [[Spain]], in the region named [[Andalusia]]. It is one of the main ferry crossings to [[Tangier]], [[Morocco]], and from which it is often possible to hitchhike with truckers ("camioneros") onto a boat to Morocco, without having to pay a ticket. Many drivers have the right to bring a passenger along with them, so it is both legal and free for them to take you along. Beforehand, you will see many trucks waiting in the many parking lots surrounding the port. The easiest way to find a ride is to simply ask, and continue asking everyone you see until you find someone who is leaving on the next [[hitchhiking a boat|boat]]. The last ferry of the night departs around 2224:00, and each ferry loads about an hour before departure. So, to be on the safe side, you should arrive no later than 2021.00 if you´d like to try for the last ferry of the night. There are basically two ways of getting a lift. Walking around and asking truck drivers is one option, you will meet many of them on their way between town and the truck parking lot, a little south of the main terminal, where the military port is. Stand near the roundabout (see maps) and ask people, but they might go hours or days later. If you want to get a quicker ride, it's better to try your luck in the terminal itself. Follow the signposting for the trucks to Tangier (same as for the P.I.F. parking lot). If you feel you are running around areas where no pedestrians should be, don't worry, authorities seem to be quite relaxed. Walk until you come to a roundabout where the signposting for Tanger (trucks) and P.I.F. parking lot lead different ways, there should be a little police control - but they don't seem to care. You can walk around that roundabout and the adjacent parking lot, asking for a lift. most trucks there are going to Morocco, and should leave in the following 1-2 hours.
Remember that the ferries do not go to tangier itself, but to Tangier-Med, a port 40 km to the east of tangier. Apparently, there is a free shuttle service to Tangier itself, or you can just hitch from the port.
Customs and [[border crossing]] patrol will take place on the ferry. You should bring your passport and a pen to fill out the form that you will be given. Sometimes, you have to ask the staff for guidance, since the border personnel expect you to come to them, rather than for them to come to you. You should take care of all passport-stamping before the boat arrives in Tanger because you will have to present your stamped passport page to the authorities before leaving the port.
Some drivers are actually willing to take more people into their truck than they are allowed, but don't bet on it, it's better to split up if you are hitching with more than 1 person. Once on the ferry, you can expect a free meal and coffee (if your driver is nice and shares the coupon with you), and sometimes even a shower and a room.
It took [[User:N0id|n0id]] two hours to find a ride in August 2009. Without a basic knowledge of French it would have been much harder. Many trucks already had two drivers, only a few didn't. Truck drivers on the ferry told him that it was much harder to hitch a ride from Tangier to Algeciras, due to the drivers' fear of getting busted for drug-trafficking and the tight security at the port in Tangier. On the other side, security will let you sleep in the ''gare maritime'' in Tanger (New Port) if you arrive after 23:00 because there won't be any buses going to Tangier city anymore.
[[User:DamnthatTelevision|DamnthatTelevision]] got a ride with the first camion he saw, and crossed the straight with the Moroccan driver, who also bought dinner and let him sleep at his place in [[Tangier]]. French was crucial, moroccan hospitality is legendary.
If you are planning on buying a ferry ticket to Morocco, consider sailing out of the little-known port of Motril, which is an hour and a half south of Granada. If you don't want to make the detour all the way to Algeciras, the boat from Motril to [[Melilla]] costs about the same as from Algeciras to Ceuta (€36 for adult, €32 for ages 17-21). Drawbacks: Ferries leave only once a day, and the trip is several hours long (although you may enjoy the cruise). [[Melilla]] is a bit out of the way, but if you plan on heading straight for [[Fes]] or Tazekka National Park, it may be a good starting point.
