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A great on-ramp spot with a reasonable traffic flow and a LOT of space for cars to pull over, about 10 minutes on foot from the train station resp. the center. The general direction is West, follow the Laupenstrasse and then the Murtenstrasse past the Inselspital hospital.You can take bus 11 to Güterbahnhof partway.
[[File:Wankdorfplatz.jpg|thumb|Wankdorfplatz]]
'''Option 3: Wankdorf'''
From the train station, take the bus #20 to the station Wyler (buy a ticket 'zone 1-2' for 4 CHF, or don't). Walk 200m on the left side of the street (on your right you see a huge stadium, then cross the big crossroads. Right there you see a bus stop (Bus #28) where there is enough space for cars to stop. Use a sign! Cars driving past there can go to Zurich, Basel, Biel, Luzern,... You can take any lift to get onto the motorway (A1), right after Bern (3min) there is the service area "Grauholz" where you can change quite easily.
'''''update June 2010:''''' there are construction works This on-ramp is a bit closer to the center and the situation changes every weekhas reasonable traffic flow. These days (June 14The on-ramp itself is not great anymore to hitch, 2010) the bus it's an illegal spot to stand in and people are reluctant to stop, since there is no dedicated shoulder (although there is a split in lanes where cars someone might stop). However you can easily stop, was moved around position yourself before the corner. It's not the Güterbahnhof' bus stop (best place anymore, but it is with a sign) where people still does work. you better use go rather slowly and have a signspace to stop. '''update March 2014:''' The construction spot is finished, to the West of the center: follow Laupenstrasse and now this is then Murtenstrasse past the Inselspital hospital. You can take bus #11 to Güterbahnhof. You can also easily approach people (with a belowsign or without) at the traffic lights. This on-average spot compared to Murtenstrasse, with almost no good place to stopramp also has cars going towards Thun.
'''Option 4[[File: Ostring'''From the train station, take tram #7 to Ostring (final station). Just stand in front of the motorway entrance. It's not the best place because cars can't see you from far away, but when it's raining you can place yourself under the motorway bridge. And there is enough place for cars to stop. '''Option 5: Tiefenaustrasse''' Take Bus 11/21 until "Henkerbrünnli". Or walk: It's a 5-10 minutes walk from the train station. Walk in direction of Bollwerk/Schützenmatte or to the "Reithalle" (a big autonome building with a lot of Graffiti etc.). Cross the street behind the Reithalle and there's the beginning of ''Tiefenaustrasse'', which leads directly into the Neufeld tunnel and the motorway A1. There are many cars, but not too much space to stop (bike lane) and waiting times can be long. It nonetheless works. Use a sign because of local trafficWankdorfplatz.jpg|thumb|Wankdorfplatz]]
=== South towards [[Thun]]Options follow in loose order of usefulness. Another option is to catch a lift to the service station Grauholz on the north side of the city (or check option 3 above on how to get their by public transport), west towards [[change sides (there is a bridge) and ask at the gas station for rides south as it can be hard to find a ride going as far as the next service station to the south from any of the on-ramps below. If you're going to anywhere before Lausanne]], [[Geneva|Genève]] {{European Route Number|25}} ===be aware that there are two different highways between Bern and Lausanne and make sure that your on-ramp serves the one you want.
You can try contacting [There is an emergency sleeping place called [Userhttp:Zenit|Zenit//www.sleeper.ch Sleeper]] if , where you need help or just companycan get a bed for 5.-, breakfast included. His home base is But they only accept people in Bernan emergency, even though he's not people who actually could afford a hostel bed. Check-in times are from 10pm-1am and you can stay till 10am. Be there so much these dayssoon enough, especially in winter time. You can't make reservations.
There is a ''wagenplatz'' by the E25 north of Bern, outside Bethlehem. You People you can get there taking a bus to ''Bethlehem b. Kirche'' or by tram 8 contact for hosting:Chagai - (check times at wwwin Zollikofen): [https://chagai.cffwebsite/trustroots.com)html Public Trustroots profile]. The nearest train station is ''Bümpliz Nord'', one station away from ''Bern Hauptbahnhof''He listed some local groups [https://chagai. Walk up Eymattstrasse, past the bridge that goes over the motorway, across into a nice woodland. Take the first footpath website/p/groups here] (on the right and keep to the right at the following forks. Eventually you´ll see lots of beautiful vans and trailers. People are very friendly and welcoming. There are two guest spaces. The coordinates are 46.960324,7.392554WhatsApp/Telegram/Matrix)
'''Lunch:'''There is also a Bakery (with attached vegetable-shop) which sells Sandwiches, Bread etc. from yesterday (they collect it from Bakerys in the City) and because its from yesterday they sell it for the Half of the Price. Its located in the Celler at Marktgasse 19 and the Name of the Shop is "Ässbar", open Mo-Fr. 9-19 and Sat 9-17.
Alternatively, there also is a free, publicly useable computer with internet at the [http://www.denk-mal.info Autonomous School] at Lagerweg 12. From the train station, go downhill towards and past the well-known alternative culture center Reitschule, cross the bridge, turn left and turn right.
__NOTOC__
Bern
,Link fixed
|country = Switzerland
|map = <map lat='46.95694118331635' lng='7.447013854980469' zoom='13' view='0' float='right'/>
|pop = 123,000141'660 (31. Dezember 2016)
|plate = BE
|motorways = {{European Route Number|25}}, {{European Route Number|27}}, [[A1 (Switzerland)|A1]], [[A6 (Switzerland)|A6]], [[A12 (Switzerland)|A12]]
}}
'''Bern''' is the capital of [[Switzerland]].
=== North towards [[Basel]] {{European Route Number|25}}, [[Zürich]], [[Biel/Bienne|Biel]], [[Luzern]] ===
Options follow in loose order of usefulness. Almost any lift can take you to the service area Grauholz which is some 5 kilometers past Bern, a sign ''Grauholz'' can usually get there as fast as the train in Option 1: Neufeld'''3. Option 3 will tell you how to get to Grauholz directly.
'''Option 1: Ostring''' From the train station, take the bus tram #11 7 to Neufeld P+R to the last Ostring (final station (You can use a short distance ticket for 2,20,- CHF. Or travel free, tickets are hardly ever checked.). Get out, turn left and walk 2 minutes to a roundabout with a nice hard shoulder. In August 2009 Just stand in front of the new "Neufeld-Tunnel" was opened and since then this spot is not frequented that much anymoremotorway entrance. It still works's a fairly decent spot -- cars can't see you from far away, but not much trafficthere's ample space for stopping before the highway sign, and in case of rain you can shelter and hitch under the motorway bridge. Therefore see Option 2: TiefenaustrasseA sign is helful since there are many potential directions for people to go.
'''Option 2: Murtenstrasse'''
[[File:Ostring.jpg|thumb|Ostring]]
'''Option 63: UnterzollikofenGrauholz'''
Take the S9 from Bern Hauptbahnhof to the end stop (Unterzollikofen), then walk over the fields eastwards to the rest area "Grauholz". It's all in fairly walkable distance and besides, probably a pretty lovely walk in the spring and summer months due to the sunflower fields. No controls in the S-Bahn. Take a picture from the map with your camera, it might come handy. Best option fur sure!Its Nr.1-Spot if you go north or east.
=== South----West towards [[Lausanne]], [[Geneva|Genève]] via [[Fribourg]] or [[Yverdon]] ===
'''Option 1: Wankdorfplatz'''
From the train station, take the bus #20 to the station Wyler (buy a ticket 'zone 1-2' for 4 CHF, or don't). Walk 200m on the right side of the street (on your right you see a huge stadium, then cross the big crossroads. There's a perfect bus stop. Better use a sign.
'''Option 2: Murtenstrasse'''
See Option 5 2 above. Doable spot for hitchhiking towards Lausanne, too. Either stand before the Güterbahnhof bus stop with a sign or walk up the on-ramp where northbound and southbound traffic split and hitch right there. Technically illegal, but odds are small that you will wait long enough to run into any trouble.
'''Option 3: Weissensteinstrasse'''
Take tram 7 or 8 to Schlossmatte, for example from Hirschengraben near the train station. Backtrack a bit and turn right down Huberstrasse, before you turn right again and follow Weissensteinstrasse until you see the motorway signs. This isn't a very good spot as several directions meet very close to the on-ramp, but by working with signs, you can still get a ride down towards Lausanne.
=== South towards Thun === You can use option 2 of going towards Zurich or options 1 or 3 of going towards Lausanne, but best is the option below. '''Option 41: Ostring (For Thun)'''From the train station, take tram #7 to Ostring (final station). Just stand in front of the motorway entrance. There is a redlightplace where many lanes come together and it's a bit chaotic for a hitcher, and but luckily there is a stoplight you can stand next to, so during a red light drivers will be forced to look at least cars coming from one (of 2) directions will see you. There is isn't enough space for cars to pull over, but not heaps, so keep your things close by and ready to stopchuck into the car when a spot is offered.
== Sleeping ==
There are many hidden spots along the river where somebody could camp out for a night or a couple if the weather is an emergency sleeping place called [http://wwwnice.sleeper There is a ''Wagenplatz'' by the E25 north of Bern, outside Bethlehem.ch Sleeper], where you You can get there taking a bed for 5bus to ''Bethlehem b. Kirche'' or by tram 8.-The nearest train station is ''Bümpliz Nord'', breakfast includedone station away from ''Bern Hauptbahnhof''. But they only accept people in an emergencyWalk up Eymattstrasse, not people who actually could afford past the bridge that goes over the motorway, across into a hostel bednice woodland. Take the first footpath on the right and keep to the right at the following forks. Check-in times Eventually you´ll see lots of beautiful vans and trailers. People are from 10pm-1am very friendly and you can stay till 10amwelcoming. There are two guest spaces. The coordinates are 46. Be there soon enough960324, especially in winter time. You can't make reservations7.392554
If you go straight down from the Hirschengraben (close to the train station) following the tram -tracks, you will find a small park on the right side after a few blocks. It's a good place for sleeping out, but by the river is much better.
== Eating Food ==
'''Breakfast:'''<br>Monday-Friday at Aufenthaltsraum, Postgasse 35. Opening times 8.30-11.30am with free breakfast, and 2.30-5.30pm with free coffee, tea,... Postgasse is located in the lower old town, close to the (bus #12 stop) Rathaus. Note: Bus numbers may changed in Winter 2019/2020.
'''Lunch:'''<br>
Tuesday-Friday and Sunday at 12.30pm at [http://www.laprairiebern.ch La Prairie], Sulgeneckstrasse 7. It costs 5 CHF, if you can't afford that you can work for it in the kitchen. From the main trainstation go to the park "Kleine Schanze", on the right side of the park there is the street Sulgeneckstrasse and La Prairie just 50m from there.
'''Dinner/Supper:''' <br>
Every day from 6pm-8pm at the [http://www.sleeper.ch Sleeper]. It costs 5 CHF. The place is located at Neubrückstrasse 19. From the main train station, walk towards Bollwerk/Reitschule. Go behind the Reitschule building, cross two streets and you will see it. Bus 11 or 21 stop there, the stop is called Henkerbrünnli (which means Hangman's spring).
== Internet ==
If you need to use a Computer for a shorter time: visit a Library. The most of them have Computers free to use but limited in time (1hr or so), but you can always ask to extend. In the National-Library ("Nationalbibliothek", Tram #8) you just need to ask the Person by the Computers (not the person in the entrance) for a Code. There's a free internet café at Monbijoustrasse 16. Follow the tram lines of #9 south out of the center and find the Internet Cafe Power Point on your right hand side. The place is just primarly for the unemployed and poverty-stricken. Alternatively, there also is a free, publicly useable computer with internet at the [http://www.denk-mal.info Autonomous School] at Lagerweg 12. From the train station, go downhill towards and past the well-known alternative culture center Reitschule, cross the bridge, turn left and turn right. Open most days around 6-8pm, and at other times. [[File:Ticket checker.jpg|thumb|left|Train ticket conductors]] == Public Transportation == Bern's system of buses and trams is very good and very dependable. Inspectors can often be spotted as they wear black pants and red or grey shirts, and of course they have bags/bum bags/etc. Update Winter 2019/2020: Not sure if its only in Winter but if at the moment they wear black clothing (with little red company logo) and are harder to spot. Watch out for a machine they carry to check the tickets. If you don't have an address in Switzerland (and don't plan to have one in the near future), youdon're t need to worry about being caught because there is no way you can be made to pay a penniless travellerfine. This even goes for EU citizens! (Info is from around 2015.) If you do happen to have an address in the country, lie, flirt and bargain your way out but don't show ID. Often the inspectors can be appeased by buying a Ticket from them or at the Ticket machine. == Other == '''Map of Bern with Places of Interest.''' https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1PN6l8WEZ1vXnwtqdexWtvdsotJNbC9FM&usp=sharing '''If you need to fix some Gear.''' "Flickerei" Store - theyfix all kind of Stuff for a very low Price. The Opening Times vary and can be checked on https://www.flickerei.ch. The Store is located at Stauffacherstrasse 39, 3011 Bern. You can take Bus Nr 20 - or you walk 20 min (from train main station). If you need to buy cheap-stuff to fix things: visit coop "bau&hobby" or "migros do it +garden". ''ll likely let 'If you use one need to replace some Gear.''' As in every swiss City there are a lot of 2nd-hand-stores with donated stuff. In Switzerland, these are called "Brockenstube" or short version is "Brocki". You can find there all kind of stuff. Theres is also a huge second-hand marked at reithalle, every 1st sunday in the month. A Decathlon is located a bit outside of the city at "Riedbachstrasse 100, 3027 Bern" You can take Tram Number 8 in Direction "Westside". Decathlon is directly at "Westside". You can get there from Trainstration also with a S-Train (Larger Local Tram) You can try asking or searching in the [https://chagai.website/p/bernfree "noncommercial marketplace" on Telegram] '''Hang out in Bern''' In Summer its nice to hang&chill on the river, which goes all around the city and its easy reachable even from main trainstation. you can go e.g. to marzilli or lorraine. all swimming open-swim baths are free in bern. If you want to hang out, even if you don't consume anything, visit the Reithalle (autonomous social center) in Bern. As of 2020 Situation in front of the Reithalle ("Vorplatz") got worse - violence and robberys happen regurarly. Even its a wonderful, divers place it is recommended to stay out of trouble in front of their machines the reithalle. There is no police who can help you. If it's hot just ask people for a "Freibad" (free swimming bath) or look out for half an hourpeople which are swimming in the river and join them (it's a local sport to swim in the river).Just watch out and ask where its ok! Dont jump simply "somewhere" in the river, there are some really dangerous spots!
{{IsIn|Bern (Canton)}}
