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'''Bern''' is the capital of [[Switzerland]].

== Hitching out ==

=== 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 3. Option 3 will tell you how to get to Grauholz directly.

'''Option 1: Ostring'''

[[File:Wankdorfplatz.jpg|thumb|Wankdorfplatz]]

'''Option 3: Grauholz'''

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. Take a picture from the map with your camera, it might come handy. Its Nr.1-Spot if you go north or east.

=== South-West towards [[Lausanne]], [[Geneva|Genève]] via [[Fribourg]] or [[Yverdon]] ===

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), 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, be aware that there are two different highways between Bern and Lausanne and make sure that your on-ramp serves the one you want.

'''Option 1: Wankdorfplatz'''

From the train station, take 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 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 ===

'''Option 1: Ostring'''

From the train station, take tram #7 to Ostring (final station). There is a place where many lanes come together and it's a bit chaotic for a hitcher, but luckily there is a stoplight you can stand next to, so during a red light drivers will be forced to look at you. There isn't enough space for cars to pull over, but not heaps, so keep your things close by and ready to chuck into the car when a spot is offered.

== Sleeping ==

There is an emergency sleeping place called [http://www.sleeper.ch Sleeper], where you can get a bed for 5.-, breakfast included. But they only accept people in an emergency, not people who actually could afford a hostel bed. Check-in times are from 10pm-1am and you can stay till 10am. Be there soon enough, especially in winter time. You can't make reservations.

== Food ==

'''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 ==

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.

== Other ==

If it's hot just ask people for a "Freibad" (free swimming bath) or look out for people 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!

== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==