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== To Calais ==Hitchhikers can '''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of [[England]]. For hitchhikers this is likely the best possibility to cross the [[English channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and ]], though you're even better off if you can get a certain number of passengers, up ride to France before you get to Dover. Because it is the closest port to seven continental Europe on mainland Britain with a car and two with a lorryjust 21 miles from the [[France|French]] port of [[Calais]], Dover is the same holds true for busiest cross-Channel port in the [[Channel TunnelUnited Kingdom|UK]], with 18 million passengers every year and thousands of lorries (trucks) each day. Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais (''P&O'') and [[Dunkerque]](''DFDS Seaways''). For timetables, check the external links at the end of this article.

'''To get a lift to France, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on ==Crossing the M20, where you have the possibility to talk to truckdrivers that might be crossing.''' Many more trucks stop at [[Ashford TruckstopEnglish channel]] on the M20, but there is security here and if they see you asking for lifts they will tell you (to leave.France)==

==== In Dover General Information====<map lat='51.12625978268193' lng='1.3254833221435547' zoom='16' view='0' float='right' />

* Drivers pay per vehicle, so bringing an additional passenger will not change the costs. If they already have their ticket, they will need to amend it (for free) and add another passenger. A foot passenger ticket will cost you have reached Dover without about €40. * The border police do not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride across for the tunnel or the Channelferry, '''ask the driver politely not to mention that you have a few options,'re hitchhiking'''. Explain the situation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. <ul><li>* If you can try want to take the tunnel/ferry, It's best to get find a ride lift before Dover, at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20 or [[Medway Services]] on the road leading M2. Don't go to the port. Difficult as there is no [[hard shoulderMaidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]] and very few breaks in * 'You MAY try to get a lift through the flow of traffic allowing anyone tunnel! We met a lorry driver at Clackett Lane services who was going to stoptunnel.</li><li>you can try hitching after And he was able to change passenger number at the last round-aboutfirst barrier. Unfortunately it's illegal to hitch Then on port property (i.e. after the ''Port of Dover Authority'' sign) and although you might get away train with it sometimesall the truckers * The ferry, as opposed to the tunnel, has the police is known advantage of having 1.5 hours to find a ride to enforce this rule and send you awayyour next destination.</li><li>you can try '''Do your luck inside best to find the Travel Centre or next ride on the car park in front of ferry''' - even if it. The problem is that both are nowadays very quiet as most 's for a short distance (though many people book on-linewill be going far!) since hitchhiking out of [[Calais]] isn't fun. If you Many drivers don't speak to people herea lot of English, you but try all your languages (or a map) and something might have to convince them that they don't pay anything extra for taking you across work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and possibly that you German are not an illegal immigrantparticularly useful. [[user:Grégoire|Grégoire]] was told by a person working at a ticket office that you You can also directly ask to the people making the queue if when they have room in their car before they buy the ticket, so that they can verify it is legal. He found a car in ten minutes're queuing up to leave upon arrival, but thinks it should might be done discretlyrisky to wait so long.</li><li>* If you are allowed to stand at the rail of the last roundabout leading into the port're changing rides, i.e. before the port property. Youit'll be standing at s a good idea to bring your backpack to the height ferry instead of a truck driver who can see you clearly and can pull aside just leaving it in front of the Port Police building after the roundaboutvehicle.</li><li>you might try standing at one of the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign But keep in mind that says France.</li> <li>if you're really stuck not allowed to leave it unattended and if you can also try at the Western Docksdo, there is a truck park where drivers carrying certain types of goods or from outside the EU have to stop to complete some paperworkthey will panic and look for you.</li><li>If you are feeling rich or you are desperatedon't want to be hauling it around, a one-way foot ticket maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to Calais will cost about £40 (September 2010keep an eye on it, as said at or pick it up from the ticket office) car upon arrival (requires more logistics with P&O, the only company that operates with foot passengers. A two way ticket (returnold and new drivers) for the same day costs 13£. But be careful, when you * Ferries from Dover go to buy the ticket go without backpacks because they won't sell you the ticket, because they'll say you won't come backboth Dunkerque and Calais. Act like If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going for the ride with the ferry (i with 2 friends did this : we asked to Calais as you will find it difficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if there you are any things hitching to do on the ferry like videogames, or casinoBelgium, a place where to eat or drink something Germany etc.) Also when then you go on should get the bus, if the person who sold you the ticket is there, try ferry to give your backpacks to someone else until you are on the bus, from there you won't have any problems no moreDunkerque. Good luck !

Near [[Calais]], there is a huge lorry park with great There are several possibilities for hitchhikers to continue their journey once the crossing is done!in Dover:

It is useful to be aware that ferries from Dover go to both Dunkirque and Calais. If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going to Calais as you will find it difficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, Germany etc. then you should get ==== Along the ferry to Dunkirque.A20 ====

This road is swarming with drivers on their way to the ferry. Your sign should say ''FRANCE'' (or ''FRANCE (ferry)''), not ''FERRY'', otherwise people will be offering you rides to the ferry port. * '''Natural Halts''' Waiting at places where cars have to stop because of traffic lights or where traffic naturally periodically comes to a halt. You may wait at a pedestrian crossing at a point on the A20 where traffic naturally comes to a halt. One such spot is [https://goo.gl/maps/3gCJTpxM1vX4zW6G9 at Marine Rd Pedestrian Crossing] (51.125312, 1.323558).* '''Busstops''' ''Megger Factory'' (probably bad/senseless), ''Hammond's Garage'', which is opposite the BP at Limekiln Street an average spot at best. Drivers are often mildly disoriented when they exit the roundabout and have to decide too quickly to stop at the bus-stop. Some drivers do however go to the BP and what you could do is wait for them at the exit of the BP. ''Leisure Centre'' seems alright. * '''Petrol Stations''': October 2019: Unfortunately I was not allowed to talk to drivers at either of the two BPs in Dover (Limekiln Street (51°07'06.1"N 1°18'25.0"E) and Folkestone Rd). * '''The Ferry Port''': There's no point since you won't be allowed on the premises of the port (confirmed 2017). But Tzuiop9c was able to stand at the very entrance (at the roundabout) of the premises for thirty minutes without being bothered (several employees drove past with bothering to tell him to go away.) But this spot is problematic since drivers are concentrating on finding the right lane and lorry drivers don't have to stop there. * Burger King / the St James Retail and Leisure Centre == Other directions == On the ferry==== * If you can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on the ferry, you probably receive a free-dinner-ticket ( + 2 free drinks) for the Commercial Drivers Restaurant (top floor), when you entered the ferry with the truck/lorry, because they thought you're driver, too. When you're on the ferry without a Commercial Driver at least you can get a free drink (hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you.* Commercial drivers also have better rates for currency exchange, so if you're hitching a truck, maybe the driver will agree to change your money for you. ==== If you are super stuck ====*check the [[English channel]] page for more options on how to hitchhike across the channel.* If hitchhiking doesn't work, carpooling can come in really handy. There are People on Blablacar going every evening to Calais. I paid 5 GBP for the ride. Much better than* A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 18 (as opposed to GBP 30 for a one-way ticket). But be careful, when you go to buy the ticket go without backpacks because they won't sell you the ticket, because they'll say you won't come back. Act like you are going for the ride with the ferry. Also when you go on the bus, if the person who sold you the ticket is there, try to give your backpacks to someone else until you are on the bus, from there you won't have any problems no more. * If all fails you might have to stay for the night. The cheapest place to do so (as far as I'm aware) is the First and Last Pub. Although named a Pub, there are bunks inside for customers to stay for £15 per night(breakfast usually provided). But its reception is located at Russell street, in the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers. == Hitchiking Out ==

 One option is to walk out of the terminal building, through the carparkcar park, and follow the road signs pointing cars towards the M20. Unfortunately there isn't really a safe place to pull over until the first bus stop, about 500m away. By this stage traffic is often going quite quickly, and some of it is now local traffic, but it is mostly port traffic, and you should be able to convince someone to stop. A sign would be useful (such as 'M20').*I waited over an hour here, and walked If you walk further to you will find a better spot, but only found the next bus stop, another 500m 500 m or so further down the road. Conditions were no better, but I got a ride in about 5 minutes -Nomad Kat

Here you can try Try to get a lift onto the M20 and follow the motorways up and over.  Another option is to get onto the coastal road (A259) all the way to brightonBrighton.  From my expereince experience I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway. After folkstone its Folkstone it's largely local traffic, a and long walk out of the town and you sit there wishing you had of kept to the bright lights of the motor way!! However of course it led  == Ferrys Timetable == * [http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_dover_-_calais_timetable_timetable_DOCA.htm P&O ferries timetable Calais–Dover]* [http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferry-to a rich expereince!-france/Timetable/ DFDS Seaways ferries timetable Dunkerque–Dover]

== Extra information ==* When on the ferry try to find the Commercial Drivers Restaurant on one You cen put your tent in White Cliffs of the floors. From there you can get a free drink(hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you.Dover hilss

* Although the ticket buying place in the ferry terminal closes during the night, you can still find the arrivals building open all night long in case you need somewhere to sleep.{{nomadwiki}}  Local church feeds people at 18:00