Changes

As '''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of 2011 there have been reports [[England]]. For hitchhikers this is likely the best possibility to cross the [[English channel]], though you're even better off if you can get a ride to France before you get to Dover. Because it is the closest port to continental Europe on mainland Britain with just 21 miles from the [[France|French]] port of Eurotunnel refusing people who are identified as hitchhikers by [[Calais]], Dover is the busiest cross-Channel port in the drivers[[United Kingdom|UK]], with 18 million passengers every year and thousands of lorries (trucks) each day. Tell your driver Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais (''P&O''not mention that you) and [[Dunkerque]] ('re hitchhiking'DFDS Seaways''). For timetables, check the external links at the end of this article.

Also, if you are not a fan of riding with truck drivers then it is best to try to get ride on ==Crossing the [[Channel TunnelEnglish channel]] instead, because most commuters will now (as of 2011to France) prefer the channel tunnel to getting the ferry.==

== To Calais ==Hitchhikers can cross the channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and a certain number of passengers, up to nine with a car and two with a lorry, the same holds true for the [[Channel Tunnel]]. In the online booking process, drivers have to declare the number of passengers in advance. However, this is for statistics and has no effect on their right carry up to seven passengers.General Information====

* 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 about €40. * The border police do not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride for the tunnel or the ferry, '''ask the driver politely not to mention that you're hitchhiking'''. Explain the situation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. * If you want to take the tunnel/ferry, It'To get s best to find a lift to Francebefore Dover, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20, where you have or [[Medway Services]] on the possibility to talk to both drivers and truck drivers that might be crossingM2.Don''' Many more trucks stop at t go to the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]] * 'You MAY try to get a lift through the tunnel! We met a lorry driver at Clackett Lane services who was going to tunnel. And he was able to change passenger number at the first barrier. Then on the train with all the truckers * The ferry, as opposed to the tunnel, has the advantage of having 1.5 hours to find a ride to your next destination. '''Do your best to find the next ride on the M20ferry''' - even if it's for a short distance (though many people will be going far!) since hitchhiking out of [[Calais]] isn't fun. Many drivers don't speak a lot of English, but there is security here try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and if German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they see you asking for lifts they will tell you 're queuing up to leaveupon arrival, but it might be risky to wait so long. Update January 2012: The security * If you're changing rides, it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the Ashford truck-stop does vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allow anyone near the trucksallowed to leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and there were not so many trucks stopping there anywaylook for you. If you don't want to be hauling it around, only British truck drivers maybe ask someone who are not allowed isn't moving around much to take hitchhikers for some insurance issueskeep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the old and new drivers). We tried * Ferries from Dover go to hitchhike at all possible spots on the big roundabout both Dunkerque and before 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 itdifficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, but no one stopped for DoverGermany etc. Ended up taking then you should get the bus, which is only 5 pounds day ticket for the whole regionferry to Dunkerque.

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

If you have reached There are several possibilities in Dover without a ride across the Channel, you have a few options,:

* Probably the best spot This road is one of the two bus stops swarming with drivers on the road leading their way to the ferry port. YouYour sign should say 'll see them if you walk west from the ferry port. The first one is pretty close, and would work well if the traffic is not too backed up, but if there is a huge line of trucks waiting to get on the ferry then your best bet is to continue to the bus stop just next to the BP station 3 roundabouts (roughly 1.2 miles) west from the ferry port because the cars will be in the other lane and trucks don't have much space/wonFRANCE't be willing to stop when they've been waiting a while and just want to get on the ferry. Note this is the second BP station from the ferry port--the first one was closed in Nov 2015 and there(or 's nowhere good to stop outside of it. [[User:TBF|TBF]] found this spot in November 2015 after the police didn't allow him to hitchhike from the last roundabout FRANCE (the one described in next bullet pointferry) and had no luck asking truck drivers in the big line of trucks waiting to get on the ferry. After about 5 minutes of asking drivers at the BP station (many were going to the ferry, few had space or were willing to take a hitchhiker in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks and refugee situation''), the manager came outnot ''FERRY'', gave TBF a cardboard sign saying "France" and told him that he can't ask for otherwise people will be offering you rides there but should try waiting at to the bus stop. Somebody stopped after 20 minutes, in the dark, and he got a ride directly to Parisferry port.

* you can try hitching after the last round-about. There is a lay by '''Natural Halts''' Waiting at places where people can pull over. Still most people are very busy figuring out cars have to stop because of traffic lights or where traffic naturally periodically comes to go a halt. You may wait at a pedestrian crossing at a point on the LaneA20 where traffic naturally comes to a halt. Unfortunately it's illegal to hitch on port property One such spot is [https://goo.gl/maps/3gCJTpxM1vX4zW6G9 at Marine Rd Pedestrian Crossing] (i51.e125312, 1. after the 323558).* '''Busstops''' ''Port of Dover AuthorityMegger Factory'' sign(probably bad/senseless) and although you might get away with it sometimes, ''Hammond's Garage'', which is opposite the police BP at Limekiln Street an average spot at best. Drivers are known often mildly disoriented when they exit the roundabout and have to enforce this rule and send you away.* you can try your luck inside decide too quickly to stop at the Travel Centre or on the car park in front of it. The problem is that both are nowadays very quiet as most people book onbus-linestop. If you speak Some drivers do however go to people here, the BP and what you will have to convince could do is wait for them that they donat the exit of the BP. ''Leisure Centre''t pay anything extra for taking you across and possibly that you are not an illegal immigrantseems alright. [[User* '''Petrol Stations''': October 2019:Grégoire|Grégoire]] Unfortunately I was told by a person working not allowed to talk to drivers at a ticket office that you can also directly ask to either of the people making the queue if they have room two BPs in their car before they buy the ticket, so that they can verify it is legalDover (Limekiln Street (51°07'06. He found a car in ten minutes, but thinks it should be done discretely1"N 1°18'25. [[User:Pete the Temp|Pete the Temp]] found some leads by approaching cars but there was much suspicion 0"E) and many people coming to buy tickets were crossing as foot passengersFolkestone Rd). * '''The Ferry Port''': There's no point since you are won't be allowed to stand at on the rail premises of the last roundabout leading into the port, i(confirmed 2017).e. before But Tzuiop9c was able to stand at the port property. You'll be standing very entrance (at the height of a truck driver who can see you clearly and can pull aside just in front roundabout) of the Port Police building after the roundaboutpremises for thirty minutes without being bothered (several employees drove past with bothering to tell him to go away. This ) But this spot is far from ideal, problematic since drivers are concentrating on finding the right lane and some police lorry drivers don't like it. * much better are the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign that says France. [recommended]* if you're really stuck you can also try at the Western Docks, there is a truck park where drivers carrying certain types of goods or from outside the EU have to stop to complete some paperworkthere.* There is a petrol station very close to Burger King / the ferry ports where it should be easily possible to find a lift.St James Retail and Leisure Centre

Disputed information: ''"the trucks park in the ferry so close that it's not possible to open the doors. That means that you'll spend more than 1.5 hour closed in a box with a stranger and the driver can only take one person legally - and they check your IDs etc on the entrance so none of them will take the risk of a fine there. I don't know if it is like this on every ferry and all the time, but it's not recommended to go with any trucks on a ferry!"'''''-EDIT -'''This experience must be an exception...many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily.'''-EDIT-'''as far as i have seen everybody is required to get out of their cars and go upstairs and then staff lock the parking area, so nobody stays in their cars/trucks while at sea. also, truckdrivers have their own rest area, sometimes even separate bar/restaurant (Road Kings on-board DFDS) on ==== On the ferry with free '''tea/coffee + shower facilities'''. lots of truckdrivers know each other, so it's a good place to ask around for rides and information. '''-EDIT-''' I can confirm that no-one is allowed to stay in their vehicles during the crossing====

Near [[Calais]]* If you can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on the ferry, there is you probably receive a huge free-dinner-ticket ( + 2 free drinks) for the Commercial Drivers Restaurant (top floor), when you entered the ferry with the truck/lorry park with great possibilities , 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 hitchhikers currency exchange, so if you're hitching a truck, maybe the driver will agree to continue their journey once the crossing is done!change your money for you.

It is useful ==== If you are super stuck ====*check the [[English channel]] page for more options on how to be aware that ferries from Dover go to both Dunkirque and Calaishitchhike across the channel. * If you hitchhiking doesn't work, carpooling can come in really handy. There are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is 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 will find it difficult go to find a lift otherwisebuy 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. HoweverAlso 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 hitching to Belgiumon the bus, Germany etcfrom there you won't have any problems no more. then * If all fails you should get might have to stay for the night. The cheapest place to do so (as far as I'm aware) is the ferry First and Last Pub. Although named a Pub, there are bunks inside for customers to Dunkirquestay for £15 per night(breakfast usually provided). But its reception is located at Russell street, in the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers.

Edit 2015: '''Dover is unhitchable''' maybe not totally, but definitely from my experience. I had a really bad experience including Refugees standing next to me and therefore demolishing my chances. (I felt so bad for them and they were in an even worse situation than me, but they are really not helpful) Edit Nov 2015: [[User:TBF|TBF]] hitchhiked successfully from Dover to Paris, but it took a long time to find a good spot (see above) and I was lucky enough to not have anybody standing next to me. So, it's definitely still possible, but not necessarily easy.   == If you are super stuck ==* 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 one-way foot ticket to Calais will cost about GBP 34 (September 2015, as said at the ticket office) with P&O, the only company that operates with foot passengers. A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 18. 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 <!-- (i with 2 friends did this : we asked if there are any things to do on the ferry like video games, or casino, a place where to eat or drink something etc.)--> 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. Good luck! == Other directions Hitchiking Out ==

 One option is to walk out of the terminal building, through the car 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 Brighton. From my experience I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway. After Folkstone it's largely local traffic, a 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 to a rich experience!

== Extra information ==* When on the ferry try Another option is to find get onto the Commercial Drivers Restaurant on one of coastal road A259 all the floors. From there you can get a free drink (hot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink), however if you wish way to buy food it will cost youBrighton.

* Whilst waiting in From my experience I would seriously advise skipping the queue for your time to board romantic idea of the ferry, after coastal road and keep yourself on the passport check, you can try to change rides in order to get on an earlier boat. Just walk around asking people that have an earlier leaving time than yours. Since you passed passport check they should not be afraid to take youmotorway. You can see After Folkstone it on the paper that is usually on their car or truck windows. This can save you a lot of time. [[User:Gerard|Gerard]], May 2012: Be aware though on changing a ride here, because when we at last were asking people going with another company, a man called us and told us we had a big problem, because we did 'very illegal' things, for which 'you can end up in prison'; however finally he ended up warning us to go back to our car s largely local traffic and never do it again.long walk out of the town