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'''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of [[England]]. For hitchhikers this is one of if not likely the best possibility to cross the Channel[[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 [[Calais]], Dover is the busiest cross-Channel port in the [[United 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.

==Crossing the [[English channel]] (to France)== ====General information for crossing the ChannelInformation==== * 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 does 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's best to find a lift before Dover, at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20 or [[Medway Services]] on the M2. Don't go to the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]], hitchhiking seems * '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 be very hard there and hitchhikers aren't allowed near change passenger number at the drivers, many of whom can't take anyone anywayfirst barrier. (This is correct as of 2012; if things have changed, let us know!)Then on the train with all the truckers

* Ferries from Dover go to both Dunkirque Dunkerque 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 the ferry to DunkirqueDunkerque.  === In Dover === There are several possibilities in Dover:  ==== Along the A20 ====

==== In Dover ====This road is swarming with drivers on their way to the ferry. <map lat=Your sign should say ''FRANCE'51.12625978268193' lng=(or '1.3254833221435547' zoom=FRANCE (ferry)'16' view=), not '0' float=FERRY'right' />, otherwise people will be offering you rides to the ferry port.

If you * '''Natural Halts''' Waiting at places where cars have reached Dover without to stop because of traffic lights or where traffic naturally periodically comes to a halt. You may wait at a pedestrian crossing at a ride across point on the Channel, go A20 where traffic naturally comes to the BP petrol station a halt. One such spot is [https://goo.gl/maps/3gCJTpxM1vX4zW6G9 at Marine Rd Pedestrian Crossing] (51°07'0651.125312, 1"N 1°18'25.0"E323558) and catch a ride from the bus stop just outside it. Your sign should say * ''FRANCE'Busstops''' (or ''FRANCE (ferry)Megger Factory''(probably bad/senseless), not ''Hammond'FERRYs Garage'', otherwise people will be offering you rides 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 ferry portbus-stop. This road is swarming with Some drivers on their way do however go to the ferryBP and what you could do is wait for them at the exit of the BP. ''Leisure Centre'' seems alright. Stay here and * '''Petrol Stations''don't go : October 2019: Unfortunately I was not allowed to talk to drivers at either of the ferry port!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

== Extra information == On the ferry====

* When If you can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on the ferry try to find , 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 one of the floors. From there 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.

==== 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 <!-- (Me and my two friends did this: we asked if there were any things to do on the ferry like video games, or a 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. * 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. If the ferry terminal is closed, go to the train station instead, it is not too far from the ferry terminal and even if it's locked, you can ask the staff to open it for you. There are also several pubs in the city centre that are open up till 2:00, if you want a drink.

== 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 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 to a rich experience! == Ferrys Timetable ==