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=====Along the A20:=====
[[Tzuiop9c]]: It took me five hours to get out of Dover. If I did it again I would not bother with the busstops. People have an even higher threshold to take people because of concerns about legality, confusion and making it on time. At all busstops traffic was moving quite quickly. Try places where traffic comes to a halt naturally. My sign said: ''Just on ferry. (Doesn't cost more)''.
[[trashLocal church feeds people at 18:Dover]] [[nomad:Dover]]00
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* 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'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 to be very hard there and hitchhikers aren't allowed near the drivers, many of whom can't take anyone anyway. (This is correct as of Feb 2018; if things have changed, let us know!) * '''It's very difficult to find drivers for the tunnel, who're able You MAY try to pick you up''', because they had to book the ticket and give all their ID-details for the booking before and it's impossible to add another passenger spontaniously, a lot of drivers told me (Feb 2018; If this is just a non-sense-legend, please tell us and change it here!) Edit: you can 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 :)was easy! . 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 ferry''' - 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 try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they're queuing up to leave upon arrival, but it might be risky to wait so long.
* If you're changing rides, it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allowed to leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and look for you. If you don't want to be hauling it around, maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to keep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the old and new drivers).
* Ferries from Dover go to both 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 Dunkerque.
=== In Dover ===
There are several possibilities in Dover:
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. What worked for [[Tzuiop9c]] in October 2019 was to 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
==== On the ferry====
==== 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 ==
=== North towards [[Canterbury]] along the A2 ===
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 and long walk out of the town
== External links 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-france/Timetable/ DFDS Seaways ferries timetable Dunkerque–Dover]
== Wild camping ==
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki & Nomadwiki == {{nomadwiki}}
