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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 [[Calais]], Dover is the eurotunnel company refusing people who are identified as hitchhikers by 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.

== To Calais ==Hitchhikers can cross the channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and a certain number of passengers, up to seven with a car and two with a lorry, the same holds true for the [[Channel Tunnel]].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'''To get . 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 to Francebefore Dover, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20or [[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, where who're able to pick you have 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!)* The ferry, as opposed to the tunnel, has the possibility advantage of having 1.5 hours to talk find a ride to truckdrivers that might be crossingyour next destination.''' Many more trucks stop at 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 [[Ashford TruckstopCalais]] on the M20isn'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 there is security here 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 see 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 asking for lifts they will tell find it difficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, Germany etc. then you should get the ferry to leaveDunkerque.

If you have reached Dover without a ride across the Channel, you have go to the BP petrol station (51°07'06.1"N 1°18'25.0"E) and catch a few optionsride from the bus stop just outside it. Your sign should say ''FRANCE'' (or ''FRANCE (ferry)''), not ''FERRY'',otherwise people will be offering you rides to the ferry port. This road is swarming with drivers on their way to the ferry. Stay here and '''don't go to the ferry port!''' There's no point since you won't be allowed on the premises of the port (confirmed 2017).

*you can try to get a ride on the road leading to the port. Difficult as there is no [[hard shoulder]] and very few breaks in the flow of traffic allowing anyone to stop.*you can try hitching after the last round-about. Unfortunately it's illegal to hitch on port property (i.e. after the ''Port of Dover Authority'' sign) and although you might get away with it sometimes, the police is known to enforce this rule and send you away.*you can try your luck inside 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 on-line. If you speak to people here, you might have to convince them that they don't pay anything extra for taking you across and possibly that you are not an illegal immigrant. [[user:Grégoire|Grégoire]] was told by a person working at a ticket office that you can also directly ask to the people making the queue if 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, but thinks it should be done discretly.*you are allowed to stand at the rail of the last roundabout leading into the port, i.e. before the port property. You'll be standing at the height of a truck driver who can see you clearly and can pull aside just in front of the Port Police building after the roundabout.*you might try standing at one of the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign that says France.*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 paperwork.*There is a petrol station very close to the ferry ports where it should be easily possible to find a lift.*If you are feeling rich or you are desperate, a one-way foot ticket to Calais will cost about £40 (September 2010, 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 13£. 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 ==== On the ferry (i with 2 friends did this : we asked if there are any things to do on the ferry like videogames, 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!====

Disputed information: ''"the trucks park in * If you can find a Commercial Driver, who takes you on 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 probably receive a box with a stranger and the driver can only take one person legally free-dinner- and they check your IDs etc on ticket ( + 2 free drinks) for the entrance so none of them will take Commercial Drivers Restaurant (top floor), when you entered the risk of a fine there. I don't know if it is like this on every ferry and all with the timetruck/lorry, but itbecause they thought you's not recommended to go with any trucks on a ferry!"'''''-EDIT -'''This experience must be an exceptionre driver, too...many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily.'When you''-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 re on the ferry with without a Commercial Driver at least you can get a free '''drink (hot chocolate, tea/, coffee + shower facilities''', soft drink), however if you wish to buy food it will cost you. lots of truckdrivers know each other* Commercial drivers also have better rates for currency exchange, so itif you's re hitching a good place truck, maybe the driver will agree to ask around change your money for rides and informationyou.

Near ==== If you are super stuck ====*check the [[CalaisEnglish channel]], there is a huge lorry park with great possibilities page for hitchhikers more options on how to continue their journey once hitchhike across the crossing is done!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:It is useful * A two way ticket (return) for the same day costs GBP 18 (as opposed to GBP 30 for a one-way ticket). But be aware that ferries from Dover careful, when you go to both Dunkirque and Calaisbuy the ticket go without backpacks because they won't sell you the ticket, because they'll say you won't come back. If Act like you are trying going for the ride with the ferry <!-- (Me and my two friends did this: we asked if there were any things to hitch down do on the ferry like video games, or a casino, a place where to Paris eat or further south then make sure drink something etc.)--> Also when you go on the bus, if the person who sold you the ticket is there, try to give your ride is going backpacks to Calais as someone else until you are on the bus, from there you won't have any problems no more. * If all fails you will find it difficult might have to stay for the night. The cheapest place to find do so (as far as I'm aware) is the First and Last Pub. Although named a lift otherwise. HoweverPub, if you there are hitching bunks inside for customers to Belgiumstay for £15 per night(breakfast usually provided). But its reception is located at Russell street, Germany etcin the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers. then * 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 should get can ask the ferry staff to Dunkirqueopen it for you. There are also several pubs in the city centre that are open up till 2:00, if you want a drink.

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 further to find a better spot, but only found the next bus stop, another 500m 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 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 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 expereinceexperience!  == Extra information ==* When on the ferry try to find the Commercial Drivers Restaurant on one 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. * Whilst waiting in the queue for your time to board the ferry, after 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 you. You can see it on the paper that is usually on their car or truck windows. This can save you a lot of time. * You can also change rides inside the ferry, especially when it has arrived in the port and people are getting to their cars and waiting to exit. Just go around looking at number plates and asking around. * 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.