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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 the best possibility to cross the Channel. 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 lorrys each day. Regular ferry services operate from Dover to Calais (''P&O'') and [[Dunkerque]] (''DFDS Seaways'').
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.==
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. What worked for [[Tzuiop9c]] in October 2019 was to wait at a pedestrian crossing at a ride across point on the ChannelA20 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 a few options,to stop there. * Burger King / the St James Retail and Leisure Centre
* you can try to get a ride on the road leading to the port. Difficult as there is no [[shoulder|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 discretely. [[User:Pete the Temp|Pete the Temp]] found some leads by approaching cars but there was much suspicion and many people coming to buy tickets were crossing as foot passengers.
* 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. This is far from ideal.
* much better are 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 GBP 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 GBP 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 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!
Disputed information[[Tzuiop9c]]: ''"the trucks park in the ferry so close that It took me five hours to get out of Dover. If I did it's again I would not possible to open bother with the doorsbusstops. That means that you'll spend more than 1.5 hour closed in a box with a stranger and the driver can only People have an even higher threshold to take one person legally - people because of concerns about legality, confusion and they check your IDs etc making it on the entrance so none of them will take the risk of a fine theretime. I don't know if it is like this on every ferry and At all the time, but it's not recommended busstops traffic was moving quite quickly. Try places where traffic comes to go with any trucks on a ferry!"'''''-EDIT -'''This experience must be an exceptionhalt naturally...many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily.My sign said: '''-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 Just on the ferry with free '''tea/coffee + shower facilities. (Doesn't cost more)''. lots of truckdrivers know each other, so it's a good place to ask around for rides and information.
Near [[Calais]], there is a huge lorry park with great possibilities for hitchhikers to continue their journey once ==== On the crossing is done!ferry====
It is useful * 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 be aware that ferries from Dover go 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 both Dunkirque and Calaischange your money for you. ==== If you are trying super stuck ====*check the [[English channel]] page for more options on how to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is 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 will find it difficult 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 find do on the ferry like video games, or a casino, a lift otherwiseplace where to eat or drink something etc. However)--> 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 hitching 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 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.
== 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. [[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 and never do it again.
* 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.
Update January 2012: The ferry terminal is not open during the night, it closes around 23:00, so you cannot spend the night there. Go instead in the train station, 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.
→In Dover
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
== 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]]. 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'''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 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]] on ; hitchhiking seems to be very hard there and hitchhikers aren't allowed near the M20drivers, but there many of whom can't take anyone anyway. (This is security here and 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 to pick you up''', because they see you asking had to book the ticket and give all their ID-details for lifts they will 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 leavetunnel. Update January 2012And he was able to change passenger number at the first barrier : )was easy! Then on the train with all the truckers * The security in 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 Ashford truckferry''' -stop does not allow anyone near the truckseven 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 there were not 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 many trucks stopping there anywaylong. * If you're changing rides, only British truck drivers who are 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 take hitchhikers leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and look for some insurance issuesyou. We tried If you don't want to be hauling it around, maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to hitchhike at all possible spots keep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the big roundabout old and before 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 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 == In =There are several possibilities in Dover : =====Along the A20:=====<map lat=This road is swarming with drivers on their way to the ferry. 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.
== Other directions ==
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 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!
== External links ==
* [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]
{{IsIn|South East (England)}}
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