Difference between revisions of "Dover"

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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
 
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
'''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 ''Seafrance'') and [[Dunkerque]] (''norfolkline'').
 
  
== To Calais ==
+
'''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of [[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 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.
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]].
 
  
To get a lift to France, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20, where you have the possibility to talk to truckdrivers that might be crossing. Many more trucks stop at [[Ashford Truckstop]] on the M20, but there is security here and if they see you asking for lifts they will tell you to leave.
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==Crossing the [[English channel]] (to France)==
  
==== In Dover ====
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====General Information====
<map lat='51.12625978268193' lng='1.3254833221435547' zoom='16' view='0' float='right' />
 
  
If you have reached Dover without a ride across the Channel, you have a few options,
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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.
<ul>
+
* 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.
<li>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.</li>
+
* 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]]
<li>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.</li>
+
* '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
<li>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.</li>
+
* 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.  
<li>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.</li>
+
* 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).  
<li>you might try standing at one of the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign that says France.</li>
+
* 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.
<li>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.</li>
 
</ul>
 
  
'''Important to know: 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!'''
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=== In Dover ===
-EDIT -
 
This experience must be an exception...many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily.
 
  
Near [[Calais]], there is a huge lorry park with great possibilities for hitchhikers to continue their journey once the crossing is done!
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There are several possibilities in Dover:
  
== Other directions ==
+
==== Along the A20 ====
 +
 
 +
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. 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 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 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 change your money for 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. 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.
 +
 
 +
== Hitchiking Out ==
  
 
=== North towards [[Canterbury]] along the A2 ===
 
=== North towards [[Canterbury]] along the A2 ===
Line 34: Line 49:
  
 
=== North and North East towards [[Folkestone]] and [[London]] along the M20 ===
 
=== North and North East towards [[Folkestone]] and [[London]] along the M20 ===
 +
 +
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'). If you walk further you will find a bus stop another 500 m or so further down the road.
  
 
=== West towards [[Brighton]] ===
 
=== West towards [[Brighton]] ===
  
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 brightonFrom my expereince I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway.  After folkstone its 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 expereince!
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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 and long walk out of the town
 +
 +
== Ferrys Timetable ==
  
== 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.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 ==
 +
 +
You cen put your tent in White Cliffs of Dover hilss
 +
 +
 +
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
 +
 +
{{nomadwiki}}
 +
 +
 +
Local church feeds people at 18:00
 +
  
  

Latest revision as of 18:58, 23 December 2020

Dover is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of 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 French port of Calais, Dover is the busiest cross-Channel port in the 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

  • 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 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 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:

Along the A20

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. You may wait at a pedestrian crossing at a point on the A20 where traffic naturally comes to a halt. One such spot is 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 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 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 change your money for 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. 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.

Hitchiking Out

North towards Canterbury along the A2

From Dover there's the A2 that runs north to Canterbury and on to the M2, the A20 that follows the coast south to Folkestone, and the A256 that heads north towards Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate.

For leaving Dover, you probably have a better chance of a lift if you follow the Main road out of town. After about 20 minutes when you start to walk up a hill, there is a good place for vehicles to pull in.

North and North East towards Folkestone and London along the M20

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'). If you walk further you will find a bus stop another 500 m or so further down the road.

West towards Brighton

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 and long walk out of the town

Ferrys Timetable

Wild camping

You cen put your tent in White Cliffs of Dover hilss


Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)


Local church feeds people at 18:00