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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''). For timetables, check the external links at the end of this article.
As '''Dover''' is a busy port in East Kent, in the South of 2011 there have been reports [[England]]. For hitchhikers this is one of Eurotunnel refusing people who are identified as hitchhikers by 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 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're hitchhiking) and [[Dunkerque]] (''DFDS Seaways''). For timetables, check the external links at the end of this article.
Also==General information for crossing the Channel==* Drivers.pay per vehicle, if you are so bringing an additional passenger will not a fan of riding with truck drivers then it is best to try to get ride on change the [[Channel Tunnel]] insteadcosts. If they already have their ticket, because most commuters they will now need to amend it (as of 2011for free) prefer and add another passenger. A foot passenger ticket will cost you about €40. * The border police does not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride for the channel tunnel or the ferry, '''ask the driver politely not to getting mention that you're hitchhiking'''. Explain the ferrysituation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. == To Calais ==Hitchhikers can cross * If you want to take the channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and a certain number of passengerstunnel/ferry, up It's best to nine with find a car and two with a lorrylift before Dover, at [[Maidstone Services]] on the same holds true for the M20 or [[Channel TunnelMedway Services]]. In the online booking process, drivers have to declare on the number of passengers in advance. However, this is for statistics and has no effect on their right carry up to seven passengersM2. Don'''To get a lift t go to France, you may prefer to stop at the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]] on , hitchhiking seems to be very hard there and hitchhikers aren't allowed near the M20drivers, where you many of whom can't take anyone anyway. (This is correct as of 2012; if things have changed, let us know!)* The ferry, as opposed to the possibility tunnel, has the advantage of having 1.5 hours to talk find a ride to both drivers and truck drivers 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 [[Maidstone Services|Ashford TruckstopCalais]] on the M20isn't fun. Many drivers don't speak a lot of English, but there is security here try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and if German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they see you asking for lifts they will tell you 're queuing up to leaveupon arrival, but it might be risky to wait so long. Update January 2012: The security * If you're changing rides, it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the Ashford truck-stop does vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allow anyone near the trucksallowed to leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and there were not so many trucks stopping there anywaylook for you. If you don't want to be hauling it around, only British truck drivers maybe ask someone who are not allowed isn't moving around much to take hitchhikers for some insurance issueskeep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the old and new drivers). We tried * Ferries from Dover go to hitchhike at all possible spots on the big roundabout both Dunkirque and before 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, but no one stopped for Doverif you are hitching to Belgium, Germany etc. Ended up taking then you should get the bus, which is only 5 pounds day ticket for the whole regionferry to Dunkirque.
* 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 one-way foot ticket to Calais will cost about GBP 34 (September 2015, 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 18. 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.
* If all fails you will 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 it's reception is located at Russell street, in the The Castle Inn/Dover Backpackers. Otherwise you can sleep in the ferry port(where there is heating but no beds.).
Good luck hitching* 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.
== 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.
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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
==== In Dover ====
<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 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).
== Extra information ==
* Probably the best spot is one of the two bus stops When on the road leading to the ferry port. You'll see them if you walk west from the ferry port. The first one is pretty close, and would work well if the traffic is not too backed up, but if there is a huge line of trucks waiting try to get on find the ferry then your best bet is to continue to the bus stop just next to the BP station 3 roundabouts (roughly 1.2 miles) west from the ferry port because the cars will be in the other lane and trucks don't have much space/won't be willing to stop when they've been waiting a while and just want to get Commercial Drivers Restaurant on the ferry. Note this is the second BP station from the ferry port--the first one was closed in Nov 2015 and there's nowhere good to stop outside of it. [[User:TBF|TBF]] found this spot in November 2015 after the police didn't allow him to hitchhike from the last roundabout (the one described in next bullet point) and had no luck asking truck drivers in the big line of trucks waiting to get on the ferryfloors. After about 5 minutes of asking drivers at the BP station (many were going to the ferry, few had space or were willing to take a hitchhiker in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks and refugee situation), the manager came out, gave TBF a cardboard sign saying "France" and told him that he can't ask for rides From there but should try waiting at the bus stop. Somebody stopped after 20 minutes, in the dark, and he got a ride directly to Paris. * you can try hitching after the last round-about. There is get a lay by where people can pull over. Still most people are very busy figuring out where to go on the Lane. Unfortunately it's illegal to hitch on port property free drink (i.e. after the ''Port of Dover Authority'' signhot chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drink) and although , however if you might get away with it sometimes, the police are known wish to enforce this rule and send you away. As of February 2017 buy food it's confirmed that hitchhikers are requested to move prom the premises of the port and go to the bus stop. There is a small park at the entrance in front of this hitchhiking point. If there are any drivers will cost you might try to ask them. * 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 will Commercial drivers also have to convince them that they don't pay anything extra better rates 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 ticketcurrency exchange, 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, and some police don't like it. * much better are the normal bus stops on the main seaside road with a sign that says France. [recommended]* if you're really stuck you can also try at the Western Docks, there is hitching a truck park where drivers carrying certain types of goods or from outside the EU have to stop to complete some paperwork.* There was a petrol station very close to the ferry ports, but it has been close for several years now. Disputed information: ''"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 maybe 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 agree to go with any trucks on a ferry!"'''''-EDIT -'''This experience must be an exception...many hitchhikers have taken trucks without problem and get out easily.'''-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, sometimes even separate bar/restaurant (Road Kings on-board DFDS) on the ferry with free '''tea/coffee + shower facilities'''. lots of truckdrivers know each other, so it's a good place to ask around for rides and information. '''-EDIT-''' I can confirm that no-one is allowed to stay in their vehicles during the crossing Near [[Calais]], there is a huge lorry park with great possibilities change your money for hitchhikers to continue their journey once the crossing is done! It is useful to be aware that ferries from Dover go to both Dunkirque 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 Dunkirque. Edit 2015: '''Dover is unhitchable''' maybe not totally, but definitely from my experience. I had a really bad experience including Refugees standing next to me and therefore demolishing my chances. (I felt so bad for them and they were in an even worse situation than me, but they are really not helpful) Edit Nov 2015: [[User:TBF|TBF]] hitchhiked successfully from Dover to Paris, but it took a long time to find a good spot (see above) and I was lucky enough to not have anybody standing next to me. So, it's definitely still possible, but not necessarily easy. [[User:Phidias81|Phidias81]] confirms that the situation didn't change much as of February 2017, quite hard to get a ride and constant control of the police.
== If you are super stuck ==
== 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 ==
