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<map lat='51.02' lng='2.28' zoom='11' view='0' float=right width=500 height=200 country=France/>'''Dunkerque''' (English: ''Dunkirk'', Dutch: ''Duinkerke'', German: ''Dünkirchen'') is a major port town at the Channel with [[hitchhiking a boat|ferries ]] across the [[English channel]] to [[Dover]] (''norfolklines'' &ndash; – crossings every 2 hours). It is about half as busy as [[Calais]]-Dover route. Both the Calais-Dover ferreies and the Dunkerque-Dover The ferries do not charge are free for extra passengers in vehicles. Tell drivers this and ask ask them for a free lift as it will not cost them anything. The Dunkerque-Dover ferries do not take foot passangers so the only choice is hitchhikers, if you find someone to a get give you a lift from a vehicle. The best place to stand is probably somewhere along the entrance road to onto the ferry port. There are sometimes refugees in the area trying to get to England. This may make drivers more cautious.

== Hitchhiking out ===== West to [[Calais]] &ndash; Dover ferries, howeverSouth to [[Lille]] ===There is a roundabout right next to ''Polyclinic Villette'' on ''Avenue du Stade''. Cars can park there quite easily, do allow foot passangersalso on the parking spot right next to it. This means that if you do not manage McDo is close to get this position, too, for asking people. Furthermore there is a free lift after traffic light a few hours little bit ahead towards the river, which also marks the end of asking, you can buy possible spots to stand with a sign or the thumb since there is no place to stop a ticket car and the traffic is getting too fast.See the [[English channel]] page for approximately £15 (20 Euros). This makes Calais a more reliable option information about options for crossingthe channel.

=== East towards [[Belgium]] ===It also must be possible in the above mentioned spot to get lifts towards [[Belgium]]. The first petrol station in Belgium is '''Mannekensvere''' just after exit 3, [[Nieupoort]], and a further one is at [[Jabbeke]], shortly before [[Bruges|Brugge]]. [[User:Jeensg|Jeensg]] also experienced it to be worthwhile getting on the motorway and being dropped off just at the first onramp after Belgian border (Adinkerke), where he got a ride to [[Brussels]] after 2 minutes. === To [[England]] ===It is less busy and more laid-back/friendly than the [[Calais]]-Dover route. Both the Calais-Dover boats and the Dunkerque-Dover boats do not charge for extra passengers in vehicles. While [[Calais]]-Dover ferries allow foot passengers (cost about £15/20Euros), it is not possible from Dunkerque, so you have no other choice than to get a lift. Since mid October[2018] busses around Dunkerque are free, so from Dunkerque city centre, it is possible to take a free bus in the direction of Loon-Plage. Close to the ferry is a hotel parking lot at the roundabout, which is a good place to be dropped off. The best way to catch a ride from there is walking a little bit in the direction of the ferry. Be warned the signs 'car ferry' on the roundabout point in the 'wrong' direction here, not many cars take this exit because it is a detour towards the ferry. It is faster to take the first exit (when coming from Dunkerque direction). To catch all cars & vans who will cross the Channel walk 10 min to the next roundabout. Crossing takes about 1h50 and on the ''Norfolkline'' ships there provide free wireless internet access. ==== How to get to the port ====Ferries leave from Port Ouest. To get there from Dunkerque, take a bus '''A''' (i.e. from the city center/railway station), going towards Loon Plage (various terminus possible). Get off at ''Maison Blanche'' (about 12km, 30min), walk up to the big roundabout. From there you have 3km left - I recommend walking, but if you have time, you can always try to hitch.  If on the A16 motorway (Calais <-> Dunkerque) take the Exit 24. ==== Trucks ====Before the port there is big parking place for trucks and lorries (about 1km square). It is very easy to get a ride over there. Many vehicles on Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Slovak numbers. But you can find some English, Irish or German ones as well. ==== Cars ====A bit further, there is a car park, just in front of a ticket office. You can probably try to get a lift asking drivers there. Usually you have to explain that they pay for car and not for amount of people, but correct number of passengers must be on their ticket. Changing booking is free of charge and takes less than a minute. Always have your documents ready to show to drivers, so they know you are not an illegal immigrant. ==== Once on the ferry ====Once you are on the ferry, it can be useful is an excellent idea to ask around for a more good lift. It is difficult far easier to hitch at the exit from ferry portsdo this, so this is well worth doingthan to hitchhike when you land. The best tactic is best to approach individuals directly and say something like "Excuse me, sorry to bother you. I am trying to hitch-hike hitchhike to [''destination'']. I don't suppose you could give me a lift in that direction?" Most of the people on the boat will speak English. Do not stand try to get a lift by standing at the stairs from the car deck with a sign. It does not work well. ==== Important for Non-EU Nationals (including US citizens) ====There are UK passport controls in Dunkerque and if you do not have the proper papers, you may encounter a lot of hassle, including being denied entry. Worse, the friendly driver who gave you a ride might also face delays.  Upon arrival in Dover, UK customs also have a tendency to check far more cars than any other EU country, the UK is '''not''' part of the [[Schengen Agreement]], so you might consider leaving the ferry as this a foot-passenger to save your driver a potentially substantial delay! (Not possible if you arrived using ''Norfolklines'') If you look respectable, are from a respectable country, [[United States of America|USA]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], to name a few, you are unlikely to have any problems entering the UK, even as a hitchhiker. Show a passport from [[Somalia]], [[Pakistan]] or [[Iran]], to name a few that are somewhat less respectable in the eyes of the UK government, expect lots of hassle, including being denied entry.  If you think you will fall in the latter category, you should consider going on to [[Calais]], ''Norfolkline'', which sails from Dunkerque does not take foot-passengers, and spend the money to buy a foot-passenger (return) ticket yourself to avoid causing trouble for your driver, although that does not workin any way reduce the risk that you're denied entry either at UK immigration in France or upon arrival in Dover.  As with any border crossing, it helps if you look respectable, '''even''' if you come from the EU or respectable countries, and have money (or better, a credit card) to support yourself. [[Calais]] is an alternative to cross the Channel.Sailings from there are far more frequent and all shipping companies take foot-passengers, although at least some ('''P&O''') no longer do so on every sailing or in the middle of the night!{{IsIn|Nord-Pas de Calais}}