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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
{{Infobox Location
|country = England
|pop = 8.623 million (2015)
|motorways = {{Mgb|1}} {{Mgb|11}} {{Mgb|2}} {{Mgb|20}} {{Mgb|23}} {{Mgb|25}} {{Mgb|3}} {{Mgb|4}}
|map = <map lat='51.500152' lng='-0.126236' zoom='11' view='3'/>
}}
'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the [[United Kingdom]].
It's worth knowing that London is HUGE (third biggest city in Europe).
== Greater London ==This region is a part of the [[East of England]] and accessible through the motorways M1/A1 and M11. These regions are part of the [[London]] commuter belt and include in part or totally the following counties: '''Bedfordshire:''' [[Luton]] (London Luton Airport) '''Cambridgeshire:''' [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]] '''Essex:''' [[Colchester]], [[Southend-on-Sea]] '''Hertfordshire:''' [[Stevanage]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] / [[London Stansted]] (Airport) ==Hitching OutHitchhiking in ==* London has a motorway ring-road, the [[httpM25 (GB)|M25]]. '''Get dropped off on or near the M25 and use the public transport to get wherever you need.''' If you are coming from the west and your driver is heading south on the M25, ask to be dropped off at the first junction on the M25:Heathrow Terminal 5. Get off at the roundabout at the end of the motorway spur and walk to the terminal building. The Piccadilly Line Underground starts here. If they are heading north, see the description for getting to Uxbridge Underground station below.<br/ >If you are coming from the southeast on the M20, ask to be dropped off at the A20/M20/wwwM25 roundabout. From here you can take the B2173 road 2km to Swanley train station.hitchbaseAlternatively, if they are heading further north, get dropped off at the M25/A12 junction and walk ≈3km west to Harold Wood station.com<br/ >If you're coming from the north and your driver is heading towards the M4/ergebnisseM3 direction, try to persuade them to do a slight detour off the M25 to junction 1 of the M40 (roundabout with A40).php?LANGFrom there, it's a ≈2km walk to Uxbridge Underground station. Otherwise, get off at the last services (Toddington) before the M25 and look for a lift going inside the ring road.<br/ > '''Hitch into London from the last services on your motorway before the M25 (the driver will usually know which one this is).''' Then try to find a ride that bring you close enough to your destination. Check "public transport" for navigating the system efficiently and cheaply. See the transiting around the M25 section below if you just want to bypass London. =eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=444 Hitchbase] has some information about hitchhiking Hitchhiking out of London==
Hitchhiking out of London is pretty tricky, but not impossible - the big problem is getting onto a motorway is a bit of a challenge, once you're on the motorway, stick to the petrol stations, hitching entrance ramp to entrance ramp is quite difficult, especially in the big cities.
===How to get onto the M4 Motorway (West)===
* '''Where to''': '''''([[West (England)|The West (London)]])''''', [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ([[South West (England)|South-West]]), [[Bristol]], [[South West (England)|Devon]], [[South West (England)|Cornwall]],
* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to Zone 3 - approximately 3 UKP from Zone 1.
* '''Last verified''': March 2006
* === West towards [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ([[South West England|The South-West]]), [[Bristol]], [[South West England|Devon]], [[South West England|Cornwall]] [[South Wales]] {{Mgb|4}} === When hitching West out of London and onto the M4, to try to avoid accepting a ride to anywhere before Reading Central. A few of the earlier junctions are hitchhiking nightmare spots - junction 8,9 for Maidenhead and 10 for Reading East are two of the worst junctions for hitchhiking in this area of the country because of the M4 then turning into another motorway for a few miles, thus taking you well off your route. Reading Services is great though, and well worth encouraging your driver to take you the extra few miles to. '''DirectionsOption 1''':M4 Motorway Junction 1 (Chiswick Roundabout)Get A. Take the District Line Underground to ''Gunnersbury'' (zone 3) or train to ''Kew Bridge''. (Alternatively, the Overground at ''South Acton'' doesn't have barriers, but is a kilometer further away.) Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 - one west and one east of the roundabout) along which you walk 500m to Junction 1 of the M4 where you will see the Esso petrol station that is on the corner of the slip road onto the motorway heading west. There is a bus lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west. B. Take bus H91 from ''Hammersmith Bus station '' in the direction of Hounslow West and get off at ''Chiswick Park Roundabout/Gunnersbury'', and you are already at the bus lay-by hitching point. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off peak) from Zone 1. (Bus fare £1.50) '''Option 2''': A4 leading to M4 (or M3) Heading for [[South West England|Cornwall]], it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West England|Dorset]]. Take District Line)Underground to ''West Kensington'' (zone 2). Turn right out of the station, there are traffic lights 10m away. Turn right and there is a lay- from there by where you can find stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the entrance lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways M4 - its about . (It's also cheaper to get to). Cost of public transport: £2.40 (off peak) from Zone 1. '''Option 3''': Motorway service station Heston Take Piccadilly Line Underground westbound and get off at ''Hounslow West'' (zone 5 miles ). Turn right from the station exit and walk 800m west along Bath Road to just past Henleys roundabout where there is a BP petrol station. Right at the exit of the actual entrance petrol station is a footpath heading north. Walk ≈650m and where it splits, turn right 20 metres until you reach Armytage Rd. Turn left onto this road and continue north for another ≈200m, cross over Cranford Lane and then continue north again for another ≈350m along Phoenix Way until it bends to the M4left. Just past the bend, you will see a short path on the right through the bushes/trees onto Heston service station.It's not an overly busy services but enough traffic to justify getting out here and cutting out all the local traffic in the centre. Use a sign as there is a lot of local traffic and also traffic heading onto the M25 both south and north. Cost of public transport: £3.10 (off peak) from Zone 1 === Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], [[Maidstone]], [[Folkestone]] ([[Channel Tunnel]]), [[Dover]] (Ferries to Europe) {{Mgb|20}} === '''Option 1''': Mottingham Take the train from ''Charing Cross Station'' (Zone 1) to ''Mottingham Station'' (Zone 4). It passes through ''Waterloo East'' (Zone 1), ''London Bridge'' (Zone 1), ''New Cross'' (Zone 2) and ''Lewisham'' (Zone 2) stations on its way to ''Dartford'' or ''Gillingham''. Alternatively, take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and from there, the 161 bus to Mottingham. When you can come out of the train station, walk 100m south along Court Road to the main road for intersection with Sidcup Road (A20). At the traffic lights turn left, where you will see a mile and theres an Esso Shell petrol station .<br/ > Cost of public transport: train to Mottingham was £5. The best ride to accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the South-East along the M20 and past the M20/M25 junction, most likely to the [[Maidstone Services]]. Many drivers have said that many hitch-hikers happen to stand and hitch at the M20/M25 junction, but the police might be more likely to pick you up. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. (Mottingham train station doesn't have barriers...)<br/ > NOTE: The most classic method departing London in the direction of continental Europe begins in Mottingham. Most traffic is local, thus it is best to ask people whether they are going onto the M25 ring road. If yes, they will passby the BP @ Swanley as described in option 2. The next major service station after Swanley is after the M25 called Maidstone Services on the corner next M20 Junction 8; be sure to find a bridge with ride that exits at junction 8 as the main london traffic running above you, exit for the town of Maidstone is junction 7. This is the last major service station located before Dover and you can stand in it is recommended to find a layby nearby ride directly onto the train or ferry from here. "I have hitched across the channel many times from Maidstone, with waits ranging from 30 seconds to as long as 6 hours." '''Option 2''': BP petrol station on Swanley Bypass (A20) The easiest way to get here is to take a sign saying M4 westtrain to Sidcup, then take the 233 city bus towards Swanley and someone get off at Old Maidstone Road. The service station will pick be about two minutes' walk down and across the road. There is a gate in the fence, though it may be closed in which case you up'll have to jump the fence. Another way to get here is to take a train from ''London Victoria'' to ''Swanley''. Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South. (There is also a direct train from St. Pancras to Swanley, but it cost £8. Gunnersbury Underground Tube 80 (peak) in Nov 2015, so might as well just get a megabus if you're going to pay that much). From the station, cross the tracks with the pedestrian bridge to Everest Place, turn right on St. Mary's Rd to the roundabout at London Road. From here, turn left (District Linenorth)along London Road/ Maidstone Road for 2.6kms. Here you'll find the service station behind a fence on the left. It' s a longer walk than to the Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a lift there in 15 minutes at 22:00 asking people (September 2013). It seemed most traffic was M20/M25, but might of been the time of night. This is also convenientperfect for getting to Maidstone.<br/ > This service station has a BP petrol station and a McDonald's.
Cost of public transport: One train ticket ''from zone 1'' (approximately £3.50 off-peak) or take the train from Elephant & Castle in central south-east (no barriers) towards Seven Oaks for a free ride.
Heading for '''CornwallOption 3''': Texaco petrol station, it is much more easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West (England)|Dorset]].Swanley
===How Same directions as for Option 2 above, but this time, walk into town from the station, and head to get onto the London Road going south towards M20 Motorway (South East)===<map lat=. On the way there is a Texaco petrol station that seems quite busy. Further down there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you'51re hungry or in need of a cup of coffee.43983124736507The road takes you straight down to the motorway. Make sure that you get a ride going to Maidstone Service Station, because it' lng=s after the town so someone going to the town of Maidstone won'0t pass the service station.0528717041015625If you do get a ride just to the town of Maidstone, there is a good lay-by for hitchhiking on the roundabout that leads to the on ramp to the M20, but you' zoom='15' view='0' float='right' />ll have to thumb a ride because there is nowhere to ask people. It works with a sign saying "M20 4 miles" to get to the service station.
* '''Where to''': '''''([[South East (England)|South East]])''''', [[Maidstone]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]], [[The Channel Tunnel]], [[France]] (''[[Western Europe]]'')* '''Cost of public transport''': One train ticket ''from zone 1''(approximately £3.10) * '''Last verified'''Public Transport: October 2007xxx
* '''DirectionsOption 4'''Get the Underground to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line - Jubilee Line)'' and get the commuter train to a : Motorway service station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)'' - this is very close to the entrance to the M20 to Dover - head for 'Great Sidcup Road' around 800 yards further down the road is a set of traffic lights Clackett Lane (corner of 'Sydcup Road' and 'Court Road'M25), and you can hold a sign saying Dover from that crossroad and try to get the cars stopped at the lights to let you jump in. You can also stand by 'Sydcup Road' at the Shell Gas Station entrance. Remember that the Shell Gas Station is the only place that a car can pull aside before the highway, it is therefore flaw to try to walk further down 'Sydcup Road'.
The A. Take the train to Mottingham (zone 4) departs from Charing Cross Station (downtown zone 1) through Waterloo (zone 1), ''London Bridge '' to ''Oxted''. Walk southeast along Station Road to Westerham Road (zone 1A25), New Cross . Turn left (zone 2east) and Lewisham (zone 2) stations on its way to Dartford and Gillinghamwalk 3. Mottingham Station (as well as 5km till the previous station of Lee in zone 3) does not have a check-in/check-out gate, which means that it is better not to use a Oyster Card when going to that station as you won't have the chance to 'touch out' junction with Clackett Lane. Turn left here and be charged consequentlywalk 1. Therefore, it is also possible 6km along Clackett Lane to simply buy a ticket the entrance to the previous service station in zone 3 (Hither Green or Leeheading East) and bring the cost of the ticket beneath just after you pass over the 3 pounds. The distance between each stations is no longer than 5 minutesM25 motorway bridge.
The best ride B. Take the train from ''Victoria'' to accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 south in the South-East direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along the M20 Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and past walk for ≈1km until you reach the M20-M25 junction, most likely entrance to the [[Maidstone Services]]. Many drivers said that many hitch-hikers happens to stand and hitch at the junction, but service station heading East (before crossing over the police might be more likely to pick you upmotorway bridge).
There is also Cost of Public Transport: You can reach London Bridge by overground from a BP Gas Station Services (Swanley Services) before the M25 junction but the cars still goes in every direction from there station without barriers and catching a ride might reveal difficult; although it would not be advised to go until there, someone might want want to do so if he feels he needs to change landscape ''(gathering more information needed)''. Drivers have also said that some people do hitch-hike at skip the M20/M25 Interchange Roundabouts, though this sound more likely to be illegal, more information would be welcomefare. {{infoneeded}}
====How to get onto M2 Motorway Option 5: (South EastExperimental)====* '''Where to''': '''''([[South East (England)|South East]])'''''Sun in the Sands roundabout, [[Rochester]], [[Canterbury]], [[direct onto the A2 to Dover]]. * '''Cost Jass passed here the other day and saw what seems to be an ideal spot with a lot of public transport''': space for vehicles to pull over on the slip road onto the motorway.* '''Last verified''': Take the overline to Blackheath from London Bridge. Follow Montpellier Road past the large Blackheart meadows/ park then up Shooters Hill Road till you get to the roundabout.
*'''Directions''':{{infoneeded Help complete this information with the one available for the M20}}=== Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], [[Hastings]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]] A21 ===
====How to get onto A21 Highway (South East)====* '''Where to''': '''''([[South East (England)|South East]])'''', [[Hastings]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': Add info pls
*'''Directions''':
{{infoneeded}}
===How to get onto the M40 Motorway (Northwest towards [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], [[Warwick]], [[Birmingham]], [[North West)Wales]] {{Mgb|40}} ===
<map lat='51.55322' lng='[[M40 (GB)|M40]] is different from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to M25 as a continuation of the dual-0carriageway A40.4508' zoom='17' view='0' float='right' />
* '''Where toOption 1''': '''''([[West (England)|The West (London)]]),''''' [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], '''''([[West Midlands (England)|West Midlands]]),''''' [[Warwick]], [[Birmingham]], [[Redditch]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 6.* '''Last verified''': 28 December 2007M40 Junction 1
*Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to ''Uxbridge'Directions''':(Zone 6). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and then right at the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to M40 is different - you will eventually get to junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close there (there's also a nice spot at the traffic lights). You might need to M25 as a continuation cross parts of the dualroad where vehicle will already be flying at motorway speeds -carriageway A40.stay safe!!!
A40 has a number of entrances Confirm with heavy trafficthe driver that he is going straight onto the M40, but it and does not turn onto M25 (London Orbital). Also beware that Junction 2 is possible and not very easy to use it from 'Hillingdon' Underground hitch-hike on (tube station ''Piccadilly Line - Metropolitan Line''see M40 article).
As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn left and walk until you reach big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western AvenueOption 2''' : A40 Junction (NOT the A40 Western AvenueHangar Lane). Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. The area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night.
It is advisable Take the Central Line tube (West Ruislip branch) to ''Hangar Lane'' (zone 3). As you exit into the main hall of the tube station, have a sign saying "Oxford" or somethinglook at the local area map and find the exit for the westbound A40 slip road. Keep walking along the slip road, as a lot of traffic leaves M40 at junction 1a and then A40. There are two good places to continue on M25.hitch from:
There 1. A bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd. It has a long lay-by, which is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in 'Long Lanea good place to hitch from as long as there' nearbys nothing parked there. If you happen to get really stuck (which I think you wonLegally, it't s a "non- I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during a poststopping except buses" lay-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternativeby.
===How 2. The other place is half a mile further on, a little lay-by with no restrictions. Its good spot and has an advantage of being open to get onto the M1 Motorway entire A40 (the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway, so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North)===* '''Where to''': '''''([[The North (England)|The North (London)]])''''', [[Luton]]Circular Road, [[Milton Keynes]], '''''([[East Midlands (England)|East Midlands]]or Lynwood Road)''''', [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 5. * '''Last verified''': March 2007
*'''Directions''':=====Option 1=====It is possible to walk from Edgware tube 3''(Northern Line)'' to London Gateway Services on the M1. There are a few different ways to walk, but the simplest is: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, you will then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the subway under the roundabout, and come out on the A1 A40 Junction ('Barnet WayHillingdon), just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', and keep walking until you come to a road on your left with a big sign telling you not to go down there. Walk down it and you come to '''London Gateway Services'''.[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=Edgware,+Station+Rd,+Edgware,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&daddr=Ellesmere+ave&sll=51.618975,-0.26532&sspn=0.014895,0.039396&ie=UTF8&ll=51.618976,-0.265388&spn=0.014895,0.039396&z=15&om=1 Google map of directions]
Also [http://mapsTake the Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line tube to ''Hillingdon'' (zone 6).googleAs you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn right and walk until you reach the big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western Avenue' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue).com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout,+whose primary exit is the slip-0road to A40.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. Minimal walkingThe area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night. For public transportIt is advisable to have a sign saying "Oxford" or something, enter 'Staples Corner' in TFL's as a lot of traffic leaves [[http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en Journey PlannerM40 (GB)|M40]]. This worked successfully for at junction 1a to continue on [[User:System.ExceptionM25 (GB)|M25]] .There is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in July 2007Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearby.If you happen to get really stuck (which I think you won't - I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during a post-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternative.<br/ >
=====Option 2=====Another option If your driver is going to take the tube Oxford or somewhere nearby then request to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there you follow be dropped off at the 'North Circular RoadWelcome Break' westwards for about 1kmservices just before Wheatley, and you get to the bottom of the M1 junction 8A (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from herejust a km after junction 8). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which This is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular'. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout. you'll see a railway bridge, go under it busy services and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place. It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign. Certainly it is better than the entrance easy to find lifts all over the M1 used by traffic going eastbound on the 'North Circular', which has a big camera pointing right at where you would standcountry.
Brent Cross tube has barriers, but they are often left open, so if you can get in without paying, you have a good chance of not having problems on the way out.
====How to get onto A1 Highway (North)====* '''Where to''': '''''(towards [[The North (England)|The North (London)Luton]])''''', [[StevanageMilton Keynes]] , ('''''([[East Midlands (England)|The East Midlands]])'''''), [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], '''''([[East (England)|EastSheffield]])''''', [[PeterboroughLeeds]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': {{Mgb|1}} ===
*'''DirectionsOption 1''':''(Same information as to the M1)'' {{infoneeded}}Another option is to take the tube to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there you follow the 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km, and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular'. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout. you'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place. It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign. Certainly it is better than the entrance to the M1 used by traffic going eastbound on the 'North Circular', which has a big camera pointing right at where you would stand.Motorway service station London Gateway
Brent Cross Take Northern Line tube has barriersto Edgware, but they are often and then walk 2.5km: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left openonto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, so if you can get in without payingwill then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the subway under the roundabout, and come out on the A1 ('Barnet Way), just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you have come to a good chance road on your left with a big sign with three symbols, one of not having problems on which would translate as 'no access to anyone except authorised vehicles' and clearly goes under the way outmotorway. Walk down it and you come to [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.6136474,-0.2756824/51.6331801,-0.267389/@51.6234134,-0.28321,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2707532!2d51.6182613!3s0x487616bd30b5031d:0x8018c6fc46ad7c0a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2601509!2d51.6168185!3s0x487616bf7b9c6b11:0x36592f73c8bb24ff!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2554027!2d51.6210173!3s0x487616ea6c84b413:0x4e9825452a0ab13a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2661023!2d51.6315945!3s0x4876168dfd4886a1:0x9337096bd5773568!1m0!3e2?hl=en London Gateway Services].
===How to get onto M11 Motorway (North East)===* '''Where to''': '''''([[East (England)|East]])''''', [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]], [[Norwich]], [[London Stansted]] * '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': £3.10 (off peak) from zone 1.
*'''DirectionsOption 2''':{{infoneeded}}[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780,+-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]
===How Take Northern Line tube to get onto M3 Motorway (South West)===* '''Where to''': ''Brent Cross'''([[South West (England)|South West]]zone 3). From there you follow the 'North Circular Road''', westwards for about 1km ([[South West (England)|Dorset]]along Tilling Road), [[Basingstoke]]and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, [[Salisbury]]although if this road is more convenient for your destination, [[Southampton]]you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre, [[Porstmouth]]you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' ([[South West there is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1). You can also hitch at the traffic lights (England)|Dorset]]see spot on the map to the right), [[Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': or on the hard shoulder on the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lights.
*'''Directions'''Important :{{infoneeded}}If you are getting a lift from here, ensure that the driver is driving to at least the next service station (Toddington), which is approximately 50-60 miles from this spot.
====How to get onto A3/A24 Highway (South)====* '''Where to''': '''''([[South East (England)|South East]])'''', [[Woking]], [[Porstmouth]], [[Guildford]], [[Worthing]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': xxx
*'''Directions'''[[File:{{infoneeded}}Staples_corner_m1.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hitching Spot at Staples Corner for M1]]
===How - This place seems to work really well. I get onto M23 Motorway/A22 Highway the bus to brent cross and then its about a 10 min walk to this spot. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout (South)===* '''Where toStaples Corner ''West': ''''). You'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place ([[South East (England)|South East]])'''the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue and is by the ', [[Brighton]], [[Eastbourne]]* 'Western''Cost side of public transportthe railway bridge). It doesn''': * '''Last verified''': t look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign.
*'''Directions''':{{infoneeded}}- This is a very good place, however one user recommends right next to the car repair center ( on the right of it )there is entrance for the M1 Motorway which is slightly going upwards before meeting the highway. You may go up and make sure to stand atleast 100 meters away from the point where cars enter on this road from the redlight behind. Have a sign that says M1.
===How - In case you are going to get onto A12/A13 Highway (East)===* '''Where Edinburgh: once you are at any of the service stations on the motorway, you will find a lot of people going in that direction, i.e. going to''': '''''Leeds and further. Somewhere north of Leeds, the M1 becomes the A1([[East (England)|The East]]M)''''highway; however, [[East (England)|Essex]]ensure that once you are on this highway going in the direction of Newcastle, [[Chelmsford]]and then Edinburgh, [[Colchester]]you do not get out at the last petrol station before Newcastle. Get out at the 2nd, [[Ipswich]]3rd or 4th last petrol station before Newcastle, [[Southendbut not the last one. The second last one has a huge McD and more long-distance traffic than the last one, which has a Burger King and Costa and is just a small petrol station with mostly local traffic from Newcastle coming for petrol. Ensure whoever is taking you drops you off only at a petrol station and not on-Sea]]* a country road. After Newcastle, there is only one major/decent petrol station in a town called Alnwick (pronounced 'Annick''Cost ). Try finding someone who is going to Edinburgh directly from one of public transportthe earlier good McD stations. A better alternative route to Edinburgh is to take the M1, M6, A74(M), and A707; this way, you won''': * '''Last verified''': t have to bother about McD and Newcastle.
*'''Directions''':
{{infoneeded}}
==Airports=North towards, [[Stevanage]], [[Peterborough]], [[East Midlands]], [[East of England|The East]], [[Newcastle]], [[North East England|The North East]] {{agb|1}} === Paid Moat Mount Park bus stop on A1. Buses 292, 384, 606 tops there. After 5 km there is a Mimms Service petrol station / rest stop Cost of public transport : xxx === Northwest towards [[Cambridge]], [[London Stansted]], [[Norwich]], [[East of England|The East]], East Coast {{Mgb|11}} === Take the Central Line tube to ''Redbridge'' (zone 4). Once at the station, turn right and from airports can be expensiveuse the subways to cross under the A406. Hitching can be Once on the slip road for the A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), there is a good alternativegreat place for vehicles to pull over. The exits spot is located just next to the airports can also bridge over a canal or river. The traffic will not be coming from A406, but it really is a good places place to get lifts to other placeshitch a ride. For example, if It is strongly recommended that you bring a M11 sign with you . Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. Tip: To get stuck on to the western same part of london, you can also take the M25, try Central line to get to Heathrow, from Roding Valley. Here there people are going all over the country. If no barriers as you exit so if you are coming from Brighton, and trying managed to get around Londoninto the underground system for free, you may can get out for free. It's about a ride quicker half an hour walk to where you want to go if the start of the M11. For getting into the underground system, you can for example get dropped in at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage servicesFinsbury Park where there are no barriers either. There are also other stations.* === Southwest towards [[South West England|The South West]], [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[London GatwickSouthampton]], [[Porstmouth]]* , [[London StanstedSouth West England|Dorset]]* , [[London HeathrowPoole|Bournemouth]]{{Mgb|3}} === '''Option 1''': Lay-by on A316 near Kempton Park Take the train from ''London Waterloo'' in the direction of Shepperton and exit at ''Kempton Park'' station. Exit the station (do not go on the footbridge), cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself, walk on the pavement in the opposite direction to the traffic. You will immediately see a lay-by (chances are some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from there. The position is not perfect, as the road is going downhill, and the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph) Cost of public transport: One ticket/travelcard to zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton'' to ''Kempton Park'' railway station. '''Kempton Park''' station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton'', the previous station on the Waterloo-Shepperton line, is in zone 6), but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of meeting a ticket inspector between ''Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be quite remote. '''Option 2''': A316 Junction with A312
== Transiting Take the train on the same line as above, and get off at ''Fulwell''. Walk south on Wellington Road, and then turn right onto Park Road. Follow this road as it joins the A312 for about 1.5 km in Greater London ==total. Just below the A316 bridge, which you will see ahead of you as you follow the A312, there is a roundabout. The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the A316. There is a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing here, and traffic is going uphill, and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a sign saying "M3".
Since nearly all the highway networks lead towards London you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The M25 is the ring highway that surrounds the metropole and connects with every possible highway network in destination Cost of the country. It is then better to be left at some very specific Motorway Services to manage to catch a ride further.public transport: xxx
Be careful: there are only 3 service stations on the M25, and on the whole western part there are none at all. If you get dropped at a junction rather than at services you can get really stuck, as a large part of the traffic is only going round the road a short way. If it is not possible to get a lift to one of the services, consider waiting for a ride that takes you actually to the road you want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere random on the M25.
===Clacket Lane ServicesSouthwest towards [[Porstmouth]], [[Worthing]] A3/{{agb|3}}, & A24 ===
Possibly the best place to get lifts West Lodge bus stop on the M25A3. Buses 85, 265 and 969 stops there. There is a bridge here to cross from one side to the other, which can be useful to know if, for example, you are trying to hitch from the M4 to Brighton but get a lift with someone who is going to Dover.also Co-op Roehampton Vale petrol station
==Public Transport==Public Cost of public transport ([http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London]) is ridiculously expensive in London and there are plenty of ways to avoid paying for it (of course it's at your own risk!). Look out for the new bendy buses, where you don't have to pay the driver. xxx
As for travelcards you can buy a child one for £2 (at time of writing), which will get you through barriers on the tube. In the evenings, you can often pick them up off the floor outside stations or buy them from a tout for a pound or two. At British Rail stations you can often buy a 'permit to travel' for 5p when the ticket office is closed, which means if you get caught you will only be charged the fare of your journey and not fined (the penalty fare is a steep £20 at present).
===Oyster cardSouth towards [[Brighton]] {{Mgb|23}} ===The [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Transport for London]'s policy in the recent years has been the elimination of normal paper tickets ("cash single fares") and replacing them with so-called '''Oyster''' cards. The cash fares are now a lot more expensive than tickets on Oyster (a bus fare costs £2 on paper, and only £0.90 on Oyster; the off-peak tube travel within the first six zones varies from £1.50 to £2 on Oyster, but is fixed at a steep £4 for a paper ticket.)
An Oyster card is Take a smart train from ''Victoria'', ''Clapham Junction'', or ''London Bridge'' station to ''East Croyden'' (RFIDzone 6) card which you need . From here, take a train to touch ''Coulsdon South''. Turn left out of the station on Brighton Road and walk 600m to the reader at roundabout. Nearly all the gates/station platform/bus when you travel. It can be charged with two types of tickets: a period travelcard (one week or more), or a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) balance. As a hitch-hiker, you are most likely traffic goes to need the latter optionM23 from here.
In order to obtain an Oyster card or top it up, go to any London Underground ticket office or any ticket shop Cost of public transport: £3.80 (most likely any corner shop near an underground station will do.off-peak) It costs £3 (refundable when you return the card to any London Underground ticket office)£2. In London Underground you can also top70 off-up using special machines.peak from Clapham Junction)
An additional benefit of the Oyster card is the price capping: the system does not charge you more than you would have to pay for an equivalent day travelcard, minus 50p. For example, a peak one-day travelcard for zones 1-4 costs £9.40. If you make a lot of journeys in a day within these zones, the system stops charging you once you've spent £8.90.
====Travelling by bus or tram====When travelling by busEast towards [[East of England|The East]], you usually touch the reader next to the driver ''at the start [[East of your journey only'' (touch ''in''). In bendy buses there are also readers by the middle and rear sets of doors England|Essex]], [[Chelmsford]], [[Colchester]], [[Ipswich]], [[Southend- these are the most popular among people not paying for bus travel. In doubleon-decker buses the middle doors are for exit only, and you won't be let in through them.Sea]] A/12 ===
If you travel by tram, you need Take Hammersmith & City Line or District Line to ''touch inBow Road'' on (Zone 2). Walk east for ≈700m along the Bow Road to the roundabout junction with the platformA12. There are traffic lights here, except Wimbledon station which has gatesand a McDonalds across the road. The ticket inspectors are not always present Hitch on the slip road heading north on tramsthe A12. You can get lifts from here to Ipswich or Colchester. I waited 20 minutes. It was OK. There is plenty of room for people to stop as there is a bus stop nearby.
====Travelling by Tube or DLR====When using Oyster PAYG, you need to ''touch in'' before travel - at the gates if they are present, or at the station platform if it does not have gates (Kensington Olympia, stations north of Queen's Park and most DLR stations). At the end Cost of your journey you ''touch out'', the system calculates how much you've travelled and charges you accordinglypublic transport: £2. If you do not touch out, you get charged a "maximum cash single fare" 40 (also known as the Entry Chargeoff-peak from Zone 1), which was £5 in 2007, but is likely to increase with the introduction of zones 7,8 and 9.
You will be charged the Entry Charge if you do not ''touch out'' within 90 minutes of ''touching in'', or you enter a station and exit the same station again without touching out elsewhere.
==Airports ==Travelling by National Rail====Please note that as of January 2008 '''very few National Rail stations accept Pay-as-you-go on Oyster'''. The full list can be found [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/5823.aspx here].
If the station you are travelling to does not accept pay-as-you-go, it is likely that it has no ticket barriers either.'''[[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]''' / '''[[London Stansted|London Stansted]]''' / '''[[London Heathrow|London Heathrow]]''' / '''[[Luton|London Luton]]'''
Most stations Paid transport to and trains within from airports can be expensive. Hitching can be a good alternative. The exits to the Greater London boundary have a penalty fare policyairports can also be good places to get lifts to other places. For example, which means if you cannot buy a tickets get stuck on the trainwestern part of the M25, unless it was impossible try to obtain a ticket prior get to travel - i.e. the ticket office was closed (or absent)Heathrow, or from there people are going all over the ticket machine was out of ordercountry. In these situations If you are coming from Brighton, and trying to get around London, you must obtain may get a "Permit ride quicker to travel" from a Permit where you want to Travel machine - go if you can just throw a 5p coin into it and get this permitdropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.
==SleepTransiting Greater London ==There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleep. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad off. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside.
===Squatting===Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London has such an abundance of [[squat]]s that , you shouldn't ever probably might have to pay for accomodationgo through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. Don't worry about The M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the connotation associated city and connects with squatsevery possible motorway network in all directions. They generally arenIt's recommended to find a lift past London as it't crackhouses or scabie infested punk hangoutss somewhat hard to find somebody going off the M25 in your direction from any of the service stations on the M25. People of Be careful: there are only 3 service stations, and the entire western section has none at all types squat in London and their homes are usually very nice. They are especially helpful if you're planning It may also be possible to stick head around for the M25 from junction to junction. However, the only problem is that a whilefew of the junctions are really bad in the south, but and you can also be great get really stuck as a large part of the traffic is only going round the ring a short distance. If if you're just passing throughdo get stuck, try making a sign M25 east or west. [[User:Zac Stewart|Zac]]<small><sup>[[User talk:Zac Stewart|talk]]</sup></small> ended up with So consider waiting for a squat ride that actually takes you to the road you want to sleep in be on his first night, and in [[Mayfair]] of all places!rather than just stopping somewhere at random on the M25.
'''[http://www.rampart.co.nr/ rampART]''' is a squatted social center in [[Whitechapel]]. This place isn't a residential squat, but they have a "crash room" for visitors. They make it clear that it is not a tourist hostel so you needn't bother them unless you are interested in getting involved with their project for some time while you're there. To stay, you need to contact them well ahead of time. If nothing else, it's a great place to meet squatters and find a place to stay. They also have free internet! The address is 15-17 Rampart Street, London, E1 2LA.=== South Mimms Services ===
The South Mimms services are in Potters Bar in the northeast of London and are actually just off the M25 at the junction of the A1(M). For some reason, although it's a big services, you can get stuck here for hours. One option, as ever, is to ask people where they''[http://wwwre headed.squatter.org.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' but there are so many directions possible that it could take a long time to find someone headed your way. Standing at the exit of the services is more helpful unlikely to work, for people whatever reason. Several reports of hours of waiting here mean that are planning you probably need to find a place try something else. If you're going towards the west, you can stand at the ridiculous entrance to livethe west slip road onto the M25. Although insane, but may you should be able to help you find get a fast ride out. Have a place big sign and someone should be able to crash. It's located at least take you further down the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and is another great place M25 to meet squatters as well as get online for free. The address is Angel Alleya better junction, 84b Whitechapel High Streetor directly to where you're going, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QX. (Telbe it to the west or down to Sussex. 020-32160099)
==Eat= Clacket Lane Services ===Cheap and free food abounds in London.
===Free===Plenty of places throw out food at closing time. Always check Clackett Lane services are located in the bags out front south of '''Pret a Mangers''' London and '''Benjy's''' at 5-7pmare possibly the best place to get lifts on the M25. If you feel up There is a bridge here to cross from one side to the other, which can be useful to itknow if, for example, you can even go inside when they are closing shop and explain that you're homeless and pick out all trying to hitch from the food you want instead of getting it off the sidewalkM4 to Brighton but get a lift with someone who is going to Dover. Feel no shame, you're helping to curb wastefulness!
The Take the train from ''Victoria'Coffee Republic'to '' on Great Marlborough Street near Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 ([http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm timetable here]) south in the Oxford Circle direction of Westerham Green and Carnaby Street is reported get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the entrance to the service station (heading east). Continue walking along Clackett Lane for another 400m over the motorway M25 bridge to put out garbage bags with totally normal food--boiled potatoes, sandwiches, etcreach the entrance for the services heading west. every eveing around 8pm You can see where you're going on weekdays and 7pm a map [http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap here]. Where it says "Clacket Wood" is the service station. There is also a street view of this area on weekendsgoogle maps.
===Cheap===If you're going Clacket Lane is an excellent place to self cater, stick hitch to '''Sainsbury's''' Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) and '''Tesco''' rather than the convenient Off-Licenses also fairly good for better prices. If you are a bit out of Central London, you might most other directions as well look for '''Lidl''', '''Morrisons''', '''Netto''' or '''Asda''it's a busy station. Anyhow with a decent Best thing is to stand outside the main doors into the station and wise groceryask everyone that comes out if they are going your way ("excuse me, are you can get your grocery for nearly a week for about 10-15 pounds at by any of the mentioned supermarket with decent, fresh and healthy food ''(chance going to cookBrighton?")''. == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
If you get tired of peanut butter sandwiches or want to fill up for the weekend, try one of the MANY £5 all-you-can-eat '''Thai Buffets'''. Go early, they get more expensive in the evening. While downtown, you can also get a ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>6inches sandwich of the day<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' at '''Subway''' for 2 pounds. Bear in mind anyway that food in the supermarket is margined higher than in any other shop located in the countryside, a margin also applies to shops banded 'Express' or 'City' (Tesco - Sainsbury) compare to larger surfaces stores.{{nomadwiki}}
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