Changes

Note that there '''Paris''' is the capital of [[France]]. It is an "outer situated within a ring road" to the Paris suburb areacalled ''le périphérique'', motorway A86 (or ''super-périphériquele périph'') and another wider ring called "la Francillienne" which isn't completed . The actual city is relatively small, but still used to connect . If your ride is not going to Paris itselfsurrounded by endless suburbs, you might want to clarify some of which ring they are going linked to take the urban public transportation system at no extra cost (i.e. a standard one-trip city ticket), while some others being labelled as it may affect the place where you'd want outside zones and thus more expensive to be droppedreach.

Good to know if you're starting to stink up in the City of Lights: the Municipality provides [https://www.paris.fr/pages/les-bains-douches-municipaux-138 free shower facilities ] in 17 locations around Paris. Note they are BYOT (bring your own toiletry)== Hitching In in ==

During rush hours, it is possible (but illegal) to be quickly dropped on the ring road. This is useful if your ride is not willing to get out of it to drop you (which is often the case). Within the ring area, you are definitely linked to the whole regular fare subway system.

If you are coming from the Northeast and your ride is heading South (which is a normal truck route), chances are that your driver will not drop you on the ring road where it is complicated to stop. A frequent place to get dropped is the first exit South on the A6 called "Rungis". From there, you can reach the Metropolitan subway system by tram with one ticket, then use another one to your final destination. You can also reach other suburbs in the 94 department (Val de Marne) taking the TvM bus, which is also a normal Paris ticket.   == Hitching out ==

=== North/Northeast towards [[England]], [[Lille]] and [[Belgium]] {{afr|1}} ===

These are classified by cost in public transportation from Paris' centre. There is a bonus pro-tip at the bottom involving Arras :)

==== Option 1: Porte de la Chapelle ====

This option costs one local ticket. Porte de la Chapelle is where the [[A1 (France)|A1]] starts. Local drivers say they often see hitchhikers there. To get there , take a the metro line 12 to ''Porte de la Chapelle'', then walk to the roundabout. You can try getting a ride on the roundabout (there are traffic lights, which means that cars have to stop) or you can stand on the opposite side facing the roundabout where the motorway starts. Another good option is to start hitchhiking in the same street where the metro is. There are 2 petrol stations in that very street, just 50m deeper into the city. They aren't overcrowdedand, and at the same time , quite a few cars going up the North north stop here for to refill; nonetheless, at such places , much is depended depends on your luck, and according to some hitchhikers , this place won't make it to the TOP10 top 10 best hitchhiking places in France. It is therefore rather recommended to hitchhike at the roundabout , where a quiet lane right by the traffic lights gives you a good opportunity to get onto the motorway (avoiding at the same time all the traffic that heads for ''Boulevard Periphique''Peripherique).

''UPDATE May 6th 2012'' It seems that reconstruction of the tunnel A good option to leave faster is due to end soon, and all show at the accesses seem now open, which means this spot may work again. However roundabout a sign for the number of lanes is still restricted and some closures may happen during the next few weeksairport Charles de Gaulle.''UPDATE May 20th 2012'' There is still reconstruction going on, but it was still possible to use the a petrol stations by the metro. Also there was little difficulty for station (Aire La Courneuve - see Option 2) before the cars to reach airport where the A1. driver could let you out; don'''This motorway entrance in t miss it! The station is not currently open due so big and many drivers just go to tunnel reconstruction'''... Reopening is scheduled in summer 2012. There's an entrance still in operation, for the cars coming from the Peripherique (ring motorway)airport but at least you can ask people, so the traffic coming from inside Paris is diverted through Porte d'Aubervilliers (the next Ring entrance east). You can get there taking the "PC" bus from whereas it could be hard and long at Porte de la Chapelle east or from Porte de la Vilette west. There's a roundabout with traffic lights and cars going to A1 take the outer ring entrance ("Périphérique extérieur"). Frequent traffic jams (which may also be helpful), and this access might be closed too on evenings, nights and weekends.

==== Option 2: Motorway services Aire La Courneuve ====

'''Warning:''' This petrol station is closed and under construction. There are '''no''' cars at all stopping by here. Apart from being really hard to get to, if you go to this spot you will just end up hitching on the motorway. And that is really really hard to do. And going back up out of the motorway is also really hard with a big backpack and rain/wet leaves. Not sure how long until they finish work here but it`s gonna take a while. '''Update''': This petrol station is still under construction and nowhere near from finished (25 March 2012) This option costs one local ticket or zones 1-3 1–3 ticket (EUR eur 2.4575as of 2018). The petrol station [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=d&hl=es&geocode=5837971829389385952,48.934623,2.393732%3B3201522175225020794,48.920638,2.410383&saddr=Aire+de+Service+de+La+Courneuve+%4048.934790,+2.393710&daddr=&mra=mr&sll=48.918269,2.403388&sspn=0.013649,0.040169&ie=UTF8&ll=48.933157,2.396951&spn=0.006823,0.020084&t=k&z=16&om=1is ''Aire de Service de La Courneuve''] is about 2 km 2 km along the A1, north of Paris.

First, get closer by public transport. Some options are:* Bus Take bus 150 from ''Porte de la Villette'' (metro line 7), get off at ''Parc des Sports'' (next to the motorway)* Bus or bus 250 from ''Fort dD'Aubervilliers'' (both are on metro line 7), get off at ''to the stop Parc des Des Sports'' (. This bus stop is next to the quickest way?)* [http://mapsA1 highway.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=La+Courneuve+Aubervilliers&daddr=Rue+Paul+VerlaineJust walk to the right from the bus stop,+93120+La+Courneuve,+Seine-Saint-Denis,+Ile-de-France,+Frankreich&sll=48without ever passing under the overpass.926137,2Then walk east parallel to the motorway through the parking lot of an apartment complex.394161&sspn=0.01892There is a wall preventing access to the motorway,0.040169&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=48.928026but if you continue walking a few hundred meters east and up a slight grassy hill,2.388539&spn=0.018919,0.040169&z=15&om=1 ''La Courneuve Aubervilliers''] (RER B), and walk 2 km north along ''Boulevard Pasteur''the wall ends. You can catch this train from ''Gare du Nord''. This option requires then follow a '''1-3 zones ticket'''steep, without this ticket you will have to jump over thorny path full of nettles down towards the turnstyles to get out of motorway and back west towards the petrol station of your destination (or talk your way out or closely follow someone else with . There is a valid ticket)fence right along the motorway, but near the petrol station it has been trampled down and you can step over it.

Read this carefully because if you don't, it can be hard to find it and the local people definately won't know where this is or how to get there by foot! Once at the ''Parc des Sports'' bus stop, you can see the main road if you look in the driving direction of the bus. This is the road you want to follow to the east. Basically you just walk to the right from the bus stop in the driving direction, without ever passing under the road. Follow the road and walk east parallel You may need to climb the motorway. There is a wall preventing access to the motorway, but if you continue walking a few hundred metres east and up a slight hill, the wall ends. You can then follow a steep, thorny path full of nettles down towards the motorway and back west towards the petrol station. There is a fence right along the motorway, but near the petrol station it has been trampled down and you can step over it.fance

Other ways to get to that From the petrol station:* Take a RER B to ''Stade de France'' and then walk up , most drivers are only going to the final traffic light where you can airport or local communities. You should ask for a ride lift at least to the toll station (''Aire La Courneuve''.* Lastly, one can take a line 13 to 'péage'Carrefour Pleyel'' and then walk along ''Boulevard Anatole France'' (see [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Carrefour+Pleyel+station,+France&daddr=charles+de+gaulle&sll=48.927631,2.383518&sspn=0.027124,0.080338&ie=UTF8&ll=48.923881,2.358456&spn=0.013563,0.040169&t=h&z=15&om=1 Google Maps]) up until the beginning of the motorwayheading north. There This is a hitchhiking spot there which might be not 20-minute drive down the greatest one in the world but at least it can lead you to the petrol station motorway (some kilometers after Exit 4!the airport)and everyone has to stop here.

==== Charles de Gaulle ====''Charles de Gaulle'' airport can be an option for hitching North-East, although waiting times might vary a lot.

<ol><li>From 'Nation' bus station (also a metro stop) take bus *351 to 'Roissypole' located at Charles de Gaulle Airport. It's the last stop terminal 2 walk out of terminal and payment isn't required head straight to enter the busmain road.</li><li>From here, a bus stop You should see signs for local towns, you can catch the bus to VémarsA1 Paris Lille. Ask inside at Keep following these signs until the ticket office/information desk road splits for which parking number A1 Lille. One road goes to the bus will be atleft, under a bridge and there are some traffic lights. The ticket costs €1,90other goes to the right.</li><li>From Stand to the right of the Vémars bus right turn. Cars can stop walk straight on 'Rue Pierre Curie' (D17) 400m until it merges with 'Rue de la Mairie.' Walk an additional 350m until merged with 'Rue des Vignolles' (D16).</li><li>On a dashed out area to your left or drive a little past you on the A1 will be clearly visible, as will right. A couple of cars stopped straightaway and I was easily able to get a lift to the 'Aire de Vémars Ouest' petrol next service station. From here is another 1.25km which had lots of people driving north to any given entranceLille, Belgium and Holland.</li></ol>

Another useful recommendation is this website, where you can virtually create any route you want to take out of the city. Coupled with Google Maps, it's an excellent tool==== Option 4:Motorway services Aire de Vémars Est====

http://wwwFrom Nation bus station (also a metro stop) take bus 351 to Roissypole located at Charles De Gaulle Airport Terminal 3.ratpIt's the last stop and payment isn't required to enter the bus.fr/itineraires/en/ratp/recherche-avanceeYou can BLACK RIDE on this bus both ways

*Note: From the coach station there Gare Routière you can catch the 95.01 bus to Vémars. Ask inside at the ticket office/information desk for which parking number the bus will be at. The 351 ticket costs €2. [BEWARE this bus service does '''not ''' run on weekendsSaturdays, Sundays and public holidays / so if that is the case, but then get off at Quebec because the A1 highway going to Lille cuts through Paris multiple times and at this petrol station there is a higher chance of finding Dutch cars stopping and giving you a ride to another petrol station on the above link can help main highway, which is super busy and easy to find an alternate route.[[File:vemars.jpg]rides going to anywhere from Calais to Antwerp to Lille]

This option costs EUR 9 You can always try to go with the bus number 702 to Vémars centre from the airport (25% discount under 2620 stops, 39 minutes) + a local ticket to Gare du Nord. This will also work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The peage parking lot for the bus 702 is 50 km North of Paris, near the town of SenlisB2.

Senlis has no train station, but you still buy From the ticket from a train station. From Paris Nord, go to Chantilly and switch to a Vémars bus to Senlis at the "gare routière" right outside of Chantilly's train station stop walk straight 400m on Rue Pierre Curie (D17) until it merges with your ticketRue De la Mairie. Once there, you need to walk a little and you'll find a "péage" Walk an additional 350 m until this merges with Rue Des Vignolles (motorway payment station - people have to stop to take a ticketD16). The bus driver gave me the directions. This should take around one hour.

=== A4 EastOn your left, towards [[Metz]]the A1 will be clearly visible as will the Aire de Vémars Ouest petrol station. From here, [[Strasbourg]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Germany]], etc ===it is another 1.25km to any given entrance.

==== Going directly to the ''barrière Option 5: Porte de péage'' Bagnolet (A3) ====Google maps: [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Porte+de+Bagnolet/@48.8649082,2.4086197,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x47e66e87e1c7d877:0x17c4d9a47ae58890!2sPorte+de+la+Chapelle!8m2!3d48.897279!4d2.359192!3m4!1s0x47e66d8329157e27:0x2a4ba9074d60ae9a!8m2!3d48.8645542!4d2.4095799]Get a ticket for the station Porte de Bagnolet. This is pretty close to where the A3 starts, which leads to the A1, so a lot of traffic is heading this direction. The place might not be ideal, but it worked. There is a bus stop, where buses often stop so the traffic is slowed down, furthermore, there is a small gas stop, where you can approach drivers directly which cue up there from time to time. Position yourself at the traffic lights before the bus stop to show your sign indicating the direction you want to go to.

Take RER A4 to ==== Bonus Tip: Arras Service Station====Heading north on the last stop (''Marne-La-Vallee - Chessy''). The train journey length A1, there is around 40 minutes (EUR 6 something). Take the bus number 59 (doesn't operate on Sundays, the ticket costs around EUR 2) which leaves from the bus stop next to the RER train a fantastic AUTOGRILL Aire de Wancourt Est service station at ''Eurodisney'','' Marne-La-Vallee'' (just outside Arras [httphttps://www.metro-polegoo.net/horgl/fichemaps/6759.17.html timetable 2010 here2suUznoe5C42]), with people heading pretty much everywhere. It takes ten minutes You can get rides to arrive at the “Truffaut” gardening centre which is beside the péage UK (stop Coutevroult - TruffautChunnel). From there, walk back a bit and go through what seems to be a police station's parking area and is called "voie de service" on the map - you will get to the green area right outside the péage - and you won't need to jump any of the fences! From this ''barrière de péage'' it is easy to get rides to [[Metz]] or even straight to [[Germany]]Lille, Belgium, Netherlands. You might meet people Many difference license plates (gendarmes or motorway staffGB, F, B, NL, D, E) in that "voie de service" - even if they try to talk you out and lots of it, remember ''it is allowed'' to hitchhike ''in the car park'' by the peageopportunities.

Attention=== East towards [[Metz]], the bus 59 runs every hour. It is usually timed to start 5 min after the arrival of the RER so hurry yourself up from the train. Follow the signs "gare routière" (bus station). If bus 59 doesn't start before 30 min[[Strasbourg]], consider using bus 34 (see bellow).[[Luxembourg]], [[Germany]] {{Afr|4}} ===

If you decide to hitch from this péage on Sunday you can take the bus no. 34 (EUR ==== Option 1.60, [http://www.metro-pole.net/hor/fiche/5134.20.html timetable]) to bus stop "Bailly-Romainvilliers - Place de l'Europe" , then walk for about 2kilometers. You will soon see From within the motorway A4 and péage. Here's the [httpcity limits://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=bailly+romainvilliers+place+Quai de+l%27europe&daddr=48.853562,2.839065&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrspBercy =1&sz=15&dirflg=w&sll=48.850992,2.833614&sspn=0.012962,0.027637&ie=UTF8&z=15 route].

The ''barrière de péage'' is located [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=d&saddr=48.854077Cheap,2.83959&daddr=&hl=es&geocode=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=48.853788,2.839912&sspn=0.003586,0.009656&ie=UTF8&ll=48.850258,2.830095&spn=0.014346,0.038624&t=h&z=15 here]as you will only need a metro ticket and pretty fast too.

''Quite long trip Take the metro line 14 to Bercy and exit towards Boulevard de Bercy, take the Boulevard down to the bridge where it intersects with Quai de Bercy. Standing on Quai de Bercy it is advisable to have a bit expensive. Takes sign indicating you want to a great petrol stationget onto the A4. better When cars stop, ask if you speak french and good daythey are going all the way to the toll station (péage), many drivers turn off the A4 before that but there are not really any convenient places to continue hitch-and-nighthiking from before the toll station.''

The first petrol station is close to RER A station ''Bussy St.Georges''==== Option 2.Motorway junction slip-road ====

''You can also try This one is close to Paris, faster and cheaper to catch a bus get to Bussy St George nr, but still in the megapolis.4 or nr.44 Starting from there, you're likely to end up either at the metro petrol station ''Gutenberg''described below or at the péage. Not good at night.''

From this Take the RER Line A (Red) in the direction of Boissy St Legere until the station walk South for about 1 km along a bigger road which will lead you to a roundaboutNogent Sur Marne. You can try hitchhiking from there but Leave the needed petrol station will be just a bit more than 2 km from there. You can walk on in direction of Rue Joinville and follow the grass field next sign to the motorwayA4. The petrol station It is called ''La Ferrière''a 30 minute walk. Another option to reach this petrol station There is to walk through a red light before the industrial zone of ''Bussy'' area, to the South of the railway, then reach the bridge over the motorway and follow further by walking slip road (on the grass until the actual petrol station (note that as of February 2011, there was a nice-sized fence to hop after crossing the bridge. nothing too difficult, but a big pack makes it harder!ramp). Most Lots of the walk will be traffic, possibility to stop on the road which means you will save some time while at the same time such a walk won't be so annoying if you happen to hitchhike in winter (then you apparently don't wanna go through the fields)ramp for brave drivers.

Here's Ask if your driver can take you at least to the next petrol station Aire De Ferrières which is within the free motorway network. Gare de Péage de Coutevroult toll gate is a [http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=48.828509,2.744594&ll=48.836023,2.723494&spn=0.034406,0.071583&num=1&t=m&z=14 map] for youbit further.

==== Onramp to the motorway Option 3: Motorway service station Aire De Ferrières ====''This one is close to Paris, faster and cheaper to get to, but still in the megapolis. Starting from there, you're likely to end up either on the petrol station described above or at the Péage described ab-above. Not good at night.''

Take the RER Line A (Red) in direction of ''Boissy St Legere'' until the to station ''Nogent Sur Marne'' (EUR 2.70 (2010Bussy-Saint-11)Georges. Leave the You can also get to this RER A station in direction of ''by taking bus 4 or 44 from metro station Gutenberg. Walk 2 km Avenue Marie Curie till Rue Joinville'' Pavée turn down until street crosses A4 highway and follow the sign after this turn left rest stop is next to the A4you. It Right side from there is a 30 min walk. There is a red light before the onramp. Lots of traffic, possibility to stop on the ramp for brave drivers.Decathlon Logistics France if you get lost

Ask if your driver can '''ATTENTION''' The bridge leads into the forest and getting onto the motorway might be a bit difficult, the reason being that you have to squeeze yourself to be able to pass through the narrow space between the bridge and the fence.Moreover,you have to descend onto the motorway through an overgrown grass.An alternative is to take you bus 46  at Busy-Saint-Georges station in the direction of Gare de Val d'Europe,or same bus at least Gare de Val d'Europe in the direction of Torcy(this is important because the bus is infrequent and might be useful to catch it at the next petrol station which other side if wait time is within long).From Bussy-Saint-Georges you'll ride 4 stops and from Gare de Val d'Europe, 5 stops,alight at Bout Pêcheret and walk back in the direction the bus came from if you took it from Bussy-Saint-Georges and vice-versa. Continue walking on the [[D10]] road to cross the free motorway network. Toll gate is a bit furtherand turn right on the road leading directly to the service station.

=== Getting South or Southwest (A6{{Afr|6}}, {{Afr|10}}, A10 or A11) {{Afr|11}} ===

==== Option 1: Porte d'Orléans ====

''Porte d'Orléans'' is the terminal subway station of line 4. There is an entry on the ''périphérique'' ring road where lots of people are later heading South. The best place is besides the "Novotel" building or (better) opposite it at the traffic lights. Be warned, traffic here is heavy and fast moving. If you have much baggage or more than one person I would not fancy your chances here. Waiting at the petrol station or even the adjacent war memorial will not give you the best traffic.

Make sure to specify with a sign specifying that you go to [[Orléans]] (if you are heading Southwest - A10 or A11), and Note : I think that the driver will leave you at least at place in front of the "péage de Saint Arnoult"hotel is pretty bad. If you are heading directly South, have a sign Very hard for Lyon and make sure the cars to be left at ''Aire de Lisses'stop there. It's better to stand before, roughly 35 km furtherat the red lights. I stood near the gas station at the lights, a little bit after Evry (drivers to Evry are you miss all the cars not enough coming from inside Paris, but it's way easier for the cars to see you)and to stop.

When I was here in Sept 2011 many hitcher came Make sure to specify with a sign specifying that you go to Orléans or Chartres (if you are heading Southwest - A10 or A11), and later went that the driver will leave you at least at the péage de Saint Arnoult or before that at Limours-Janvry service station. Beware, just after the "péage", the motorway separates between A10 and A11. If you are heading directly South onto the A6, have a sign (you may try Lyon or Fontainebleau) and make sure to get a train be left at Aire De Lisses rest stop, roughly 35 km further, a local train little bit after Evry (drivers to an outlying town because they had no luckEvry are not enough for you).

Whenever a diplomat travels between Paris and the Orly airport, he==== Option 2: Porte d'll go through here. Which means that there will be police presence. The police doesn't care about you, but it is very unlikely anyone will stop while they are around. That happens often enough. They stick around for one hour.Italie ====

For more personal opinions and experiences check Similarly Porte d'Italie which is not far from Porte d'Orleans is a good place to hitch from. Additionally if you walk down the [[Talk:Paris|talk page]]exit to the traffic lights, there is an overhead bypass which can keep you dry in the rain.

==== Porte d'Italie =South towards [[Lyon]], [[Marseille]], [[Barcelona]], [[Italy]] {{Afr|6}} ===

=== A6 South This option costs EUR 5.85 (but possible to [[Lyon]]have ride without ticket also), [[Marseille]]a zone 1–5 ticket and takes roughly 75 minutes. Aire de Lisses is the first service area on the A6, [[Barcelona]]situated about 35 km South of Paris. It can save you time because you avoid all outbound traffic not really heading your direction, [[Italy]] ===being located after all the motorway branch-offs.

==== Aire Get the RER D towards Melun via Corbeil. Be careful to get on the right train as there are 2 routes for RER D towards Melun. Tthe ID of the train you need was ZIP or ZOP (All trains on RER lines have a 4 letter ID depending on stations served). If it's too confusing get whatever train that goes to Corbeil Essonne and from there, whatever train that goes to Melun. Get off at the station Gare de Lisses ====Villabé the second after Corbeil-Essonnes.

This option costs EUR 5.85 (but possible Otherwise, you can take the RER D to have ride without ticket also)Évry-Courcouronnes centre, a zone 1-5 ticket and takes roughly 1h15from there Bus 415 in direction of Villabé. '''Aire de Lisses''' is Get off at stop Ikea the first service area on the A6, situated about 35 km South of Parisgas station will be a five minute walk away. It can save There is a fence you time because you avoid all outbound traffic not really heading your direction, being after all have to climb to get to the branch-offsstation.

Get Note: There is no barrier at Villabé and so you can pay the RER D towards Melun via Corbeil. Be careful standard central Paris fare to get on the right train as there are 2 routes for RER D towards Melun. As of 2010-02, the ID of into the train you need was "ZIPE" or "ZOPO" (All trains on RER lines have a 4 letter ID depending on stations served). If it's too confusing (it's very confusing), get whatever train that goes to "Corbeil Essonne" metro network and, from there, whatever train that goes to Melun. Get off at the station '''Villabé''', the second after Corbeil-Essonnes. The station is not marked on Google Maps but don't worry, it's then just ride out there: [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Rue+d%27Ambreville,+91100+Villab%C3%A9,+Franciaorsz%C3%A1g&daddr=48.592221,2.443964&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&dirflg=w&sll=48.592959,2.44184&sspn=0.005947,0.013604&ie=UTF8&ll=48.592959,2.452869&spn=0.023786,0.054417&z=14 ''the way from Villabé RER station to Aire de Lisses'']

A problem with a petrol station is that leaving trucks can block the leaving cars, so cars won't have chance to stop at all. [[User==== Option 2:Artti|Artti]] stood there three hours without a sign until he walked to the ramp next to the petrol station. There is more traffic and therefore more chance to get ride. Also cars have lot of space to stop.Motorway services Aire de Nemours ====

==== You can take a train to Nemours Saint Pierre (transilien R from Gare de Lyon, a ticket costs about 10 euros) and walk 45min to the AUTOGRILL Aire de Nemours ====A6 service area / Shell fuel station. Then you're already on a paying section (no local traffic), far out from Paris (80km), and can get a ride to Châlon, Mâcon or Lyon in a few minutes.

=== A10 South -West to [[Orléans|Orleans]], [[Bordeaux]], [[Spain]] {{afr|10}} & West to [[Le Mans]], [[Nantes]], [[Rennes]], [[Bretagne|Brittany]] {{afr|11}} ===

This motorway follows The A10 and A11 motorways follow the route of the '''A6''' (see above) from Paris, and splits afterwards split from it near [[Antony]]/[[Rungis]]. The first Then, before the A10 and the A11 split up, there is the service station of Limours-Janvry near Briis-sous-Forges and a [[péage]] in that direction is near St-Arnoult, 40 km Southwest of Paris. Whichever spot you choose, before ask the driver to take you at least until the Limours-Janvry service station or the splitting péage of A10 and A11St-Arnoult. There are no service station directly From these places, you can find a driver who takes you on the motorway before A10 or the péageA11 depending on which way you want to go.

==== Massy Palaiseau Option 1: Pont de Sevres ====

This option costs EUR 2[[File:ParisOut.95, a 1-4 zones ticket. This option is useful to get out of the rings and get directly on the A10 jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hitching after all the branch-offs.bridge]]

Take This option costs the RER B price of an underground ticket. It takes you to ''Massy-Palaiseau''. From there, follow the motoway signs for beginning of the N118 road which connects to the A10. There are two options: take a bus from the massive transport lot beside ''Massy-Palaiseau'' station or walk down a motorway ramp nearbyA11 in about 25 km.

'''Motorway ramp option''': Go down Take the ''Avenue Carnot'' along subway 9 to Pont De Sevres, its end station. You start walking towards the ''Massy-Palaiseau'' railwaybridge, where you can see the signs towards Nantes, Bordeaux, etc. The hitchhiking spot is just before the bridge, at the ''autoroute''red lights. After a while there you will see a long stretch You can try with the cars coming from the direction of a road the metro station, and also with lots of space for the cars. Keep going which came along the river and you will reach a roundabout. If you keep following this road, you will reach a motorway exit underneath a bridge. Make sure are turning left to get a ride to the first ''barrière de péage'' (30+ km) at St-Arnoult or to the Briis-sous-Forges service station 5 km down the roadbridge.

'''Bus Option''': The first petrol station is situated near the village called ''Briis-sous-Forges''. To get there you need to take either RER B to ''Massy-Palaiseau'' From there take the bus 91.03 to ''Briis-sous-Forges''. It runs about 3 times an hour on weekdays, once an hour on Saturdays, and there are no buses on Sundays. The petrol station is situated a couple of km north from the village. To reach it you will need to find ''Route d'Invilliers'', a small local road. Once you are there, make sure your driver takes the right road as the A11 starts not far away. It's not easy to find the road to the petrol station. no one in this village knows what street he is living in let alone that route you're looking for. They don't even know that there's a petrol station in the area. write the instructions and study the map!! I was lost in this village for couple of hours.[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=D131&daddr=Aire+de+Service+de+Limours-Janvry&geocode=FT3X5QIdxnEgAA%3BFZke5gIdK7wgAA&hl=en&mra=ltm&dirflg=w&sll=48.64455,Option 2.16575&sspn=0.115917,0.338173&ie=UTF8&ll: Motorway junction Massy Palaiseau =48.626839,2.135124&spn=0.028989,0.084543&t=h&z=14 Briis-sous-Forges to the petrol station map]

[http://mapsThis option costs Eur 4.google.fr/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.73944790,2.302011&spn=0.001638,0.003455&t=h&z=18 this one] (good enough one, according to some hitchhikers). Really good according to othersa ticket for zones 1-4. Took two guys ten minutes This option is useful to get a ride out of the ring roads and a third guy about get directly on the A10 after all the same amount of time to a different placebranch-offs. Lots of trucks and cars passing by!

=== A11 SouthTake RER B to Massey-Palaiseau station. Walk down Avenue Carnot along the Massy-West to [[Le Mans]], [[Nantes]], [[Rennes]] Palaiseau railway towards the ''autoroute''. After a while there you will see a long stretch of a road with lots of space for cars. Keep going and all parts of [[Bretagne|Brittany]] ===[[File:Zoeyou will reach a roundabout.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hitchhiker Zoe in Paris during If you keep following this road, you will reach the [[project 888|888]] event]]This motorway splits from entrance underneath a bridge. Make sure to get a ride to the A10 near first ''Dourdanbarrière de péage''(30+ km) at St-Arnoult or to the Limours-Janvry service station 5 km down the road. There are several possibilities go get on this motorway:

# The petrol station at ''Briis-sous-Forges'Edit July 2022'. Look at the A10 section's options.# Take the train from ''Paris-Montparnasse'' to ''Chartres'' (EUR 12) and start hitching from this does not work! There is pretty much zero car traffic, at least when I was there. You might want to go to the service station If you''Chartresre starting in Massy-GasvillePalaiseau you'' on the A11 east of ''Chartres'' (bus plus one hour walk!). From the train station, take one of many re better off thumbing at [httphttps://www.filibusgoo.frgl/pagesmaps/55 busesbbD5WGkiKeFqSFzBA this roundabout] that stop at the ''Morard'' station. Here starts bus 12, take it and get off at ''N.ContéI didn'' - some minutes before you arrive there, memorize the route: the bus crosses the motorway, t wait too long here and comes to got a big roundabout where it turns right and continues to a second small roundabout to turn right again to arrive at ''N.Conté''. Now comes 1 hour of walk: go back to the big roundabout and turn right (east) to follow the N10 until you come to a small city. There you encounter the next roundabout, where you turn left. Follow the street, it bends to the right and ends on the ''Rue du Bois Paris'' where you turn left (north). After 500 meters comes the motorway, continue until you have crossed it. The service station is 400 meters east, so try to pass through the trees on your right and follow the street ride straight to the service stationLe Mans.

== Paris public transport ==Public transport in Paris consists of a metro (lines from number 1 to 14), RER (fast trains serving the suburbs with relatively few inner city stops, lines from letter A to E), buses (lines from number 20 to ...?) and trams (lines from T1 to T4). If you want to make a few voyages, the cheapest option is to buy a carnet of 10 single tickets (EUR 12.70 instead of 1.70 each Option 3: Motorway service station Limours- January 2012). You can travel to the end of RER lines for about EUR 15. If you stay in Paris for several days and will use transport often you can also buy a pass "Mobilis" for one or several days (EUR 6.40 for one day inside Paris, zones 1 & 2) - it is valid on metro, RER and ground transportation. If you stay for a week or more - consider getting a "Passe Navigo découverte", which is a chargeable card with picture (EUR 5 to make). You can then buy a weekly ticket for EUR 17.20. Note that this replaces the former "Carte Orange". All prices as of Winter 2010.Janvry ====

You can blackride easily, just check for uniformed controllers before you pass the gates. The easiest way to get in first service station on RER or Metro the motorway is called Limours-Janvry and it is to find situated 2kms northeast of the entrance where village Briis-sous-Forges. To get there are doors for people with big luggage. This way you can easily pass with them, several people at a time, no problem. Alternatively you can jump the turnstile if you are fast enough and hold the door thing open after someone has passed. It is quite easy need to ask people take RER B to go in with them through the baggage gate but also you can just follow without askingMassy-Palaiseau. If you do get caught just give your ID and no address. They will ask if you have a French address and you say noFrom there take bus 91. You don't have 03 to sign anything they give youBriis-sous-Forges. They should give you a piece of paper with a fine written It runs about 3 times an hour on weekdays, once an hour on itSaturdays, but since and there is are no address donbuses on Sundays. Then walk northeast along the small local road Route D't worryInvilliers.

Briis-sous-Forges to the petrol station [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr= Metro system D131&daddr=Aire+de+Service+de+Limours-Janvry&geocode=FT3X5QIdxnEgAA%3BFZke5gIdK7wgAA&hl=Ticket checks never occur on actual metro trainsen&mra=ltm&dirflg=w&sll=48.64455, and ticket controllers seem to employ 1 of 2 approaches: first one includes ticket controllers forming a line inside a metro tunnel or station exit and checking all the exiting travelers (since they are uniformed it is easy to see them from a distance unless they decide to hide around the corner); second one involves civil-dressed controllers watching the gates and busting those jumping over - they'.16575&sspn=0.115917,0.338173&ie=UTF8&ll either stop them directly themselves=48.626839,2.135124&spn=0.028989, or radio-report to uniformed controllers who then will ask a stopped person to show a valid ticket0. 084543&t=h&z=14 map]

=== RER system = Option 4: Péage de Saint-Arnoult ====Uniformed controllers will ask for validated tickets on trains, and since the RER shares the metro infrastructure, you might be a subject to the checks in similar order mentioned above. It is possible to travel for free, even though you stand a higher chance of being busted. It seems that checks can occur at any time, so the best time to travel for free is a rush hour when controls are impossible due to congestion. The highest risk of being checked seems to occur on transfer stations from RER to metro stations. There are 2 big ones, Chatelet and Gare du Nord. If there is control at one of them, try the other. At Gare du Nord it seems the luggage entrance is a little more hidden than at Chatelet so even if there are controllers you can probably pass quickly if there are lots of people around. On some RER stations that are also train stations controllers wait in the tunnels when you go down to change between platforms.

You often can take the RER C train to Dourdan. There are no controls on the exit, so if you are on the cheap, you need your to pay only the basic metro ticket (some EUR 1.33) to get out of into the stationsunderground network in Paris. Once in Dourdan, as price varies according to cross the railroad track and turn left and then go straight on the D836 until you reach the distancepéage after 4-5 kilometers. Make sure not You should be able to lose it hitch a car as it can be tricky to get out otherwisethere are many passing by and the French take easily on small routes if they see you walking. Get off just after the road crosses the autoroute, go left and in a short while, you will reach the péage. Look at the map beforehand! You have much higher chances here then anywhere else, there are lots of cars going through.

=== Buses West towards Rouen, Le Havre, Caen {{Afr|13}} ===Like in most cities of France, you can walk onto the bus without showing or validating a ticket. Checks are said to be rare, and occur mainly late at night.

=== Fines and punishments = Inside Paris ====French transport police won't make any exceptions for foreigners. Although it is said it might be possible to talk them out of fining a "dumb tourist" they are mainly hostile. Most commonly they will ask for a EUR 40 fine which can be paid directly in cash or by credit card. Alternatively you can plead poverty, and if you show a valid ID they will post a fine to the address and the name written on ID.

=== Going to ''Charles de Gaulle''/''Roissy'' airport ===Bus line 350 goes to ''Gare de l'Est''Quai André Citroën, under the ring road overpass. A lot of traffic on Fridays and Saturdays as many inhabitants of the 15th and line 351 - 7th arrondissements go to ''Place de la Nation''Normandy for the weekend. You're supposed As a result, this spot is very effective on these days (20 to validate 3 tickets 30 min on average) but much worse at other times (which is a lot cheaper than travelling by RERexpect to wait one and half hours); checks are said rare to occur.

=== Vélib’ bicycle rental system ===The grey bicycles a lot Porte d'Auteuil, at the last traffic light to the entrance of people are riding the A13, or even right under the "no pedestrians" sign on can be rent easily. Just look for a rental station within the Peripheriqueshoulder to the motorway just after the light, you can register there with a credit card that is good for EUR 150 credit. A daily rental pass costs EUR 1.70, a week is EUR 8 (January 2012). With these passes you where cars haven't picked up much speed yet and can rent a bicycle for 30 minutes for free as often as see you wantwell. Make sure Ask drivers to return it within those 30 Minutes or take you will have (at least) to pay additional fees. Check the English [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9lib%27 Wikipedia Vélib' article] for more information. Great and cheap way to get aroundMorainvilliers petrol station in Poissy.

== Sleeping in Paris ==In the suburbs ==== [[File:888_signs'''Option 1''' Autoroute A13 Gare de Péage de Buchelay toll Take Transilien J suburban train from Saint-Lazare station. The fare is €8 but you may not be controlled.jpg|thumb|240px|right|A small collection of the "Paris" signs for the [[Project 888]] where over 150 hitchhikers gathered and camped Get off in front of (not Mantes Station). There's a 30 minute walk to the Eiffel Towertoll gate.]][[Hospitality exchange#Hospitality exchange networks|Hospitality exchange]] networks You can be a great choice when staying low-budget in Paris. However, one must plan usually such staying well ahead since Paris search Innovaparc bus stop place is a popular destination for many backpackers, and many hospitality exchange networks' members are usually overloaded with requests next to have guests.there

It is also possible to sleep in the ''Champs de Mars'Option 2' in front of the Eiffel Tower - police generally lets you sleep until 9 or 10 in the morning. There are many trees that offer you a protection in case of a rain. You can also put up a tent (at night) in a discrete spot although keep in mind that police officers will wake you up around the sunrise. You can also sleep under the bridge at the Seine river on the other side of the Eiffel Tower. During the first European Hitchhikers Week ([[project 888|888]]) around 50 people slept in front of the Eiffel Tower.'' South Area Morainvilliers rest area

There are also good places to sleep in the tunnels of Montsouris, which are part of old railway network. It is a hidden place, and maybe the most well-known unofficial entrance to the famous Take Transilien J or RER A from Paris Catacombs. You must climb over a wall near the intersection of Avenue Jean Moulin and Rue de Coulmiers ([http://isget off at Poissy.gd/hC1Px Google maps])Take bus 20 to bus stop Auberg. Be advised There's one bus every hour on weekdays, fewer than that you should not enter the Catacombs alone or without a person who has a lot of experience climbing around the Paris underground. It is an extremely complicated system of tunnels, perhaps the second largest in the world. In many rooms of the Catacombs you can find a luxury of places to sleep, but you can just as easily get lost in areas where nobody has been or will go for monthson Saturdays and it doesn't run on Sundays.

== Free Showers Airports ==[http://www.paris.fr/pratique/Portal.lut?document_id=8972&document_type_id=5&page_id=5458&portlet_id=11757 Here] you can find a map of places where you can have free showers in Paris. It seems that the closing times mon-wed are 17.30 instead of 18.00 as it writes on the website. Also you should get there 30 min before the closing time or you will not be allowed inside. So get there before 17.00. They are great! :)

== Internet ==Go to Apple Store behind Opera Garnier or to Apple Store under Louvre Museum in the Carrousel '''[[Charles de Louvre.Gaulle airport]]''' / '''[[Orly airport]]''' / '''[[Beauvais]]''' airport

* [http[File://www.ratp888_signs.fr/ Public transportation jpg|thumb|240px|right|A small collection of the "Paris" signs for the [[Project 888]* [http://www] where over 150 hitchhikers gathered and camped in front of the Eiffel Tower.voyages-sncf.com/ Trains and regional transports], ticket agency]