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{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
== To Calais ==Hitchhikers can cross the channel for free because drivers only pay for their vehicle and a certain number of passengers, up to seven with a car and two with a lorry, the same holds true for the [[Channel Tunnel]]. In the online booking process, drivers have to declare the number of passengers in advance. However, this is for statistics and has no effect on their right carry up to seven passengers.General Information====
* Drivers pay per vehicle, so bringing an additional passenger will not change the costs. If they already have their ticket, they will need to amend it (for free) and add another passenger. A foot passenger ticket will cost you about €40. * The border police do not like hitchhikers. It's completely legal to hitchhike, but makes them suspicious. Whether you catch a ride for the tunnel or the ferry, '''ask the driver politely not to mention that you're hitchhiking'''To get . Explain the situation so that the driver realizes you aren't doing anything wrong. * If you want to take the tunnel/ferry, It's best to find a lift to Francebefore Dover, you may prefer to stop at [[Maidstone Services]] on the M20, where you have or [[Medway Services]] on the possibility to talk to both drivers and truck drivers that might be crossingM2.Don''' Many more trucks stop at t go to the [[Maidstone Services|Ashford Truckstop]] on ; hitchhiking seems to be very hard there and hitchhikers aren't allowed near the M20drivers, but there many of whom can't take anyone anyway. (This is security here and correct as of Feb 2018; if things have changed, let us know!) * '''It's very difficult to find drivers for the tunnel, who're able to pick you up''', because they see you asking had to book the ticket and give all their ID-details for lifts they will the booking before and it's impossible to add another passenger spontaniously, a lot of drivers told me (Feb 2018; If this is just a non-sense-legend, please tell us and change it here!) Edit: you can get a lift through the tunnel! We met a lorry driver at Clackett Lane services who was going to leavetunnel. Update January 2012And he was able to change passenger number at the first barrier : )was easy! Then on the train with all the truckers * The security in ferry, as opposed to the tunnel, has the advantage of having 1.5 hours to find a ride to your next destination. '''Do your best to find the next ride on the Ashford truckferry''' -stop does not allow anyone near the truckseven if it's for a short distance (though many people will be going far!) since hitchhiking out of [[Calais]] isn't fun. Many drivers don't speak a lot of English, but try all your languages (or a map) and something might work. Polish, Romanian, Russian and there were not German are particularly useful. You can also ask people when they're queuing up to leave upon arrival, but it might be risky to wait so many trucks stopping there anywaylong. * If you're changing rides, only British truck drivers who are it's a good idea to bring your backpack to the ferry instead of leaving it in the vehicle. But keep in mind that you're not allowed to take hitchhikers leave it unattended and if you do, they will panic and look for some insurance issuesyou. We tried If you don't want to be hauling it around, maybe ask someone who isn't moving around much to hitchhike at all possible spots keep an eye on it, or pick it up from the car upon arrival (requires more logistics with the big roundabout old and before new drivers). * Ferries from Dover go to both Dunkerque and Calais. If you are trying to hitch down to Paris or further south then make sure your ride is going to Calais as you will find itdifficult to find a lift otherwise. However, if you are hitching to Belgium, but no one stopped for DoverGermany etc. Ended up taking then you should get the bus, which is only 5 pounds day ticket for the whole regionferry to Dunkerque.
=== In Dover == In =There are several possibilities in Dover : =====Along the A20:=====<map lat=This road is swarming with drivers on their way to the ferry. Your sign should say ''FRANCE'51.12625978268193' lng=(or '1.3254833221435547' zoom=FRANCE (ferry)'16' view=), not '0' float=FERRY'right' />, otherwise people will be offering you rides to the ferry port.
== Other directions ==
Here you can try to get a lift onto the M20 and follow the motorways up and over. Another option is to get onto the coastal road (A259) all the way to Brighton. From my experience I would seriously advise skipping the romantic idea of the coastal road and keep yourself on the motorway. After Folkstone it's largely local traffic, a long walk out of the town and you sit there wishing you had of kept to the bright lights of the motor way!! However of course it led to a rich experience!
== External links ==
* [http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_dover_-_calais_timetable_timetable_DOCA.htm P&O ferries timetable Calais–Dover]
* [http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferry-to-france/Timetable/ DFDS Seaways ferries timetable Dunkerque–Dover]
{{IsIn|South East (England)}}
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