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|hitch = from {{average}} to {{good}}}}The '''United Kingdom'<rating country='uk' is a member state of the [[European Union]] which forms the so-called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area Common Travel area] with [[Ireland]] and is not part of the [[Schengen Agreement]]. Hitchhiking in the United Kingdom is feasible although the British are a little surprised (especially in [[England]]) to see people still doing it these days since it has become a dying trend largely due to the safety worries, insurance issues and very busy roads. You will still manage a ride somehow but you really need to be at the right spot. Hitching in [[Scotland]] or [[Wales]] tends to be more easy than in southern [[England]] although this depends from county to county. For example, the rural mentality in the [[South West (England)>|South West]] makes it a lot more easier than trying to hitch in the [[South East (England)|South East]] or [[East (England)|East Anglia]]. It seems the closer you are to big cities, especially London, the harder it is.BW = GB}}

Like anywhere else, it The '''United Kingdom''' is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from a member state of the bottom of [[slip roadEuropean Union]]which forms the so-called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area Common Travel area]s and at with [[service stationIreland]]s (at discretion and is not part of the owner)[[Schengen Agreement]]. Highways Agency officials may question you if you hitch from sliproads on motorways as technically you Hitchhiking in the United Kingdom is feasible although the British are not allowed a little surprised (especially in [[England]]) to see people still doing it these days since it has become a dying trend largely due to do thisthe safety worries, insurance issues and very busy roads, but the police also extremely cheap coach fares . You will not pay any interest; still manage a ride somehow but you really need to be '''at the Highways Agency staff are more pedantic than the police regarding thatright spot.''' Finding a safe spot where drivers can pull over easily can be crucial here - British people usually don't like to stop in bad places, so make it easy for them to pick you up!

When traveling a long distance on Hitching in [[Scotland]] or [[Wales]] tends to be more easy than in southern [[England]] although this depends from county to county. For example, the rural mentality in the motorways [[South West England|South West]] makes it is best a lot more easier than trying to stick hitch in the [[South East England|South East]]. It seems the closer you are to big cities, especially London, the service stations as getting a lift on a slip road will take an exceptionally longer timeharder it is. Don't Furthermore, especially in the South of England, people have some kind of you-only-get dropped at any motorway junctions -what-you-merit-(''M25/M4''equals: work for)-attitude, ''M4/M5'' etc.) as traffic will be going too fast which is why they sometimes react with unfriendliness to stop and you will probably be picked up by the policeidea of hitching. On the other In case you ''do'' get dropped there your best option is probably to start walking a bit away from hand, very many students hitched in the motorway, 70s and 80s and they often give lifts now they are rich and if you're a foreigner, attach a sign to your backpack saying e.g. ''from Holland''50plus.

Useful tip'' [[User: In city libraries you can use Internet PCs for free after a shortOlcheMaith|Roaming Pencil]] has hitchhiked over 5000 km in the UK (ish) free registration (some want to see a passportMid/North England, some aren't that strictWales and Scotland). Legally She was initially apprehensive due to this should be available to everyonepage, but in some localitieshas found out that UK is great for hitchhiking, often with low waiting times, people offering rides even before you officially start hitchhiking, staff may say its only available to local residents or library members. In this case just ask to join the libraryand very helpful drivers.''

Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of [[slip road]]s and at [[rest area|service stations]] (at discretion of the owner). Highways Agency officials may question you if you hitch from sliproads on motorways as technically you are not allowed to do this, but the police will not pay any interest; the Highways Agency staff are more pedantic than the police regarding that. When traveling a long distance on the motorways it is best to stick to the service stations as getting a lift on a slip road will take an exceptionally longer time. Don't get dropped at any motorway intersection junctions (''M25/M4'', ''M4/M5'' etc.) as traffic will be going too fast to stop and you will probably be picked up by the police. In case you ''do'' get dropped there your best option is probably to start walking a bit away from the motorway, and if you're a foreigner, attach a sign to your backpack saying e.g. ''from Holland''. Apart from motorways, you can also hitch on the so-called A-roads, where - legally - you can stand on the side lane. As A-roads, however, are a replacement for motorways in more rural areas, people basically go at the same speed, and it is quite difficult and dangerous to flag somebody down.  British people don't like stopping in unsafe places! Try to find a stop where it's easy to stop, even at the cost of lower traffic. Also, here rides are lifts and trucks are lorries :)  If you're hitchhiking long distances and considering making a sign, in general people use the motorway names rather than the city names. For example, from [[London]] to [[South West (England)|Cornwall]] have a sign saying ''M4''. But if you are hitching on a motorway with multiple cities (i.e. ''M1'') it is an idea to use a sign with the city name (e.g. [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]]).

[[English channel|Hitchhiking the English Channel]] ''from'' [[England]] to [[France]] is possible. Just hitchhike in direction of [[Dover]] along the ''M20'' in the [[South East (England)|South East]] to reach the ferries or [[Channel Tunnel|The Channel Tunnel]]. Once you're there, you could either try to find a lift in Dover or in a more relaxed atmosphere on one of the services along the M20, especially the e.g. Maidstone Services(note however that a lot of people on this service station are locals, so you might be better off with a truck driver, they are parked behind the restaurant).  Truckers who cross the channel through the Eurotunnel (train) cannot take an extra person, but those who go by ferry in Dover can. If you're lucky you can even eat for free in the truckers' restaurant on the ferry! If you can't get a ride from a service station before Dover, wait by the BP station just over a mile before the ferry port in Dover. See the [[English channel]] page.

Hitchiking [[English channel|across the English Channel]] ''to'' Great Britain is possible. When coming from [[France]], make sure you stay on the A26. Loads of truck drivers are heading from [[Switzerland]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Germany]] to Great Britain. So if someone offers you a ride to [[Lille]], make sure you stay on the A26 or you might get stuck.

If you're dropped off in Calais, you can start hitchhiking at the bottom of the bridge before the check-in. The price is the same for a car, no matter how many passengers (also in Dunkerque). People who booked in advance indicated how many passengers they would have, so it could be better not to mention at the check-in that you're a hitchhiker (?). A one way ticket as a foot passenger is € 40. On the parking lot where everyone's waiting to board the ferry, you can often find another lift that goes in your direction. Just show your sign to all the waiting truckers/cars.  If coming from Zeebrugge note that the truckers usually can have 2 two passengers on the manifest so if you travel this way you don't need to pay for a ferry ticket. Cars usually charge for every passenger on this route, but often from France it's a price per car no matter how many are inside, for example from Calais or Dunkerque. You might be better off hitching with a car, because truck drivers are often more suspicious of people who want to be taken across the channel - their livelihood depends on it, as UK police tend to arrest anybody who knowingly or not help illegal immigrants to enter the UK.

==== Countries ====For more specific information about (If you decide to pay, consider getting a Megabus for 25 Pound from London to Rosslare, ferry included, as this is already cheaper then the foot passenger ticket for the countriesferry only. Alternatively, islands and cities within there sometimes are decent Rail & Sail offers from London to Dublin, via the ''United Kingdom'', have a look at this overview of British constituent countries and affiliations:  {{UK_constituent_countries}}Holyhead Ferry.)