United Kingdom

Carl and his hitch partner Naomi leaving Cardiff for Morocco.

The United Kingdom is a member state of the European Union but with only partial participation in 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 issues. You will still manage a ride somehow but you really need to be at the right spot. Hitching in Scotland or Wales tend to be more easy than in southern England although this depends from county to county. For example, the rural mentality in the South West makes it a lot more easier than trying to hitch in the South East or East Anglia.

Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of sliproads and at service station (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 travelling 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 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 highway, and if you're a foreigner, attach a sign to your backpack saying e.g. from Holland.

Useful tip: In city libraries you can use Internet PC's for free after a short free registration (some want to see a passport, some aren't that strict). In some localities, this may only available to local resident.

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 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).

Hitchhiking towards Western Europe

Hitchhiking from England to France is possible. Just hitchhike in direction of Dover along the M20 in the South East to reach the ferries or The Channel Tunnel.

Hitchhiking from Western Europe

Hitchiking to Great Britain is possible. When coming from France, make sure you stay on the A26. Loads of truck drivers are heading from Switzerland, Luxemburg 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.

Hitchhiking towards Ireland

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Hitchhiking from Ireland

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Countries

For more specific information about the countries, islands and cities within the United Kingdom, have a look at this overview of British constituent countries and affiliations:

Constituent countries and affiliations of the United Kingdom

Constituent countries: England • Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales

Overseas Territories: Anguilla • Bermuda • British Indian Ocean Territory • British Virgin Islands • Cayman Islands • Falkland Islands • Gibraltar

Crown dependencies: Channel Islands • Guernsey • Isle of Man • Jersey

Links

• Wikipedia contains articles about service stations on the motorways in the UK!
• Map of Services Stations - Motorway Services Online
• Liftshare.org is a UK based lift share website
• Frixo Traffic Reports – Live travel updates for UK roads / motorways