Difference between revisions of "United Kingdom"
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[[Image:Carl Nai Maroc.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[User:Carl|Carl]] and his hitch partner Naomi leaving [[Cardiff]] for [[Morocco]].]] | [[Image:Carl Nai Maroc.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[User:Carl|Carl]] and his hitch partner Naomi leaving [[Cardiff]] for [[Morocco]].]] | ||
| − | The '''United Kingdom''' is a member state of the [[European Union]] | + | The '''United Kingdom''' is a member state of the [[European Union]] which forms with Eire the Common Travel area |
| − | Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of sliproads and at [[service | + | en.wiki |
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| + | 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 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. | ||
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| + | Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of sliproads and at [[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. | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
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''. | 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). | + | 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). Legally this should be available to everyone, but in some localities, staff may say its only available to local residents or library members. In this case just ask to join the library. |
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]]). | 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]]). | ||
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==== Hitchhiking towards [[Western Europe]] ==== | ==== Hitchhiking towards [[Western Europe]] ==== | ||
Hitchhiking ''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 [[The Channel Tunnel]]. | Hitchhiking ''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 [[The Channel Tunnel]]. | ||
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| + | You can also hitch from Immingham docks in Hull to Zeebrugge. Hitching from Scotland to Scandinavia is also possible. Due to fears of terrorism and illigal immigration authorities may ask you not to wait near the docks. | ||
==== Hitchhiking from [[Western Europe]] ==== | ==== 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. | 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. | ||
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| + | If coming from Zeebrugge note that the truckers usually can have 2 passengers on the manifest so if you travel this way you don't need tp pay for a ferry ticket. Cars usually charge for every passenger on this route, but often from France its a price per car no matter how many are inside. | ||
==== Hitchhiking towards [[Ireland]] ==== | ==== Hitchhiking towards [[Ireland]] ==== | ||
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| + | There are 2 main routes. Either through Swansea in the South. This is quite near teh city and can be walked to. | ||
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| + | Or through Holyhead in the North. This is possible, but longer journey times make it a bit more difficult. also there are less palces to stop if you don't get lifts. swansea is an English speaking city, but up North Welsh may be useful. | ||
==== Hitchhiking from [[Ireland]] ==== | ==== Hitchhiking from [[Ireland]] ==== | ||
Revision as of 12:12, 13 August 2008
The United Kingdom is a member state of the European Union which forms with Eire the Common Travel area
en.wiki (REMOVE ME FOR LINK)
pedia.
(REMOVE ME FOR LINK)
org/wiki/
(REMOVE ME FOR LINK)
Common_Travel_Area
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 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 makes it a lot more easier than trying to hitch in the South East or East Anglia. It seems the closer you are to big cities, especially London the harder it is.
Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of sliproads and at 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 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). Legally this should be available to everyone, but in some localities, staff may say its only available to local residents or library members. In this case just ask to join the library.
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.
You can also hitch from Immingham docks in Hull to Zeebrugge. Hitching from Scotland to Scandinavia is also possible. Due to fears of terrorism and illigal immigration authorities may ask you not to wait near the docks.
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.
If coming from Zeebrugge note that the truckers usually can have 2 passengers on the manifest so if you travel this way you don't need tp pay for a ferry ticket. Cars usually charge for every passenger on this route, but often from France its a price per car no matter how many are inside.
Hitchhiking towards Ireland
There are 2 main routes. Either through Swansea in the South. This is quite near teh city and can be walked to.
Or through Holyhead in the North. This is possible, but longer journey times make it a bit more difficult. also there are less palces to stop if you don't get lifts. swansea is an English speaking city, but up North Welsh may be useful.
Hitchhiking from Ireland
| Hitchwiki could use your help to complete this article. You can help by expanding it. |
| Help complete the information and providing it on the Ireland page as well |
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: 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
