Hitchhiking Tutorial #2 - Where to stand

My second post in the hitchhiking tutorial is actually the most important one. Namely where to hitch – or better even where to stand to get a hitch? This is the single most important thing for getting anywhere! If you stand on the wrong spot you can wait for years and see winter, autumn and spring passing by.

In a lot of countries (especially in Western Europe and the UK) it is illegal to hitchhike on motorways, moreover it is dangerous too. So, what you do is walk or take a bus/ metro to the place which brings you close but not on the motorway. Now, these places as you will notice or have noticed already are difficult to find…

For this problem there are a couple of solutions, first ask people around you or better ask Google! Why do you think those guys invented Google maps! Look carefully at satellite photos and strategically determine what the best place for hitchhiking is.

Criteria for a good spot:

1. Going in the direction you want to go to (of course!)
2. Look whether there is an incline, so that cars can pull over easily
3. A road where cars should not be driving more than 70KM/ hr or 45 mph

This kind of advice is kind of self-explanatory and could easily have been found on any other site, thus let me give you some more in-depth tips.

1. Go and look for traffic lights and simply ask drivers there whether you can get a hitch (if only to the nearest gas station on the motorway) . This is especially important for getting out of cities, which is often the most difficult part of your hitchhike adventure.
2. Another good place are so-called toll roads (you have them in France, Spain and other parts of Europe). Same principal as with traffic lights, just look drivers in the eye who will then open their window so that you can ask a ride.
3. The best possible place for getting a hike are however gas stations, gas stations and gas stations! Why? Because these are the places that allow you to talk to people so to gain their confidence and limit their way reasons for saying no.

I know, it is often difficult to get to gas stations on motorways, but that is why you have traffic lights! Don’t worry people will not bite if you knock on their window and ask whether they can drop you at the nearest gas station!

Don’t worry when you are in a foreign country and don’t speak a word of the language, they will get the point and give you a big smile. The fastest hitches I had were in China J.

Finally, when you found a driver and are on the road, always ask whether he/she can drop you off at the next gas station on the road. It makes your trip a lot easier/ shorter… Always remember talking is better than holding your sign!

If you follow all these recommendations, I can guarantee you that you can get a hike at least 50 percent faster than with standing aroud with a traditional thumbing.

Next time: Hitchhiking #3 - Conversating with your driver