Editor’s Note: For travel insurance information specific to the current COVID-19 epidemic, see our stories on Travel In the Time of COVID: What You Need to Know; Travel Insurance Coverage: 18 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover; and Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance, Explained.
The Rough Guide to Hitchhiking
21.07.2023 - 08:23 / roughguides.com / Greg Dickinson / Jack Kerouac
Rough Guides writer Greg Dickinson has hitchhiked in seven countries, flagging down over fifty cars, vans and lorries over a distance of 3000 miles. Here are some of his top tips on how to make the most of a hitchhiking adventure.
Hitchhiking is a disastrous mode of transport. It’s reckless, unpredictable, and at times downright nerve-wracking. But for anyone who enjoys meeting new people, eschewing the usual coach routes and – most of all – saving cash, it is also a wonderful travel option. It exposes you to the kind of spontaneous experiences that all the best travel tales are made of (Jack Kerouac didn’t invest in an annual Greyhound bus pass, after all).
In my travels I have shared a cramped driver’s seat with a chain-smoking Danish man, accidentally crossed the entire length of Spain (I was under the impression we were going 20 miles down the road to Pamplona) and hitched a ride with a very charming satan-worshipping lorry driver, whose cabin was filled with ornate skulls.
It may seem daunting, but after the thrill of your first lift you’ll be dying for the second. So build up some courage, find a mate, pack a rucksack and get ready to stick your thumb out. Here’s my guide on how to hitchhike:
There are a few items which could be the difference between a fun hitching trip and a miserable one. First and foremost, pack some comfortable shoes to walk in. You will inevitably end up hiking for miles to find an appropriate hitching spot. Another essential is, of course, a decent foldout map to help figure out where in the world you are and where prospective drivers are heading. Finally, bring something to create a makeshift sign out of (preferably something wipeable, like a whiteboard or the back of a poster) and plenty of marker pens to scrawl where you want to go – whether it be “Bordeaux” or simply “Sud!”.
In the words of Phil Spencer, it’s all about location, location, location. There’s no use sticking your thumb out on a motorway slip road or a quiet country lane. The ideal spot is an out-of-town road where people are likely to be travelling longer distances. Position yourself on a long, straight stretch with plenty of room to stop – many drivers take a few moments to make a decision, pull over, and then reverse down the hard shoulder to pick you up. Some hitchers note down the number plate and car model at this point for peace of mind.
There are other subtle ways to improve your chances of catching a ride. Smiling, wearing colourful clothes and holding up a clear sign are all effective, and having a light load of luggage is more appealing to drivers than a mountain of tents and 80-litre rucksacks. No luggage at all is equally off-putting. If you’re getting desperate for a lift, a more direct method is
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