https://hitchwiki.org/en/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Raureif&feedformat=atomHitchwiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T08:28:52ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.32.3https://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104134Berlin2023-04-15T22:01:11Z<p>Raureif: /* Public transport */ Updated ticket prices</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (somewhat confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of April 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.20 (tariff zones AB), €3.80 (tariff zones BC) and €4.00 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or [https://www.bvg.de/en BVG] website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 (direction: ''Potsdam Hbf''), or S1 (direction: ''Wannsee''), and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket, compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is '''not''' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
According to the experiences of several hitchhikers, this is a good spot to go East – but '''not''' West or South.<br />
<br />
Take regional train RE7 (direction: ''Dessau'') from Berlin's centre or RB37 (direction: ''Beelitz Stadt'') from ''Berlin-Wannsee'' station and get off at ''Michendorf'' (ABC/BC ticket required). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into ''Potsdamer Straße'' and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into ''Feldstraße'' and follow it until you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door or walk a bit further to the restaurant, as the noise protection wall ends there.<br />
<br />
''User [[User:Rebew|Rebew]] and a friend tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from ''Messedamm''. The access lane is a part of the ''Funkturm'' junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the ''Messedamm'' with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at ''Messedamm''. From S-Bahn station ''Westkreuz'', walk north along ''Halenseestraße'', and cross the road at the big intersection onto ''Messedamm''. After 100 meters, there is the quiet parking area at your left hand side. Walk across the carpark. To reach the place to hitch from, climb the traffic barrier between the carpark and the acceleration lane: [https://osm.org/go/0MZuR0mAF?m= This] is the exact location. Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-Bahn station ''Messe Nord/ICC'' it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to ''Messedamm'', follow it south and at the next intersection turn right, then you'll find the quiet parking area after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=104123User:Raureif2023-04-10T20:15:32Z<p>Raureif: Oops - fixed time indication</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born four months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Denmark<br />
* Faroe Islands<br />
* Fiji<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Less than 10 seconds at a bus stop near central Tórshavn, [[Faroe Islands]].<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my wife and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
* '''Times involved in car accidents while hitchhiking''': One. I sincerely hope this counter never changes again!<br />
* '''Most cars on a single day''': Six, while hitching from Billund Airport ([[Denmark]]) to Hamburg – a lousy 275 km!<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm tightly holding onto the truck chassis!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my wife. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my wife a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my wife and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Kaliningrad&diff=104122Kaliningrad2023-04-10T18:58:27Z<p>Raureif: e-Visas have been put on hold during COVID-19 and apparently have been cancelled altogether since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - removed (website no longer works either)</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Location<br />
|name_native = Калининград<br />
|country = Russia<br />
|subdivision_type = Region (oblast)<br />
|subdivision_name = Kaliningrad Oblast<br />
|subdivision_symbol = Flag_of_Kaliningrad_Oblast.svg<br />
|map = <map lat='54.71' lng='20.5' zoom='10' /><br />
|pop = 431,402<br />
|plate = 39, 91<br />
|motorways = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Kaliningrad''' (In Russian: Калининград, used to be Königsberg till 1946) is the capital of the [[Russia|Russian]] exclave [[Kaliningrad Oblast]].<br />
<br />
==Hitching out==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest to Zelenogradsk and the Curonian Spit ===<br />
<br />
Find a way to get to the northern end of ''Ulitsa Aleksandra Nevskogo'' (Russian: Ул. Александра Невского), which is roughly a few 100 metres after the road crosses a railway line and perhaps a kilometre before the road becomes part of a major motorway junction. One option is bus 31, which crosses the bridge over the railway line and then turns right before the road splits into two separate lanes to continue westwards after doing a u-turn; there is a bus stop on the side of the road right after it turns. From there, you can already see two petrol stations, one on each side of the road. The one on the northbound road has a long, wide exit lane, which makes for an excellent hitching spot.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast to [[Lithuania]] ===<br />
<br />
Take bus 37 to the end of ''Moskovskij prospekt''. Hitch from the bus stop after the police station.<br />
<br />
===South to [[Poland]]===<br />
<br />
====Through [[Mamonovo]]====<br />
<br />
Take bus #18 or #27 from the bus stop in the street ''Zheleznodorozhnaya ulitsa'' north-west of the ''yuzhnij vokzal'' (Southern Railway Station) from (or bus #19 from somewhere else?) to Golubyx ozer (Голубых озёр). You will see some lakes on the right before you have to get off.<br />
<br />
====Through [[Bagrationovsk]]====<br />
<br />
Take bus 9 until the last stop (Сельхозтехника). The road leads through several villages and then arrives at the [[Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing]].<br />
<br />
=== West into Kaliningrad region===<br />
<br />
Svetlogorsk, Pionerskii, Jantarnyj (seaside): bus 36 to corner of Lermontovskovo.<br />
Baltiisk, Svetlyj: bus 5, trolleybus 6, stop near turn towards A. Kosmodemyanskovo village (check with conductor). <br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Google Maps is available in Kaliningrad to show public transport routes. Alternatively, use a Russian navigation app (for example, the app "EasyWay" is also available in English).<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E77]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=104121User:Raureif2023-04-10T18:52:04Z<p>Raureif: /* Statistics */ Added "most cars on a single day"</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Denmark<br />
* Faroe Islands<br />
* Fiji<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Less than 10 seconds at a bus stop near central Tórshavn, [[Faroe Islands]].<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my wife and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
* '''Times involved in car accidents while hitchhiking''': One. I sincerely hope this counter never changes again!<br />
* '''Most cars on a single day''': Six, while hitching from Billund Airport ([[Denmark]]) to Hamburg – a lousy 275 km!<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm tightly holding onto the truck chassis!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my wife. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my wife a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my wife and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=104108User:Raureif2023-04-02T08:39:57Z<p>Raureif: Added DK and FO, minor amendments, updated shortest wait</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Denmark<br />
* Faroe Islands<br />
* Fiji<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Less than 10 seconds at a bus stop near central Tórshavn, [[Faroe Islands]].<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my wife and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
* '''Times involved in car accidents while hitchhiking''': 1. I sincerely hope this counter never changes again!<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm tightly holding onto the truck chassis!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my wife. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my wife a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my wife and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104092Berlin2023-03-15T21:02:23Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane */ Fixed typos, updated wording, replaced GMaps link (showing the wrong place) with OSM link (showing the correct one)</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or [https://www.bvg.de/en BVG] website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 (direction: ''Potsdam Hbf''), or S1 (direction: ''Wannsee''), and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket, compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is '''not''' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
According to the experiences of several hitchhikers, this is a good spot to go East – but '''not''' West or South.<br />
<br />
Take regional train RE7 (direction: ''Dessau'') from Berlin's centre or RB37 (direction: ''Beelitz Stadt'') from ''Berlin-Wannsee'' station and get off at ''Michendorf'' (ABC/BC ticket required). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into ''Potsdamer Straße'' and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into ''Feldstraße'' and follow it until you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door or walk a bit further to the restaurant, as the noise protection wall ends there.<br />
<br />
''User [[User:Rebew|Rebew]] and a friend tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from ''Messedamm''. The access lane is a part of the ''Funkturm'' junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the ''Messedamm'' with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at ''Messedamm''. From S-Bahn station ''Westkreuz'', walk north along ''Halenseestraße'', and cross the road at the big intersection onto ''Messedamm''. After 100 meters, there is the quiet parking area at your left hand side. Walk across the carpark. To reach the place to hitch from, climb the traffic barrier between the carpark and the acceleration lane: [https://osm.org/go/0MZuR0mAF?m= This] is the exact location. Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-Bahn station ''Messe Nord/ICC'' it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to ''Messedamm'', follow it south and at the next intersection turn right, then you'll find the quiet parking area after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104091Berlin2023-03-15T20:50:46Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf */ Formatting/wording update, removed alternative (belongs to Potsdam article), a bit of additional info on trains/access to Raststätte</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or [https://www.bvg.de/en BVG] website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 (direction: ''Potsdam Hbf''), or S1 (direction: ''Wannsee''), and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket, compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is '''not''' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
According to the experiences of several hitchhikers, this is a good spot to go East – but '''not''' West or South.<br />
<br />
Take regional train RE7 (direction: ''Dessau'') from Berlin's centre or RB37 (direction: ''Beelitz Stadt'') from ''Berlin-Wannsee'' station and get off at ''Michendorf'' (ABC/BC ticket required). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into ''Potsdamer Straße'' and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into ''Feldstraße'' and follow it until you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door or walk a bit further to the restaurant, as the noise protection wall ends there.<br />
<br />
''User [[User:Rebew|Rebew]] and a friend tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104090Berlin2023-03-15T20:34:07Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald */ Small formatting updates, removed prices (now covered in section "Public Transport")</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or [https://www.bvg.de/en BVG] website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 (direction: ''Potsdam Hbf''), or S1 (direction: ''Wannsee''), and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket, compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is '''not''' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104089Berlin2023-03-15T20:30:07Z<p>Raureif: /* Public transport */ Added link for BVG ("Berlin Public Transport Authority")</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or [https://www.bvg.de/en BVG] website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104084Berlin2023-03-11T22:59:46Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide */ Removing redundant info on PT, now covered by its own section</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or BVG website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104083Berlin2023-03-11T22:57:29Z<p>Raureif: Added general info on public transport</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Despite its size and unless going from one edge of an outer suburb to one on the opposite side of the city, going from one point to another within Berlin seldom takes more than one hour. Use [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] to find out how to get from one location to another within Berlin and also the surrounding state of [[Brandenburg]]. Berlin operates on a fairly simple tariff zone system: Zone A is anywhere within the suburban train ring (''Ringbahn'' / S-Bahn lines S41 and S42), zone B from the ring to the administrative borders of the city, and zone C is a defined area of Brandenburg in proximity to the city (usually confined by the terminal stops of the S-Bahn).<br />
<br />
As of 2023, the current prices for a single adult, one-way ticket are: €3.00 (tariff zones AB), €3.50 (tariff zones BC) and €3.80 (tariff zones ABC). There is a plethora of concession, daily, group and other discounted tickets too, check the VBB or BVG website for more information.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. As this bus line only runs once an hour at the most, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance for departure times. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104082Berlin2023-03-11T22:36:24Z<p>Raureif: /* Northeast towards Szczecin, Gdansk (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} */ Re-vamped section (removed starting points - might be different for each person, added option "Am Luchgraben", formatting, grammer, and a few other things)</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. As this bus line only runs once an hour at the most, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance for departure times. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
Getting onto the A11 is easiest by starting to hitch on road B2, a major thoroughfare which somewhat bisects the city from the Southwest to the Northeast; the B2 merges into the A11 beyond the motorway junction with the A10. The following options suggest different spots along the B2, option 1 being the closest/shortest one when coming from the city centre and option 4 being the one furthest away/taking the longest time respectively.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 (direction: ''Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str.'') to ''Weißer See'', get off there and walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by, following the same direction. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a Szczecin sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Darßer Brücke ====<br />
<br />
Get to ''Weißer See'' as described in option 1 and walk 1 km north along ''Berliner Allee'' (the street name changing to ''Malchower Chaussee'' roughly at where the Star petrol station is) to the place just before where ''Darßer Straße'' passes over ''Malchower Chaussee''. It's a long, straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic. If you have a public transport ticket anyway, check online if it's worth waiting to get to the bus stop ''Nüßlerstr./Feldtmannstr.'' (bus lines 255 and 259) to save yourself most of the walking.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Am Luchgraben ====<br />
<br />
The most cost-effective – though not fastest – option might be taking bus line 259 to the stop ''Am Luchgraben'', which is conveniently located a few metres before the city border, meaning you're still within tariff zone B. There's a patch of dirt/concrete right next to the crossed-out Berlin sign (indicating that one is leaving the city limits) where people can easily stop; many, if not the majority of cars passing here will be going to Northwestern Poland.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 (direction: ''Bernau'') and get off at ''Buch''. From there, catch a bus that goes to ''Schwanebeck, Dorf'' (approx. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including tariff zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on-ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on-ramp towards the East, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass by the first on-ramp which leads towards the West. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the actual on-ramp for the A11, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 branches off the A10 about a kilometre after this on-ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen]]), but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104081Berlin2023-03-10T23:04:25Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide */ Re-vamped section, clarifying which place is best to go to based on your location; moved last section to the top as it applies in general</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading to the big cities in Germany's North or Scandinavia: You can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and, with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain ferry in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from the centre of Berlin may take two hours or even longer; Option 1 is likely faster and may work just as well.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in West Berlin''', take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB or BC ticket required). Turn left from the station (so that you face North), and walk up ''Ruppiner Chaussee'' for 300 m. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Immediately turn left down a little path – you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and you will quickly see a pathway that you can follow to the Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point; the easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
'''If you start from any district in East Berlin''', a faster way than the one described above is taking S-Bahn S8, get off at ''Hohen Neuendorf'' (ABC or BC ticket required), change to bus 809 (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. As this bus line only runs once an hour at the most, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance for departure times. Head for the traffic light and turn onto the road on the right (the one opposite of the motorway on-ramp), and follow it until it makes a left turn; here, enter the forest and keep walking in parallel to the Autobahn, which will take you straight to the Raststätte's on-ramp for vehicles heading North. <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Frohnau station to Raststätte Stolper Heide]]<br />
<br />
If you for some reason don't have or want to get a ticket including tariff zone C, you may also take S-Bahn S1 (direction: ''Oranienburg'') to ''Frohnau''. Getting off there, head to ''Ludolfingerplatz'', a small green square surrounded by a roundabout immediately west of the station, and start walking along ''Maximiliankorso'', the first road branching off on the right. Keep walking until the small intersection with ''Hainbuchenstraße'' (there's a bus stop with the same name), and walk over the road with this name, following it until its very end: It makes a sharp bend at the end of a cemetary (on your right) and a forest in front of you. Enter the forest, walk until a path branches off to your right and turn there. At the end of the branch, you should see a golf course. Turn left and just keep walking straight now, which will take you to the Raststätte's fence. This route is about 3.64 km long and will take roughly an hour.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=File:Hitch_ber_north_stolper_heide_2023.png&diff=104080File:Hitch ber north stolper heide 2023.png2023-03-10T23:00:56Z<p>Raureif: </p>
<hr />
<div>OSM map showing how to walk from S-Bahn station Frohnau to Raststätte Stolper Heide for hitchhikers heading to Hamburg, Rostock and Scandinavia; to be used in article [[Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=104079Berlin2023-03-10T22:20:56Z<p>Raureif: /* Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade */ Update on petrol stations, clearer wording, removed links in Hamburg and Rostock (already linked in heading)</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street ''Prenzlauer Promenade'' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations (Star and HEM). Additionally, at the last intersection before the Autobahn starts, there's another petrol station (Shell) on ''Rothenbachstraße'' next to the traffic lights. It may be worth checking out which of these three is the cheapest and most frequented one on a given day – usually one of the two former. Be aware that the staff at the Shell station might tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is also a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic lights are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards Hamburg and Rostock. Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB/BC ticket required). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
If you don't mind spending the extra money on a C zone ticket to save yourself most of the walking: You can catch the S25, get off at ''Hennigsdorf'', change to bus 809 (direction: ''S Hermsdorf'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. As this bus line only runs once an hour at the most, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance for departure times. Coming from the other direction, you can also take the same bus (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') from station ''Hohen Neuendorf'' when taking the S1 or S8 prior.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer; Option A is recommended.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' Direction Denmark''': The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
''' Direction [[Puttgarden]]''': From Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
''' Direction Hamburg-Stillhorn''': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
''' Direction Lübeck''': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
'''Direction [[Århus]]''': You can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
'''Direction Sweden''': You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued. '''Stockholm''' has a direct night ferry from Rostock 3 times a week running since autumn 2021. Currently they charge per vehicle and passengers so you couldn't join a crew, but passenger tickets go for 28€ so might still be worth it.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
''A friend and I tried hitchhiking from here on several occasions and had no luck going anywhere West. There is not a lot of traffic and it will yield only short rides, Leipzig at most (2021).''<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
Firest rest stop once out of Berlin is 25 km away Raststätte Am Kahlberg Ost on highway 13<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Get to station "U Siemensdamm" and directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work. It is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Test option ====<br />
<br />
Waldeck West rest stop road 117 next to bus 263 stop Waltersdorf (bei Berlin), Gaspumpstation. 5 km walk away from Eichwalde s-bahn stop S8 and S46 goes there<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.<br />
<br />
Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf / least walking ====<br />
<br />
Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [rest area. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides. Your best bet is to either ask truckers (although they might not know English) or stand by the exit with a sign that says "Polska". <br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right. You need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! <br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
Can someone confirm that Kienitzer Dorfstrase almost all lenght have bicycle path next to it??????<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
'''A)''' From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
'''B)''' From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk Wilhelm-Pieck-Strase 100 metres and turn left on gravel road. You will see rest stop from there<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. <br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] Poland and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though. Small walk away also is a Star Tankstelle petrol station (adress Alt-Mahlsdorf 117)<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop & Shell Tankstelle suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' <br />
<br />
Go to S Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus or walk to Sachsenhausen, Kirche bus stop and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. At this point the B96 still looks like a highway. But don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. Between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. So you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen (Nordb) and walk 1 km to the spot. Check before on Vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop<br />
<br />
Go by bus 8O9 till stop Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke than 1OO metres back and right side 1 km walk away is Raststätte Stolper Heide highway rest stop on road 111. The road serves just as access to rest stop and starts opposite side from road 111 upramp<br />
<br />
Or you can walk 4 km from S Bahnhof Hohen Neuendorf starting from Stolper Street than its changes to Hohen Neuendorfer Weg street and all the way to bus stop above. There is a bicycle road next to street<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Warsaw > Amsterdam) ===<br />
<br />
Get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming even from Poland you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
Or get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version: If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station, the last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41! Map [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 here]. Alternatively you can take the same road in the other direction [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks map] and go to the S-Bahn station Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<br />
== The Ruhr area warning ==<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=104026User:Raureif2023-03-05T17:07:35Z<p>Raureif: /* Statistics */ Added car accident - to remind me to get off ASAP when being picked up by bad drivers</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Fiji<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Several spots in [[South Korea]] and [[Malaysia]], always less than 5 minutes.<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my girlfriend and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
* '''Times involved in car accidents while hitchhiking''': 1. I sincerely hope this counter never changes again!<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm holding onto some metal lock bars!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my girlfriend. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my girlfriend a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my girlfriend and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=104025User:Raureif2023-03-05T17:04:47Z<p>Raureif: /* Places */ Added FJ</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Fiji<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Several spots in [[South Korea]] and [[Malaysia]], always less than 5 minutes.<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my girlfriend and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm holding onto some metal lock bars!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my girlfriend. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my girlfriend a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my girlfriend and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=98939Berlin2020-09-19T22:16:38Z<p>Raureif: Construction at Michendorf completed, fixed various typos/grammar, removed obsolete/redundant info + wild camping & swimming (goes to NomadWiki if anywhere), added bus option for rest stop towards Hamburg/Rostock etc</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
<br />
Take subway line U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the subway station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic light are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards [[Hamburg]] and [[Rostock]].<br />
Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards ''Hennigsdorf'' and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (AB/BC ticket required). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the Raststätte. The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
If you don't mind spending the extra money on a C zone ticket to save yourself most of the walking: You can catch the S25, get off at ''Hennigsdorf'', change to bus 809 (direction: ''S Hermsdorf'') and get off at ''Stolpe (OHV), Autobahnbrücke''. As this bus line only runs once an hour at the most, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance for departure times. Coming from the other direction, you can also take the same bus (direction: ''Hennigsdorf, F.-Wolf-Str.'') from station ''Hohen Neuendorf'' when taking the S1 or S8 prior.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer; Option A is recommended.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' For Denmark'''<br />
The ferries leave 15 km north of Rostock at Warnemünde and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little Sweden bound traffic.<br />
<br />
'''Ferry Rostock-Gedser Update July 2017:''' The police didn't allow us to hitchhike vehicles going to take the ferry and we had to buy tickets. Not a good option if you want to make to DK without paying for part of journey.<br />
<br />
To go to [[Puttgarden]] from Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
<br />
''Hamburg-Stillhorn'': If you can get a ride to this gas station you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction towards [[Lübeck]] - however, only people living in the southern part of the city are likely to pass by here.<br />
<br />
''Lübeck'': It is possible to accept a ride either to Lübeck or to the Neustadt gas station just north of the city (but that is more rare). In case you can get dropped off at the onramp leading out of central Lübeck in direction Neustadt, wait for a ride that will take you at least to the gas station 10 km north.<br />
<br />
'''For direction [[Århus]]''' you can also accept a ride towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
<br />
<br />
'''For Sweden bound travellers'''<br />
<br />
You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or Travemünde near [[Lübeck]]. The ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen has been discontinued.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic (Poles, to be blunt), and it's much nicer to stand here. I waited around 40 minutes until a truck driver stopped.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to wait until they have left. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
Regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.<br />
<br />
</br></br><br />
OR<br />
</br></br><br />
<br />
Bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
</br></br><br />
There is a map on [[Crossable_rest_areas_in_Germany#Autobahn_A10|crossable rest areas in Germany]] that tells you exactly how to get from one side of Michendorf to the other.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
Update : It may seem like there is no shoulder for cars to pull up but there is which most drivers know (remark: I waited more than an hour there without getting a lift, the entrance if the highway has 2 lanes and much more space to stop. There I got a ride in less than 30min) . We could not see it and got confused and took a ride in the direction of airport, wasted like 3 hours and came back to this point crossed the road and got the first ride within 5 minutes. <br />
<br />
* UPDATE 08/2020<br />
Construction ongoing, a bit different, the highway ramp to the right is closed but many cars continue towards the south a different way. Comfortably walk against them (eastwards) for about 500 m, on a small bridge there is a tight lane to stop but long enough for a truck (52.4127747N, 13.5658911E). The cars are passing at 30 kmh. [[User:Duffajfka|Duffajfka]] got a truck in 20 minutes towards Dresden. However, his friend Jan had a negative experience just few days later, waited for 1.5 hours in the evening and eventually was told to leave by police because of "danger".<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations. Most people stops on second.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
<br />
Directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work.<br />
<br />
Very close is the station "U Siemensdamm".<br />
Of course it is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
<br />
''If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.''<br />
<br />
''Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.''<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<br />
'''This option requires the least walking.''' Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (requires BC/ABC ticket). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
<br />
Alternative: Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 1 stop with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to ''Dahlewitz''. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cars and trucks. Altogether you need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! You won't have to wait too long to hitch a ride almost anywhere in Eastern Europe.<br />
<br />
'''S-Bahn + 2 stops with train + 5 km walking''' <br />
<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train 2 stops to ''Rangsdorf''. Walk the Kienitzer Str until the crossing with L40 road. Continue walking 500 metres and turn left on the gravel road. You will hear the highway and see a rest area through the bushes.<br />
<br />
'''Train + bus with one C zone ticket''' <br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
From train stop ''S Blankenfelde'' catch bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area.<br />
<br />
From eastern Berlin, go to ''S Königs Wusterhausen'', catch bus 730 to ''Brusendorf, Kreuzung'' (15 min ride with same C zone ticket) and walk down the L40 road for ~500 metres. On the first intersection, turn right onto the gravel road. You should hear the highway and see a rest stop through the trees.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. When [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] arrived here in October 2019, there was no padlock on the gate so it could simply be opened from either side of the fence.<br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though (verified 2014-09-03).<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
So first you need to go Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus to Sachsenhausen Kirche and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. at this point the B96 still looks like a highway. but don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. so you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
Weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche. then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen and walk 30 minutes to the spot. Check before on vbb-Homepage!<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
<br />
Getting into Berlin since the ring is big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. Good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Highway 10 (Poland > Amsterdam) - Rasthof Michendorf ===<br />
<br />
The best to hitchhike is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station '''Update!'''-> As of January 2020, there is a construction going on there and I didn't find any possible way to cross from the Nord station to the other side of the motorway where the Sud Station is). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
If you want to go '''reach Berlin most efficiently''' with public transports the best is to get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version:<br />
<br />
If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. Ca. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station. The last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41!<br />
<br />
Like [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 that].<br />
<br />
Alternatively you can take the same road in the [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks other direction] and go to the S-Bahn station of Wildau.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A115 - Spanische Allee ===<br />
<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<!-- [[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of Autobahn A2/E30]] --><br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Ruhr area warning ===<br />
<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours. There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]].<br />
<br />
== Trashwiki & Nomadwiki ==<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Berlin]]<br />
[[nomad:Berlin]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Berlin]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=New_Zealand&diff=97570New Zealand2020-03-27T20:39:23Z<p>Raureif: /* North Island */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{infobox Country<br />
|country = of New Zealand<br />
|map= <map lat="-41.045886836287" lng="174.13183593748" zoom="5" view="0" float="right" /><br />
|Official Language = English and Te Reo (Maori language) <br />
|capital = [[Wellington]]<br />
|pop = 4,403,000<br />
|currency = New Zealand Dollar<br />
|hitch = <rating country='nz' /><br />
|BW = NZ<br />
}}<br />
<br />
[[File:Elsa amylin kiwi experience.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Elsa and [[User:Amylin|Amylin]] hitching the Kiwi experience]]<br />
<br />
'''New Zealand''' is an extremely easy country for hitchhiking. There are a lot of friendly people, and hitching is legal and comparatively safe. By hitching you'll be involved a lot in the local life. You'll have invitations to parties, homes. Cars drive on the left side, so be careful if you're not experienced with that.<br />
<br />
At least in high and shoulder season, hitchhiking is very popular among backpackers travelling around New Zealand, especially in the South Island. Leave early before hostel checkout times (usually 10pm) and you have better chances to avoid competition situations among hitchhikers.<br />
<br />
There are only motorways around the big cities, [[Auckland]], [[Christchurch]], [[Wellington]] and [[Dunedin]], the rest are highways, secondary/tertiary roads or dirt roads.<br />
<br />
== In General ==<br />
Another awesome place to travel, [[WWOOF]] and hitch. Not as many long distance rides as in the Australian [[Outback]], because towns are quite close from each other, but on the other hand not as "dangerous" to hitchhike. <br />
<br />
=== North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui ===<br />
A bit smaller than the South Island, although much more populated: 3,5 million out of New Zealand's 4,5 million inhabitants. This island is a bit less touristic, but cities are bigger. Hitching is easy. <br />
<br />
=== South Island or Te Waipounamu ===<br />
The South Island is bigger but less populated, only 1 million, and is the most touristic so you will often be picked up by travelers, especially along the West Coast where there isn't a lot of local traffic. Hitching is extremely easy.<br />
<br />
===From one island to the other===<br />
The 3-4 hour ferry costs around NZ$50 - Interislander and Bluebridge have almost identical pricing. Since car bookings also incur a fee per person about the same as per foot passenger, cars won't be able to take you on, and grouping together wouldn't help either. You may get lucky and find a special discount on their Facebook page (or subscribe to their newsletters for a promo code), and there's always the usual 10% BBH/YHA/Student/...<br />
<br />
Planes are more expensive with booking fees and luggage. But some very cheap prices come up on grabaseat as little as $30 frim Auckland to Christchurch! You literally can't hitch there for that. <br />
<br />
[[Hitchhiking a boat]] would not be a simple task, the passage is not an easy one.<br />
<br />
== Maps ==<br />
* [http://www.topomap.co.nz/] Topomaps for hiking etc with all tracks, contour lines etc - an online version of official and free LINZ maps<br />
* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/maps] DOC maps with markup for tracks, huts and activities<br />
* [http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/new-zealand-map/interactive_map_home.cfm/ newzealand.com commercial tourism info]<br />
<br />
== When? ==<br />
Summers start in October/November but being a maritime climate the weather can be changeable. The weather in January - March is a little more settled.<br />
<br />
Winter can be harsh and snowy, keep this in mind when planning your travel. The general snow season is about early June until early October in the South Island/central North Island. Gloves, scarf and hat are definitely a good idea.<br />
<br />
== Other travelling infos ==<br />
Look at the [http://nomadwiki.org/en/New_Zealand Nomadwiki article] for more, but free camping ("freedom camping") has recently become a huge issue and can expose you to a NZ$200 fine. Enforcement officers are very active in summer and it is best to find legitimate free camping spots provided by local councils or DoC.<br />
<br />
== North Island ==<br />
* [[Auckland]], biggest city<br />
* [[Hamilton (New Zealand)]]<br />
* [[Rotorua]]<br />
* [[New Plymouth]]<br />
* [[Palmerston North]]<br />
* [[Taupo]]<br />
* [[Tauranga]]<br />
* [[Wellington]], the capital city<br />
* [[Whangarei]]<br />
<br />
== South Island ==<br />
* [[Blenheim]]<br />
* [[Christchurch]]<br />
* [[Dunedin]]<br />
* [[Invercargill]]<br />
* [[Kaikoura]]<br />
* [[Nelson]]<br />
* [[Picton]]<br />
* [[Queenstown]]<br />
* [[Richmond]]<br />
* [[Aoraki/Mt Cook]]<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Oceania}}<br />
<!--<br />
[[lh:NZ]]<br />
[[digi:world/Oceania/New-Zealand]]<br />
[[cswiki:New Zealand]]<br />
[[wikivoyage:New Zealand]]--><br />
[[trash:New Zealand]]<br />
[[nomad:New Zealand]]<br />
{{hitchbase_country|141}}<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:New Zealand| ]]<br />
[[Category:Oceania]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Neuseeland]]<br />
[[es:Nueva Zelanda]]<br />
[[nomad:New Zealand]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Rotorua&diff=97569Rotorua2020-03-27T20:01:19Z<p>Raureif: Initial info for leaving Rotorua</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Rotorua''' is a city in the North Island of [[New Zealand]]. <br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
=== West towards [[Auckland]], [[Hamilton (New Zealand)]] ===<br />
<br />
Take bus 01 from the city centre towards ''Ngongotaha'' and get off at "''Ngongotaha Road - Opposite No.430''", which is shortly before the roundabout of State Hwy 5 and Ngongotaha Rd. Cross the roundabout area and walk westwards on the left hand side of the State Hwy; a few metres past the speed signs, the shoulder becomes very wide – a perfect place for people to stop before speeding up, and most cars will be going all the way to Hamilton or even Auckland.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Tauranga]] (via SH36/Pyes Pa Rd) ===<br />
<br />
This route is slightly more scenic than the Eastern approach to Tauranga (since you'll pass through ''Kaharoa Gorge'') and is recommended if you're heading for Tauranga CBD or the city's western suburbs. <br />
<br />
Take bus 01 from the city centre towards ''Ngongotaha'' and get off at "''Waiteti Road - Fronting No.41''", which is directly opposite a ''marae'' (a traditional communal gathering place, often a beautiful wooden building, of the Māori people). Walk back to the main road, carefully cross it, turn right and walk up for a few metres. Shortly before the "speed limit ends" signs, the shoulder is wide enough for someone to stop, and vehicles are not at their top speed yet. This is your hitching spot; although some people's destination will be ''Hamurana'' (a locality on the northern shore of Lake Rotorua), most will be going straight to Tauranga.<br />
<br />
=== East towards Whakatane, Gisborne and [[Tauranga]] (via SH33) ===<br />
<br />
This route is a smoother ride than the Northern approach to Tauranga (due to the fewer bends and sharp turns on the road) and is recommended if you're heading for Mt Maunganui, Papamoa or the city's other eastern suburbs. <br />
<br />
Take bus 10 from the city centre towards ''Rotorua Airport'' and get off at the airport. Walk back to the main road and hitch straight from the intersection, where the shoulder has been widened for bicyclists (which are a rare sight, even in summer). If you have no luck, you can walk up the road towards the city boundary: Just before the "speed limit ends" signs, there's a sealed half circle for cars to do a u-turn, where people can stop to pick you up.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, take the same bus but get off at "''Vaughan Road - Fronting No.36A''". Walk back, turn left and head for the big roundabout. Once there, turn left and hitch from the former bus stop just in front of Repco. Be aware that the majority of the (heavy) traffic during the day here is local and doesn't leave the city.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Taupo]], New Plymouth and [[Wellington]] ===<br />
<br />
If you're feeling lazy, you can almost hitch from the CBD: There's a bus stop/bay on Fenton St adjacent to the Pak 'N Save supermarket where you could stand and put out your thumb. There's also plenty of opportunity further down on Fenton St since the speed limit is 50 km/h and the shoulder is wide enough for people to stop (often, there will be parked cars/trucks though).<br />
<br />
To maximise your chances however, take bus 11 from the centre towards ''Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology via Fenton Park and Te Puia'' and get off at "''Hemo Road - Fronting No. 30''", which is directly in front of the ''Te Puia'' tourist attraction. You can also walk there if it's a nice day, it'll take roughly 45 minutes from the CBD. Hitch a few metres up from the bus stop (so as to not block the next bus if you happen to be still waiting); the shoulder is long and wide here, and most traffic passing this bus stop is leaving town.<br />
<br />
[[Category:New Zealand]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Yeosu&diff=97568Yeosu2020-03-26T22:27:25Z<p>Raureif: Initial info for leaving Yeosu</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Yeosu''' (여수) is a city in [[South Korea]].<br />
<br />
==Hitching out==<br />
<br />
=== North towards Suncheon ===<br />
<br />
Use a Korean navigation app (Naver Maps is very good and available in English) to find a bus (or walk, if staying near the EXPO site) to the city's train station, ''Yeosu EXPO Station''. National road 17 runs North/South along the train station and is the major road out of Yeosu. There's a long turning lane on the road's Northbound portion that's a good spot for cars to stop and pick you up, simply stand on the side of the road and put up your thumb. Very few cars use the turn-off on the right hand side of the tunnel, and almost all cars entering the tunnel here have their destination near Suncheon or one of the nearby towns, from where you can proceed further. Ask to get dropped off at one of the toll gates if your destination is further afield (ie [[Gwangju]], [[Busan]]).<br />
<br />
[[Category:South Korea]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=97567User:Raureif2020-03-26T21:51:16Z<p>Raureif: Added categories</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Several spots in [[South Korea]] and [[Malaysia]], always less than 5 minutes.<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my girlfriend and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm holding onto some metal lock bars!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my girlfriend. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my girlfriend a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my girlfriend and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers]]<br />
[[Category:Hitchhikers in Germany]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Hamilton_(New_Zealand)&diff=97561Hamilton (New Zealand)2020-03-22T14:32:36Z<p>Raureif: Removed pointless advice ("take a bus to AKL airport for $20" - really? This is Hitchwiki...). Huntly advice for going North not hat great either. Adding some options without leaving town that need verification</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Hamilton''' is a town in the North Island of [[New Zealand]]. <br />
<br />
== Hitching out ==<br />
=== East/South towards [[Tauranga]], [[Rotorua]], [[Taupo]], Cambridge ===<br />
<br />
There is a very good spot on SH1 just after the intersection with McKracken Ave. Wait on Cambridge Rd on the other side of the road from the Mobil petrol station. The road goes from two to one lane, there is a bus stop where cars can pull in and you easily get a lift South. Don't accept rides to Tamahere. <br />
<br />
To get to that spot you should use Cambridge Road. If you go from the center of the city, don't try to go Grey Street and then along the SH1, there's no access for pedestrians on part of that way.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Auckland]] ===<br />
<br />
'''Option 1''' (untested): From the transport centre, take bus 8 (direction: ''Frankton'') and get off at ''28 Weka St''. Walk back into the direction you came from, to the intersection with ''Keruru St'', and turn left onto it. Follow it until the end and turn right onto the bend (''Edgar St''), and follow this road north to the intersection with State Hwy 1. From there, you'll already see the Z petrol station on the northbound side of the State Hwy. <br />
<br />
Hitch from the petrol station; to be more visible to traffic that doesn't need to fill up, you can also go up the road a bit further, where the shoulder widens enough for someone to stop before one lane turns into two lanes.<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''' (untested): From the transport centre, take bus 9 (direction: ''Nawton (to The Base)'') and get off at ''27 Wall St''. Walk up towards the intersection with ''Dominion Rd'' and turn right onto it, then walk to up the roundabout with ''Avalon Drv''/SH1 and turn left. Follow the State Hwy north: About 350 metres past the big roundabout, there is a road sign stating "Te Rapa", "Chartwell" and "Auckland/SH1". From here, the shoulder widens and there's enough space for someone to stop. Hitch from the road sign.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:New Zealand]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Nelson&diff=97560Nelson2020-03-22T13:39:21Z<p>Raureif: Richmond is (South-)West of Nelson, not East - fixed.</p>
<hr />
<div>[[File:Elsa amylin to nelson.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Elsa and [[User:Amylin|Amylin]] in [[Blenheim]], hitching to Nelson]]<br />
'''Nelson''' is a city in [[New Zealand]]'s South Island.<br />
<br />
== Hitching within the city ==<br />
It's easy to hitchhike ''inside'' Nelson. Girls will often be picked up by the first car, boys might have to wait a bit longer.<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
=== West towards [[Richmond]] ===<br />
When you're heading west, out of the city, it's better to have yourself dropped off a bit further off, in [[Richmond]]. Otherwise you might find yourself waiting quite a long time.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Picton]], [[Blenheim]] and the Marlborough Sounds ===<br />
Go to Trafalgar St North of the Roundabout to the State Hwy (about 50 meters), where you'll find a car park with plenty of space to stop – a perfect place.<br />
<br />
<!--<br />
{|style="margin: 0 auto;"<br />
|<map lat='-41.30024980986822' lng='173.24615478515625' zoom='12' view='0' float='right' width='700' height='350'/><br />
|}--><br />
[[trash:Nelson]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:New Zealand]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=97559User:Raureif2020-03-21T16:31:51Z<p>Raureif: Added statistics, notable rides and notables drivers v1</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
== Statistics ==<br />
<br />
* '''Shortest wait''': Several spots in [[South Korea]] and [[Malaysia]], always less than 5 minutes.<br />
* '''Longest wait''': Approx 3 ½ hours at a petrol station in Carseldine, [[Brisbane]], heading for Hervey Bay ([[Australia]]). The guy who eventually picked me up did take me all the way to my destination!<br />
* '''Shortest lift''': Approx 3 minutes (1 km) from Buada Lagoon back to Boe, [[Nauru]] – since I couldn't be arsed walking back in the heat.<br />
* '''Longest lift''': More than 11 hours (578 km) from Litang to [[Chengdu]], [[China]] (with a rich local couple in their brand new Audi SUV).<br />
* '''Easiest country''': South Korea. One time my girlfriend and I even got picked up within a dense urban area at a random bus stop (we had a sign though).<br />
* '''Hardest country''': [[Laos]]. Of trying to hitchhike six times in prime locations, only two times we were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers, not locals.<br />
* '''Highest speed''': 210 km/h on the A 24 ''Autobahn'' from [[Hamburg]] to [[Berlin]].<br />
* '''Lowest speed''': About 10 - 15 km/h on a pothole-ridden dirt road in [[East Timor]].<br />
<br />
== Notable rides ==<br />
<br />
* Cameron Highlands towards [[Ipoh]] ([[Malaysia]]): After waiting for a good 30 to 40 minutes, a truck passed without stopping. Before it went around a corner about 200 metres away, I can see the truck stopping and reversing towards me. I realise they're coming back to give me a lift: Three young Malaysians, who don't speak any English – but I'm able to convey my destination to them. It turns out I have to ride in the back of the truck. Its only content? A wooden chair that I'm sitting on the whole ride while I'm holding onto some metal lock bars!<br />
<br />
* Kampot towards Kep ([[Cambodia]]): A scooter with an attractive, young Cambodian women stops for me and my girlfriend. She's willing to give us a lift; for me it's highly questionable though how she intends to do this, being three people with four bags (one of them a huge 85 L backpack) now that go on a vehicle designed to carry two people without luggage. With one foot on the exhaust, the other one hanging in the air and the 18 kg backpack intending to kill me by permanently pulling me to the road behind us, I'm now sure this is an experience I don't want to make again...at least not with luggage!<br />
<br />
== Notable drivers ==<br />
<br />
* After walking more than half an hour in the heat, with a heavy big backpack, a smaller one and a full food bag attached to it and – since everyone needs challenges, eh? – a box of beer cans in my hands, a white rental SUV stops near a bridge on the Bruce Highway several kilometres outside of [[Townsville]]. The girl is probably in her late twenties, and she cheerily invites me to join her on her way to [[Cairns]], where she's going to see family of hers. We have the usual get-to-know-each-other-conversation, and I soon notice a number of scars on her upper legs. One or two hours later, having had a lively conversation with some laughs in between, we change the topic and she tells me she's working on fishing boats around Australia, that she had to fend off numerous rape attempts on the boats being the only female, and thus always sleeps with a knife now. Shortly after this unsettling revelation we fall silent, and it doesn't take long until she announces: "I don't think you should be here anymore. You'll get off now." Mind you I didn't enquire further about her work environment, or anything personal afterwards for that matter. Fortunately we had reached a small town by then and I didn't mind getting off. Oh, the characters you meet while hitchhiking...<br />
<br />
* A young, well-groomed local giving me and my girlfriend a ride from an intersection near Den Chai to [[Chiang Mai]], [[Thailand]]. We talk using Google Translator, and find out he's working in the "film and beauty industry", however he doesn't get more specific than that. He's very keen to learn more about our travels, but as we reach his booked hotel in the outskirts of the city, he starts to completely ignore us once we got off the car, puts his sunglasses on and checks into the hotel (still wearing the glasses, which he didn't wear while driving). Perhaps he was a Thai celebrity who didn't want to be seen with random backpackers...we'll never know!<br />
<br />
* Going from Kampong Cham towards [[Siem Reap]], Cambodia, a sedan with a government number plate stop besides us – inside are a driver, three young Cambodian women and a chock-a-block boot which certainly has no space anymore for my massive main backpack, the two smaller ones and the food bag we're carrying. Yet they're too happy to take us part of the way, and I'm beginning to understand how people from developing countries manage to get so many things in a relatively small space! One of the women speaks pretty good English, they're on their way to a graduation ceremony or something. Soon the talk revolves around handsome men, so I leave my girlfriend and the other ladies to it and smile, just as the (male) driver does.<br />
<br />
* Going from Battambang to [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia, we're picked up by a local family in a Toyota Hilux with an old man on the front passenger's seat. First we think it's the grandpa, but later it turns out he's a rich neighbour of the family and pays them to take him around Cambodia for leisure and business. They take us to a memorial site for some Cambodian king, to a random waterfall (complete with big food market, entrance fees to the swimming/picnic area and heaps of local families) as well as a plantation: There we buy organic palm juice, which, after a night in the fridge and thanks to fermentation, tastes similar to Fanta or other soda pops – only that it's natural and good for you. How awesome is that?!<br />
<br />
* At the ''Raststätte Biegener Hellen Süd'', near the border of [[Germany]] and [[Poland]], I get picked up by a little, weird pensioner and his "friend", an even weirder guy in his late thirties/early forties who looks like a classic football hooligan. As my previous wait took nearly three hours and I was getting tired, I even agree when the old guy asks me if I could contribute a little money for taking me over to Poland. During the short drive to the motorway intersection towards Słubice, I learn that they come to Poland almost every weekend exclusively to buy alcohol...and I'm thinking the old dude might as well be drunk now by the way he talks and his driving style. His hooligan friend meanwhile boasts with all the expensive vehicles he allegedly owns: Harley Davidson's, a Ford Mustang, you know. I'm rather happy to get off soon, and as I want to give €5 to the guy upon arrival, he waves dismissively and proclaims (after having heard I'm travelling by hitchhiking only): "Schon jut, du bist 'ne arme Sau!" (English: "Nevermind, you're a poor bastard!")<br />
<br />
* The attractive mum with her primary school-aged son who picked me up in the outskirts of [[Kaliningrad]]: She, a native Russian with no family ties to Central Europe, speaks very good German but no English – the only person I've met so far with this constellation.<br />
<br />
* After waiting for more than one hour for a car that can take me and a guy from [[Kyrgyzstan]], whom I've met randomly a few hours earlier, across the Russian-Lithuanian border on the Curonian Spit (walking is not allowed), a minivan stops and agrees to take us all the way to [[Klaipėda]]. There's three guys of different nationalities already in the car, and at the immigration booths, the officials collect one passport each from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]].</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Hamburg&diff=97558Hamburg2020-03-21T11:19:24Z<p>Raureif: Removed outdated info and fixed a few typos</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='53.5533628' lng='9.989319' zoom='9' view='3' /><br />
|pop = 1.773.218 (28 February 2008)<br />
|state = Hamburg<br />
|plate = HH<br />
|motorways = [[A1 (Germany)|A1]], [[A7 (Germany)|A7]], [[A23 (Germany)|A23]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]], [[A25 (Germany)|A25]]<br />
|BW = DE/Hamburg/Hamburg<br />
}}<br />
'''Hamburg''' is the second largest city in [[Germany]] and is located in the north. <br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Lübeck]], [[Puttgarden]] {{Autobahn|1}} (& East towards [[Berlin]] {{Autobahn|24}}) ===<br />
==== Option 1: Serways Raststätte Stillhorn Ost ====<br />
Take S-bahn S3 or S31 to ''Wilhelmsburg'' and then bus 13 to the last stop at ''Kirchdorf-Süd''. Walk east along Karl-Arnold-Ring for 200 m. Keep walking straight and cross over the small bridge. Turn '''right''' after the bridge on Altenfelder Weg and walk for ≈500 m to the junction with Stillhorner Weg. If you look around here you will see an underpass, go under the autobahn and walk for 400 m until a small road to your left (Jakobsberg) just after the on-ramp. Walk 300 m north along this path and you will reach the back of the Raststätte.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Horner Kreisel ====<br />
Follow the directions as for Berlin below. Use a sign.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Lüneburg]] {{Autobahn|39}}, [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|7}} & Southwest towards [[Bremen]] {{Autobahn|1}} ===<br />
Take S-bahn S3 or S31 to ''Wilhelmsburg'' and then bus 13 to the last stop at ''Kirchdorf-Süd'' (max. ten minute trip). Walk east along Karl-Arnold-Ring for 200 m. Keep walking straight and cross over the small bridge. Turn '''left''' and walk 100 m to the parking lot of Raststätte Stillhorn. <br />
<br />
If you are going towards the [[Netherlands]], get a ride south to ''Dammer Berge'' on the A1 (just before [[Osnabrück]]), where the [[A1 (Germany)|A1]] joins the [[A30 (Germany)|A30]] in the direction of [[Rheine]] and [[Amsterdam]].<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Flensburg]], [[Kiel]], [[Denmark]] {{Autobahn|7}} ===<br />
==== Option 1: Autobahn Junction HH-Schnelsen ====<br />
Take U-bahn ''U2'' towards ''Niendorf-Markt''. From there get out and ask people for the bus station (''Busbahnhof''). Take bus 5 or bus 191 and get off at ''Freizeitbad Bondenwald''. This is a bus stop with a bus bay and here all the traffic to the motorway passes by.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Holmoor ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S3 or S21 to ''Eidelstadt'', and then A1 to ''Quickborn''. It is possible to blackride. Then take bus 594 in direction of ''U A Norderstedt Mitte'' and get off after the bus goes over the motorway (''Hasloher Weg'' stop). After getting off the bus, walk in the direction back towards the bridge (west) and you will immediately see a small road going left (Hasloher Weg). You will feel you are lost in the country side because after 200 m, this way doesn't look like a street anymore. Never mind, keep going straight for another 400 m and on your right you will see the petrol station. We needed less than five minutes to find a driver to Denmark :D<br />
<br />
'''Update june 2018:'''<br />
The area around the highway is under construction, so you cant cross it via the mentioned road above.<br />
You can follow the instruction above but get off at stop ''Hasloh'' instead of ''Quickborn'', go in direction of the train, turn right at ''Kirschenallee'', which becomes ''Dorfstrasse'', follow the road until you cross the highway, turn left at ''Quickborner weg'' and follow that into the woods until you reach Holmoor gasstation. Around 30-40 mins walking. Or you can go to ''Norderstedt Mitte'' instead and walk from there.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Berlin]] {{Autobahn|24}} & (Northeast towards [[Lübeck]], [[Puttgarden]] {{Autobahn|1}}) ===<br />
[[File:Leaving Hamburg direction Puttgarden.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitching on Horner Kreisel - illegal version!]]<br />
[[File:Hamburg-Berlin.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitching on busstop "Caspar-Voght-Straße" - legal version!]]<br />
[[File:Hornerbus.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Hitching spot busstop "BAB Auffahrt Horn"]]<br />
<br />
If you're planning to hitchhike towards [[Berlin]] on the [[A24 (Germany)|A24]], there's a bus stop near a big [[roundabout]] in the southeast of the city where it's possible to catch a ride directly to Berlin or at least part of the way. This spot is called the ''Horner Kreisel'' and is a popular hitchhiking spot for many hitchhikers in [[Germany]]. Here you can stand and wait for a ride. This works fine. For hitchhiking to Berlin prepare a cardboard sign with a huge B written on it, which is the number plate sign for cars from Berlin and understood widely. It's a good spot.<br />
<br />
The easiest way to get there is from the Station ''Hasselbrook'' (S1, S11). You leave the train in the direction of Steindamm, upstairs turn right and the after a few meters left into the Caspar-Voght-Straße. Follow this street 500 meters until the big crossing with Sievekingsallee. On the opposite side of the Sievekingsallee you'll see the bus-stop ''Caspar-Voght-Straße''. Ask for the road to Berlin if you are lost. Go further up the road and look for a bus stop with a large blue metal pole in front with lots of hitch-hiker traces :). It's just in front of the "Horner Kreisel" and is called "BAB Auffahrt Horn". You can also reach there by taking the U2 or U4 to "Rauhes Haus". This spot is actually great, because owners of Turkish shop at the station noticed strange amounts of hitchhikers in front of their business. I think they are quite enjoying it. Just when I was about to start, they invited me in for a free Turkish coffee and cigarette (I usually don't smoke, but this was kind of nice). They got some carton boxes and marker just for assisting hitchhikers, so they made one for me. Highly recommended (although it was two years ago, so I just hope they are still there).<br />
<br />
Please note, some years ago they reconstructed the Horner Kreisel. Earlier it was possible to stand in the middle of it on an bus stop, but now the bus stop is located '''before''' the roundabout where the cars are driving pretty fast, and on the Kreisel the cars have no opportunity to stop.<br />
<br />
Some hitchhikers claim that hitching on the roundabout turn-off direction Berlin is easier, as here you have much more traffic going your way. It's recommended to stand immediately after the roundabout, in the grass before the blue motorway sign. Cars can stop right after the motorway sign. This place is used by many hitchhikers. It's not uncommon to find a direct lift to Berlin in 5 minutes. But it has to be pointed out that doing so is against the law, for the Autobahn starts there − and you must not walk or stop on it. Hitchhikers and drivers, who stop there, can be fined. Apart form the legal aspect, bear in mind that this may be dangerous for you! <br />
<br />
Update 22/10/2017: We were two people hitching and we tried several spot near the round about. The best one would be the one around 100m before the bus station at a traffic light. It can be difficult to get a ride because there is often traffic but anyway it seems to be the best spot to get a ride directly to Berlin.<br />
<br />
If you want to go to Puttgarden for going into [[Scandinavia]], you can hitch to the ferry at Puttgarden, and get a ride straight to [[Copenhagen]]. Have a look at the [[Puttgarden]] article for more info.<br />
<br />
== Links ==<br />
{{nomadwiki}}<br />
* [http://www.hitchbase.com/ergebnisse.php?LANG=eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=19 Hamburg in the Hitchbase] - Nine entries, all in German<br />
<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E45]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E22]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Copenhagen]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Hamburg]]<br />
[[fr:Hamburg]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Gwangju&diff=97557Gwangju2020-03-21T10:57:18Z<p>Raureif: Added very good spot to go East</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Gwangju''' (광주) is a city in [[South Korea]].<br />
<br />
==Hitching out==<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Busan]], Suncheon, Tongyeong===<br />
'''Option 1''': Take a bus nr. 500 to five tombs place. You'll see the main road from the bus stop, just follow the sign to "Gwangju IC". The road to the toll gate is straight.<br />
<br />
experience summer 2018: I went there and failed to catch a ride after waiting for over 1 hour there with a sign in Hangeul. I looked good, '''it may have been sheer bad luck'''. I ended up asking drivers at the petrol station across the street to bring me to a service area/tollgate. Eventually after half an hour of talking with my phone's translator to them one man drove me to the tollgate towards Daegu. I then found a trucker who took me all the way. Beautiful scenery. The issue with this spot is that there was little space for drivers to pull over safely.<br />
<br />
'''Option 2''': Use a Korean navigation app (Naver Maps is very good and available in English) to find a bus to take and get off at a stop in the Northeast of the city nearby the petrol station at these coordinates: [https://osm.org/go/54whJ~Xy~?m= 35.211149, 126.945946 (link to OSM)]. Cross the road onto the side where the petrol station is, and follow the pedestrian walkway back to a small intersection, where the bisecting road to the right has the highway going across it by means of a bridge. Squeezed between the main road you've come from with the bus and the elevated highway you'll see another road almost in front of you: Take this one and simply follow it. It's an emergency/service highway off-ramp directly behind the toll gate for traffic going East, and you can simply access the highway by walking it up. It's got road blocks on top of it so don't worry about traffic. Due to the toll gate there's plenty of space to stop, and indeed some trucks take their rest break here. In June 2019, [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] and his girlfriend hardly waited five minutes with a sign saying "Suncheon" in Korean when a truck driver waived them over and took them all the way to Yeosu.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Jeonju]], [[Daejeon]]===<br />
<br />
There is a really good spot on the '''northeast of the city''', quite far from the city center but the cars go really slow and there is a big space for stopping. It is near the ramp, not in the highway, so you are legal there. The spot here[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=35.1817&mlon=126.9309#map=12/35.1817/126.9309]. Got a ride in 20 minutes. <br />
<br />
[[Category:South Korea]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User_talk:Dxc&diff=97555User talk:Dxc2020-03-20T20:11:49Z<p>Raureif: Let's talk about updates on the Berlin page</p>
<hr />
<div>Hello, Dxc! Here's wishing you a belated welcome to Hitchwiki! I see that you've already been around a while and wanted to thank you for [[Special:Contributions/Dxc|your contributions]]. If you want to get to know the site a little better, you might find the following useful:<br />
<br />
<div style='width:80%; border:1px #999; background:#eeefee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; -moz-border-radius:0.5em; text-align:center'><br />
[[Hitchwiki:Why this wiki|Why this wiki]] - [[Hitchwiki:How we want to keep Hitchwiki|How we want to keep this wiki]] - [[Hitchwiki:Why we work on this wiki|Why we work on this wiki]] - [[project:How to participate|How to participate]] - [[Hitchwiki:Hitchwiki_needs_you|Hitchwiki needs you]] - [[Hitchwiki:Add a new page|Add a new page]] <!-- add more --><br />
</div><br />
<br />
I hope you like it here and continue to contribute. If you have any questions, you can ask me on my talk page or ask at the [[Hitchwiki:Community Portal|community portal.]] Happy editing!<br />
-- [[User:Irningston|Irningston]] ([[User talk:Irningston|talk]]) 20:37, 22 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Updates on [[Berlin]] page==<br />
Hey mate, I left some questions on the Talk/Discussion page of Berlin. Would be great if you could answer and we agree on how it should look like! Cheers. --[[User:Raureif|Raureif]] ([[User talk:Raureif|talk]]) 20:11, 20 March 2020 (UTC)</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Talk:Berlin&diff=97554Talk:Berlin2020-03-20T20:01:43Z<p>Raureif: Wanna talk about the recent changes and what you guys think about a major clean-up</p>
<hr />
<div>==Clean-up of Berlin page (March/April 2020)==<br />
With the corona virus upon us, I'll have some spare time soon and will use it to update most, if not all sections of this article: Fixing typos, removing public transport prices (they change every other year so it's better to just mention which zones you should buy a ticket for) and the like. All contributors and fellow hitchers: Feel free to provide your input towards this. --[[User:Raureif|Raureif]] ([[User talk:Raureif|talk]]) 20:01, 20 March 2020 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Recent edits (March 2020)==<br />
Hi there, pinging user [[User:Dxc|Dxc]] in particular. <br />
<br />
1) If you look closely, I did add a map for walking to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan - new thumbnails are currently not showing. I've notified one of the admins of this issue, but don't expect a quick solution. Either way, I don't think it's a good idea to add things like "add a map pls" on the actual page, it should be on the Talk page (right here) instead. Not to mention that this something entirely optional: Most contributions on Hitchwiki do not have walking maps.<br />
<br />
2) Why all the spaces/breaks between the sections of the article? It doesn't look nice and is non-wiki standard. I'm inclined to undo your edit, but feel free to comment first.<br />
<br />
3) Why did you add "wild camping" at Adlershof? As written before, this area is being developed as business park. Almost all trees and bushes have been removed, it's next to impossible to camp there and not being seen by someone - some city parks would even be better for this. --[[User:Raureif|Raureif]] ([[User talk:Raureif|talk]]) 20:01, 20 March 2020 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Raststätte Grunewald open again?==<br />
Hi, i was wondering if the great hitch-spot to Leipzig was okay again. Seems as if the Autobahn has been finished:<br />
http://www.bz-berlin.de/bezirk/charlottenburg/berlin-kann-avus-heute-freigabe-article1589930.html<br />
I might try it this weekend.<br />
<br />
==Not pickup after 6 hours in Airport Berlin-Schönefeld==<br />
<br />
I wanted to go to Usti nad Labem (after Dresden).<br />
I was at the airport. I arrived there around 12pm. <br />
I waited, waited. I trusted this place because on hitchwiki it was written that it's the best place to go to Dresden. The only traffic sign was Dresden by highway and I had a big sign ''Dresden''.<br />
I was confident to find a lift. I waited, waited, a lot of cars, nobody stopped. I tried without sign, then 2 cars stopped but they were not going in the right direction.<br />
After 6 hours I finally gave up and went back to Berlin where I was sleeping before.<br />
<br />
On the evening I was so disappointed, I looked everywhere. I looked for liftsharing, for train.<br />
I finally chose liftsharing for Dresden and wanted to hitchhike the rest.<br />
I tried to call 4 persons: 2 didn't answer, 1 was full and the last didn't speak English...<br />
Then I didn't have a choice: Hitchhike again.<br />
<br />
I looked on hitchwiki and saw the spot for go to Leipzig. I wanted to go to Dresden by Leipzig. But I noticed that there are two petrol stations, one for the west direction and another for the east direction.<br />
<br />
Then I went on the petrol station on the east direction where of course most of the people go to Berlin, then I found somebody in 20 minutes to go to the next petrol station, then somebody to go a bit in the direction of Dresden quite quickly, then somebody for go to Dresden easily too.<br />
I think I will remove this place near the airport and tell to use this petrol station. It's much better.<br />
Any objection?<br />
<br />
<br />
Rémi <br />
<br />
<br />
:The airport spot indeed is not very good, but you should be flexible as well when hitching. Taking a ride to the next on-ramp could probably help you more than neglecting rides and wait until 'the one' is going to Dresden. Other details, what weekday was it? But yes, Schoenefeld spot is not one of the best. Once I hitched there to get west to Hannover, took a ride east to Poland, switched sides at the first on-ramp (K-Wusterhausen) and then hitched on there along ramps to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
:Michendorf is probably the one you mention about cars going west and east. If you had a look on the map, you would see that there's a highway split just behind Michendorf going west (Hanover) and south (Leipzig, Munich). This service station _is_ perfect for hitching south, all the times I was there I got ride offers to at least Leipzig or Munich. Maybe it just wasn't your day? Also, the one in direction east is pretty okay, there should be some Polish dudes going to Poland, so you could have taken a ride there on to the next service station before the A10/A13 split. Though most cars go to Poland, rides direction Cottbus are pretty common. So it actually is possible, but as mentioned before, you probably just chosed a bad day for hitching. Good luck further on on your trips! --[[User:Platschi|Platschi]] 10:00, 21 June 2010 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::I would not delete the airport as an option. I would add that it does not always work there. Michendorf can be mentioned more clearly as a spot for southeast as well. --[[User:Kb|Kb]] 00:02, 23 June 2010 (UTC)<br />
::Ah, I decided to just do it the way I suggested ([http://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=42664&oldid=42286 like this]). If you think it needs to be clearer, you can still change it the way you think it's right. --[[User:Kb|Kb]] 00:29, 23 June 2010 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Yesterday I've waited 4 hours there. I've tried everything : Dresden, A13, no sign. two guys stopped when I had no sign, but were going in another direction. He told me that the next gas station was after the crossing (berliner ring / a13) so I didn't get in the car. Today I'm gonna try the ikea parkinglot.<br />
sebastien<br />
<br />
Same for me, it was a Tuesday. There was already a couple there when we arrived who stayed there for 3 hours. We changed with them and stayed there 3h again, We always had a Dresden sign though. Then we decided to move to Michendorf and got a ride towards Leipzig within 5 mins instead. (Our final destiny was Vienna, what we managed to reach on the next eve).<br />
Raffael<br />
<br />
Last week, middle of july, my nice looking girlfriend and I also waited a few hours. With or without sign no luck. Eventually we walked back to the airport and took the bus to Dresden. (around 15 euro pp)<br />
<br />
Donatas<br />
<br />
I hitchhiked from this spot two times. One time i hold the sign "CZ". The car with CZ plates stoped in 20 minutes. So i went to CZ. Another time i was heading to Poland. I hold PL sign. I was taken in 30 minutes to the border of Poland. So, guys, maybe it depends.<br />
<br />
==correction: way to Poland==<br />
<br />
i'v delated north poland out of the north/baltic title - i wanted to used this rout to get to szczecin (stetin)i lost 3h cuz u need to get the to the next highway to the right<br />
<br />
<br />
==Bus #263 from Grünau S-Bahn==<br />
<br />
I read on Ikea's website that this bus goes to the Ikea mentioned in the article; that is near the gas station [http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=5&langId=-3&catalogId=10103&StoreName=berlin_waltersdorf]. So I took the bus, and as the map implies, I expected the bus would go all the way to the Ikea. However, the bus ended some 3km from the Ikea at the end of Berlin and at the end of a residential area (edit sebastien **Waltersdorf / Stadtgrenze**). I think it did not go all the way because of the fact that when I did this it was a holiday. When I was approaching the mall, I saw a Metro and the petrol station in question on the other side of it. I do not know if it is possible to walk through the Metro because the entrance gates were closed. (edit : sebastien **it's impossible to go through the Metro parking place, except by jumping over an uncomfortable fence***)I ended up walking around and behind the mall which includes the Ikea, a Toys R Us, etc. Once there I walked over a bridge and towards the autobahn and I walked alongside the autobahn for 1km to reach the petrol station. I think if it is not a holiday there is a better way to get to this petrol station using bus #263.<br />
([[User:Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] 11:20, 25 March 2008 (CET))<br />
<br />
On a week day on the line 263 (from "grünau" s bahn station to "bohnsdorf / waldstrasse") 1/2 or 1/3 of the bus go further than the last top in berlin (waldstr / stadtgrenze). If you don't want to walk to the next stop (3km) you don't wait more than 40min to have a bus that rides further. (no more bus in both direction after 8 or 8.30pm<br />
<br />
I've stopped at "waltersdorf Gaspumpstation" (the one right after stadtgrezne). I've walked back for 10 meters, and found an opening in a chain fence. I've walked through the field and got to the opposite gasstation. I've crossend the road to get to the right one. <br />
If you want to avoid such danger, ride for two more busstops, get out at "Waltersdorf Lilenthalstr." and cross the bridge a little further right ahead on the right. <br />
<br />
You can ride with people who go to the west after the crossing "Waltersdorfer Dreieck". the first gasstation is 7km after the crossing. Then you can cross the highroad on a bridge to head to the south. <br />
<br />
sebastien<br />
<br />
== cleanup ==<br />
While I was doing a sort of structural cleanup, I've seen some tips that seem outdated or a bit unclear (Tempelhof for instance), but I'm too tired to fix this now. --[[User:Kb|Kb]] 00:05, 27 September 2009 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
South towards Dresden, East towards Frankfurt (Oder) needs a clean-up, since it has been re-edited several times. It is not easy to read through, since one opinion defeats another. It would be nice if known Berlin hitchhikers could help to make the situation clear how it is to use the mentioned spots as of now. Thanks! [[User:Pathofdhamma|Pathofdhamma]] 08:09, 26 October 2011<br />
<br />
== Rasthof Stolper Heide ==<br />
<br />
I attempted the directions that were there previously and not only was the direction listed (go right) after crossing the motorway bridge entirely inaccurate, it was if the directions described a different walk entirely - but only after the motorway bridge. I have corrected it, and this can be confirmed by searching for the Rasthof on Google maps and following my directions in reverse. I can confirm that this service station is an excellent place to get a lift.<br />
<br />
== Using the Rasthof Michendorf for getting east towards Poland or Dresden ==<br />
<br />
I was hitchhiking out of Berlin to Warsaw in the summer'2014 and used the Rasthof Michendorf spot. I followed the directions and easliy found the green emergency door. Then I couldn't figure how I should get east towards Poland, the second paragraph in 'Rasthof Michendorf' chapter just makes no sense. I went back and tried to walk through the wood then I went on the side of the autobahn hoping that eventualIy I would reach the mentioned rest area so finally the cops stopped and took me to some (other) rest area. I just want someone who used that route to correct that part of the text so everyone can find the mentioned tunnel etc.<br />
<br />
: The description was indeed a bit confusing, so I have updated it. Just for helping your further, you do not need to enter the door of Michendorf Nord, if you are heading east or southeast. But the description was too confusing! Love, --[[User:Fverhart|Fverhart]] ([[User talk:Fverhart|talk]]) 18:50, 29 March 2015 (CEST)</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=97549Berlin2020-03-19T20:37:39Z<p>Raureif: Construction at Raststätte Am Fichtenplan has been completed (and was not linked to Michendorf as initially thought). Added faster & easier way to walk there after taking a bus</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
For hitchhiking to Hamburg prepare a cardboard sign with "HH" written on it, which is the license plate sign for cars from Hamburg and understood widely. "HRO" stands for Rostock by the way.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the U-Bahn station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
This spot is nearer to Berlin than the Autobahn Raststätte Stolper Heide and includes much less time spent walking and on the train.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
* [[User:MaxHermens|MaxHermens]] says: It's best to ask drivers if they are going on the Autobahn, and if so, if they can take you to the above mentioned Stolperheide. Then you can avoid the long walk and start hitching straight away.<br />
* [[User:t0ma5|t0ma5]] says: In July 2017 this option worked fine for me, 15 minutes wait just before the gas station with a sign reading "autobahn"<br />
* [[User:Tortoise|Tortoise]] says: I would not recommend standing at the start of the Autobahn, there's nowhere for cars to stop and they are driving by at a high speed.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the 'S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic-light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic light are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards [[Hamburg]] and [[Rostock]].<br />
Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards Henningsdorf and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (EUR 2.60). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the . The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer. <br />
<br />
Note: A (maybe not so good) nearby spot that saves you the 2 km walk: Get off one station earlier at ''Schulzendorf''. Walk ≈150 m north along Ruppiner Chaussee and take the first right (Schulzendorfer Straße). After ≈200 m, you will arrive at the Autobahn entrance sliproad. However, at this spot the access ramp is quite narrow, and there is not a good place for cars to stop safely. There is also a curve in the road, and cars are traveling quickly, so this spot might be dangerous for you and the drivers. You can take ''any'' ride. If the driver doesn't go your way, they can drop you off at the petrol station "Rasthof Stolper Heide" mentioned above, 3.5 km up the road.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' For Denmark'''<br />
The ferries leave from '' 15 km north of Rostock'' and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little ''Sweden'' bound traffic.<br />
<br />
'''Ferry Rostock-Gedser Update July 2017:''' The police didn't allow us to hitchhike vehicles going to take the ferry and we had to buy tickets. Not a good option if you want to make to DK without paying for part of journey.<br />
<br />
To go to [[Puttgarden]] from Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
<br />
''' Hamburg Stillhorn - ''' If you can get a ride to this gasstation you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction in direction [[Lubeck]] however not all people who to [[Hamburg]] go past this gasstation.<br />
<br />
''' Lubeck ''' It is possible to accept a ride either to Lubeck (or to the Neustadt gas station just north of Lubeck but that is more rare) in case you can get dropped of the onramp leading out of central Lubeck in direction Neustadt and waiting for a ride that will take you atleast to the gasstation 10 km north.<br />
<br />
''' For direction [[Århus]]''' you can also accept a ride found towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
<br />
<br />
'''For Sweden bound travellers '''<br />
You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or [[Sassnitz]] ([[Rügen]]), they might be a bit harder to hitch but at least the one is [[Sassnitz]] have been reported to be possible.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic (Poles, to be blunt), and it's much nicer to stand here. I waited around 40 minutes until a truck driver stopped.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
* Update: Due to reconstructions of the on ramp that finished in 2013 the situation looks different. There is hardly a spot for drivers to stop and the cars are going quite fast. Berliner Allee might be the easier option.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to wait until they have left. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<ol><br />
<li>Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.</li><br />
<li>Take bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.</li><br />
</ol><br />
There is a map on [[Crossable_rest_areas_in_Germany#Autobahn_A10|crossable rest areas in Germany]] that tells you exactly how to get from one side of Michendorf to the other.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
Update : It may seem like there is no shoulder for cars to pull up but there is which most drivers know (remark: I waited more than an hour there without getting a lift, the entrance if the highway has 2 lanes and much more space to stop. There I got a ride in less than 30min) . We could not see it and got confused and took a ride in the direction of airport, wasted like 3 hours and came back to this point crossed the road and got the first ride within 5 minutes. <br />
<br />
* Next to the road close to the S-Bahn station is a big breakdown lane, where cars can stop easily. <br />
<br />
* If you go to Prague, make sure that drivers who stop in Dresden bring you to the Raststätte "Dresdner Tor Süd". "Dresdner Tor Nord" is also possible, but then you have to walk approx. 1.5 kilometers through a field to go to the other side.<br />
<br />
* This is the best place to hitch towards Dresden/Prague than Schöneweide in my opinion ( I second the opinion ) ! In Schöneweide I waited one hour and more, in Altglienicke max. 15 minutes! Some drivers also told me they say hitchhikers in Schöneweide but didn't take them because it was difficult for them to stop there. In Altglienicke it's easy. <br />
<br />
* I'd suggest to go some hundred meters down the road. A normal lane changes into a parking lane, where cars can easily stop. Actually I saw cars from anywhere in Germany (Dresden, Hannover, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Offenburg, Leipzig) [[User:Redjo27|Redjo27]]<br />
* ^ Do not follow the instructions above. Very confusing and do not work.<br />
<br />
* I didn't find this ''parking lane'' some hundred meters down the road, but there was the offramp that goes to Dresden maybe 100 m or less. This is really unsafe. I instead went 100 m or so back towards Berlin (from the above mentioned red light) where you will find a long stretch of safe lane space for cars to stop. This is prime real estate for hitchhiking as cars are going slow enough and there is plenty of run way in and out. I have taken this twice now, and waited only 10 min one time, and about 45min the next. [[User:Filbert|Filbert]] ( This did not work at all despite all the shoulder space. Cars have no incentive or natural reason to spot and they are already speeding because they are anticipating the Red light ahead. <br />
* ^ [[User:Itsagerston|itsagerston]] adds that, while upon arrival this seems like a great spot, it may be a waste of time. We thumbed for a couple hours with no luck whatsoever on a Sunday morning in October 2017.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 22/10/2017<br />
We were two people trying to get a ride from Altglienicke to Dresden. There were many hitchhikers there and the traffic light is only red for 15 seconds, it's vert fast. If you are alone maybe you can try this spot but it's not easy. We waited more than 90 minutes and finally the highway police came and told us that it's forbidden to hitch here and we could have a 100€ fee. They said us to go to Schöneweide petrol station (option 3) and there we get a ride to Dresden in 20 minutes. So I strongly advice not to go to Altglienicke... <br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 23/09/2018<br />
The road is under construction, and it will continue for a while probably. But now its EVEN BETTER. The cars are slow, and there is only one lane per direction. Just before the highway ramp there is space to stop for at least 3 cars, and as the cars are very slow is very easy to stop for them. Got a ride for two people straight away to Dresden in 3 minutes with a sign. // 11/11/2018 construction still ongoing and not seeming like it would finish soon. Ride in 3 minutes! <br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 31/05/2019 <br />
Before or at the red light is worse. I would recommend using the space right after the street goes to the right to Dresden. In the road curve I got a ride in 10 minutes. Where the road construction entrance is, cars can stop.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 06/06/2019<br />
The construction is still ongoing but I couldn't get a ride at the red light even after more than an hour wait, I guess people don't realize there's space to stop. Afterwards I move to the entrance of the highway to Dresden, just before the motorway sign, where there's a lot of space for cars to stop and got a ride in about 30min!<br />
<br />
[[File:B96a Altglienicke.jpg|thumb|Photo of B96a Altglienicke highway onramp spot as of 04/10/2019]]<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 04/10/2019<br />
The construction continues. There is some space right before the entrance to the highway where drivers can pull over. However, because the road is reduced to one lane, the cars are all moving very close together, and so the come very quick one after the other, and it appears that it is difficult for people to pull into the space for cars to pull into created by the lane closed for construction. That said, [[User:Movethathoof|Movethathoof]], here writing this, had a ride after around 30 minutes to a rest area - gas station just before the split Dresden-Cottbus.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction. <br />
<br />
* (Update June 2015: A busy Friday afternoon, got a lift after 15 minutes all the way to Dresden so was very happy with this spot. It is possible to walk along the row of cars in the left-turning lane during a red light, but there isn't much space between these cars and the lane of traffic coming beside it in the opposite direction, so try to get back to the small pedestrian area at the traffic light before it changes. - grae)<br />
<br />
* (Update: At a busy traveling time, e.g. Friday afternoon, the left turn to enter the Autobahn A100 from B96 Tempelhofer Damm near S-Bahnhof Tempelhof under the S-Bahn bridge (googlemaps: 52.469536,13.385558) is highly recommended. You will stand with a Dresden or A13 sign on the pedestrian space where you can speak with some of the left-bound drivers directly. They could even stop before the Autobahn begins, but it's better to get in immediately. Wait for DD number plates, CB (Cottbus) come less often, but might also be useful. Not a thing to do in the night. One of ten DD cars would probably take you. Waiting time: one hour, but then you have a functioning ride.)<br />
<br />
* Maybe Tempelhof used to be a good place to hitch hike in the past but now it seems impossible to catch a ride there - there is simply no space for a car to stop (or we failed to find a spot which I doubt because we searched the whole neighbourhood). If you still want to test it yourself: There are two red lights, for people coming from north and south, so they have time to see you. You should ask for A113 or A13, or simply if they are going in the way to Ikea, and get dropped on the petrol station before the big mall (before Waltersdorf, check map also). Bus #263 from S-Bahn station Grünau also goes to/near this petrol station. '''Please read the discussion page'''!<br />
<br />
* From the 96a road (not that much in use after opening the A113).<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations.<br />
<br />
* Although it is far away from the city centre, these are the last stations for cars going towards the autobahn to get petrol. The place was once crowded with hitchhikers but is normally empty now and works fine! Locals tend to stop at the second petrol station because it's usually cheaper. Also, behind this petrol station is a Burger King "Restaurant". If you choose your spot well, you can show a sign to people leaving the second petrol station or entering Burger King. Aiming for the cars on the main street has low chances, they are going fast and there is no good place for them to stop.<br />
<br />
* Collating a number of past reviews, between 2010 and 2019, most hitchhikers tend to get a ride here within 30 minutes - 1 hour. Dresden is easy, towards Cottbus - Poland you will probably need a second ride.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
Directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work.<br />
<br />
Very close is the station "U Siemensdamm".<br />
Of course it is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
* Autumn 2016. Morning. Got a ride after about 15 min. I came from Falkensee (next to Spandau right outside Berlin) and was dropped off at this spot which is probably well known by local drivers.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
''If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.''<br />
<br />
''Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchhike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.''<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to Dahlewitz. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cars and trucks. Altogether you need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! You won't have to wait too long to hitch a ride almost anywhere in Eastern Europe.<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from bus stop Am Weidendamm to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan]]<br />
<br />
An alternative, much faster (45 to 60 minutes total from ''Blankenfelde'') and safer (no walking on the edge of a busy road required) is the following: Get to ''S-Bhf Blankenfelde'' at a time so you can catch the irregularly running bus 792, check [https://www.vbb.de/en VBB.de] in advance to find out about the departure times. If you’ve bought a ticket including tariff zone C to get to ''Blankenfelde'', it’ll also cover the bus fare. When looking for the bus at ''Blankenfelde'' station, the displayed direction doesn’t matter as this is the initial/final stop of this line.<br />
<br />
Once you’re on the bus, get off at ''Am Weidendamm'', the surrounding area being a business park. Walk towards the Northeast, there’s a crane business on the right hand side that you’ll spot from afar. The main road makes a left turn here, and a dead end road branches off: The latter is the one you have to take, the crane business coming closer and closer. A dirt road starts at the concrete square at the end of this road, and passes the crane business site, the fence of it being on your right.<br />
<br />
Now proceed to the field, pass the trench and turn left. If you’ve got the right shoes/boots, you may also head across the field diagonally to your left from where you crossed the trench. If you haven’t seen it from the trench, you’ll soon notice a low causeway ahead of you (if you walked across the field) or on your left (if you followed the field’s edge). You’ll want to be on the causeway, which in fact had a railway line on it many decades ago.<br />
<br />
Once on the causeway, turn right (South) and simply follow it. You’ll soon be on a forest road near the motorway, and likely also see a bridge as well as the Raststätte already. Cross the bridge, turn immediately left and enter the rest area. Happy hitching!<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket, €2.80). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the Raststätte. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. When [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] arrived here in October 2019, there was no padlock on the gate so it could simply be opened from either side of the fence.<br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus 943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the Raststätte, trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
# Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
# Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
'''Warning Autumn 2019: There is a major motorway reconstruction there which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.'''<br />
<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though (verified 2014-09-03).<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
So first you need to go Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus to Sachsenhausen Kirche and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. at this point the B96 still looks like a highway. but don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. so you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
If you're doing this on weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche. then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen and walk 30 minutes to the spot. Check before on vbb-Homepage! <br />
<br />
All in all it will take quite long time to get there, but if you need this direction it's easier, because it's outside the Berlin-Ringroad and you just have traffic in this direction. Waiting time between 1 and 40 minutes... average 15...20 minutes.<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
A word about getting into Berlin since the ring is so big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. But also the city itself is so big that if you get a ride to the other end of Berlin you have a long way to go, so a good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Spanische Allee ===<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<!-- [[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of Autobahn A2/E30]] --><br />
=== The Ruhr area ===<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]]. <br />
<br />
* I have experienced yesterday: Do not take a hitchhike in direction of Osnabruck/Bremen/Hamburg, be a little bit more patient and wait for a ride in direction Hannover! I have stepped off at the tankstation 10 km before Osnabruck at the A1 and have waited there for 4 hours, all cars go up north. I was coming from Essen.--[[User:Hapiel|Hapiel]] 02:25, 27 July 2012 (CEST) ''<br />
<br />
=== Poland > Amsterdam highway 10 ===<br />
The best to hitchhike is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station '''Update!'''-> As of January 2020, there is a construction going on there and I didn't find any possible way to cross from the Nord station to the other side of the motorway where the Sud Station is). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
If you want to go '''reach Berlin most efficiently''' with public transports the best is to get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version:<br />
<br />
If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. Ca. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station. The last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41!<br />
<br />
Like [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 that].<br />
<br />
Alternatively you can take the same road in the [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks other direction] and go to the S-Bahn station of Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== Wild camping ===<br />
<br />
You may try to camp overnight at Park an der S Bahn Adlershof (next to train station S Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide)<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Berlin]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Berlin]]<br />
[[nomad:Berlin]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=File:Hitch_ber_pl_fichtenplan_2020.png&diff=97548File:Hitch ber pl fichtenplan 2020.png2020-03-19T20:18:56Z<p>Raureif: OSM map showing how to walk from ''Am Weidendamm'' (Groß Kienitz near Berlin) to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan for hitchhikers heading to Frankfurt/Oder and Poland; to be used in article Berlin)</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
OSM map showing how to walk from ''Am Weidendamm'' (Groß Kienitz near Berlin) to Raststätte Am Fichtenplan for hitchhikers heading to Frankfurt/Oder and Poland; to be used in article [[Berlin]])</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=97407Berlin2020-02-21T20:00:20Z<p>Raureif: Potsdam: "Trampstelle" never been establised - removed. Aral station Kaiserdamm: Behind the on-ramp for the motorway with no quick way of coming back - removed. Updated wild camping info, minor amendments, fixed typos.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
For hitchhiking to Hamburg prepare a cardboard sign with "HH" written on it, which is the license plate sign for cars from Hamburg and understood widely. "HRO" stands for Rostock by the way.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the U-Bahn station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
This spot is nearer to Berlin than the Autobahn Raststätte Stolper Heide and includes much less time spent walking and on the train.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
* [[User:MaxHermens|MaxHermens]] says: It's best to ask drivers if they are going on the Autobahn, and if so, if they can take you to the above mentioned Stolperheide. Then you can avoid the long walk and start hitching straight away.<br />
* [[User:t0ma5|t0ma5]] says: In July 2017 this option worked fine for me, 15 minutes wait just before the gas station with a sign reading "autobahn"<br />
* [[User:Tortoise|Tortoise]] says: I would not recommend standing at the start of the Autobahn, there's nowhere for cars to stop and they are driving by at a high speed.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the 'S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic-light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic light are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards [[Hamburg]] and [[Rostock]].<br />
Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards Henningsdorf and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (EUR 2.60). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the . The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer. <br />
<br />
Note: A (maybe not so good) nearby spot that saves you the 2 km walk: Get off one station earlier at ''Schulzendorf''. Walk ≈150 m north along Ruppiner Chaussee and take the first right (Schulzendorfer Straße). After ≈200 m, you will arrive at the Autobahn entrance sliproad. However, at this spot the access ramp is quite narrow, and there is not a good place for cars to stop safely. There is also a curve in the road, and cars are traveling quickly, so this spot might be dangerous for you and the drivers. You can take ''any'' ride. If the driver doesn't go your way, they can drop you off at the petrol station "Rasthof Stolper Heide" mentioned above, 3.5 km up the road.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' For Denmark'''<br />
The ferries leave from '' 15 km north of Rostock'' and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little ''Sweden'' bound traffic.<br />
<br />
'''Ferry Rostock-Gedser Update July 2017:''' The police didn't allow us to hitchhike vehicles going to take the ferry and we had to buy tickets. Not a good option if you want to make to DK without paying for part of journey.<br />
<br />
To go to [[Puttgarden]] from Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
<br />
''' Hamburg Stillhorn - ''' If you can get a ride to this gasstation you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction in direction [[Lubeck]] however not all people who to [[Hamburg]] go past this gasstation.<br />
<br />
''' Lubeck ''' It is possible to accept a ride either to Lubeck (or to the Neustadt gas station just north of Lubeck but that is more rare) in case you can get dropped of the onramp leading out of central Lubeck in direction Neustadt and waiting for a ride that will take you atleast to the gasstation 10 km north.<br />
<br />
''' For direction [[Århus]]''' you can also accept a ride found towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
<br />
<br />
'''For Sweden bound travellers '''<br />
You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or [[Sassnitz]] ([[Rügen]]), they might be a bit harder to hitch but at least the one is [[Sassnitz]] have been reported to be possible.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic (Poles, to be blunt), and it's much nicer to stand here. I waited around 40 minutes until a truck driver stopped.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
* Update: Due to reconstructions of the on ramp that finished in 2013 the situation looks different. There is hardly a spot for drivers to stop and the cars are going quite fast. Berliner Allee might be the easier option.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to wait until they have left. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster and cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB ticket (EUR 2.90), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC ticket (EUR 3.60) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<ol><br />
<li>Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.</li><br />
<li>Take bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.</li><br />
</ol><br />
There is a map on [[Crossable_rest_areas_in_Germany#Autobahn_A10|crossable rest areas in Germany]] that tells you exactly how to get from one side of Michendorf to the other.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing south), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track (over which you just walked) and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. <br />
<br />
Update : It may seem like there is no shoulder for cars to pull up but there is which most drivers know (remark: I waited more than an hour there without getting a lift, the entrance if the highway has 2 lanes and much more space to stop. There I got a ride in less than 30min) . We could not see it and got confused and took a ride in the direction of airport, wasted like 3 hours and came back to this point crossed the road and got the first ride within 5 minutes. <br />
<br />
* Next to the road close to the S-Bahn station is a big breakdown lane, where cars can stop easily. <br />
<br />
* If you go to Prague, make sure that drivers who stop in Dresden bring you to the Raststätte "Dresdner Tor Süd". "Dresdner Tor Nord" is also possible, but then you have to walk approx. 1.5 kilometers through a field to go to the other side.<br />
<br />
* This is the best place to hitch towards Dresden/Prague than Schöneweide in my opinion ( I second the opinion ) ! In Schöneweide I waited one hour and more, in Altglienicke max. 15 minutes! Some drivers also told me they say hitchhikers in Schöneweide but didn't take them because it was difficult for them to stop there. In Altglienicke it's easy. <br />
<br />
* I'd suggest to go some hundred meters down the road. A normal lane changes into a parking lane, where cars can easily stop. Actually I saw cars from anywhere in Germany (Dresden, Hannover, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Offenburg, Leipzig) [[User:Redjo27|Redjo27]]<br />
* ^ Do not follow the instructions above. Very confusing and do not work.<br />
<br />
* I didn't find this ''parking lane'' some hundred meters down the road, but there was the offramp that goes to Dresden maybe 100 m or less. This is really unsafe. I instead went 100 m or so back towards Berlin (from the above mentioned red light) where you will find a long stretch of safe lane space for cars to stop. This is prime real estate for hitchhiking as cars are going slow enough and there is plenty of run way in and out. I have taken this twice now, and waited only 10 min one time, and about 45min the next. [[User:Filbert|Filbert]] ( This did not work at all despite all the shoulder space. Cars have no incentive or natural reason to spot and they are already speeding because they are anticipating the Red light ahead. <br />
* ^ [[User:Itsagerston|itsagerston]] adds that, while upon arrival this seems like a great spot, it may be a waste of time. We thumbed for a couple hours with no luck whatsoever on a Sunday morning in October 2017.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 22/10/2017<br />
We were two people trying to get a ride from Altglienicke to Dresden. There were many hitchhikers there and the traffic light is only red for 15 seconds, it's vert fast. If you are alone maybe you can try this spot but it's not easy. We waited more than 90 minutes and finally the highway police came and told us that it's forbidden to hitch here and we could have a 100€ fee. They said us to go to Schöneweide petrol station (option 3) and there we get a ride to Dresden in 20 minutes. So I strongly advice not to go to Altglienicke... <br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 23/09/2018<br />
The road is under construction, and it will continue for a while probably. But now its EVEN BETTER. The cars are slow, and there is only one lane per direction. Just before the highway ramp there is space to stop for at least 3 cars, and as the cars are very slow is very easy to stop for them. Got a ride for two people straight away to Dresden in 3 minutes with a sign. // 11/11/2018 construction still ongoing and not seeming like it would finish soon. Ride in 3 minutes! <br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 31/05/2019 <br />
Before or at the red light is worse. I would recommend using the space right after the street goes to the right to Dresden. In the road curve I got a ride in 10 minutes. Where the road construction entrance is, cars can stop.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 06/06/2019<br />
The construction is still ongoing but I couldn't get a ride at the red light even after more than an hour wait, I guess people don't realize there's space to stop. Afterwards I move to the entrance of the highway to Dresden, just before the motorway sign, where there's a lot of space for cars to stop and got a ride in about 30min!<br />
<br />
[[File:B96a Altglienicke.jpg|thumb|Photo of B96a Altglienicke highway onramp spot as of 04/10/2019]]<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 04/10/2019<br />
The construction continues. There is some space right before the entrance to the highway where drivers can pull over. However, because the road is reduced to one lane, the cars are all moving very close together, and so the come very quick one after the other, and it appears that it is difficult for people to pull into the space for cars to pull into created by the lane closed for construction. That said, [[User:Movethathoof|Movethathoof]], here writing this, had a ride after around 30 minutes to a rest area - gas station just before the split Dresden-Cottbus.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
Take U-Bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction. <br />
<br />
* (Update June 2015: A busy Friday afternoon, got a lift after 15 minutes all the way to Dresden so was very happy with this spot. It is possible to walk along the row of cars in the left-turning lane during a red light, but there isn't much space between these cars and the lane of traffic coming beside it in the opposite direction, so try to get back to the small pedestrian area at the traffic light before it changes. - grae)<br />
<br />
* (Update: At a busy traveling time, e.g. Friday afternoon, the left turn to enter the Autobahn A100 from B96 Tempelhofer Damm near S-Bahnhof Tempelhof under the S-Bahn bridge (googlemaps: 52.469536,13.385558) is highly recommended. You will stand with a Dresden or A13 sign on the pedestrian space where you can speak with some of the left-bound drivers directly. They could even stop before the Autobahn begins, but it's better to get in immediately. Wait for DD number plates, CB (Cottbus) come less often, but might also be useful. Not a thing to do in the night. One of ten DD cars would probably take you. Waiting time: one hour, but then you have a functioning ride.)<br />
<br />
* Maybe Tempelhof used to be a good place to hitch hike in the past but now it seems impossible to catch a ride there - there is simply no space for a car to stop (or we failed to find a spot which I doubt because we searched the whole neighbourhood). If you still want to test it yourself: There are two red lights, for people coming from north and south, so they have time to see you. You should ask for A113 or A13, or simply if they are going in the way to Ikea, and get dropped on the petrol station before the big mall (before Waltersdorf, check map also). Bus #263 from S-Bahn station Grünau also goes to/near this petrol station. '''Please read the discussion page'''!<br />
<br />
* From the 96a road (not that much in use after opening the A113).<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn right onto Michael-Brückner-Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two petrol stations.<br />
<br />
* Although it is far away from the city centre, these are the last stations for cars going towards the autobahn to get petrol. The place was once crowded with hitchhikers but is normally empty now and works fine! Locals tend to stop at the second petrol station because it's usually cheaper. Also, behind this petrol station is a Burger King "Restaurant". If you choose your spot well, you can show a sign to people leaving the second petrol station or entering Burger King. Aiming for the cars on the main street has low chances, they are going fast and there is no good place for them to stop.<br />
<br />
* Collating a number of past reviews, between 2010 and 2019, most hitchhikers tend to get a ride here within 30 minutes - 1 hour. Dresden is easy, towards Cottbus - Poland you will probably need a second ride.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
Directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work.<br />
<br />
Very close is the station "U Siemensdamm".<br />
Of course it is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
* Autumn 2016. Morning. Got a ride after about 15 min. I came from Falkensee (next to Spandau right outside Berlin) and was dropped off at this spot which is probably well known by local drivers.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
''If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.''<br />
<br />
''Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.''<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket, €2.80). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the ''Raststätte''. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. When [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] arrived here in October 2019, there was no padlock on the gate so it could simply be opened from either side of the fence.<br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus #943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and operates in tariff zone C, meaning you'll likely need an additional ticket.<br />
<br />
At the ''Raststätte'', trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
# Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
# Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
'''Warning Autumn 2019: There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte am Fichtenplan") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.'''<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to Dahlewitz. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cars and trucks. Altogether you need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! You won't have to wait too long to hitch a ride almost anywhere in Eastern Europe.<br />
<br />
'''Warning Autumn 2019: There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte Michendorf") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.'''<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though (verified 2014-09-03).<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
So first you need to go Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus to Sachsenhausen Kirche and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. at this point the B96 still looks like a highway. but don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. so you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
If you're doing this on weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche. then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen and walk 30 minutes to the spot. Check before on vbb-Homepage! <br />
<br />
All in all it will take quite long time to get there, but if you need this direction it's easier, because it's outside the Berlin-Ringroad and you just have traffic in this direction. Waiting time between 1 and 40 minutes... average 15...20 minutes.<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
A word about getting into Berlin since the ring is so big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. But also the city itself is so big that if you get a ride to the other end of Berlin you have a long way to go, so a good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Spanische Allee ===<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<!-- [[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of Autobahn A2/E30]] --><br />
=== The Ruhr area ===<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]]. <br />
<br />
* I have experienced yesterday: Do not take a hitchhike in direction of Osnabruck/Bremen/Hamburg, be a little bit more patient and wait for a ride in direction Hannover! I have stepped off at the tankstation 10 km before Osnabruck at the A1 and have waited there for 4 hours, all cars go up north. I was coming from Essen.--[[User:Hapiel|Hapiel]] 02:25, 27 July 2012 (CEST) ''<br />
<br />
=== Poland > Amsterdam highway 10 ===<br />
The best to hitchhike is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 30 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station '''Update!'''-> As of January 2020, there is a construction going on there and I didn't find any possible way to cross from the Nord station to the other side of the motorway where the Sud Station is). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 00:21. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 00:00. Also, if you end up having to sleep over there, that train station is definitely not really suitable for sleeping; however, near the petrol station there's a 24 hours restaurant called "Restaurant Michendorf Nord", you can charge your phone there and probably sleep in the downstairs toilet for disabled people.<br />
<br />
If you want to go '''reach Berlin most efficiently''' with public transports the best is to get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version:<br />
<br />
If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. Ca. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station. The last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41!<br />
<br />
Like [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 that].<br />
<br />
Alternatively you can take the same road in the [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks other direction] and go to the S-Bahn station of Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== Wild camping ===<br />
<br />
The former train maintenance site at station '''S Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide''' used to be a good place after its closure in 1998, but is being redeveloped as business park since 2018 and no longer suitable.<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Berlin]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Berlin]]<br />
[[nomad:Berlin]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Kiel&diff=97051Kiel2019-10-29T21:44:35Z<p>Raureif: Updated info for going to Berlin. Bus stop ''Spolertstraße'' is a much better option as traffic coming from the city motorway also passes here as opposed to ''Stomarnstraße''.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox German Location<br />
|map = <map lat='54.3245' lng='10.13' zoom='11' view='3' /><br />
|country = Germany<br />
|pop = 236.902 (31. Dez. 2007)<br />
|state = Schleswig-Holstein<br />
|plate = KI<br />
|motorways = [[A7 (Germany)|A7]], [[A210 (Germany)|A210]], [[A215 (Germany)|A215]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Kiel''' is a city in [[Schleswig-Holstein]], [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
=== Direction [[Hamburg]]/South - [[Flensburg]]/North/[[Denmark]] ===<br />
<br />
[[File:kielspot.jpg|thumb|240px|right|direction Hamburg/Flensburg from spot "IKEA"]]<br />
<br />
Take the Bus No.82 to station "IKEA", there is a huge cross. The best option is to stand on the green strip where cars turn to one's left. Either you can stand straight in front of the traffic light – the driver has enough time to wave you in – or just stand 100 meters behind the traffic light, works too.<br />
<br />
Try to hitch either in the morning between 6 and 8 or in the afternoon between 3 and 6.you'll have the most traffic, because lots of people are on their way to or back from work and can often give you a ride straight to Hamburg. Try to avoid to hitch between 08:00 and 10:00, traffic is low and most people head to destinations close around Kiel.<br />
<br />
After a while the motorway splits.Hamburg A215, direction Flensburg A210.<br />
A lot of cars do have the sign "RD" (Rendsburg), so you might focus these cars if you want to go north...<br />
<br />
=== Direction [[Berlin]] ===<br />
From the main station take bus 41, 42 or 43 and get off at ''Spolertstraße''. Hitch straight from the bus stop.<br />
<br />
=== Ferry to Gothenburg ([[Sweden]]) ===<br />
There are many trucks going onto this ferry and Stena line proudly calls it ''The trucker's route''.<br />
This ferry used to be very very popular among hitchhikers when you could easily hitchhike onto the ferry for free and sleep wherever you wanted.<br />
When Stenaline changed the rules and made cabins obligatory things changed.<br />
<br />
(the following prices changed it cost now around 70euro/700sec to get a second driver on board.)<br />
If you manage to enter the ferry as a second driver on a truck you pay approximately 250 SEK/32 EURO for the crossing.<br />
This price includes a big all-inclusive buffet (310sek), big breakfast buffet (110 SEK), a lunchbox to go when you leave in the morning (90SEK), a cabin that is to be shared with your driver (Cheapest ones cost 740 SEK and that's with 2 beds, there are no cabins with one bed) and the crossing (710 SEK) The fee for the crossing can be avoided by hitchhiking with regular cars as well.<br />
Ferries leave from ''SCHWEDENKAI'' in central Kiel.<br />
Boarding starts about 1.5 hours before departure.<br />
<br />
== Public Transport ==<br />
<br />
To plan trips using Kiel's buses and intra city ferries, use the English version of the local transport organisation: [https://nah.sh.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en?protocol=https:& Nah.sh]<br />
<br />
== Info ==<br />
If you get stuck in Kiel, contact [[User:Wukk|Wukk]] for help,<br />
alternative [[User:Jvlartin|Jvlartin]]<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
[[trash:Kiel]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Schleswig-Holstein]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Kiel]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Kaliningrad&diff=97050Kaliningrad2019-10-29T21:27:04Z<p>Raureif: Added option to hitch northwest towards Zelenogradsk/Curonian Spit</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Infobox Location<br />
|name_native = Калининград<br />
|country = Russia<br />
|subdivision_type = Region (oblast)<br />
|subdivision_name = Kaliningrad Oblast<br />
|subdivision_symbol = Flag_of_Kaliningrad_Oblast.svg<br />
|map = <map lat='54.71' lng='20.5' zoom='10' /><br />
|pop = 431,402<br />
|plate = 39, 91<br />
|motorways = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Kaliningrad''' (In Russian: Калининград, used to be Königsberg till 1946) is the capital of the [[Russia|Russian]] exclave [[Kaliningrad Oblast]].<br />
<br />
==Hitching out==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest to Zelenogradsk and the Curonian Spit ===<br />
<br />
Find a way to get to the northern end of ''Ulitsa Aleksandra Nevskogo'' (Russian: Ул. Александра Невского), which is roughly a few 100 metres after the road crosses a railway line and perhaps a kilometre before the road becomes part of a major motorway junction. One option is bus 31, which crosses the bridge over the railway line and then turns right before the road splits into two separate lanes to continue westwards after doing a u-turn; there is a bus stop on the side of the road right after it turns. From there, you can already see two petrol stations, one on each side of the road. The one on the northbound road has a long, wide exit lane, which makes for an excellent hitching spot.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast to [[Lithuania]] ===<br />
<br />
Take bus 37 to the end of ''Moskovskij prospekt''. Hitch from the bus stop after the police station.<br />
<br />
===South to [[Poland]]===<br />
<br />
====Through [[Mamonovo]]====<br />
<br />
Take bus #18 or #27 from the bus stop in the street ''Zheleznodorozhnaya ulitsa'' north-west of the ''yuzhnij vokzal'' (Southern Railway Station) from (or bus #19 from somewhere else?) to Golubyx ozer (Голубых озёр). You will see some lakes on the right before you have to get off.<br />
<br />
====Through [[Bagrationovsk]]====<br />
<br />
Take bus 9 until the last stop (Сельхозтехника). The road leads through several villages and then arrives at the [[Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing]].<br />
<br />
=== West into Kaliningrad region===<br />
<br />
Svetlogorsk, Pionerskii, Jantarnyj (seaside): bus 36 to corner of Lermontovskovo.<br />
Baltiisk, Svetlyj: bus 5, trolleybus 6, stop near turn towards A. Kosmodemyanskovo village (check with conductor). <br />
<br />
== Public transport ==<br />
<br />
Google Maps is available in Kaliningrad to show public transport routes. Alternatively, use a Russian navigation app (for example, the app "EasyWay" is also available in English).<br />
<br />
== Other Useful Info ==<br />
<br />
There is free wi-fi in the southern train station (''Kaliningrad Passažirskij'' Калининград Пассажирский).<br />
<br />
{{Subdivisions of Russia}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E77]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Gda%C5%84sk&diff=97049Gdańsk2019-10-29T20:56:03Z<p>Raureif: As Augustris correctly pointed out, the "Rafineria" location to go Eastwards doesn't/no longer makes sense. Replaced with updated info</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Gdańsk''' is a city in [[Poland]], along the Northeast coastline. Together with [[Sopot]] and [[Gdynia]] it makes large conurbation called ''Trójmiasto'' (Tricity), which is inhabited by nearly 750 thousand people. Tricity is connected by ferries with [[Sweden]]. Cars registered in Gdańsk have registration plates GD.<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<map lat='54.42372401996794' lng='18.5394287109375' zoom='9' view='0' float='right' height='350' /><br />
=== South and southwest towards [[Toruń]], [[Łódź]] and [[Bydgoszcz]], [[Poznań]] ===<br />
<br />
* '''By expressway bypass S6 (E28), from petrol station'''<br />
<br />
From the centre of Gdańsk take any local train called [http://www.skm.pkp.pl/dali.php?aa=mapa_trasy SKM] going north and get off at ''Gdańsk Żabianka''. Than take free bus [http://komunikacja.trojmiasto.pl/osowa.php#ch1 807] going to '''''Osowa Shopping Centre''''' which is located next to S6 (E28) Tricity Bypass. From the shopping centre go north along the bypass (follow the path on the grass field), get on the junction bridge and walk to the other side of the bypass. You will see petrol stations on both sides of the S6, north from the junction. Go around Castorama shop to get to "your" station. See satellite image of the spot in Hitchwiki maps.<br />
<br />
''Went there and actually bus 807 doesn't exist. If you look on the link there are no traces of this bus on the city's public transport website. If you want to go to Osowa, you need to take a special train that goes from Wrzeszcz station. Click on the link above to find the best connection from the point you are leaving. Didn't try it myself but might be a good option to leave the town.''<br />
<br />
''The idea is good just bus 807 doesn't exist for a long time. For today (2018) : take SKM train and get off at Gdańsk Oliwa station. Than go to the tram/bus stop located 5 minutes from station :(https://www.google.pl/maps/place/Pętla+tramwajowa+Oliwa/@54.4099182,18.5670324,16.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x46fd753328412381:0x4b1f507901e623a4!8m2!3d54.4098998!4d18.5666002). Take bus 171/169 (timetables : https://ztm.trojmiasto.pl) and get off on Osowa-Obwodnica stop. 200 m. from it, there's junction and both petrol station are visible.'' <br />
<br />
* '''By national road 1 (E75) or motorway A1, from bus stop close to old town'''<br />
<br />
From main railway station in Gdańsk go south along ''Podwale Grodzkie'' and ''Wały Jagielońskie'' streets, cross roundabout and continue walking south along ''Okopowa'' street, cross rail tracks by the bridge and you can hitch on the first bus stop behind it. Here' the [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Podwale+Grodzkie&daddr=54.342344,18.643015&geocode=FTpmPQMdj4EcAQ%3B&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=18&vps=2&jsv=165c&sll=54.342537,18.643257&sspn=0.00146,0.003449&num=10 route]<br />
<br />
''Another and in my opinion better option : take tram nr. 2/4/6/7 (destinantion : Łostowice-Świętokrzyska) from city center. Get off on Wilanowska stop (~10 min. journey from old town). Walk 100 m. north from tram stop and cross big street (Armii Krajowej). At the exit of avenue usunused bus stop is located. [https://www.google.pl/maps/dir/54.3367893,18.5993125/54.3386933,18.5999079/@54.3380548,18.5999623,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2]''<br />
<br />
* '''By national road 1 (E75)'''<br />
<br />
Another option is to use the local train called [http://www.skm.pkp.pl/dali.php?aa=mapa_trasy SKM], or regular train and get to '''''Pszczółki''''' or some other village between Gdańsk and Tczew. When you get off the train just walk out of the village in the direction of the road, it's visible from the station. Since first part of the motorway A1 was built there is less traffic on national road 1.<br />
<br />
=== Southeast and east towards [[Warsaw|Warszawa]] {{National Road Number Poland|S7}}, [[Olsztyn]] {{National Road Number Poland|S7}} {{National Road Number Poland|16}}, [[Kaunas]] ([[Lithuania]]) and [[Kaliningrad]] ([[Russia]]) {{National Road Number Poland|S7}} {{National Road Number Poland|S22}} ===<br />
<br />
Take bus 112, 166, 186 or 212 to the stop called ''Miałki Szlak'' on ''Elbląska'' road, which is an excellent hitching spot. The bus stop after that (''Węzeł Elbląska'') seems like a more obvious choice at first, as it's located directly before the motorway turnoff, however there is a traffic light right before ''Miałki Szlak'' so people can check you out while waiting for the light to turn green - very helpful as cars go fairly fast on this busy road. ''Miałki Szlak'' might be an "on demand" stop so you need to press the "stop" button inside the bus.<br />
<br />
=== North and west towards Baltic coast and [[Koszalin]], [[Szczecin]], [[Berlin]] ([[Germany]]) ===<br />
<br />
* '''By expressway bypass S6 (E28) > national road 6, from petrol station'''<br />
Get to '''''Osowa Shopping Centre''''' (see direction Toruń, Łódź by S6 for details). Once you're there go north along the bypass (follow the path on the grass field), go under the junction bridge and you will see Lotos petrol station where you can ask for a ride. It's also possible to hitch on the slip road next to the station. <br />
<br />
* '''By national road 6 (E28), from bus stop behind the end of expressway bypass S6'''<br />
This spot is located in [[Gdynia]]. Take any local train called [http://www.skm.pkp.pl/dali.php?aa=mapa_trasy SKM] going north and get off at '''''Gdynia Chylonia'''''. Go south to the main road, turn right (west). Just behind roundabout (where S6 city bypass ends) is short lay-by. You can try hitching there, but some 200m further is bus stop with plenty of space to stop and just behind crossroad with traffic lights. Make a sign as there is a lot of local traffic.<br />
<br />
* '''By national road 6 (E28), from bus stop in Wejherowo'''<br />
This spot is located in [[Wejherowo]]. Take any local train called [http://www.skm.pkp.pl/dali.php?aa=mapa_trasy SKM] going north and get off at '''''Wejherowo''''' (all SKM lines going north run at least to this stop), the ticket should cost around 3-4PLN or less with student card and the ride should take about 30 minutes. Once you arrive, walk down the log hall way of the station exit up the stairs and you should be standing next to the beginning of the national road 6 going in the direction of Koszalin, Szczecin (if you are in a small town, turn around and go back to the other side of the station). Once there, walk 30 meters back to the bus stop loads of space to pull over.<br />
<br />
''"If you go to Berlin it's better to write Polish city on the sign e.g. Szczecin (only 80km from Berlin) because even if Poles are going to Germany they may think you are German and may be shy to speak German (a Berlin sign took me much longer compared to a Szczecin sign for different trips)."'' - Anonymous<br />
{{IsIn|Pomeranian (Voivodeship)}}<br />
<br />
== Public Transport ==<br />
<br />
There is a good [http://jakdojade.pl/Welcome.jsp?locale=en website] showing you how to get from one point to another by public transport in major Polish cities (in Polish and English).<br />
<br />
== Sleeping Places ==<br />
An excellent place to camp is the Oliwa forest which is along the road to Sopot. It is an enormous forested park, safe for putting up a tent. You can get there taking tram #12 from Gdańsk center.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Poland]]<br />
[[Category:Pomeranian]]<br />
[[Category:E75]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E77]]<br />
<br />
[[pl:Gdańsk]]<br />
[[ru:Гданьск]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=97048User:Raureif2019-10-29T20:24:32Z<p>Raureif: Added PL, RU</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* Poland<br />
* Russia<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
The easiest countries were Malaysia and South Korea (both with an average waiting time of less than five minutes), while Laos was the hardest (of trying to hitchhike six times in good locations, only two times my girl and I were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers). The most interesting/weird drivers I encountered were the Australians while going from Brisbane to Cairns in a course of two weeks.</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Bydgoszcz&diff=97047Bydgoszcz2019-10-29T20:22:07Z<p>Raureif: Added option to hitch northwards towards Gdansk + fixed typos</p>
<hr />
<div>{{IsIn|Kuyavian-Pomeranian (Voivodeship)}}<br />
<map lat='53.104253' lng='18.030152' zoom='10' view='0' float='right'/><br />
'''Bydgoszcz''' is a city in northwestern [[Poland]], with a population of 360,142 (June 2008), agglomeration more than 400 000, which makes it the 8th largest city in [[Poland]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Gdańsk]] {{National Road Number Poland|5}} ===<br />
Take a bus to ''Kamienna / Wyszyńskiego'', which is the name of three bus stops at a big intersection in the Northeast of the city. Head northwards onto the street called ''Aleja Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego'', where you will already see an ''Orlen'' petrol station. Directly opposite of it is your hitching spot: A long turning lane with plenty of space for people to stop (leading to a street called ''Modrzewiowa''). As of October 2019, if you use OpenStreetMap, you'll see a bus stop called ''Armii Krajowej - Cmentarz'' here; it doesn't exist anymore, hence the necessity to get to ''Kamienna / Wyszyńskiego'' first.<br />
<br />
=== Southwest towards [[Poznań]] {{National Road Number Poland|5}} {{E|261}} ===<br />
Get to '''Błonie''' (the last stop of many buses e.g. 52, 52, 59, 62, 69, 92, N32). From there walk along the road, pass the gas station (it's pointless to catch a car here - only local traffic), go by bridge over the rail tracks and go straight for 100 m. There is a perfect spot for those people going to Szubin, Żnin or further to Poznań, Wrocław.<br />
<br />
=== Southeast towards [[Inowrocław]] {{National Road Number Poland|25}} ===<br />
You need to take bus no. 80 to the airport, then get off on the '''Jana Pawła II - Wąbrzeska''' or '''Jana Pawła II - Ziemska''' station.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Toruń]] {{National Road Number Poland|80}} ===<br />
To get to the point you need to take one of the buses going to the station '''Fordońska- Wiadukt''' (65, 81, 33N). Then cross the bridge over Vistula river (Most Fordoński, approximately 800 m long)and walk 500 m more close to Strzyżawa. There is a bus station and a perfect spot for hitchhikers going from Bydgoszcz to Toruń and Warsaw.<br />
<br />
== Public Transport ==<br />
<br />
There is a good [http://jakdojade.pl/Welcome.jsp?locale=en website] showing you how to get from one point to another by public transport in major Polish cities (in Polish and English).<br />
<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
[[Category:Poland]]<br />
<br />
[[pl:Bydgoszcz]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=97011Berlin2019-10-11T21:32:12Z<p>Raureif: /* East towards Frankfurt (Oder), Poland {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} */ Added walking directions to Raststätte Seeberg West</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
For hitchhiking to Hamburg prepare a cardboard sign with "HH" written on it, which is the license plate sign for cars from Hamburg and understood widely. "HRO" stands for Rostock by the way.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the U-Bahn station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
This spot is nearer to Berlin than the Autobahn Raststätte Stolper Heide and includes much less time spent walking and on the train.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
* [[User:MaxHermens|MaxHermens]] says: It's best to ask drivers if they are going on the Autobahn, and if so, if they can take you to the above mentioned Stolperheide. Then you can avoid the long walk and start hitching straight away.<br />
* [[User:t0ma5|t0ma5]] says: In July 2017 this option worked fine for me, 15 minutes wait just before the gas station with a sign reading "autobahn"<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the 'S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic-light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic light are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards [[Hamburg]] and [[Rostock]].<br />
Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards Henningsdorf and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (EUR 2.60). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the . The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer. <br />
<br />
Note: A (maybe not so good) nearby spot that saves you the 2 km walk: Get off one station earlier at ''Schulzendorf''. Walk ≈150 m north along Ruppiner Chaussee and take the first right (Schulzendorfer Straße). After ≈200 m, you will arrive at the Autobahn entrance sliproad. However, at this spot the access ramp is quite narrow, and there is not a good place for cars to stop safely. There is also a curve in the road, and cars are traveling quickly, so this spot might be dangerous for you and the drivers. You can take ''any'' ride. If the driver doesn't go your way, they can drop you off at the petrol station "Rasthof Stolper Heide" mentioned above, 3.5 km up the road.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' For Denmark'''<br />
The ferries leave from '' 15 km north of Rostock'' and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little ''Sweden'' bound traffic.<br />
<br />
'''Ferry Rostock-Gedser Update July 2017:''' The police didn't allow us to hitchhike vehicles going to take the ferry and we had to buy tickets. Not a good option if you want to make to DK without paying for part of journey.<br />
<br />
To go to [[Puttgarden]] from Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
<br />
''' Hamburg Stillhorn - ''' If you can get a ride to this gasstation you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction in direction [[Lubeck]] however not all people who to [[Hamburg]] go past this gasstation.<br />
<br />
''' Lubeck ''' It is possible to accept a ride either to Lubeck (or to the Neustadt gas station just north of Lubeck but that is more rare) in case you can get dropped of the onramp leading out of central Lubeck in direction Neustadt and waiting for a ride that will take you atleast to the gasstation 10 km north.<br />
<br />
''' For direction [[Århus]]''' you can also accept a ride found towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
<br />
<br />
'''For Sweden bound travellers '''<br />
You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or [[Sassnitz]] ([[Rügen]]), they might be a bit harder to hitch but at least the one is [[Sassnitz]] have been reported to be possible.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic (Poles, to be blunt), and it's much nicer to stand here. I waited around 40 minutes until a truck driver stopped.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
* Update: Due to reconstructions of the on ramp that finished in 2013 the situation looks different. There is hardly a spot for drivers to stop and the cars are going quite fast. Berliner Allee might be the easier option.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to wait until they have left. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster & cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB-ticket (EUR 2.70), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC-ticket (EUR 3.30) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<ol><br />
<li>Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.</li><br />
<li>Take bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.</li><br />
</ol><br />
There is a map on [[Crossable_rest_areas_in_Germany#Autobahn_A10|crossable rest areas in Germany]] that tells you exactly how to get from one side of Michendorf to the other.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Aral petrol station Kaiserdamm ====<br />
Take U2 to ''Kaiserdamm'' (if you come from direction ''Zoo'') and go out in the driving direction. Leave the station on the left exit. After 50 m there's the petrol station. It depends on the day, sometimes it's very easy to get away there, sometimes it's harder.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Trampstelle [[Potsdam]] ====<br />
There is a local campaign for an official hitchhiking spot in Potsdam, they made a petition and won it :)<br />
The hitchhiking spot is planned now and will be established soon. Update 2016: There is still no "Trampstelle" in Potsdam.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke BEST SPOT FOR DRESDEN (I have my doubts, from Schöneweide it was way easier) ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing North), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. Update : It may seem like there is no shoulder for cars to pull up but there is which most drivers know (remark: I waited more than an hour there without getting a lift, the entrance if the highway has 2 lanes and much more space to stop. There I got a ride in less than 30min) . We could not see it and got confused and took a ride in the direction of airport, wasted like 3 hours and came back to this point crossed the road and got the first ride within 5 minutes. <br />
<br />
* This is the best place to hitch towards Dresden/Prague than Schöneweide in my opinion ( I second the opinion ) ! In Schöneweide I waited one hour and more, in Altglienicke max. 15 minutes! Some drivers also told me they say hitchhikers in Schöneweide but didn't take them because it was difficult for them to stop there. In Altglienicke it's easy. <br />
<br />
* I'd suggest to go some hundred meters down the road. A normal lane changes into a parking lane, where cars can easily stop. Actually I saw cars from anywhere in Germany (Dresden, Hannover, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Offenburg, Leipzig) [[User:Redjo27|Redjo27]]<br />
* ^ Do not follow the instructions above. Very confusing and do not work.<br />
<br />
* I didn't find this ''parking lane'' some hundred meters down the road, but there was the offramp that goes to Dresden maybe 100 m or less. This is really unsafe. I instead went 100 m or so back towards Berlin (from the above mentioned red light) where you will find a long stretch of safe lane space for cars to stop. This is prime real estate for hitchhiking as cars are going slow enough and there is plenty of run way in and out. I have taken this twice now, and waited only 10 min one time, and about 45min the next. [[User:Filbert|Filbert]] ( This did not work at all despite all the shoulder space. Cars have no incentive or natural reason to spot and they are already speeding because they are anticipating the Red light ahead. <br />
* ^ [[User:Itsagerston|itsagerston]] adds that, while upon arrival this seems like a great spot, it may be a waste of time. We thumbed for a couple hours with no luck whatsoever on a Sunday morning in October 2017.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 22/10/2017<br />
We were two people trying to get a ride from Altglienicke to Dresden. There were many hitchhikers there and the traffic light is only red for 15 seconds, it's vert fast. If you are alone maybe you can try this spot but it's not easy. We waited more than 90 minutes and finally the highway police came and told us that it's forbidden to hitch here and we could have a 100€ fee. They said us to go to Schöneweide petrol station (option 3) and there we get a ride to Dresden in 20 minutes. So I strongly advice not to go to Altglienicke... <br />
<br />
* Next to the road close to the S-Bahn station is a big breakdown lane, where cars can stop easily. <br />
<br />
If you go to Prague, make sure that drivers who stop in Dresden bring you to the Raststätte "Dresdner Tor Süd". "Dresdner Tor Nord" is also possible, but then you have to walk approx. 1.5 kilometers through a field to go to the other side.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 23/09/2018<br />
The road is under construction, and it will continue for a while probably. But now its EVEN BETTER. The cars are slow, and there is only one lane per direction. Just before the highway ramp there is space to stop for at least 3 cars, and as the cars are very slow is very easy to stop for them. Got a ride for two people straight away to Dresden in 3 minutes with a sign. // 11/11/2018 construction still ongoing and not seeming like it would finish soon. Ride in 3 minutes! <br />
31/05/2019 before or at the red light is worse. I would recommend using the space right after the street goes to the right to Dresden. In the road curve I got a ride in 10 minutes. Where the road construction entrance is, cars can stop.<br />
06/06/2019 the construction is still ongoing but I couldn't get a ride at the red light even after more than an hour wait, I guess people don't realize there's space to stop. Afterwards I move to the entrance of the highway to Dresden, just before the motorway sign, where there's a lot of space for cars to stop and got a ride in about 30min!<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction. <br />
<br />
* (Update June 2015: A busy Friday afternoon, got a lift after 15 minutes all the way to Dresden so was very happy with this spot. It is possible to walk along the row of cars in the left-turning lane during a red light, but there isn't much space between these cars and the lane of traffic coming beside it in the opposite direction, so try to get back to the small pedestrian area at the traffic light before it changes. - grae)<br />
<br />
* (Update: At a busy traveling time, e.g. Friday afternoon, the left turn to enter the Autobahn A100 from B96 Tempelhofer Damm near S-Bahnhof Tempelhof under the S-Bahn bridge (googlemaps: 52.469536,13.385558) is highly recommended. You will stand with a Dresden or A13 sign on the pedestrian space where you can speak with some of the left-bound drivers directly. They could even stop before the Autobahn begins, but it's better to get in immediately. Wait for DD number plates, CB (Cottbus) come less often, but might also be useful. Not a thing to do in the night. One of ten DD cars would probably take you. Waiting time: one hour, but then you have a functioning ride.)<br />
<br />
* Maybe Tempelhof used to be a good place to hitch hike in the past but now it seems impossible to catch a ride there - there is simply no space for a car to stop (or we failed to find a spot which I doubt because we searched the whole neighbourhood). If you still want to test it yourself: There are two red lights, for people coming from north and south, so they have time to see you. You should ask for A113 or A13, or simply if they are going in the way to Ikea, and get dropped on the petrol station before the big mall (before Waltersdorf, check map also). Bus #263 from S-Bahn station Grünau also goes to/near this petrol station. '''Please read the discussion page'''!<br />
<br />
* From the 96a road (not that much in use after opening the A113).<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn ru ight on Michael-Brückner Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two big [[rest area|Raststättes]].<br />
<br />
* Although it is far away, these are mostly the last petrol stations for cars going towards the autobahn to get petrol. The place was once crowded with hitchhikers but is normally empty now and works fine! Locals tend to stop at the second petrol station because it's usually cheaper. Also, behind this petrol station is a Burger King "Restaurant". If you choose your spot well, you can show a sign to people leaving the second petrol station or entering Burger King. Aiming for the cars on the main street has low chances, they are going fast and there is no good place for them to stop.<br />
<br />
* Collating a number of past reviews, between 2010 and 2019, most hitchhikers tend to get a ride here within 30 minutes - 1 hour. Dresden is easy, towards Cottbus - Poland you will probably need a second ride.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
Directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work.<br />
<br />
Very close is the station "U Siemensdamm".<br />
Of course it is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
* Autumn 2016. Morning. Got a ride after about 15 min. I came from Falkensee (next to Spandau right outside Berlin) and was dropped off at this spot which is probably well known by local drivers.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
''If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.''<br />
<br />
''Once you get a ride in Germany direction to Poland you can hitchike before or after places where people pay for higway (polish name bramki). One side will have a parking place and its free to hitchike there.''<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Seeberg West====<br />
<br />
[[File:Hitch_ber pl seeberg west.png|200px|thumb|right|How to walk from Hönow station to Seeberg West]]<br />
<br />
The cheapest, though probably not fastest option to reach ''Raststätte Seeberg West'', is to take subway line U5 to its eastern terminus ''Hönow'' (Berlin AB/BC ticket, €2.80). Once out of the station, cross ''Mahlsdorfer Straße'' (the road right in front of the station), turn left, and then turn right into the first road that branches off, called ''Am Barschsee/Am Weiher''. Follow ''Am Weiher'' and keep heading straight; the road continues as ''Am Grünzug'' after crossing ''Hoppegartener Straße'' and eventually as ''Wernergraben''. Once you can see the REWE supermarket, turn right into ''Stöbberstraße'' and follow it until its very end (it becomes ''An der alten Gärtnerei'' past the kindergarten). Turn left into ''Bamberger Straße'' and walk until the main road ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''.<br />
<br />
Carefully cross ''Neuenhagener Chaussee'' – it’s a busy road with cars going pretty fast – and start walking on the dirt road straight ahead. At some point the road turns right and you have to enter the forested area; the road crosses a stream called ''Zochegraben'' here. The road will now continue to the left whereas on the right you’ll see a small path. Turn left and keep following the dirt road. A few minutes later, after walking besides a field (on your right), there will be two paths to a small natural pool (which, depending on the time of the year, might not have any water in it; you’ll recognise the place though, having some wooden installations as well as a small “sand beach”. There, you’ll also see a wire fence that follows the direction of the pool if you were to look at it from the dirt road.<br />
<br />
Walk past the pool on the right hand side – there’s something like a path for a few metres – until you encounter high grass or the overgrown area respectively. From here, the easiest way to continue is to look where the least shrub is and head towards the wire fence. Chances are you’ll be doing some bush-bashing (again dependent on season), so don’t wear your fanciest clothes. Once besides the wire fence, the grass is not too high and walking becomes easier; keep following the fence, which will make a 90° right turn soon, when a huge field opens in front of you.<br />
<br />
From there, you’ll already see a big power line. Your destination is a wooden gate near the power pole on the field. Walk along its edge or simply across the field if conditions are favourable, no farmer is around and you’re wearing boots or something similar. Approximately 20 to 30 metres before the power pole, you’ll see the open gate (with nothing but an overgrown area behind it) on the edge of the field.<br />
<br />
Enter the gate and immediately turn right; walk about ten metres, then turn slightly left (approx. 45°) and keep walking. The shrub is pretty dense in places so again it’s some bush bashing, but a few metres further you’ll already encounter the fence of the ''Raststätte''. If you followed these directions, chances are you’ll already see the gate in the fence to enter the rest area. When [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] arrived here in October 2019, there was no padlock on the gate so it could simply be opened from either side of the fence.<br />
<br />
Altogether, the walk is a little bit over 5 km and should take 90 minutes at the most. To skip walking the suburban part in the beginning, you can also take bus #943 (direction: ''S Hoppegarten'') from ''Hönow'' station and get off at ''Thälmannstr.'', with this bus stop being very close to where the dirt road is starting at ''Neuenhagener Chaussee''. However, the bus only runs once per hour during weekdays and will require a Berlin ABC ticket for €3.40 (assuming you start your journey from within Berlin’s circle line/the city centre).<br />
<br />
At the ''Raststätte'', trucks heading for Poland abound, as well as a fair number of private cars with Polish number plates.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
# Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
# Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
'''Warning Autumn 2019: There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte am Fichtenplan") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.'''<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to Dahlewitz. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cars and trucks. Altogether you need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! You won't have to wait too long to hitch a ride almost anywhere in Eastern Europe.<br />
<br />
'''Warning Autumn 2019: There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte Michendorf") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.'''<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though (verified 2014-09-03).<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
So first you need to go Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus to Sachsenhausen Kirche and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. at this point the B96 still looks like a highway. but don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. so you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
If you're doing this on weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche. then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen and walk 30 minutes to the spot. Check before on vbb-Homepage! <br />
<br />
All in all it will take quite long time to get there, but if you need this direction it's easier, because it's outside the Berlin-Ringroad and you just have traffic in this direction. Waiting time between 1 and 40 minutes... average 15...20 minutes.<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
A word about getting into Berlin since the ring is so big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. But also the city itself is so big that if you get a ride to the other end of Berlin you have a long way to go, so a good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Spanische Allee ===<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<!-- [[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of Autobahn A2/E30]] --><br />
=== The Ruhr area ===<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]]. <br />
<br />
* I have experienced yesterday: Do not take a hitchhike in direction of Osnabruck/Bremen/Hamburg, be a little bit more patient and wait for a ride in direction Hannover! I have stepped off at the tankstation 10 km before Osnabruck at the A1 and have waited there for 4 hours, all cars go up north. I was coming from Essen.--[[User:Hapiel|Hapiel]] 02:25, 27 July 2012 (CEST) ''<br />
<br />
=== Poland > Amsterdam highway 10 ===<br />
The best to hitchhike is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 20 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 22:30. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 22:00.<br />
<br />
If you want to go '''reach Berlin most efficiently''' with public transports the best is to get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version:<br />
<br />
If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. Ca. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station. The last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41!<br />
<br />
Like [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 that].<br />
<br />
Alternatively you can take the same road in the [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks other direction] and go to the S-Bahn station of Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== Wild camping ===<br />
<br />
Train station '''S Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide''' has big fields with bushes next to it you can see them from train windows easy<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Berlin]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Berlin]]<br />
[[nomad:Berlin]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=File:Hitch_ber_pl_seeberg_west.png&diff=97010File:Hitch ber pl seeberg west.png2019-10-11T21:12:31Z<p>Raureif: OSM map showing how to walk from U-Bhf. Hönow (Berlin) to Raststätte Seeberg West for hitchhikers heading to Frankfurt/Oder and Poland; to be used in article Berlin</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
OSM map showing how to walk from U-Bhf. Hönow (Berlin) to Raststätte Seeberg West for hitchhikers heading to Frankfurt/Oder and Poland; to be used in article [[Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&diff=96977Berlin2019-10-05T10:50:09Z<p>Raureif: Clarified info on construction sites affecting the expressway south of Berlin, which severely affect finding a ride in those former prime spots</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}<br />
{{Infobox German Location<br />
|country = Germany<br />
|map = <map lat='52.5' lng='13.4' zoom='9' view='0' /><br />
|pop = 3,405,483 (31 Juli 2007)<br />
|state = Berlin<br />
|plate = B<br />
|motorways = [[A2 (Germany)|A2]], [[A9 (Germany)|A9]], [[A10 (Germany)|A10]], [[A11 (Germany)|A11]], [[A12 (Germany)|A12]], [[A13 (Germany)|A13]], [[A24 (Germany)|A24]]<br />
|BW = DE/Land%20Berlin/Berlin<br />
}}<br />
'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]].<br />
<br />
== Hitchhiking out ==<br />
<br />
=== Northwest towards [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] and [[Scandinavia]] {{Autobahn|24}} ===<br />
For hitchhiking to Hamburg prepare a cardboard sign with "HH" written on it, which is the license plate sign for cars from Hamburg and understood widely. "HRO" stands for Rostock by the way.<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Kurt-Schumacher-Damm ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 direction Alt-Tegel and get off at ''Kurt-Schumacher-Platz''. Then walk ≈500 m south along Kurt-Schumacher-Damm to the start of the Autobahn. Alternatively, about 2 minutes away from the U-Bahn station there is a ''Jet'' petrol station. You can either ask the drivers who stop there or stand at the road right before it.<br />
<br />
This spot is nearer to Berlin than the Autobahn Raststätte Stolper Heide and includes much less time spent walking and on the train.<br />
<br />
You can have a free breakfast or dinner before you start in the Sikh temple (gurdwara) that is a 10 minute walk from the petrol station at Kögelstraße 6.<br />
* [[User:MaxHermens|MaxHermens]] says: It's best to ask drivers if they are going on the Autobahn, and if so, if they can take you to the above mentioned Stolperheide. Then you can avoid the long walk and start hitching straight away.<br />
* [[User:t0ma5|t0ma5]] says: In July 2017 this option worked fine for me, 15 minutes wait just before the gas station with a sign reading "autobahn"<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Prenzlauer Promenade ====<br />
The street '''Prenzlauer Promenade''' is called ''Prenzlauer Allee'' in the city centre and becomes the Autobahn A114 next to the 'S-Bahn station ''Pankow-Heinersdorf''. From there, just walk 500 m down the bridge and you've got a traffic-light as well as two petrol stations, both on the right side for the drivers going towards the Autobahn. It may be worth walking to the second petrol station as it's cheaper and more frequented. However, it might happen that the staff at this second (Shell) station tell you to leave their property and threaten to call the police. <br />
<br />
There is usually a lot of traffic on this road, so you could also hitch with a sign. Coming from ''Pankow-Heinersdorf'', 50 m before the first petrol station, there is a shoulder where cars can stop and people waiting at the traffic light are able to see you.<br />
<br />
Much of the traffic here is local, but there is also significant traffic towards [[Hamburg]] and [[Rostock]].<br />
Try to get a lift to at least the first petrol station on the Autobahn ("Linumer Bruch").<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: Raststätte Stolper Heide ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S25 towards Henningsdorf and get off at ''Heiligensee'' (EUR 2.60). Turn left from the station and walk north 300 m down Ruppiner Chaussee. Then turn right on an asphalt walking path (there's a sign saying "Berliner Mauerweg"). Follow the path for 1.2 km, crossing the bridge over the Autobahn. Then turn immediately left down a little path - you can stay close to the Autobahn in order not to lose it and quickly you will see a pathway that you can follow to this Raststätte. There is a small fence to the left of the path which you have to jump at some point before you reach the station. The easiest place is probably to the right of a green fenced enclosure about half way to the . The walk from the bridge is about 1.5 km.<br />
<br />
This Raststätte is ideal in the sense that you end up starting to hitchhike directly from a petrol station in which there are a fair few people heading in direction [[Hamburg]], [[Rostock]] or [[Scandinavia]], and you can easily get a direct ride to Hamburg from here, and with a little patience, to Rostock. If you want to catch a certain boat in Rostock or have other basic time constraints, please note that getting to this spot from somewhere like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in the centre of Berlin can take two hours or even longer. <br />
<br />
Note: A (maybe not so good) nearby spot that saves you the 2 km walk: Get off one station earlier at ''Schulzendorf''. Walk ≈150 m north along Ruppiner Chaussee and take the first right (Schulzendorfer Straße). After ≈200 m, you will arrive at the Autobahn entrance sliproad. However, at this spot the access ramp is quite narrow, and there is not a good place for cars to stop safely. There is also a curve in the road, and cars are traveling quickly, so this spot might be dangerous for you and the drivers. You can take ''any'' ride. If the driver doesn't go your way, they can drop you off at the petrol station "Rasthof Stolper Heide" mentioned above, 3.5 km up the road.<br />
<br />
==== For [[Scandinavia]] bound hitchhikers ====<br />
<br />
''' For Denmark'''<br />
The ferries leave from '' 15 km north of Rostock'' and from [[Puttgarden]], from Berlin generally people head for the ferry at [[Rostock]] but it leaves more seldom, and if you are offered the right ride you could go to the [[Puttgarden]] one instead, which is a good option especially if you are only transitting through [[Denmark]] to [[Sweden]] seeing as on the Rostock - Gedser ferry there is very little ''Sweden'' bound traffic.<br />
<br />
'''Ferry Rostock-Gedser Update July 2017:''' The police didn't allow us to hitchhike vehicles going to take the ferry and we had to buy tickets. Not a good option if you want to make to DK without paying for part of journey.<br />
<br />
To go to [[Puttgarden]] from Berlin is possible if you are offered a ride to<br />
<br />
''' Hamburg Stillhorn - ''' If you can get a ride to this gasstation you can walk under the highway and hitchhike the other direction in direction [[Lubeck]] however not all people who to [[Hamburg]] go past this gasstation.<br />
<br />
''' Lubeck ''' It is possible to accept a ride either to Lubeck (or to the Neustadt gas station just north of Lubeck but that is more rare) in case you can get dropped of the onramp leading out of central Lubeck in direction Neustadt and waiting for a ride that will take you atleast to the gasstation 10 km north.<br />
<br />
''' For direction [[Århus]]''' you can also accept a ride found towards [[Flensburg]] and some hitchhikers have even been known to accept such rides and then going to [[Copenhagen]] through Kolding and [[Odense]]. Also it is possible to reach both South western [[Norway]] with the ferries from [[Hirtshals]] (Hitchable??) and [[Göteborg]], [[Sweden]] with the ferry from [[Fredrikstad]].<br />
<br />
<br />
'''For Sweden bound travellers '''<br />
You can also head for one of the direct ferries to [[Trelleborg]], leaving from either [[Rostock]] or [[Sassnitz]] ([[Rügen]]), they might be a bit harder to hitch but at least the one is [[Sassnitz]] have been reported to be possible.<br />
<br />
=== Northeast towards [[Szczecin]], [[Gdańsk|Gdansk]] (Danzig) {{Autobahn|11}} ===<br />
==== Option 1: Berliner Allee ====<br />
Take tram M4 from ''Alexanderplatz'' to ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.''. Then walk 150 m along ''Berliner Allee'' to the bus lay-by. Many cars at this intersection have Polish license plates and are heading northeast, some as far as Gdansk. Using a [[Szczecin]] sign will surely persuade a Polish driver to stop, though be prepared to mix your languages and refer to cities by their Polish names.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, walk 1 km north along Berliner Allee from ''Berliner Allee/Indira-Gandhi-Str.'' to the place just before where Darßer Str. passes over ''Berliner allee''. I found this place to be much better. It's a long straight road where people don't drive too fast and where there are a couple of pockets for cars to stop. There's less local traffic and a higher concentration of relevant traffic (Poles, to be blunt), and it's much nicer to stand here. I waited around 40 minutes until a truck driver stopped.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Autobahn Junction Berlin-Weißensee ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S2 direction Bernau from Friedrichstr. and get off at "Buch". From there, catch a bus that goes to "Schwanebeck, Dorf" (ca. 10 min). Several buses will go there so check the time table there or ask the driver or someone else. Note that you will need a ticket including Zone C, as Schwanebeck is located outside of the border of Berlin. Next, you'll have to walk the main road of the village into southern direction. It's about 1.2 km to the on ramp; before that there is a petrol station where one can already ask drivers. You'll need the on ramp towards eastern direction, that means coming from Schwanebeck, you have to pass the first on ramp which leads towards western direction. There, standing behind the safety fence, you are visible to all drivers who queue up at the traffic light from both sides. It is not very easy for drivers to stop by but just before the actual on ramp cars can pull over, as they are not on full speed and a little firm area off the road allows to stop. On your sign you should write "A11" as it's not the on ramp for the A11 straight away, but rather to the "Berliner Ring" (A10); the A11 goes off the A10 about a kilometre after this on ramp. If your driver is not going to your destination but follows the A11 for a while, ask to be dropped off at Raststätte "Buckowsee", which is located some 35 km after the A11 begins. This Raststätte is the only one on the A11 and afterwards on A20 (leading towards [[Stralsund]] or [[Rügen)]] but a very busy one. From here you should try to find your final ride.<br />
<br />
* Update: Due to reconstructions of the on ramp that finished in 2013 the situation looks different. There is hardly a spot for drivers to stop and the cars are going quite fast. Berliner Allee might be the easier option.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Leipzig]], [[Munich]] {{Autobahn|9}} and West towards [[Magdeburg]], [[Hannover]] {{Autobahn|2}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Grunewald ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S7 direction Potsdam, or S1 direction Wannsee, and get out at ''Nikolassee''. Walk out of the train station, cross the bridge and you'll see the [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] to the right. You can talk to drivers at the petrol station or on the parking lot.<br />
<br />
There are often other hitchhikers here early, and it is polite to wait until they have left. Get here early to avoid the competition.<br />
<br />
This spot is both faster & cheaper to get to than option 2: Michendorf. You will need 25 minutes from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Main Station) on an AB-ticket (EUR 2.70), compared to ~1 hour (including the walk) on an ABC-ticket (EUR 3.30) to Michendorf.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of long distance traffic heading south and west, with high chances of finding a ride for at least several hundred kilometres. However, it is ''not'' a good spot to hitch East.<br />
<br />
If you find nobody heading in your direction, you can also get a short lift until Michendorf and try your luck there, but this is usually not necessary.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
<ol><br />
<li>Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction [[Dessau]], check [http://www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/ fahrinfo-berlin.de] for route information) from the centre and get off at ''Michendorf'' (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south 1.3 km. Turn right into Feldstraße and follow it till you see the [[rest area|Raststätte]]. Enter via the green emergency door.</li><br />
<li>Take bus 643 or 608 from [[Potsdam]] Hbf which also passes the train station at Michendorf. Get off at ''Michendorf Luckenwalder Straße''. Walk 100 m south along Potsdamer Straße and then turn right into Feldstraße, following it for ≈800 m until the Raststätte.</li><br />
</ol><br />
There is a map on [[Crossable_rest_areas_in_Germany#Autobahn_A10|crossable rest areas in Germany]] that tells you exactly how to get from one side of Michendorf to the other.<br />
<br />
[[File:IMG 5392.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[Tiziano]] hitching from Berlin to [[Munich]]]]<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: AVUS / Messedamm access lane ====<br />
A good spot to stand with a sign is at the access lane onto the A115 (AVUS) from Messedamm. The access lane is a part of the Funkturm junction which connects the A115 and A100. The exact place to stand is at the acceleration lane of the road connecting the Messedam with the A115 in a U-turn around a quiet parking area at the Messedamm. From S-bahnhof Westkreutz walk north along the Halenseestrasse, and at the big crossing cross the road onto the Messedam. After 100 meters on the Messedam there is the quiet parking at your left hand side. Walk across the parking. To reach the place to stand, climb the traffic barrier between the parking and the acceleration lane. [http://goo.gl/maps/NlquZ This] is the exact location . Hitchhiking is prohibited here as the location is behind the Autobahn sign, but the risk is worth it. From S-bahnhof Messe Nord it is slightly further, but easier to find. Walk to the Messedamm, follow it south and at the next crossing turn right, then you find the quiet parking after 100 meters on your left hand side.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: Aral petrol station Kaiserdamm ====<br />
Take U2 to ''Kaiserdamm'' (if you come from direction ''Zoo'') and go out in the driving direction. Leave the station on the left exit. After 50 m there's the petrol station. It depends on the day, sometimes it's very easy to get away there, sometimes it's harder.<br />
<br />
==== Option 5: Trampstelle [[Potsdam]] ====<br />
There is a local campaign for an official hitchhiking spot in Potsdam, they made a petition and won it :)<br />
The hitchhiking spot is planned now and will be established soon. Update 2016: There is still no "Trampstelle" in Potsdam.<br />
<br />
=== South towards [[Dresden]] and [[Cottbus]] {{Autobahn|13}} ===<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: B96a Altglienicke BEST SPOT FOR DRESDEN (I have my doubts, from Schöneweide it was way easier) ====<br />
Take S-Bahn S9 or S45 to ''Altglienicke''. When getting off, you'll see there is a road that runs parallel on your left-hand side to the S-Bahn line (if you are facing North), and a red light. To get there, leave the platform by using the footbridge and turning right at the staircase (walk over the road running parallel). On the right side, There will be a pathway that goes down to the road - it's a little windy path that will eventually take you there. You will come to the road that runs parallel to the S-Bahn track and on that road is the red light that does not seem to have any shoulder space. But do not be confused. This is the BEST PLACE to stand and get an immediate ride. Cross the road to stand at the red light on the SBahn Track side. You can ask cars every time they stop for the red light. The red light is 100 m before the right hand onramp of the Autobahn going to Cottbus or Dresden. Update : It may seem like there is no shoulder for cars to pull up but there is which most drivers know (remark: I waited more than an hour there without getting a lift, the entrance if the highway has 2 lanes and much more space to stop. There I got a ride in less than 30min) . We could not see it and got confused and took a ride in the direction of airport, wasted like 3 hours and came back to this point crossed the road and got the first ride within 5 minutes. <br />
<br />
* This is the best place to hitch towards Dresden/Prague than Schöneweide in my opinion ( I second the opinion ) ! In Schöneweide I waited one hour and more, in Altglienicke max. 15 minutes! Some drivers also told me they say hitchhikers in Schöneweide but didn't take them because it was difficult for them to stop there. In Altglienicke it's easy. <br />
<br />
* I'd suggest to go some hundred meters down the road. A normal lane changes into a parking lane, where cars can easily stop. Actually I saw cars from anywhere in Germany (Dresden, Hannover, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Offenburg, Leipzig) [[User:Redjo27|Redjo27]]<br />
* ^ Do not follow the instructions above. Very confusing and do not work.<br />
<br />
* I didn't find this ''parking lane'' some hundred meters down the road, but there was the offramp that goes to Dresden maybe 100 m or less. This is really unsafe. I instead went 100 m or so back towards Berlin (from the above mentioned red light) where you will find a long stretch of safe lane space for cars to stop. This is prime real estate for hitchhiking as cars are going slow enough and there is plenty of run way in and out. I have taken this twice now, and waited only 10 min one time, and about 45min the next. [[User:Filbert|Filbert]] ( This did not work at all despite all the shoulder space. Cars have no incentive or natural reason to spot and they are already speeding because they are anticipating the Red light ahead. <br />
* ^ [[User:Itsagerston|itsagerston]] adds that, while upon arrival this seems like a great spot, it may be a waste of time. We thumbed for a couple hours with no luck whatsoever on a Sunday morning in October 2017.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 22/10/2017<br />
We were two people trying to get a ride from Altglienicke to Dresden. There were many hitchhikers there and the traffic light is only red for 15 seconds, it's vert fast. If you are alone maybe you can try this spot but it's not easy. We waited more than 90 minutes and finally the highway police came and told us that it's forbidden to hitch here and we could have a 100€ fee. They said us to go to Schöneweide petrol station (option 3) and there we get a ride to Dresden in 20 minutes. So I strongly advice not to go to Altglienicke... <br />
<br />
* Next to the road close to the S-Bahn station is a big breakdown lane, where cars can stop easily. <br />
<br />
If you go to Prague, make sure that drivers who stop in Dresden bring you to the Raststätte "Dresdner Tor Süd". "Dresdner Tor Nord" is also possible, but then you have to walk approx. 1.5 kilometers through a field to go to the other side.<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE 23/09/2018<br />
The road is under construction, and it will continue for a while probably. But now its EVEN BETTER. The cars are slow, and there is only one lane per direction. Just before the highway ramp there is space to stop for at least 3 cars, and as the cars are very slow is very easy to stop for them. Got a ride for two people straight away to Dresden in 3 minutes with a sign. // 11/11/2018 construction still ongoing and not seeming like it would finish soon. Ride in 3 minutes! <br />
31/05/2019 before or at the red light is worse. I would recommend using the space right after the street goes to the right to Dresden. In the road curve I got a ride in 10 minutes. Where the road construction entrance is, cars can stop.<br />
06/06/2019 the construction is still ongoing but I couldn't get a ride at the red light even after more than an hour wait, I guess people don't realize there's space to stop. Afterwards I move to the entrance of the highway to Dresden, just before the motorway sign, where there's a lot of space for cars to stop and got a ride in about 30min!<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: A100 Autobahn junction Tempelhof ====<br />
Take U-bahn U6 or S-Bahn S41, S42, S45, S46, or S47 to Tempelhof. Turn right (south) along Tempelhofer Damm for 200 m to the A100 junction. <br />
<br />
* (Update June 2015: A busy Friday afternoon, got a lift after 15 minutes all the way to Dresden so was very happy with this spot. It is possible to walk along the row of cars in the left-turning lane during a red light, but there isn't much space between these cars and the lane of traffic coming beside it in the opposite direction, so try to get back to the small pedestrian area at the traffic light before it changes. - grae)<br />
<br />
* (Update: At a busy traveling time, e.g. Friday afternoon, the left turn to enter the Autobahn A100 from B96 Tempelhofer Damm near S-Bahnhof Tempelhof under the S-Bahn bridge (googlemaps: 52.469536,13.385558) is highly recommended. You will stand with a Dresden or A13 sign on the pedestrian space where you can speak with some of the left-bound drivers directly. They could even stop before the Autobahn begins, but it's better to get in immediately. Wait for DD number plates, CB (Cottbus) come less often, but might also be useful. Not a thing to do in the night. One of ten DD cars would probably take you. Waiting time: one hour, but then you have a functioning ride.)<br />
<br />
* Maybe Tempelhof used to be a good place to hitch hike in the past but now it seems impossible to catch a ride there - there is simply no space for a car to stop (or we failed to find a spot which I doubt because we searched the whole neighbourhood). If you still want to test it yourself: There are two red lights, for people coming from north and south, so they have time to see you. You should ask for A113 or A13, or simply if they are going in the way to Ikea, and get dropped on the petrol station before the big mall (before Waltersdorf, check map also). Bus #263 from S-Bahn station Grünau also goes to/near this petrol station. '''Please read the discussion page'''!<br />
<br />
* From the 96a road (not that much in use after opening the A113).<br />
<br />
==== Option 3: B96a Schöneweide ====<br />
[[File:Berlin-schoeneweide.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Hitchhikers next to the Raststätte in Schöneweide.]]<br />
Take S-Bahn S8, S9, S41, S42, S45, S4, S47, or S85 to ''Schöneweide''. Then walk east out of the station, turn ru ight on Michael-Brückner Straße and after 300 m, you'll find two big [[rest area|Raststättes]].<br />
<br />
* Although it is far away, these are mostly the last petrol stations for cars going towards the autobahn to get petrol. The place was once crowded with hitchhikers but is normally empty now and works fine! Locals tend to stop at the second petrol station because it's usually cheaper. Also, behind this petrol station is a Burger King "Restaurant". If you choose your spot well, you can show a sign to people leaving the second petrol station or entering Burger King. Aiming for the cars on the main street has low chances, they are going fast and there is no good place for them to stop.<br />
<br />
* Collating a number of past reviews, between 2010 and 2019, most hitchhikers tend to get a ride here within 30 minutes - 1 hour. Dresden is easy, towards Cottbus - Poland you will probably need a second ride.<br />
<br />
==== Option 4: A100 Auffahrt Siemensdamm ====<br />
Directly in front of the junction "Siemensdamm" (at least towards south) there is a crossing of the streets "Siemensdamm" and "Nikolaus-Groß-Weg" with traffic lights. Moving away from the motorway there is a long line of parking spots, perfect to getting picked up. I've made the experience that directly at the traffic lights it's hard but a bit further it can work.<br />
<br />
Very close is the station "U Siemensdamm".<br />
Of course it is probably a great spot towards AVUS and north as well.<br />
* Autumn 2016. Morning. Got a ride after about 15 min. I came from Falkensee (next to Spandau right outside Berlin) and was dropped off at this spot which is probably well known by local drivers.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]], [[Poland]] {{Autobahn|10}} {{E|30}} ===<br />
''If you are hitching in the direction of [[Wroclaw]], [[Katowice]] or [[Krakow]], you might find the route-page from [[:Category:Route_Berlin_-_Kraków|Berlin to Kraków]] useful.''<br />
<br />
==== Option 1: Raststätte Michendorf ====<br />
# Take a regional train (e.g. RE7 direction Dessau, check fahrinfo-berlin.de for route information) from the centre and get off at Michendorf (zones ABC, EUR 3.30). Leave the station at the left side (in direction of the train). Turn right into the Potsdamer Straße and walk south ≈1.7 km on Potsdamer Straße until it ends (it bends right and is called An der Autobahn then). Keep walking straight ahead on a footpath and cross the tunnel under the Autobahn A10. After the tunnel, turn right on a sandy path through the forest. Follow the track until you are at the Mcdonalds at the [[rest area]]. The petrol station is after the restaurant and seems to be better for getting rides.<br />
# Take bus 643 from ''Potsdam Hbf'', direction Busendorf, and get off at ''Michendorf, Bergheide''. Walk back 40 m in the direction the bus came from to the junction. There will be a small road going to the left, through the forest. Follow this road for ≈1 km to the Mcdonalds/Raststätte.<br />
'''Status Autumn 2019''': There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte am Fichtenplan") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.<br />
<br />
==== Option 2: Raststätte Am Fichtenplan ====<br />
[[File:Berlinout.jpg|thumb|alt=E30 ''[[E30]]''.]]<br />
Take S-bahn S2 to the end station ''Blankenfelde''. From there, take any regional train one stop to Dahlewitz. Turn right from the station and walk southeast ≈4 km along Bahnhofstrasse/L40 until you cross over the Autobahn A10/E30 bridge. Head down to the Autobahn and walk 1 km east to the big Aral petrol station. Walking on the Autobahn is illegal, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting caught, continue walking straight on the L40 after crossing the bridge for 1.6 km. There will be a small road on the left heading to the Autobahn. Walk north 850 m along this road until the start of the bridge over the Autobahn. Climb down to the field and walk east 300 m, parallel with the Autobahn, until you reach the Raststätte. (There is a fence to with holes in it before/next to Raststätte). See the map on the right.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cars and trucks. Altogether you need to walk 5 to 6 km, but the place is very good! You won't have to wait too long to hitch a ride almost anywhere in Eastern Europe.<br />
<br />
'''Status Autumn 2019''': There is a major motorway reconstruction there (the same project affecting "Raststätte Michendorf") which is expected to be finished in mid-2020 only. During this time, there are comparatively few cars using the Raststätte and long traffic jams. Choosing alternative routes is recommended.<br />
<br />
=== East towards [[Kostrzyn]] and [[Frankfurt an der Oder|Frankfurt (Oder)]] ===<br />
If you are going to Frankfurt/Oder or somewhere else close by, you can try to hitch along the national road B5/B1 instead of taking the highway A12. <br />
<br />
Take the S5 to Mahlsdorf and follow Hönewer Straße to the South until the big intersection with the street Alt-Mahlsdorf. After the traffic light there is [https://goo.gl/maps/45v4qR1Np822 enough place to stop]. Cars go quite fast, but often slow down due according to the changing traffic lights. There is still a lot of city traffic though (verified 2014-09-03).<br />
<br />
Directly before the entrance to the Berlin ringway there is a bus stop suitable for hitching further. About 10 km after the highway the B1/B5 changes from a fast two lane road to a smaller national road.<br />
<br />
=== North towards [[Fürstenberg]], [[Neustrelitz]] and [[Neubrandenburg]] ===<br />
For the East part of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania the B96 could be a good option instead of A11/A20, because there's only one petrol station on A11 and none on the eastern part of the A20.<br />
<br />
So first you need to go Oranienburg (S1, RE from Südkreuz - Hauptbahnhof - Gesundbrunnen, RB Lichtenberg - Hohenschönhausen). From Oranienburg go by bus to Sachsenhausen Kirche and continue walking Granseer Straße for 15 minutes and you'll reach the B96. at this point the B96 still looks like a highway. but don't be confused: just a few meters before the onramp Oranienburg-Nord there's a sign saying that Autobahn ends. So cars are allowed to stop north of the ramp. between Oranienburg and Neubrandenburg just Neustrelitz is bad for leaving a car. If you're driver goes to Neustrelitz leave the car 2 km before at the last crossroad (connection with B198 to Wesenberg, Mirow) and use the bus stop over there to go on to NB or ask if you driver can drop you off at the North end of Neustrelitz. In every other town/village on that way the B96 goes directly via the town. so you can get off and look for the next busstop on the B96.<br />
<br />
If you're doing this on weekend or holidays it might be that there's nearly no bus via Sachsenhausen, Kirche. then you can go by train to Sachsenhausen and walk 30 minutes to the spot. Check before on vbb-Homepage! <br />
<br />
All in all it will take quite long time to get there, but if you need this direction it's easier, because it's outside the Berlin-Ringroad and you just have traffic in this direction. Waiting time between 1 and 40 minutes... average 15...20 minutes.<br />
<br />
== Hitching In ==<br />
A word about getting into Berlin since the ring is so big and maybe you are on a ride that's only passing by. But also the city itself is so big that if you get a ride to the other end of Berlin you have a long way to go, so a good option is to get out at... <br />
<br />
=== Spanische Allee ===<br />
You can get off at the exit ''Spanische Allee'' if your driver takes the [[A115_(Germany)|A115]] passing by Potsdam to get into the city which most people do that are coming from the West. From the station ''Nikolassee'' right next to it you can take the S-Bahn to ''Zoologischer Garten'', ''Friedrichstraße'' or ''Warschauer Straße'' from where you can go anywhere. It is usually faster to do so unless your driver really goes directly into your neighbourhood, because you need more or less the same time by public transport to go anywhere in Berlin from this spot as with the car. Also your driver can easily go off the highway and back onto it. <br />
<br />
<!-- [[File:DSCF0460.JPG |200px|thumb|left|got stuck]] [[File:DSCF0467.JPG|200px|thumb|left|behind the fence of Autobahn A2/E30]] --><br />
=== The Ruhr area ===<br />
When hitch hiking towards Berlin from Belgium, avoid passing the Ruhr area (Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg). Once you get in, it's difficult to get out. Raststättes are rare and passing traffic avoids this region. We tried on several places and had to take the train to pass this area (lost 5 hours). There are sufficient work arounds to avoid this area. See also the hitchwiki page of the [[Ruhr Area]]. <br />
<br />
* I have experienced yesterday: Do not take a hitchhike in direction of Osnabruck/Bremen/Hamburg, be a little bit more patient and wait for a ride in direction Hannover! I have stepped off at the tankstation 10 km before Osnabruck at the A1 and have waited there for 4 hours, all cars go up north. I was coming from Essen.--[[User:Hapiel|Hapiel]] 02:25, 27 July 2012 (CEST) ''<br />
<br />
=== Poland > Amsterdam highway 10 ===<br />
The best to hitchhike is to get off at ''Rasthof Michendorf'' (after all the ring interchanges). There is a bridge over the Autobahn nearby so if you are coming from [[Poland]] you can jump over and easily find someone going into the city. <br />
* Alternatively, you can walk into Michendorf itself, which takes about 20 min. Just head north from the petrol stations (you can go under the Autobahn from the southern petrol station). From Michendorf, you can take a train for EUR 3.30 to the centre of Berlin (the ABC ticket, which is valid for 2 hours, so you can also use metro, bus etc. when in Berlin). The last train everyday is at 22:30. So don't leave the petrol station if you get there after 22:00.<br />
<br />
If you want to go '''reach Berlin most efficiently''' with public transports the best is to get of at "Königs Wusterhausen"/"Wildau". The exit is one exit after the "Schönefelder Kreuz" on the A10 direction Poland. I consider it as the quickest to get in Berlin from the South! Maybe your driver can drop you in the village at the S-Bahn otherwise here is the independent version:<br />
<br />
If you want to get off in Königs Wusterhausen, the best opportunity is a bit a freestyle one. Ca. 2 km after the exit for "Königs Wusterhausen" there is 150 m long bridge called Wildauer Brücke. If your driver is ready to stop there he can drop you directly after the bridge on the hard shoulder. If you pay antention you will find a small door in the noise barrier. Open the door, go down the stairs, you will find the road for Königswusterhausen. Walk 20 min and you will be at the S-Bahn station. The last S-Bahn for Berlin is at 00:41!<br />
<br />
Like [https://goo.gl/maps/grprFELW7rM2 that].<br />
<br />
Alternatively you can take the same road in the [https://goo.gl/maps/XhvjZqX9rks other direction] and go to the S-Bahn station of Wildau.<br />
<br />
=== Wild camping ===<br />
<br />
Train station '''S Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide''' has big fields with bushes next to it you can see them from train windows easy<br />
<br />
{{IsIn|Germany}}<br />
[[trash:Berlin]]<br />
[[wikipedia:Berlin]]<br />
[[nomad:Berlin]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Autobahn|Autobahn]]<br />
[[Category:Germany]]<br />
[[Category:E26]]<br />
[[Category:E28]]<br />
[[Category:E30]]<br />
[[Category:E36]]<br />
[[Category:E51]]<br />
[[Category:E55]]<br />
[[Category:Route Amsterdam - Berlin]]<br />
[[Category:Route Berlin - Kraków]]<br />
<br />
[[de:Berlin]]<br />
[[fr:Berlin]]<br />
[[tr:Berlin]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=96924User:Raureif2019-09-29T20:24:46Z<p>Raureif: Caption</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on. <br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!<br />
<br />
== Places ==<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
The easiest countries were Malaysia and South Korea (both with an average waiting time of less than five minutes), while Laos was the hardest (of trying to hitchhike six times in good locations, only two times my girl and I were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers). The most interesting/weird drivers I encountered were the Australians while going from Brisbane to Cairns in a course of two weeks.</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Bangkok&diff=96923Bangkok2019-09-29T19:21:42Z<p>Raureif: Added the Bang Sue tollgate as option to go North; fixed a few typos & grammar</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Bangkok''' (กรุงเทพมหานคร, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) is the capital of [[Thailand]]. It's a pretty big sprawling city yet it's quite easily managed once you get your head around it.<br />
<br />
== Hitching out ==<br />
<br />
Trains in Thailand are very very cheap, so many hitchhikers opt for heading down to the main train station and catching a train to some place outside of the big city. <br />
Another option that can seem a bit more stressful, but is perfectly possible is to start hitching right from the center. If you're standing in a decent enough spot someone should stop within 10 minutes. <br />
<br />
=== To the South ===<br />
<br />
Near by skytrain's station "Wongwian yai" there is a rail road station (13.724441, 100.491312). Frim this station yuo can take a train to the last stop "Maha Chai" (13.545823, 100.275569).<br />
There are a lot of trains from 5 a.m., price is 15 bat =0.5$.<br />
<br />
=== To the North ===<br />
<br />
'''Option One''':<br />
Highway 1 heading north starts at the Victory Monument. Two bus lines will take you a good way up the road: 39 and 510. Get off at the last stop <br />
[http://www.transitbangkok.com/stations/Bangkok%20Bus/Thamassat%20University%2C%20Rangsit%20Campus Thamassat University, Rangsit Campus] ( มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ รังสิต). Bus 39 doesn't depart from the bus stop listing its number, instead it stops at a different part of the roundabout. [https://www.google.la/maps/dir/13.7653562,100.5378708//@13.7654682,100.5403975,18z?hl=en/html/ here] if user [[User:Jans|Jans]] recalls correctly<br />
[[Link title]]<br />
<br />
'''Option Two''':<br />
From central rail road station (13.739418, 100.516694) you can take a train (every one or two hours, ฿15) to this station (14.385274, 100.598595) or sometimes the train will stop at the next station ''Map Pgra Chan'' (14.402356, 100.632265), but you can easily hitch-hike from the village to the main road.<br />
<br />
'''Option Three''':<br />
First, for most convenience, take a taxi to ''Kasemrad Hospital'' (Thai: โรงพยาบาล เกษมราษฎร์ ประชาชื่น) in ''Bang Sue'' district. Alternatively, the closest metro station is ''Wong Sawang'' on the MRT's Purple Line, from where you'll have to get out of the station walking in a southeast direction, to the big intersection of ''Wong Sawang Rd''/''Ratchadaphisek Rd''. Turn left and follow ''Ratchadaphisek Rd'' until the intersection right at the canal/river, where you have to turn left again. After a few metres, you'll already see the hospital.<br />
<br />
Facing the hospital's main car park/entrance area, turn right and pass it on the right, entering ''Sai Sin Alley'' (you can see a 7-11 convenience store); it's the only road branching off before the expressway bridge. Follow the road until the crossroad and turn right on the second road, as the first one leads back to an intersection near the canal/river. From there, you'll already see a road running along the side of the expressway. Enter and follow this road; there's no pedestrian walkway so you'll first walk on the grass on the left hand side, then along the edge of the road.<br />
<br />
Eventually, as the road rises, you'll see that it becomes the leftmost lane of the tollgate, where you can simply pass on the left hand side on the pedestrian walkway that starts shortly before the gate. Right behind the gate is a [https://goo.gl/maps/9PKjPbNi8sBJ5aMy9 covered walkway (link to Google Maps)], where a lot of people going North stop. When [[User:Raureif|Raureif]] arrived here with his girlfriend in January 2019, tollgate staff approached them five minutes after arrival; after learning they wanted to hitchhike to [[Phitsanulok]], the staff actually stopped cars just coming out of the tollgate and helped them with communication. Result: A ride after less than 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
== Eating and Sleeping ==<br />
<br />
There's a [https://www.google.com/maps/place/13%C2%B044'14.4%22N+100%C2%B033'40.0%22E/@13.7373313,100.5605528,177m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d13.73733!4d100.5611 Sikh temple] near Sukhumvit MRT station [13.73733N, 100.5611E] where you can get free food between 9am and 11.30am and 6/6.30pm to 9/9.30pm. To find it, locate the exit of the station that is in the North along Thanon Montri Rd., turn right and walk some hundred meters. The temple is on your right, you can recognise it by the Indians dressed in white that are hanging out on the square before it. Keep in mind that you should cover your head (also as a male) and also show your reverence by going into the room on your right and bowing to all the spiritual men and all the pictures of spiritual men in this room. When you leave it, you'll be rewarded with a sweet :-) afterwards just hang out in the main hall until somebody notices you; they'll know you're there for the food. After the meal you're expected to wash your dishes. In this temple, there's always people sleeping as well, so if you charm them they might let you crash with them for a couple of nights as well.<br />
<br />
== Public Transportation ==<br />
<br />
Bangkok has an extensive system of buses and metro lines (not to mention the countless taxis, mototaxis and tuk-tuks that plow the streets). The metro lines are pretty cheap if you're used to European standards, and at least the MRT can be blackridden. For every journey you buy a black plastic electronic coin that you hold against the entrance gate to open it for you and that you drop into the exit gate when you leave the system again. Note that the coin will notice if you travel for more stops than you paid for. Now for travelling free (a bit harder to do with a big backpack) you just slide yourself through the entrance/exit gates with another person. Ideally this will be somebody you know because you have to follow a person quite closely and unless it's rush hour the random Thai person unwittingly helping you might be freaked out by your sudden presence so closely behind them. The entrance gate will also notice when two people pass through it at once and will beep loudly, but if you just pretend nothing happened, you'll most likely be fine as according to actual experience :-) After all, you're a tourist and if anybody should stop you just talk to them confusedly in English. The exit gate doesn't make any special sounds when two people leave it at once.<br />
<br />
There are SOME red buses throughout the city which are free. Before boarding a red bus, make sure you see the word 'free' (ฟรี) written somewhere on the front of the bus (sometimes there is a blue circle with the word in white; other times it is at the end of a sentence). Just hop on and hop off wherever you please. Bus 15 is good to see Khao San Rd, Siam Shopping district, Ratchadamri Road, Asiatique Market and everything in between.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Thailand]]<br />
[[visa:Bangkok]]</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=96922User:Raureif2019-09-29T18:35:26Z<p>Raureif: Typo</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on.<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
The easiest countries were Malaysia and South Korea (both with an average waiting time of less than five minutes), while Laos was the hardest (of trying to hitchhike six times in good locations, only two times my girl and I were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers). The most interesting/weird drivers I encountered were the Australians while going from Brisbane to Cairns in a course of two weeks.<br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!</div>Raureifhttps://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=User:Raureif&diff=96921User:Raureif2019-09-29T18:30:47Z<p>Raureif: First version</p>
<hr />
<div>I'm an original Berliner, born three months before the Wall fell, and have discovered my love for travelling early on.<br />
<br />
The first time I hitchhiked – although only for a distance of approx 5 km – was on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Since then, my thumb (often accompanied by signs) got me further rides in:<br />
<br />
* Australia<br />
* Cambodia<br />
* China<br />
* Germany<br />
* Laos<br />
* Malaysia<br />
* Myanmar<br />
* Nauru<br />
* New Caledonia<br />
* New Zealand<br />
* South Korea<br />
* Thailand<br />
* Timor-Leste<br />
* Vietnam<br />
<br />
The easiest countries were Malaysia and South Korea (both with an average waiting time of less than five minutes), while Laos was the hardest (of trying to hitchhike six times in good locations, only two times my girl and I were picked up – both times by Chinese business travellers). The most interesting/weird drivers I encountered were the Australians while going from Brisbane to Cairns in a course of a few weeks.<br />
<br />
Hitchhiking is perhaps the most enriching way of transport while travelling, so I want to spread the word and assist fellow hitchers with my experiences. Thumbs up!</div>Raureif