Changes

'''Germany''' is a great country for hitchhiking. Just make sure you get on the ''Autobahn'' (motorway)! There it is best to get to a ''Raststätte'' (service area) where drivers can legally stop and get from one to another. You will often find maps with the motorways and the service areas along them.

==Border crossings==

Germany implemented the [[Schengen Agreement]]. This means, that the border to other Schengen countries are open. At the borders to non-Schengen countries ([[Poland]], [[Czech Republic]] and [[Switzerland]]) there are still checkpoints and German custom officers or sometimes police might control your luggage. These border crossings are usually among the best places in Europe to find a long distance ride. If you hitchhike on the border stand well behind the border pass on or close to the edge of the border control area and additional services (shops and parkings) and the beginning of the motorway or national road. It is best to leave the car 100-200 meter (in stead of 10 meter) after the border; in that case border guardians rarely bother about hitchhikers.

==Eat==

Try to avoid eating on service stations on the motorways. They are very expensive (you even have to pay for the toilets) and the food is usually very bad.

At some service stations you get a 50¢ bill for the toilet. You can buy things for 50¢ with it at the petrol station shop and at the restaurant.

Keep in mind that most shops (including supermarkets) are not allowed to open on Sundays. Also most supermarkets close at 20:00 or even earlier. There are ''no'' 24h-shops, but gas stations often offer a limited food section.

In bigger cities you can usually get the cheapest fast-food at the various Turkish and Italian Restaurants.

==Biggest cities==