İzmit

Template:Izmit is a city in Turkey. Izmit rarely sees many tourists, however, it is on an important junction involving the E881 (Bursa and the west coast) and the O-4/E80 (heading towards Ankara and the north east).

Note that cars heading from Istanbul to Bursa (or vice-versa) rarely passby Izmit due to the Yavlova-Gebze ferry.

Hitching out

East towards Ankara or Samsun

Sneaking onto the O-4 is the best option if you want to head a long distance towards Ankara or Samsun. There is the trucker's parking stop about 1 hours walk uphill north-west from the town centre near the "Tepe Ustu mosque/cami". There is a fence around the highway and the truck stop, however, there are many openings in the fence. Once in the truck stop just flash your thumb around and you should get a ride in a short time.

The walk is a long one although there are buses from the town centre for 2TL.

One could also hitchhike next to the bus station on the ramp heading towards the highway, however there is a chance that you may be told to go away by the police. The location itself isn't great either since it lacks a place for the driver to stop efficently. Should you choose this option it is recommended that you use a sign since the ramp leads onto both directions of the highway.