English channel

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There are two ways for hitchhikers to cross the English Channel: by ferry or by the Channel Tunnel. Ferries leave from Dover on the English side and either Calais or Dunkerque on the French side, and the tunnel runs from Calais to Folkestone.

Both the ferries and tunnel are free for hitchhikers, as drivers pay per car rather than per passenger. Most drivers purchase tickets for the tunnel or the ferry in advance. It is very important to tell drivers that it's free to add passengers to their ticket, as most drivers don't know this!

It is highly recommended to find a ride across the channel well before the border and cross by whichever means your driver is going. There are a few spots where hitchhikers have been highly successful in finding rides across the channel:


TO France

You're best off finding a ride at either Maidstone Services on the M20 or Medway Services on the M2. Even if you're offered a ride to Folkestone or Dover, it's often best to turn down these rides and wait for a ride going all the way to France.

If you get tired of hitchhiking from one of these service stations, or are beginning from a spot further southeast, then it is often easier to hitchhike a ferry from Dover than getting a ride through the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone (although both are possible).

If going for the Dover ferry option, stand at the BP petrol station on the road before the ferry port (51°07'06.1"N 1°18'25.0"E) on Limekiln St/A20 roughly a mile before the ferry entrance. Accept any ride going on the ferry, as it should be easy to find a ride further towards your destination by talking to people on the ferry. See the Dover page for more details.

If going for the tunnel option, stand by the viaduct at exit 11a, where there is a big space for cars to stop. More information at the Channel tunnel page.

To England

Look for a ride going to England from the last service station before Calais in whichever direction you're coming from. When coming from Belgium, the last station before the French border seems to be a decent spot. Even if there is little traffic in the middle of the night, a decent proportion of the cars will be going to England.

If this fails, you'll likely have an easier time hitchhiking from the ferry entrance than from the tunnel entrance, though this is debatable. Some hitchhikers have reported being kicked out of the tunnel entrance by the authorities, while others have been successful. For ferries, there are two options: Calais or Dunkerque. The Calais ferry has more traffic and has the option of buying a foot passenger ticket if you're in a hurry and don't have a ride. The Dunkerque ferry is generally more laid back but has less traffic and no option for foot passengers, meaning you can only get on if you get a ride.

For either ferry, the parking lot near the ticket office is a good place to start asking for rides. Unfortunately, most people buy their tickets in advance and won't stop here, though, so if you don't find someone buying a ticket, then thumb on the road before the ticket booths/passport control where all cars going to the ferry will see you. Once past passport/ticket control, you can ask cars where they're going and try to find a ride further in your direction in England. If you get a lot of rude denials, don't give up! You'll find a ride! See the Calais and Dunkerque pages for more info.

For the tunnel, there is no great spot to stand, so look around for a discreet spot where cars can stop. Hitchhikers have been successful at the motorway entrance as well as hiding behind the arrow sign where the two roads split before the tunnel control. It's recommended to ask your driver to not reveal that you are a hitchhiker to passport/ticket control, as there have been reports of hitchhikers being denied entrance to the tunnel. More information at Channel Tunnel.