Gdańsk

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Gdańsk is a city centered in Pomeranian, Northern Poland, along the Northeast coastline. There are boats that go between Gdansk and small cities in Sweden.

Hitching out

Direction E75

To get out of Gdańsk (as well as the nearby Gdynia and Sopot) in the direction of E75 it's best to use the local train (called SKM), or regular train) to get to Pszczółki or some other village between Gdansk and Tczew. With SKM it will cost you about 5 pln (EUR 1,40) for a normal ticket, and with a regular train 7,5 pln (EUR 2). The journey from Gdansk train station takes about half an hour. When you get of the train just walk out of the village in the direction of the road, it's visible from the station.

Direction Warsaw

Take a bus going to Sobieszewo(or Rafineria), there are 2-3 of them passing the city center (e.g. #186, #112). Get out at Rafineria, it's 15 minutes from city center. There's only one lane and a big bus stop. Uhmm hitched there a few times and he has seen hitchers there and even picked up one French guy going to Lithuania once. On this bus stop usually local people await their buses, when they see you hitching they may do the same, they will of course stand 15m in front of you, but they probably won't smile, so eye-contact with cars and a little bit of smile and you go along the fantastic road no7.

Direction Szczecin, Świnoujście (Scandanavian ferries) & Berlin

  • From Gdansk, Sopot, or Gdynia head to the closest railway station and catch the regional 'SKM' train in the direction of 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 motorway going in the direction of Berlin (if you are in the small town, turn around and go back to the other side of the station. Once there, walk 30 meters back to the bus stop where there is a place for cars to stop and begin your journey.
  • a tip* A sign in Polish or with a Polish city e.g. 'Szczecin' (only 80km from Berlin) is much safer than a German city, 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).

A common HH trip through Poland involves a last minute stop in the North before heading towards Berlin. This is no problem, as long as you know where to start your trip. Do not attempt it in the center of any of the tricity area- Gdansk, Sopot, or Gdynia. Also, this route has been successful with various guests of mine from Hospitality Club and Couch Surfing. Maximum wait: 25 minutes. Minimum: 2 minutes.