Changes

 == Greater London ==This region is a part of the [[East of England]] and accessible through the motorways M1/A1 and M11. These regions are part of the [[London]] commuter belt and include in part or totally the following counties: '''Bedfordshire:''' [[Luton]] (London Luton Airport) '''Cambridgeshire:''' [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]] '''Essex:''' [[Colchester]], [[Southend-on-Sea]] '''Hertfordshire:''' [[Stevanage]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] / [[London Stansted]] (Airport)  == Hitching Out Hitchhiking in ==* London has a motorway ring-road, the [[httpM25 (GB)|M25]]. '''Get dropped off on or near the M25 and use the public transport to get wherever you need.''' If you are coming from the west and your driver is heading south on the M25, ask to be dropped off at the first junction on the M25:Heathrow Terminal 5. Get off at the roundabout at the end of the motorway spur and walk to the terminal building. The Piccadilly Line Underground starts here. If they are heading north, see the description for getting to Uxbridge Underground station below.<br/ >If you are coming from the southeast on the M20, ask to be dropped off at the A20/M20/wwwM25 roundabout. From here you can take the B2173 road 2km to Swanley train station.hitchbaseAlternatively, if they are heading further north, get dropped off at the M25/A12 junction and walk ≈3km west to Harold Wood station.com<br/ >If you're coming from the north and your driver is heading towards the M4/ergebnisseM3 direction, try to persuade them to do a slight detour off the M25 to junction 1 of the M40 (roundabout with A40).php?LANGFrom there, it's a ≈2km walk to Uxbridge Underground station. Otherwise, get off at the last services (Toddington) before the M25 and look for a lift going inside the ring road.<br/ > '''Hitch into London from the last services on your motorway before the M25 (the driver will usually know which one this is).''' Then try to find a ride that bring you close enough to your destination. Check "public transport" for navigating the system efficiently and cheaply. See the transiting around the M25 section below if you just want to bypass London.  =eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=444 Hitchbase] has some information about hitchhiking Hitchhiking out of London==

<map lat=== West towards [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ([[South West England|The South-West]]), [[Bristol]], [[South West England|Devon]], [[South West England|Cornwall]] [[South Wales]] {{Mgb|4}} === When hitching West out of London and onto the M4, to try to avoid accepting a ride to anywhere before Reading Central. A few of the earlier junctions are hitchhiking nightmare spots - junction 8,9 for Maidenhead and 10 for Reading East are two of the worst junctions for hitchhiking in this area of the country because of the M4 then turning into another motorway for a few miles, thus taking you well off your route. Reading Services is great though, and well worth encouraging your driver to take you the extra few miles to.  '''Option 1'''51: M4 Motorway Junction 1 (Chiswick Roundabout) A.491738177580345Take the District Line Underground to ''Gunnersbury'' (zone 3) or train to ''Kew Bridge''. (Alternatively, the Overground at ''South Acton'' doesn't have barriers, but is a kilometer further away.) Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 - one west and one east of the roundabout) along which you walk 500m to Junction 1 of the M4 where you will see the Esso petrol station that is on the corner of the slip road onto the motorway heading west. There is a bus lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west. B. Take bus H91 from ''Hammersmith Bus station'' in the direction of Hounslow West and get off at ''Chiswick Roundabout/Gunnersbury' lng=', and you are already at the bus lay-0by hitching point. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off peak) from Zone 1. (Bus fare £1.2811813354492187550) '''Option 2' zoom='16' view=: A4 leading to M4 (or M3) Heading for [[South West England|Cornwall]], it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West England|Dorset]]. Take District Line Underground to ''0West Kensington' float='(zone 2). Turn right out of the station, there are traffic lights 10m away. Turn rightand there is a lay-by where you can stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways. (It' s also cheaper to get to).  Cost of public transport: £2.40 (off peak) from Zone 1. '''Option 3''': Motorway service station Heston Take Piccadilly Line Underground westbound and get off at ''Hounslow West'' (zone 5). Turn right from the station exit and walk 800m west along Bath Road to just past Henleys roundabout where there is a BP petrol station. Right at the exit of the petrol station is a footpath heading north. Walk ≈650m and where it splits, turn right 20 metres until you reach Armytage Rd. Turn left onto this road and continue north for another ≈200m, cross over Cranford Lane and then continue north again for another ≈350m along Phoenix Way until it bends to the left. Just past the bend, you will see a short path on the right through the bushes/>trees onto Heston service station.It's not an overly busy services but enough traffic to justify getting out here and cutting out all the local traffic in the centre. Use a sign as there is a lot of local traffic and also traffic heading onto the M25 both south and north. Cost of public transport: £3.10 (off peak) from Zone 1 

* '''Where to''': ('''''[[West (England)|The West (London)]]'''''), [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ('''''[[South West (England)|The South-West]]'''''), [[Bristol]], [[South West (England)|Devon]], [[South West (England)|Cornwall]],* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to Zone 3 - approximately 5 UKP from Zone Option 1. There are also a number of buses that run by this roundabout. The H91 runs to the hitching spot itself. I'll try and get more details next time. * '''Last verified''': January 2009Mottingham

* Take the train from ''Charing Cross Station'Directions' (Zone 1) to ''Mottingham Station':Get the Underground to Gunnersby tube station' (Zone 4). It passes through ''Waterloo East''(District LineZone 1), '' or the main line station at Kew London Bridge. Both '' (Zone 1), ''New Cross'' (Zone 2) and ''Lewisham'' (Zone 2) stations are on its way to ''Dartford'' or ''Gillingham''. Alternatively, take the Chiswick High Road (A315 - one west Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and one east from there, the 161 bus to Mottingham. When you come out of the roundabout) train station, walk 100m south along which you walk 500m Court Road to Junction 1 of the M4intersection with Sidcup Road (A20). You want At the Esso traffic lights turn left, where you will see a Shell petrol station that is on the corner of the slip road onto the motorway heading west. There is a lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west. <br/ >

Heading for '''Cornwall''', it is much more easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West Cost of public transport: £2.80 (Englandoff-peak)|Dorset]]from zone 1.(Mottingham train station doesn't have barriers...)<br/ >

=== DirectionNOTE: South-East England (Kent) ======= The most classic method departing London in the direction of continental Europe begins in Mottingham. Most traffic is local, thus it is best to ask people whether they are going onto the M25 ring road. If yes, they will passby the BP @ Swanley as described in option 2. The next major service station after Swanley is after the M25 called Maidstone Services on the M20 Motorway ====<map lat='51Junction 8; be sure to find a ride that exits at junction 8 as the main exit for the town of Maidstone is junction 7. This is the last major service station located before Dover and it is recommended to find a ride directly onto the train or ferry from here.43983124736507' lng='0"I have hitched across the channel many times from Maidstone, with waits ranging from 30 seconds to as long as 6 hours.0528717041015625' zoom='15' view='0' float='right' />"

* '''Where toOption 2''': BP petrol station on Swanley Bypass ('''''[[South East (England)|South East]]'''''), [[Maidstone]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]], [[The Channel Tunnel]], [[France]] (''[[Western Europe]]'')* '''Cost of public transport''': One train ticket ''from zone 1''(approximately £3.10A20) * '''Last verified''': february 2009

* '''Directions'''Get the Underground The easiest way to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line - Jubilee Line)'' and get the overland train here is to take a station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)'' - this is very close to the entrance to the M20 train to Dover - head for 'Great Sidcup Road' around 800 yards further down , then take the road is a set of traffic lights (corner of 'Sidcup Road' 233 city bus towards Swanley and 'Court Road'), and you can hold a sign saying Dover from that crossroad and try to get the cars stopped off at the lights to let you jump inOld Maidstone Road. You can also stand by The service station will be about two minutes'Sidcup Road' at walk down and across the Shell petrol station entranceroad. Remember that the Shell petrol station There is the only place that a car can pull aside before gate in the motorwayfence, though it is therefore flaw may be closed in which case you'll have to try to walk further down 'Sidcup Road'jump the fence.

If you arrive Another way to get here is to take a train from ''London Victoria'' to ''Swanley''. Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South. (There is also a direct train from St. Pancras to Swanley, but it cost £8.80 (peak) in Mottingham Nov 2015, so might as well just get a megabus if you just need 're going to go on pay that much). From the other side of station, cross the trackswith the pedestrian bridge to Everest Place, turn right on St. Mary's Rd to the roundabout at London Road. From here, go out of turn left (north) along London Road/ Maidstone Road for 2.6kms. Here you'll find the service station and you go behind a fence on the left. It's a longer walk than to your right just 100m the Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a main roadlift there in 15 minutes at 22:00 asking people (September 2013). There is petrol station with a lot of local It seemed most trafficwas M20/M25, but if you ask for a lift to might of been the next McDonalds on that road, where another petrol station time of night. This is as well, you have good chance perfect for getting to travel onMaidstone. <br/ >

The train to Mottingham (zone 4) departs from Charing Cross Station (downtown zone 1) through Waterloo East (zone 1), London Bridge (zone 1), New Cross (zone 2) and Lewisham (zone 2) stations on its way to Dartford and Gillingham. Mottingham Station (as well as the previous This service station of Lee in zone 3) does not have a check-in/check-out gate, which means that it is better not to use has a Oyster Card when going to that BP petrol station as you won't have the chance to 'touch out' and be charged consequently. Therefore, it is also possible to simply buy a ticket to the previous station in zone 3 (Hither Green or Lee) and bring the cost of the ticket beneath the 3 pounds. The distance between each stations is no longer than 5 minutesMcDonald's. 

The best ride to accept Cost of public transport: One train ticket ''from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the Southzone 1'' (approximately £3.50 off-East along peak) or take the M20 and past the M20train from Elephant & Castle in central south-M25 junction, most likely to the [[Maidstone Services]]. Many drivers said that many hitch-hikers happen to stand and hitch at the junction, but the police might be more likely to pick you upeast (no barriers) towards Seven Oaks for a free ride.

There is also a BP petrol Station Services (Swanley Services) before the M25 junction but the cars still goes in every direction from there and catching a ride might reveal difficult; although it would not be advised to go until there, someone might want want to do so if he feels he needs to change landscape ''(gathering more information needed)'Option 3'''. Drivers have also said that some people do hitch-hike at the M20/M25 Interchange Roundabouts: Texaco petrol station, though this sound more likely to be illegal, more information would be welcome.Swanley

Waterloo East Same directions as for Option 2 above, but this time, walk into town from the station, and head to the London Road going south towards M20. On the way there is a Texaco petrol station has no gatesthat seems quite busy. Further down there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you're hungry or in need of a cup of coffee. The road takes you straight down to the motorway. Be Make sure that you get a ride going to get on Maidstone Service Station, because it's after the right train (there are two routes town so someone going to Dartford, one goes through Mottingham (via Hither Green), the other one doesntown of Maidstone won't)pass the service station. If you hopped do get a ride just to the town of Maidstone, there is a good lay-by for hitchhiking on the roundabout that leads to the on ramp to the wrong trainM20, be sure but you'll have to thumb a ride because there is nowhere to ask people. It works with a sign saying "M20 4 miles" to get off before Dartford, as it has gates and really rude cops just waiting for youto the service station.

==== M2 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|South East]]'''''), [[Rochester]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified'''Public Transport: xxx

*'''DirectionsOption 4''':Get the Underground to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line - Jubilee Line)'' and get the commuter train to a Motorway service station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)''Clackett Lane (''Note that you can hitch along the M20 and changing to the M2 in [[Maidstone]]''M25)

==== A21 Motorway ====* A. Take the train from ''London Bridge''Where to''Oxted'': . Walk southeast along Station Road to Westerham Road ('''''[[South East A25). Turn left (Englandeast)|The South and walk 3.5km till the junction with Clackett Lane. Turn left here and walk 1.6km along Clackett Lane to the entrance to the service station (heading East]]'''''), [[Hastings]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': just after you pass over the M25 motorway bridge.

*B. Take the train from ''Victoria''to 'Directions'Bromley South'':{{infoneeded| Help providing . Then take bus 246 south in the information with direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the one available for entrance to the service station heading East (before crossing over the M20}}motorway bridge).

=== DirectionCost of Public Transport: North-West, Scotland, North Wales ======= M40 Motorway ====You can reach London Bridge by overground from a station without barriers and skip the fare.

* '''Where to'''Option 5: ('''''[[West (EnglandExperimental)|The West (: Sun in the Sands roundabout, direct onto the A2 to Dover. Jass passed here the other day and saw what seems to be an ideal spot with a lot of space for vehicles to pull over on the slip road onto the motorway.Take the overline to Blackheath from London)]]'''''), [Bridge. Follow Montpellier Road past the large Blackheart meadows/ park then up Shooters Hill Road till you get to the roundabout. === Southeast towards [Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], ('''''[[West Midlands (South East England)|The West Midlands]]'''''), [[WarwickSouth East]], [[BirminghamHastings]], [[RedditchRoyal Tunbridge Wells]]A21 ===* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 6 (Hillingdon) or zone 3 (Hanger Lane).* '''Last verified''': 28 December 2007 (Hillingdon), 26 January 2008 (Hanger Lane), 24 May 2009 (M40 J1)Add info pls

=== Northwest towards [[A40 (GB)|A40Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], [[Warwick]], [[Birmingham]] has a number of entrances with heavy traffic, and the following 3 places have been successfully hitched from:[[North Wales]] {{Mgb|40}} ===

**'''[[M40 junction 1'''(GB)|M40]] is different from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to M25 as a continuation of the dual-carriageway A40.

Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to Uxbridge station (Zone 6). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and then right at the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to '''Option 1''': M40 - you will eventually get to junction Junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from there.

Confirm with Take a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to ''Uxbridge'' (Zone 6). Exit the driver that he is going straight on M40station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and does not turn onto M25 (London Orbital)then right at the next big roundabout. Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy From there follow signs to M40 - you will eventually get to junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike on from there (see [[M40 (GB)]] articlethere's also a nice spot at the traffic lights). You might need to cross parts of the road where vehicle will already be flying at motorway speeds - stay safe!!!

**'''Hanger Lane''' Underground station Confirm with the driver that he is going straight onto the M40, and does not turn onto M25 (Central Line, West Ruislip branch, zone 3London Orbital). Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy to hitch-hike on (see M40 article).

As you exit into the main hall of the tube station, have a look at the local area map and find an exit by the Westbound '''Option 2''': A40 slip road. Once you are out of the underground, keep walking along the slip road, and then A40. There are two good places to hitch from:Junction (Hangar Lane)

One Take the Central Line tube (West Ruislip branch) to ''Hangar Lane'' (zone 3). As you exit into the main hall of them is the tube station, have a bus stop just past look at the local area map and find the exit for the junction with Lynwood Rdwestbound A40 slip road. It has a long lay-byKeep walking along the slip road, which is a and then A40. There are two good place places to hitch from as long as there's nothing parked there. Legally, it's a "non-stopping except buses" lay-by.:

The other place is half a mile further on - 1. A bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd. It has a little long lay-by with no restrictions. I ([[User:Lnx|Lnx]]) have not personally hitched , which is a good place to hitch from as long as there's nothing parked there. Legally, but it looks like 's a good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway, so you can only be picked up "non-stopping except buses" lay-by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, or Lynwood Road).

**'''Hillingdon''' Underground station 2. The other place is half a mile further on, a little lay-by with no restrictions. Its good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (Piccadilly/Metropolitan Linesthe Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway, so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, zone 6or Lynwood Road).

As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn left and walk until you reach big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western AvenueOption 3' '': A40 Junction (NOT the A40 Western AvenueHillingdon). Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. The area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night.

There If your driver is also an going to Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way or somewhere nearby. If you happen then request to get really stuck be dropped off at the 'Welcome Break' services just before Wheatley, junction 8A (which I think you won't - I waited only about 12 minutes for just a ride on an evening during km after junction 8). This is a post-Christmas season) busy services and only need to get easy to Oxford, this might be an alternativefind lifts all over the country.

*=== North towards [[Luton]], [[Milton Keynes]], ('''Directions''[[East Midlands|The East Midlands]]':''''), [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]] {{Mgb|1}} ===

** '''Option 1''' - [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=15386599078168394493,51.613806,-0.276014%3B7303632460877835457,51.616789,-0.260584&saddr=A5100%2FStation+Rd+%4051.613806,+-0.276014&daddr=A5100%2FHale+Ln+%4051.616789,+-0.260584+to:51.629873,-0.264659&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1&sll=51.62617,-0.269852&sspn=0.017104,0.047035&ie=UTF8&ll=51.622306,-0.273972&spn=0.017105,0.047035&z=15 Motorway service station London Gateway Services]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 5.

It is possible to walk from Edgware tube ''(Take Northern Line)'' tube to London Gateway Services on the M1Edgware, and then walk 2. There are a few different ways to walk, but the simplest is5km: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, you will then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the subway under the roundabout, and come out on the A1 ('Barnet Way), just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', and keep this road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you come to a road on your left with a big sign telling you not with three symbols, one of which would translate as 'no access to go down thereanyone except authorised vehicles' and clearly goes under the motorway. Walk down it and you come to '''[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.6136474,-0.2756824/51.6331801,-0.267389/@51.6234134,-0.28321,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2707532!2d51.6182613!3s0x487616bd30b5031d:0x8018c6fc46ad7c0a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2601509!2d51.6168185!3s0x487616bf7b9c6b11:0x36592f73c8bb24ff!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2554027!2d51.6210173!3s0x487616ea6c84b413:0x4e9825452a0ab13a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2661023!2d51.6315945!3s0x4876168dfd4886a1:0x9337096bd5773568!1m0!3e2?hl=en London Gateway Services'''].

<map lat='51.572129' lng='-0.230595' zoom='16' view='0' width='400px' height='200px' float='right' />** '''Option 2''' - [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780,+-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to £3.10 (off peak) from zone 31.** '''Last verified''': January 2009

'''Option 2''': [[Filehttp:Staples_corner_m1//maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hitching Spot at 572780,+-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner ] Take Northern Line tube to ''Brent Cross'' (zone 3). From there you follow the 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km (along Tilling Road), and you get to the bottom of the M1]](don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from here). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1). You can also hitch at the traffic lights (see spot on the map to the right) or on the hard shoulder on the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lights.

Another option is to take the tube to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there Important : If you follow the 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km (along Tilling Road), and you get to the bottom of the M1 (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch are getting a lift from here). After passing the shopping centre, you should see ensure that the M1. It driver is possible driving to hitch at least the first entrance you seenext service station (Toddington), which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small layapproximately 50-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1)60 miles from this spot.

However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout ('''Staples Corner ''West'' '''). You'll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place (the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue and is by the ''Western'' side Cost of the railway bridge). It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign (worked for [[Userpublic transport:Lnx|Lnx]] - a 5-minute wait in the dark!). Certainly it is better than the entrance to the M1 used by traffic going eastbound on the 'North Circular', which has a big camera pointing right at where you would stand.xxx

==== A1 Motorway / A1(M) Motorway ====* '''Where - This place seems to work really well. I get the bus to brent cross and then its about a 10 min walk to this spot. However, it tends to''': ('''''[[The North go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the roundabout (England)|The North (London)]]'''Staples Corner ''), [[Stevanage]], (West'''''[[East Midlands (England)|East Midlands]]'''. You'')ll see a railway bridge, go under it and there is a bus stop beside a car repair place (the bus stop itself is near Adrian Avenue and is by the ''Western'''[[East (Englandside of the railway bridge)|The East]]'''. It doesn'')t look like such a great place, [[Peterborough]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': but it works quite well if you have a sign.

*'''Directions''':''- This is a very good place, however one user recommends right next to the car repair center (See information on the right of it )there is entrance for the M1, Option 2 - Staples Corner. Hold Motorway which is slightly going upwards before meeting the sign saying "A1 North"highway. There must be better places You may go up and make sure to get onto A1, though.stand atleast 100 meters away from the point where cars enter on this road from the redlight behind.Have a sign that says M1.)''

This is untested- In case you are going to Edinburgh: once you are at any of the service stations on the motorway, you will find a lot of people going in that direction, but should worki.e. going to Leeds and further. Take Somewhere north of Leeds, the tube M1 becomes the A1(Northern LineM) to High Barnethighway; however, here take ensure that once you are on this highway going in the 84 bus to South Mimms servicesdirection of Newcastle, and then Edinburgh, you do not get out at the last petrol station before Newcastle. Get out at the junction between 2nd, 3rd or 4th last petrol station before Newcastle, but not the M25 last one. The second last one has a huge McD and more long-distance traffic than the last one, which has a Burger King and Costa and is just a small petrol station with mostly local traffic from Newcastle coming for petrol. Ensure whoever is taking you drops you off only at a petrol station and A1not on a country road. After Newcastle, there is only one major/decent petrol station in a town called Alnwick (Mpronounced 'Annick'). One user tried this, and thinks Try finding someone who is going to Edinburgh directly from one of the junction earlier good McD stations. A better alternative route to Edinburgh is too bigto take the M1, M6, A74(M), and the traffic too fastA707; this way, for this you won't have to be a good spotbother about McD and Newcastle.

*'''Directions''':=== North towards, [[Stevanage]], [[Peterborough]], [[East Midlands]], [[East of England|The M11 begins near RedbridgeEast]], so this is an ideal place to go to. [[User:Siinvincible|SimonNewcastle]] and , [[User:WhisperingofthestarsNorth East England|JasonThe North East]] managed to get a ride to Newmarket from the train to Redbridge, as someone noticed us making a sign.{{agb|1}} ===

=== Direction: SouthMoat Mount Park bus stop on A1. Buses 292, South West - Hampshire and Dorset ======= M3 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South West (England)|The South West]]''''')384, [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West (England)|Dorset]], [[Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket606 tops there. After 5 km there is a Mimms Service petrol station /travelcard to zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton'' to ''Kempton Park'' railway station.* '''Last verified''': 27 March 2008rest stop

*'''Directions'''Cost of public transport:xxx

Take the train bound for ''Shepperton'' from ''=== Northwest towards [[Cambridge]], [[London Waterloo'' and exit at '''Kempton Park''' station. Exit the station (do not go on the footbridge)Stansted]], cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road[[Norwich]], which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself, walk on the pavement in the opposite direction to the traffic. You will immediately see a lay-by (chances are some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from there. [[East of England|The position is not perfect, as the road is going downhillEast]], and the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph).East Coast {{Mgb|11}} ===

Take the Central Line tube to '''Kempton Park'Redbridge'' (zone 4). Once at the station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton'', turn right and use the previous station subways to cross under the A406. Once on the Waterloo-Shepperton lineslip road for the A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), there is a great place for vehicles to pull over. The spot is in zone 6)located just next to the bridge over a canal or river. The traffic will not be coming from A406, but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of meeting really is a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you bring a ticket inspector between ''Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be quite remoteM11 sign with you.

==== A3/A24 Motorway ====* '''Where to'''Cost of public transport: ('''''[[South East £2.80 (England)|The South East]]'''''off-peak)from zone 1. Tip: To get to the same part of london, [[Woking]], [[Porstmouth]], [[Guildford]]you can also take the Central line to Roding Valley. Here there are no barriers as you exit so if you managed to get into the underground system for free, [[Worthing]]* you can get out for free. It'''Cost s about a half an hour walk to the start of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': the M11. For getting into the underground system, you can for example get in at Finsbury Park where there are no barriers either. There are also other stations.

''Possible site along the A3 would be located between Putney Heath/Roehampton and New Malden/=== Southwest towards [[South West WimbledonEngland|The South West]], [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West England|Dorset]], New Malden offering the best opportunities''[[Poole|Bournemouth]] {{Mgb|3}} ===

''The A24 is best reached directly in Leatherhead outside the M25, there is a on-ramp to the M25 as well'Option 1''': Lay-by on A316 near Kempton Park

==== M23 Motorway/A22 Motorway ====* Take the train from ''London Waterloo'Where to'in the direction of Shepperton and exit at '': (Kempton Park'''''[[South East station. Exit the station (do not go on the footbridge), cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself, walk on the pavement in the opposite direction to the traffic. You will immediately see a lay-by (Englandchances are some lorries will be parked there)|. You can hitch from there. The South East]]''''')position is not perfect, [[Brighton]]as the road is going downhill, [[Eastbourne]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': and the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph)

*Cost of public transport: One ticket/travelcard to zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton'' to ''Kempton Park'' railway station. '''Kempton Park''' station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton'Directions', the previous station on the Waterloo-Shepperton line, is in zone 6), but it has no ticket barriers and the chances of meeting a ticket inspector between '':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be quite remote.

''For the M23, possibly Purley'Option 2'''For the A22, possibly Kenley'': A316 Junction with A312

=== Direction: East (Essex) ======= A12/A13 Motorway ====* Take the train on the same line as above, and get off at ''Fulwell'Where to''': ('''''[[East (England)|The East]]'''''). Walk south on Wellington Road, [[East (England)|Essex]]and then turn right onto Park Road. Follow this road as it joins the A312 for about 1.5 km in total. Just below the A316 bridge, [[Chelmsford]]which you will see ahead of you as you follow the A312, [[Colchester]]there is a roundabout. The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the A316. There is a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing here, [[Ipswich]]and traffic is going uphill, [[Southend-on-Sea]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a sign saying "M3".

*'''Directions'''Cost of public transport:{{infoneeded|Information needed}}xxx

== Transiting in Greater London = Southwest towards [[Porstmouth]], [[Worthing]] A3/{{agb|3}}, & A24 ===

Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destinationWest Lodge bus stop on A3. The M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the metropole Buses 85, 265 and connects with every possible motorway network in destination of the country969 stops there. It There is then better to be left at some very specific Motorway Services to manage to catch a ride further.also Co-op Roehampton Vale petrol station

Be carefulCost of public transport: there are only 3 service stations on the M25, and on the whole western part there are none at all. If you get dropped at a junction rather than at services you can get really stuck, as a large part of the traffic is only going round the road a short way. If it is not possible to get a lift to one of the services, consider waiting for a ride that takes you actually to the road you want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere random on the M25.xxx

Possibly the best place to get lifts on the M25. There is a bridge here to cross from one side to the other, which can be useful to know if, for example, you are trying to hitch from the M4 to === South towards [[Brighton but get a lift with someone who is going to Dover.]] {{Mgb|23}} ===

== Public Transport ==Take a train from ''Victoria'', ''Clapham Junction'', or ''See specific article for [[Transport for London]]Bridge'' station to ''East Croyden'' (zone 6). From here, take a train to ''Coulsdon South''. Turn left out of the station on Brighton Road and walk 600m to the roundabout. Nearly all the traffic goes to the M23 from here.

== Sleep ==There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleepCost of public transport: £3. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad 80 (off-peak) (£2. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside.70 off-peak from Clapham Junction)

Also=== East towards [[East of England|The East]], [[East of England|Essex]], [[Chelmsford]], outside this station (Trent Park)[[Colchester]], there is a Greek Bakery. Behind it lie huge sacks of bread every night. Please go. Its crazy that this could possibly be wasted every night. [[Ipswich]], [[Southend-on-Sea]] A/12 ===

=== Squatting ===London has such an abundance of [[squat]]s that you shouldnTake Hammersmith & City Line or District Line to ''Bow Road''t ever have (Zone 2). Walk east for ≈700m along the Bow Road to pay for accommodationthe roundabout junction with the A12. Having said thatThere are traffic lights here, most squats are places where people live and go about their normal business, so don't expect too much from thema McDonalds across the road. Perhaps it would be good to find some friendly squatters by word of mouth or Hitch on the slip road heading north on [http://www.couchsurfing.com couchsurfing] or similar. Don't worry about the negative connotations associated with squatsA12. They generally aren't crackhouses You can get lifts from here to Ipswich or scabies-infested punk hangoutsColchester. People of all types squat in London and their homes are usually very niceI waited 20 minutes. They are especially helpful if you're planning to stick around for a while, but can also be great if you're just passing throughIt was OK. [[User:Zac Stewart|Zac]]<small>^{[[User talk:Zac Stewart|talk]]}</small> ended up with a squat to sleep in on his first night, and in [[Mayfair]] of all places! There is a strong community of squatters especially in the north east plenty of London where a new group has been set room for resistance and solidarity. The North East London Squatters Network are having meetings every month as well people to stop as there is a mailing list etc... For more info, get in touch with the '''[http://www.hackneysocialcentre.blogspot.com/ Hackney Social Centre]''' .. (unfortunately this has now been evicted)bus stop nearby.

'''[httpCost of public transport://www£2.rampart.co.nr/ rampART]''' is a squatted social center in [[Whitechapel]], east London. This place isn't a residential squat, but they do have a "crash room" for visitors. They make it clear that it is not a tourist hostel so you needn't bother them unless you are interested in getting involved with their project for some time while you're there. To stay, you need to contact them well ahead of time. If nothing else, it's a great place to meet squatters and find a place to stay. They also have free internet! The address is 1540 (off-17 Rampart Street, London, E1 2LA. The space is under threat of eviction but is still hanging on (August 2008). Interestingly, the new place at Bowl Court Road that was squatted a few months ago has already been evicted (August 2008peak from Zone 1).

== Eat ==Cheap and free food abounds in '''[[London. Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]''' / '''[[London Stansted|London Stansted]]''' / '''[[London Heathrow|London Heathrow]]''' / '''[[Luton|London Luton]]'''

=== Free ===Hari Krishna offer free food Paid transport to and from several locations in London at lunchtime: outside SOAS by Russel Square at 1pm, for exampleairports can be expensive. Hitching can be a good alternative. Expect The exits to the airports can also be good places to get lifts to queue for 30 minutesother places. For example, if you get stuck on the western part of the M25, arrive early try to get to guarantee a fill - Heathrow, from there people are going all over the food does run out. Otherwise.country.If you are coming from Brighton, and trying to get around London, you may get a ride quicker to where you want to go if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.

Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London, you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the city and connects with every possible motorway network in all directions. It's recommended to find a lift past London as it''Coffee Republic''' s somewhat hard to find somebody going off the M25 in your direction from any of the service stations on Great Marlborough Street near the Oxford Circle M25. Be careful: there are only 3 service stations, and Carnaby Street the entire western section has none at all. It may also be possible to head around the M25 from junction to junction. However, the only problem is reported to put out garbage bags with totally normal food--boiled potatoesthat a few of the junctions are really bad in the south, sandwichesand you can get really stuck as a large part of the traffic is only going round the ring a short distance. If if you do get stuck, etctry making a sign M25 east or west. every eveing around 8pm So consider waiting for a ride that actually takes you to the road you want to be on weekdays and 7pm , rather than just stopping somewhere at random on weekendsthe M25.

The bakery South Mimms services are in Potters Bar in the northeast of London and are actually just off the M25 at the junction of the A1(M). For some reason, although it'Pauls a big services, you can get stuck here for hours. One option, as ever, is to ask people where they' in Blackfriars and Paddington throw out re headed... but there are so many directions possible that it could take a lot long time to find someone headed your way. Standing at the exit of cakesthe services is unlikely to work, all extremely luxurious and scrumptiousfor whatever reason. Several reports of hours of waiting here mean that you probably need to try something else. From Blackfriars station walk up If you're going towards the main west, you can stand at the ridiculous entrance to the west slip roadonto the M25. Although insane, you should be able to get a fast ride out. Have a big sign and Paulsomeone should be able to at least take you further down the M25 to a better junction, or directly to where you's will re going, be on your right after a few minutesit to the west or down to Sussex.

Places like Sainsburys, Marks Clackett Lane services are located in the south of London and Spencers, Tesco and so are possibly the best place to get lifts on have the M25. There is a marking system on there packedge food that says when bridge here to cross from one side to the food should other, which can be thrown away and when it should be eaten before. The gap between this days useful to know if, for example, you are often two days and you can still have it more or less trying to hitch from the M4 to Brighton but get a week more depending on what it lift with someone who isgoing to Dover.

=== Cheap ===If youTake the train from 're going to self cater, stick to 'Victoria''Sainsburyto 's'Bromley South'' . Then take bus 246 ([http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm timetable here]) south in the direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way'Tesco''' rather than the convenient Off-Licenses . Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for better prices≈1. If you are a bit out of Central London, 4km until you might as well look for '''Lidl''', '''Morrisons''', '''Netto''' or '''Asda'''reach Clackett Lane. Anyhow with a decent Turn left (south) and wise grocery, walk for ≈1km until you can get your grocery reach the entrance to the service station (heading east). Continue walking along Clackett Lane for nearly a week another 400m over the motorway M25 bridge to reach the entrance for about 10-15 pounds at any of the mentioned supermarket with decent, fresh and healthy food ''(to cook)'services heading west. You can see where you're going on a map [http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap here]. Be aware though that these supermarkets are not in any sense Where it says "ethicalClacket Wood". They are wiping out local shops, taking monopoly on feeding us, destroying is the environment and throwing away food every day that could feed hundreds of peopleservice station. It's better to eat out There is also a street view of their binsthis area on google maps.

If you get tired of peanut butter sandwiches Clacket Lane is an excellent place to hitch to Brighton (Westbound) or want Dover (Eastbound) and also fairly good for most other directions as it's a busy station. Best thing is to fill up for stand outside the weekend, try one of main doors into the MANY £5 all-you-can-eat '''Thai Buffets''' which station and ask everyone that comes out if they are always always totally vegan! going your way (some good all-"excuse me, are you-can-eat start at £3,50by any chance going to Brighton?"). Go early, they get more expensive in the evening. While downtown, you can also get a ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>6-inch sandwich of the day<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' at '''Subway''' for 2 pounds.== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==

[[Category:EnglandE13]]

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