The Ultimate Guide to Hitchhiking
“It’s not about the destination; it’s all about the journey.”
A bit about the perspective from which this guide is written: I’m an Asian girl traveling alone. I started hitchhiking at the age of 18. When I was 19 I started hitchhiking across Iran, through Northern Iraq (Kurdistan), all the way to France. I have hitchhiked in Southern Europe, Iran, Iraq (Kurdistan), Morocco, Burma, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. I have hitchhiked alone over 15,000+km.
WARNING!
The purpose of this guide is to give you general information and an understanding of the nature of hitchhiking. You should understand that hitchhiking has many risks and can be very dangerous. Also, it is actually illegal in some countries. (You can be fined for hitchhiking on a highway in Italy) Most importantly, this guide should not be used as a substitute for REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE.
What is hitchhiking/auto-stop/ hitching?
It is a mode of transport! It is the act of getting a free ride to a destination by joining a vehicle that’s already on its way in the direction. Hitchhiking is usually done by sticking a thumb out on the side of the road, or in a gas station while holding a sign written with the name of the destination (the sign is optional).
Hint: In Western/European Culture, it’s usually done by sticking your thumb out on the side of the road. In some middle eastern/Asian cultures, it’s usually done by stretching your arm out with a finger pointing at the road, or wave like you are waving down a taxi.
Hint: One of the safest and easiest places to hitchhike is at gas stations. (more will be covered later)
Why hitchhike?
Hitchhiking isn’t so uncommon! It’s done by locals and travelers all over the world, especially in areas with scarce transportation. People hitchhike for many reasons - because it is the only mean of transport/ to save money/ for adventure/ to find the next victim of their serial killing spree.
What makes hitchhiking so addictive, is that it leads to endless adventures. You will end up sleeping in stranger’s homes, receiving free meals, having money offered to you, joining a tour, finding a tour guide for the day, listening to crazy stories, etc. People have ended up being in helicopters, luxurious private parties, sailing for free, etc. There’s no limit to the potential of adventure you end up finding yourself in!
My personal perks have been: hitching to join a tour to visit Mount Nemrut, being picked up by a buffalo, being forced fed with expensive food, forced to sleep in very comfortable homes, forced to receive gifts, forced to take the bus for free, forced to have my train ticket paid for, forced to receive a cup painted with liquid gold… (the list goes on)
1. For the experience
Most people think hitchhikers only do it to save money. That’s so not true. Personally, I hitchhike mostly for the experience. You meet really great people and collect awesome stories while hitchhiking! After all, it takes someone to have a certain type of personality to pick you up. When Couchsurfing, I get to meet locals who are already a little exposed to other travelers. However, when hitchhiking, you get the chance to meet locals who might have never even met a foreigner before!
2. For the knowledge
Hitchhiking is one of the quickest ways to gain confidence, maturity, tenacity, courage, and wit.
3. To prove society wrong
Hitchhiking (when done right) is not so dangerous and that you don’t need to be rich to travel the world. Hitchhikers might not be financially rich but are rich in the heart and mind.
So, How to hitchhike?
“Hitchhiking is really f**king easy”, once said by me. Most hitchers of this world will no doubt agree too. It is really easy for me, for all fellow hitchers of the world; but for the majority of people, it’s so difficult that most never even try. It does take good senses and willpower to hitchhike safely.
What you need:
1. Minimum confidence
Your guts can usually tell you straight away if a driver is trustworthy or not. You need to be able to say NO to a ride EASILY. There could be times when you only start feeling something is wrong after you have gotten into the vehicle. Then you should be able to leave the car immediately. (Tell the driver to stop the car, or leave when you have a chance). You cannot be too shy. Most of the time, people take advantage of you when they see that you’re not confident. It applies to any real-life situation.
2. Trust in your Guts
In EVERY hitchhiking situation, you MUST trust your guts. There’s a tiny part of you that thinks something’s not right? Do not get in the car. You can wait for the next ride. Wait for a family car! DO NOT EVER IGNORE ANY GUT FEELINGS.
The only times I get myself into trouble is when I ignored my guts feelings.
3. Life Experience
With good life experience come good judgment, understanding, and decisions. Your guts are more sensitive, and you know exactly how to perceive your gut feelings. You are familiar with improvising, problem-solving, and dealing with many situations. You know how to get what you want, you know how to interact with people, and you know how to READ people. (This is why I think children should not be allowed to hitchhike)
4. Will power
Hitchhiking will take a lot of tenacity. It could be mentally and physically exhausting. There will be failures and setbacks. Sometimes you wait hours to a whole day without getting a ride. Usually, there’s a lot of walking to be done. (You need to walk to a good spot for hitching) Sometimes you end up with a driver that harassed you/your partner. Sometimes the driver asks for money. Sometimes you just can’t stand the judgments of pass-bys, who think you are just stupid and poor. People will never stop trying to talk you out of it. The police might come and tell you it’s illegal (even when it’s not). People will offer you money to buy a bus ticket (Don’t you dare accept it!)
5. Courage
Self-explanatory. You need strength to deal with difficult situations. You need to be brave enough to get out there and start hitching. It’s like learning to ride a bicycle. Once you have tried you understand why it’s so easy.
6. A Good attitude
You need to be open-minded and easy-going to enjoy the challenges and spontaneity of hitchhiking. If you are a pessimist, you won’t be ready for unpredictability.
Step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Have a marker and cardboard/paper ready
In case you need to write a sign! Most of the time you will find cardboard at gas stations and from shops you pass by, but carry some paper just in case.
DIY tip: Try laminating a thick piece of A4 white card paper and using whiteboard markers! Wala! A reusable hitchhiking sign!
Step 2: Prepare for the unlikely events (self-defense)
Have a small backpack with all your valuables. It’s really unlikely but just in case you need to leave the vehicle quickly. Also, if you want to, have a friend/ family member’s contact ready to send license plate numbers. Lastly, if it’s legal; you can carry self-defensive weapons such as pepper spray (or even a sharp pen)
Step 3: find information about hitchhiking in the country/place you are doing it
Hitchwiki and Google are your friends. Did you know that it’s illegal to hitchhike in some countries? E.g., you can be fined for hitchhiking on a highway in Italy.
Most importantly, you must understand the hitchhiking culture in the region. E.g. In Iran, any vehicle can be/become a taxi. Hitchhiking isn’t even a concept in most of the country! You need to make sure to have a note written by a local friend to explain what you are doing. (Plus, you need to make sure the people are not offering you a Taarof. In this case, they will tell you the ride is free, but they actually expect you to pay in the end.) Otherwise, you might be asked to pay for the ride, have people driving you to the bus station or police station.
Another example, in Iraq, a lot of people thought I was a prostitute. So I had to be patient enough to shoo off a lot of people, have a sign of my destination and a small note about my world trip.
Step 4: Find the right location
This is the most important! Hitchhiking is all about finding the right spot (to hitchhike). It will determine your safety, success, resources (time, energy, money) spent and
Step 5: Stick your thumbs out/ talk to drivers if you are in a gas station/ eye contact
How to talk to a driver: Thank them for stopping and ask them where they are going. Make sure they understand you are hitchhiking and not paying for a taxi. E.g. in Iran, people need to be explained what hitchhiking is.
Step 6: Improvise
Always ask the driver if you can send their license plate number (good for you)
Things that could go wrong: the spot (bad spot/ not allowed/ no one stopped)
Deciding whether to go with the ride (if they don’t go all the way)
Telling the driver where to stop you. (gas station if you continue hitching, somewhere convenient for both of you)
Shall the driver start driving you to the middle of nowhere, have your weapons ready.
Step 7: Enjoy the journey!
Make new friends, go on adventures, and feel the freedom!
Racial Issues
For very unfortunate reasons, our race will differentiate the difficulty in hitchhiking. From my own experience and from other hitchhiker’s personal stories, I have noticed it’s a lot easier for people with lighter skin to hitchhike. It also depends on where you are hitchhiking of course.
A special note for girls
As a woman traveling alone, I always avoid getting into cars with men only. I wait for the car with families, couples or women. This is how I have survived more than 15,000km+ of hitchhiking. Sometimes when in a hurry, or if I had a long time to get to know the male driver, I do get into cars with single male drivers. Dress more conservatively to not catch unnecessary attention. In some countries, even jeans without a long top to cover your bottom area are dangerous.
Good luck, stay safe, and enjoy the road!
