What it is

First things first: what is hitchhiking? Hitching a ride, as it’s also known, is the act of obtaining a free lift from someone else – usually from a stranger – by flagging down a vehicle by the roadside. It poses some risks and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but there are many benefits that may make it worth it.

To name a few of those benefits: you can travel by road without owning a vehicle yourself – particularly useful when public transport is limited or non-existent; you will save yourself money; you are likely to meet interesting characters; drivers will tell you great stories, and you have some of your own to share; and you will experience a novel way to get around.

How-to

There is not so much a skill to hitchhiking, but a know-how. I discovered this the hard way on my first attempts to hitch a ride. Fortunately, I was with a friend who had travelled across Europe one summer by the same means, and he passed on tips for getting picked up.

Initially, though, it was very slow going – largely because we were a group of three, which is not favourable for finding a ride (I’ll get to that in a moment). We had some waits of two hours or more. To prove this point, once our group reduced to two people, we had far, far less waiting time at the roadside – I don’t think the two of us waited more than twenty minutes for a ride.

Below, I have put together a list of tips based on what I have learned from that first experience, as well as subsequent adventures.

One or two

Going it alone, or as a pair, will result in far more offers of rides, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, a vehicle only has limited space, and three or more people with backpacks will cramp even the most spacious of cars. I think there is more to it than just capacity, though.

Also – and this is purely speculation – I think drivers feel more comfortable in offering one or two people a ride. A solo traveller, or a couple, are more likely to garner sympathy. If I saw a group of people, I might question why they haven’t banded together to buy their own car. I might also expect them to be louder and bring a ruckus.

Smile

Make yourself seem approachable and friendly as possible; smile when you’re in sight of the oncoming driver. Stay clean – that includes you and your clothes – don’t expect a ride if you look dirty or filthy.

This tip is a little cheeky, but it’s harmless, and it could marginally increase in your chances of getting picked up. If you have a large backpack or luggage, place it a few metres away from you, where the driver might not immediately see it. Once they have stopped and agreed to give you a lift, it’ll be too late for them to be put off by your substantial luggage that you’re loading into their car.

Location

Find an accessible pick-up point. If you are in an urban area, make your way to the road out of town, otherwise you will have too much local traffic that is no good to you. Furthermore, find a spot where cars can pull in – a layby or a rest area – to allow people to stop.

Research

Find out if it’s legal to hitchhike in the country you are travelling around. There may be restrictions, or it may just be frowned upon – leaving you unable to catch a ride. Many countries don’t allow hitchhiking on busier roads, such as motorways or highways – for obvious reasons.

Take appropriate clothing

This is especially necessary if there is potential for cold, wet weather. Rainy days may also prove to be harder to get a ride, if there are less people on the road, or the drivers don’t want you soaking their seats. While you also have a good chance of a sympathy ride, don’t let the weather ruin your day or make you sick, and dress appropriately.

Don’t give up

It might feel at times that you will never get a ride, especially after a couple of hours. But it only takes one do-gooder to help you get to where you are going and restore your confidence. Patience is a virtue when you see dozens of cars pass by, or no cars at all. Once you’re back in a car, however, the waiting time will soon be forgotten.

Be safe

Tell at least one person where you are and where you are going. Modern technology can allow you to share your location or send a quick photo of the licence plate. Better yet, give someone a call when you get in – make it obvious to the driver you are taking precautions. It’ll likely put the driver’s mind at ease, too, as you are less likely to be a murderer yourself if you are sharing your plans.

Show respect

People are doing us a massive favour by offering a free ride, so the least we can do in return is to be kind, considerate, and respectful. That includes being polite and showing appreciation – a genuine thank you is a must.

We should expect the same back, too – these drivers are choosing to pick us up, and while the vast majority will be happy to do so, we shouldn’t be made to feel like a burden, or unwelcome, by anyone.

Enjoy it

Hitchhiking is an opportunity to meet locals, discover more about the area you are in, and listen to personal stories. The drivers are inviting you into their lives and, more often than not, they have great tales to share. I can only remember one ride when the driver didn’t seem interested in talking, and I almost wondered why they picked me up. But every other driver has been very friendly. And they will likely want to hear about you, too – so don’t be shy to talk about where you have been and where you are going.