Rajeev Rai I am sure if you are a travel enthusiast, you must have heard or read about hitchhiking, and let me tell you, one of the most adventurous ways to travel is hitch-hiking, which is also super cheap.
Hitchhiking is just an incredible way to travel. Today in this blog post, I will share with you some tips and tricks for hitchhiking as a beginner and tell you everything I know about hitchhiking. From my own experience, I’ve hitchhiked in a lot of places like India and Nepal, and I have talked to so many incredible hitchhikers.
I have met people who have hitchhiked from Europe to India, all the way from Canada to Chile, Africa, guys, girls, all types of people. So if they can do it, you can do it too. So let’s dive in…
In This Article
What is hitchhiking.
Hitchhiking is a form of travel where you catch rides from strangers, typically by standing on roadside and signalling with a raised thumb. It’s an adventurous and budget-friendly way to travel the world.
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Guys, if you want to travel really cheap and experience something that is truly unique and super adventurous, then you must give a shot to hitchhiking, to travel only by hitchhiking.
A lot of girls have this fear that hitchhiking is risky for them, and I don’t deny that. You know, as a guy, I can never completely relate to that, but definitely there is truth in it.
But I must tell you that the person who actually inspired me to hitchhike for the first time in a different country was a girl who had hitchhiked all over the world, including India.
So it’s definitely possible, without a doubt. It is also a skill, and you can get better at it if you know the fundamentals and you can give it a shot and practice it.
1. Have patience
The philosophy of hitchhiking is that no matter what, the ride is going to come. No matter wherever you are, the ride will come. It’s just a matter of time, and if you want to hitchhike, one of the most important things you need to look at is that you shouldn’t be in a rush to reach anywhere. You really have to let it go.
2. Travel light
The best way to hitchhike is as a single traveler with very little stuff, just a small bag. You can even carry a backpack or just a small bag with some clothes, and you need to really get into this mindset that hitchhiking is what you want to experience. You want to experience your traveling through hitchhiking. So that journey is not about commuting, it’s just traveling. It’s very important.
3. Look confident and pleasant
So you have the mindset and your backpack. Now let’s go and hitchhike from one place to another. Look confident and pleasant. Don’t look weak, but also don’t look threatening. You need to come out as someone who is non-threatening. When hitchhiking comes into our mind, usually an image comes that we are getting into someone’s vehicle, which is scary and very rightly so. But we never look at this aspect that someone who’s letting a stranger get into his car, that’s also very scary. So you must come out as someone who’s pleasant, who’s non-threatening.
4. Find a traffic spot
Hitchhike at places where there is less traffic. The lesser the traffic, the higher your chances of finding a hitchhike. If you hitchhike in really crowded places like fast highways where it’s very difficult to stop, then it will be very hard for you to find a hitchhike. But if you’re hitchhiking at a place where every 10 minutes a vehicle goes, then it’s far, far easier to get the hitchhike.
5. If you’re not comfortable with ride, take your step back
Once the vehicle stops, take a look at the driver, look directly into the eyes, and see how you feel. It’s going to be very instantaneous, and if you feel slight discomfort, just walk back without saying anything. Don’t say anything and walk back. The person is just going to go away. You need to trust your gut and it’s going to get better the more you practice.
6. Gas stations are always best and easiest spot to get a ride
Try to look at places to stop vehicles where it’s easy for them to stop. So not at locations or corners where it’s not possible to stop, like a very high-speed highway or at a corner where it’s just not easy for someone to stop. So take care of that. One way you can get hitchhikes on highways is at gas stations. You can just be at the entry or exit of the gas station, and you can try asking for the ride from there.
7. Start early to reach your destination early
Hitchhike only during the day. Start early and try to reach places where you can reach within a day. Try to hitchhike to places which are like three or four hours max from the place you take the ride. Don’t hitchhike during the night. It’s just too much of trouble. You know people who are roaming around at night, they may be drunk, something unfortunate can happen. So don’t take that risk. Hitchhike during the day.
8. Have a destination board in your hand
If you are going to some popular spots, then have a board in your hand. I’m sure you have seen it on the internet that a person is holding a board in front of him. So people can look where you are planning to go, and then they can stop you. That’s a very good strategy. If you are hitchhiking, that’s the way you want to travel. It’s a good idea to know where you are going.
There are people who hitchhike by having a board in their hand that says “anywhere.”That’s okay, and you can do that as well, provided you are experienced. But if you are a new hitchhiker, then it’s better that you know where you want to go. It will just make things easy for you.
9. Straight roads are best for hitchhiking
Try to hitchhike for straight routes, which is a straight road to one place, so that you know that that’s the road and you can get something. You can use Google Maps and find out your current location. Don’t try to hitchhike to places where you have to go 10 kilometres, then take a right, and then go 20 kilometers and take a left.
10. Carry a helmet, if possible
The very important tip is that if you are hitchhiking, try to carry a helmet with you. In many parts of the world, it is against the traffic norms to sit on a motorcycle without a helmet. So if you don’t have a helmet, a lot of people are not going to give you a hitchhike, and I faced this problem in Nepal.
I was in Pokhara, Nepal, In Nepal to do hitchhiking both riders needed to wear a helmet, and a lot of people, when I was asking them for a ride, they were showing this helmet sign. They were pointing to their head, saying that, Oh, you don’t have a helmet, and then I bought a helmet and then I started getting the rides. So that’s a very effective strategy. Do apply this.
11. Learn non-verbal communication skill
Learn non-verbal communication, which is body language, eye contact, and voice tonality, just a little bit so that you can get a sense of the type of person you are getting involved with. Non-verbal cues are really, really important. It helps you build your intuition to the size of people. So that’s going to be really helpful for hitchhiking.
12. Have a conversation
When you are inside the vehicle, don’t keep quiet. Have a conversation with the person. Try to show interest in their lives. Try to know about them. Try to build rapport. People really like meeting people from different cultures, and if you show interest, they will really go out of their way to drop you to places. It’s pretty funny. I’m dead serious about it. You’ll be surprised. So show curiosity.
13. If you are a beginner, start hitchhiking within your city
If you are a beginner, then I will recommend you start hitchhiking within your city. Go to places. Try it out. See how it feels to be on the road and ask for a ride to stop a vehicle. And slowly start getting comfortable with it. Don’t start hitchhiking in different cities or different countries if you have never done it before. That’s going to not be a good idea. It can just demotivate you. So practice it in your own city.
Hitchhiking is the best adventure traveling experience you can have
And most important and bonus tip is to get into the mindset that it’s an adventure. It’s not a way to commute. It’s an adventure. And that’s when you are going to really enjoy it and learn it.
If you’re super excited and interested about the concept of hitchhiking and if you really wanna explore the world on budget, then I would recommend you to read this book, The Ultimate Guide to Hitchhiking: Stop Dreaming! Start Your Adventure!
This book offers proven strategies and beginner-friendly steps for hitchhiking. If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure that costs little, hitchhiking is the way to go. You’ll experience the kindness of strangers who pick you up and share their stories, creating intense, bonding moments.
My goal is to inspire you to explore the beautiful world around us. Imagine waking up to the sound of cowbells after camping or earning your meals by washing dishes at a restaurant while hearing amazing stories.
Many of us fear stepping out of our comfort zones, but taking those initial steps can lead to unforgettable adventures.
FAQ on hitchhiking
1. How to hitchhike for beginners?
If you are a beginner, then I would suggest you to start hitchhiking within your city. Go to some places you already know. Try asking for ride. See how it feels to be on the road and ask for a ride to stop a vehicle. And slowly start getting comfortable with it. But, In the beginning I would not recommend you do hitchhiking different cities or different countries if you have never done it before. That’s going to not be a good idea. It can just demotivate you. So first practice it in your own city.
2. What are the rules of hitchhiking?
So guys, here are some basic rules that you need to keep in mind while hitchhiking
- You should always look friendly and non-threatening.
- Always stand in a safe spot where cars can pull over easily.
- Try to travel during daylight hours for better visibility and safety.
- Be respectful to the driver and listen to their stories or ask common questions to make the experience enjoyable.
- If you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to decline a ride.
3. How to make hitchhiking safer?
Choose well-populated areas for hitchhiking and avoid high-speed highways. Travel during daylight hours, as night rides can be riskier. Look directly at the driver’s face when a car stops; trust your instincts. Carry a helmet if hitchhiking on motorcycles, as it’s a common requirement in many places. And, if possible, avoid isolated or unfamiliar areas until you have more experience.
4. Is it hard to hitchhike?
It’s not hard though, but the philosophy of hitchhiking says that no matter what, the ride is going to come. No matter wherever you are, the ride will come. It’s just a matter of time, and if you want to hitchhike, one of the most important things you need to look at is that you shouldn’t be in a rush to reach anywhere.
5. How easy is hitchhiking?
With the right approach and a positive mindset, hitchhiking can be fairly easy, particularly in areas where it’s more common. Familiarising yourself with basic hitchhiking etiquette, such as looking approachable and choosing the right spots, can make it much easier.
6. Where to stand when hitchhiking?
You can stand in areas where cars can safely pull over, like a gas station exit or the side of a less busy road with some open space. You should avoid high-speed highways or corners where it’s difficult for cars to stop.
So this was all my tips, advice, and experience on hitchhiking. I hope you liked this blog post, guys. For more information on hitchhiking around the world, check out this page.
To learn more and if you want to Travel the world for free by hitchhiking check this YouTube video.
Do send me your comments. Reach out to me if you need any advice for solo traveling. I will try my best to help you.
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Share this blog with your friends and family. I look forward to talking to you again.
Take care, and goodbye.
