Hitchhiking can offer travellers a flexible and low-cost way to move between destinations, meet local people and experience a journey at a slower pace. However, travelling this way requires preparation, patience and careful personal judgement.

Before starting, travellers should check whether hitchhiking is permitted in the country or region they intend to visit. They should choose a visible place where vehicles can stop without creating a danger, avoid motorway lanes and other prohibited areas, and never accept a ride if the driver, vehicle or proposed route causes concern.

It is sensible to share the planned route with a trusted person, carry a charged phone and power bank, keep essential belongings accessible and learn the local emergency number. Travellers should also check official advice for every destination. The official travel advisories published by the United States Department of State, for example, explain how destination-specific risks are assessed. Travellers should additionally consult the official guidance issued by their own government.

Hitchhiking conditions and laws vary considerably between destinations. No guide can remove every risk, so travellers should remain attentive, respect local rules and feel free to decline or leave any situation that does not feel right.

Image credit: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels.