Taxifarefinder is here to help your budget stay as small as possible, and sometimes when the cost of a taxi just isn’t in the cards, you can transport yourself on a budget of $0.0. Hitchhiking has a bad wrap and an unsafe stereotype, but that isn’t always the case.
Have Confidence!
Confidence is key in life, and it is the key to being a successful hitchhiker. Look drivers in the eye and smile or even wave. You need to be safe but the drivers also wants to make sure they’re not letting a psycho into their car. Part of confidence is not looking like you’re homeless. Be presentable. Hitchhikers wearing nice, comfortable, clean clothes have far more success than people who look like they’ve been hiking the Appalachians for three months. Stand tall, don’t wear sunglasses, and keep your hands visible. Only try and get a ride during the day. People are more perceptive, and it’s safer.
Grab Your Driver’s Attention
Grabbing drivers’ attention is an important part of being a successful hitchhiker. Not just being presentable and confident but being a real person. A cardboard sign can have a huge impact on getting people to pick you up. You can make it funny or you can make it about your destination. It gives people a taste of who you are.
Be Prepared to Wait
There is no guarantee you will be picked up quickly. You’re going to wait; you may even be waiting a long time. So be prepared. Pack snacks, water, an external battery, cell phone, and anything else you need. Keeping a knife, taser, or some other kind of weapon is a good idea; you’ll probably never need it, but just in case. It’s important to keep yourself fed and hydrated. It’s also important to keep your phone charged; you just never know what can happen. No matter what, stay upbeat. A car will come, and you will be on your way.
Stay Safe and Trust Your Gut!
Safety is important, so choose a spot that cars can pull over safely. Make sure you’re waiting on a part of the road that has a large shoulder. On ramps are a great place because there is a shoulder and cars are already slowing down.
Trust your gut. It’s ok to turn down a ride. If you get a bad feeling from a driver or situation, don’t get in the car. If you’re already in the car, get out of the car. Stay in control of situations. Don’t fall asleep in someone’s car. Keep conversations polite and upbeat. Steer clear away from sexual, political, or any other heated topic. Debates are great with friends, but they can be not so wonderful in a stranger’s car.
Conversation is the best way to make sure people like having you in their car. The reasons for picking up a hitchhiker are as diverse as the reasons to hitchhike. Listen to what they have to say, respond, and tell your own stories. Some may not want conversation, but you can pick up on that vibe very easily.
Before you stand next to the road, you should do a little research about the legality of hitchhiking in the area you will be passing through. Different regions and countries have different laws. Free isn’t worth jail time!
