Any suggestions to ensure safety while hitchhiking?

Any suggestions to ensure safety while hitchhiking? - Careful female volunteer in black down jacket suggesting protective facial mask for bearded male pedestrian on city street in cold season during coronavirus pandemic

A female friend of mine plans to travel trough Europe next month. She wants to hitchhike. Although she has done it several times before, she is looking for some tips to make the tour safer.

I could recommend here the following hints:

  • Always ask the driver where he goes before you say where you go

  • Dress appropriate so that you're not confused with a prostitute which are also very often standing at streets and waiting for cars

Are there any other hints?



Best Answer

I've been hitchhiking all over the world for the past year and a half, currently in Europe. But we're not supposed to do broad or list questions on Stack Exchange.

So rather than list out all kinds of stuff I can think of I can make it one right answer by pointing to what might be considered the current best online resource:

The Hitchwiki page on safety.

Now if you have specific concerns I'd love to share my advice in individual questions.




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What safety precautions should you take when hitchhiking?

9 Safety Tips When Hitchhiking
  • Pick Your Country or Place to Hitchhike Accordingly. ...
  • Know where you're going, both on the road and at your next destination. ...
  • Make a Sign. ...
  • Where to Locate Yourself. ...
  • If Wary, Say No. ...
  • Dress Appropriately. ...
  • Let the driver know you're texting a friend their license plate number.


  • How do you protect yourself as a hitchhiker?

    Consider wearing a bright reflecting safety vest. At night time use reflectors and carry a small torch. You can purchase these often at petrol stations and supermarkets. Carry these in your backpack at all times: even if you are not planning to hitchhike during the darkness.

    What do I need to know before hitchhiking?

    So before you start hitchhiking, take a moment to analyze your appearance and put yourself in the shoes of the driver. Try to dress a nicely as possible and avoid torn shirts. Smile and above all make eye contact. When I see a car coming I immediately try to make eye contact with the driver.

    Is it safe to pick up hitchhikers?

    The Highway Patrol warns not only is it dangerous to pick up hitchhikers, but it's also a bad idea to hitchhike because of the risk of getting into a stranger's car. Poulos said, "You do not know who is picking you up because it's not just the hitchhikers that could possibly be criminals.



    How to HITCH-HIKE without getting MURDERED (for hikers)




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Gustavo Fring, Tima Miroshnichenko, Sergey Meshkov, Karolina Grabowska