How to safely hitchhike (and mistakes to absolutely avoid)

Hitchhiking is probably the most spontaneous way of going on an adventure. You literally don’t know where you will end up and whom you will meet.

Your favourite travel vloggers might make it look easy, but in reality it requires some know-how and preparation in order for you to have fun all the while staying safe. This article will walk through exactly what you need to know.

This article was written by a male working holiday maker in New Zealand, so you’ll see some references to New Zealand. But most of the tips apply to other countries as well.

Know before you start

Before getting out on the road with your bags, it’s important to have the right mindset and expectations:

Don’t have a strict end destination in mind. You don’t know how long you may have to wait for your ride(s) or how far you will get. Give yourself flexibility and research in advance places where you could stop along the way.
Be prepared to wait for a long time, possibly without success. Bring some food and water with you just in case.
As the weather can be unpredictable, there is a chance you may have to camp in the rain. Make sure you have weatherproof gear.
Remember that being picked up is not something you are entitled to. Be grateful for any help you receive.

Hitchhiking solo as a woman
While men generally encounter few issues, the experience can be quite different for solo women. New Zealand is a safe country where most female travellers face few issues. However, common sense still applies. Don’t hitchhike in deserted areas or get into a car if the driver doesn’t seem trustworthy.

Appearance

It may seem trivial, but your appearance matters. If you are in dirty clothes with a head of unkempt hair, it goes without saying that you may struggle to inspire trust in drivers. So make an effort to be presentable.

If your goal is to maximise your changes of getting picked up, then shirts with images or text promoting drugs or controversial slogans should also be avoided.

Also, while waiting make sure your face is visible while waiting; try not to wear sunglasses. Sport a friendly smile too.

Where to stand

New Zealand highways have a wonderful advantage: they look like anything but highways. Most of the time, they are similar to secondary roads, with wide verges and speed limits of no more than 100 km/h. This means it is possible to stand almost anywhere. This might not be the case in other countries.

Safety is number one. Avoid standing in the middle of a bend, at the top of a hill, or camping at an intersection. Let common sense prevail, as summed up by these few commandments:

At the exit of the town, you shall always stand.
Incoming cars shall have room to brake and stop.
In a bend, you shall not remain.
At crossroads, you shall walk on.
Visibility, you shall fully enjoy.
In the middle of the road, you shall never camp.
Next to others, you shall not stand.

To leave large cities, take a bus to the nearest motorway.

If no cars stop, walk along the roadside — this is a good way to get people’s attention.

What to do with your bags

If you are hitchhiking, you likely have some bags and gear with you. As for what to do with them, there are two schools of thought:

Hide your belongings
Leave everything visible

Supporters of the first approach warn that too much luggage can be intimidating for potential drivers. Try to travel light.

Advocates of the second approach argue that it’s best to clearly show what you intend to carry into the vehicle.

After covering 5,500 kilometres hitchhiking in New Zealand, I can say that things have gone smoothly for me even though I always make all my bags visible. Now it is up to you to choose!

Sign or no sign?

Is it worth writing your intended destination on a piece of cardboard? If you know clearly where you want to go, this can really help the driver. The chances that the vehicle stopping will take you directly where you want to go increase significantly.

On the other hand, that also means that drivers who are not planning to go exactly to your destination are less likely to stop and chat.

Note that it is entirely possible to hitchhike without a sign, but if you decide to make one, be creative. Decorate it a little and try humour if you like. Try to catch drivers’ attention and position yourself where they have enough time and runway to read your sign.

Chloe - Stop en Nouvelle-Zelande

Competition and etiquette

Remember that you may not be the only one to have the idea to hitchhike. Around Queenstown in summer mornings, the scene can resemble a hitchhikers’ market. If this happens, move away from the overcrowded area.

If that is not possible and you have to stay in the same spot, there is one golden rule: always stand downstream of those who were there before you. “Stealing” cars from those who waited longer is incredibly inconsiderate.

How to stand out
Personally, I chose to attach a Canadian flag to my backpack. Visible from afar and proudly flapping in the wind, it caught attention. And it must be said that there are many Canadians travelling in New Zealand. It also provides a great conversation starter once inside the vehicle.

A commenter named Catherine also said she has seen hitchhikers on the road with “free cookies” signs instead of signs showing a destination. It is an original way to attract attention and sympathy.

When a driver pulls over

Finally, a driver stops!

This is not the moment to celebrate just yet, because you have to assess whether it is the right fit. Do not get into a car if you do not feel it. Trust is essential, and you should not let desperation or fatigue push you into an unsafe situation.

For example, if you are a woman travelling alone and the driver is staring at you insistently and clearly with bad intentions, do not get in.

If the car is in terrible condition, the driver has a joint in their hand, smells like alcohol, you know to say no.

If the driver seems to be eyeing your luggage, it is simply a matter of vigilance and common sense. Do not put all your bags into the car unattended. Leave a door open while you’re loading.

Finally, a few recommendations:

A nice car does not compensate for a shady driver.
Don’t drink alcohol during the ride.
Don’t smoke anything illegal.
Be aware of the direction you’re travelling in. Share your live location with a trusted individual if you have doubts.
Always wear your seatbelt.
If the driving is reckless, ask to get out.

This advice applies everywhere in the world, even in countries reputed to be safe. Balance trust with vigilance.

Chat with the driver

The driver will naturally ask where you are heading. Start by greeting them and say where you want to go. The answer can be very precise (a town or a specific place), more vague (a region), or even surprising (“as far as possible”).

You may be offered a lift lasting anywhere from five minutes to a few hours. Travelling five kilometres can be useful to change location, reach public transport, or simply feel like you are moving forward. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the same place for hours.

My personal advice
It is up to you to decide what suits you, but my advice is to never refuse a ride, even for a short distance (unless the driver seems dodgy, as advised earlier). You never know what may come even a short lift!

During the ride

You will most likely talk, exchange stories and chat. That is the essence of hitchhiking.

Avoid controversial topics if possible and show interest in what your interlocutor is saying. Take the opportunity to learn more about the region, places to visit, where to sleep, and so on. In short, make the driver want to pick up hitchhikers again in the future!

Don’t smoke cigarettes or even eat food unless your driver expressly authorises it.

The end of the journey

Very often, the driver will ask where you would like to be dropped off. Out of consideration, choose a sufficiently central place so as not to impose a huge detour.

If you are just passing through, ask them for recommendations on a good place to sleep or eat, for example. There is a good chance they may drop you off there directly, especially if the journey has gone well.

Once you arrive, collect your bags and off you go on a new adventure. If you want, you could also invite your driver for a coffee as thanks, or simply exchange contact information.

Conclusion

I travelled 5,500 (or perhaps 6,000) kilometres over five months around the South Island and always managed to get where I wanted to go, albeit sometimes at the cost of long waits.

In theory, it is therefore possible, in my view, to travel exclusively this way, provided you are neither in too much of a hurry nor too demanding.

Hitchhiking means being dependent on others. You have to accept not being fully in control at times. It also means long waits in unlikely places, deep in the backcountry, wondering what you are doing there and hoping the next vehicle will pick you up.

But hitchhiking is also a wonderful way to meet people and a new way to experience freedom.