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Hitchhiking from Gistel

Hitchhiking to Gistel

Recent reviews mentioning Gistel

51.18584, 3.10625

Worked quite well for going towards Brussels
―Autostopeks

Waited about an hour, mostly outside the shop with a sign saying Calais>UK, and asking the few cars I saw with UK plates. Eventually an Irish guy offered me a lift, took me in the ferry and dropped me outside London.
―Wienerpolser

51.0347, 3.63871

Heading to the UK. Didn't see any UK plates in the parking so waited at the exit with a sign saying Oostende/Calais. Got a lift with a couple of Azerbaijanis who offered to take me to Dunkerque, but I got off at Jabbeke petrol station.
―Wienerpolser

51.18787, 3.10561

Ok, this is my short rant about getting to the UK. It's hard, like really hard. Stop thinking about that in your average hitchhiking times, multiple it by 10. It's like waiting for Godot, but it's the same as ever, it's not matter of change, but time and persistence. I got lucky with a Norwegian car, they told me that they are going in two days and I agreed. But it's extremely difficult and absolute majority don't want to even speak to you once they hear the word UK. Foreign license plates are your goal, but it's still going to be a massive pain. I approached UK cars without a sign and just waved my sign to anyone else. Have your passport and ETA ready and the best of luck for all of you.
―martih

51.2144, 2.89712

A decent spot, there were no cars parked here, a good one if you don't want to walk that far. But I would say it's better to just aim for Brugge and get off at the gas station on the highway if going further.
―martih

51.05512, 2.66685

It was evening already, but I found a ride to Oostende, I hitchhiked before the roundabout, where there are two road lanes.
―martih

51.0761, 3.11137

I got lucky. The first car driving by took me and got me near Brussels. This spot looked promising, was large, and had slow cars for hitchhiking west. But maybe I was just lucky.
―martih

51.17623, 3.20231

This is a great spot, but be aware, cars are going in all directions, so you really need to know your direction and major cities in that direction. A car stopped, and the guys told me that they were going to Torhout. I asked whether it was in the direction of Brussels, and they confirmed. But after I realized I had made a semi-voluntary ride to Torhout.
―martih

51.19423, 3.21368

I stood here, and a guy picked me up after a few minutes, stopped and told me this wasn't a great place, and brought me to a better one. There is a large space to stop and a decent amount of traffic.
―martih

51.2207, 2.91747

A good, safe spot for Brugge or Ghent. Cars can see you clearly, and they can safely stop at the local bus stop. It is still kinda the city centre, so having a sign would be advised, but this road is still one of the main ways for cars to get out of the city; therefore, I think it is pretty good.
―martih

50.9707, 3.84342

I got a ride directly to Oostende from here. There were a lot of cars here, and a guy took me almost immediately. This is a good spot if you need to change directions. I arrived late at night, slept in the truck cabin, and the next morning crossed a nearby bridge to the other side and headed toward Oostende.
―martih

51.18787, 3.10561

Was heading to the UK. I was stupid and got in the first car that stopped that took me to the next gas station. BAD IDEA. There is lots of traffick heading to callais here, so do not go further.
―stepanfoj

51.13532, 2.81919

I waited here for 2 hours trying to find a ride to the UK. There was very little traffic on a Monday night and I was just happy to accept a ride to Calais in the end, shortly before sunset. The driver drove me there out of pitty, I think.
But seriously, stick to the bigger service station in Jabbeke. There's not a ton of traffic either, but at least you spot a UK licence plate every now and then.
―daganzebuaatramper

51.18787, 3.10561

I waited here for 1 hour trying to find a ride to the UK. I eventually decided to take a ride one gas station further. A BIG MISTAKE!
Though there are not many cars going to UK here, at least there are some. At the next gas station there was one car in the first hour, that is it.
So, even if it seems bad, don't get tempted to go one gas station further. You'll regret it.
―daganzebuaatramper

51.18787, 3.10561

While heading to Ireland, a family heading home from Poland took me with them for a night in their van and even offered me a night in their guest room.
―Anonymous

51.21465, 2.92648

―Anonymous

51.18545, 3.20741

―Anonymous

51.18807, 3.10518

Best point to get a lift to the UK. For the Channel tunnel, cars are paid by car, not by passenger. So, if there is a free seat, it is basically possible to ask for a lift through the tunnel. However, it can take up to 1.5-2 hours, because it is hard to convince people that you are neither an illegal immigrant nor in possession of drugs etc. So, have your passport ready to show to everyone and be patient...
―Anonymous

51.17649, 3.20166

Good for direction Oostende, Dunkerque, Calais.
Put Oostende on a sign, so you can get a ride at least to the next service area in Jabbeke.
―Anonymous

51.21465, 2.92648

So-so-ish, there are traffic lights here which helps. It's probably the best place to get to Brugge and Gent (and further)
―Anonymous