Post: #1

Hello, im thinking about hitchhiking through europe starting in Lisbon and ending in Istanbul. I want to know if its generally safe for blacks there(i am african american btw) and what places should i avoid?

Post: #2

(03-30-2011 01:04 PM)DVDutch Wrote:  Hello, im thinking about hitchhiking through europe starting in Lisbon and ending in Istanbul. I want to know if its generally safe for blacks there(i am african american btw) and what places should i avoid?

I'm from Lisbon and all I can say is that you'll be the feared one. We don't invite strangers to our cars unless it is absolutely necessary and that's not because we are rude but because we are cautious.

In theory Austria, Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Denmark are the most racist countries.

But racism in Europe is more related to permanent immigration of low social and low economical standards people or war conflicts in the past.

Almost none European country is receptive to poor foreign citizens moving to the next door. That's usually considered a move to increase crime and decrease safety and education. That's not associated with skin color at all.

Of course every European (World?) country have a mini-micro-minority of animals who entitle them selves as skinheads, but probably you'll miss that dozen people.

I suggest you buy an InterRail pass. It's safe, cheap and very popular.

http://www.interrail.net/english/

Post: #3

Quote:I suggest you buy an InterRail pass. It's safe, cheap and very popular

But a complete waste of money if he's travelling through the Balkans as trains there are so cheap it is more expensive to buy a pass than just to buy tickets as you go. Also sometimes buses are quicker and cheaper than trains.

Post: #4

(03-30-2011 01:04 PM)DVDutch Wrote:  Hello, im thinking about hitchhiking through europe starting in Lisbon and ending in Istanbul. I want to know if its generally safe for blacks there(i am african american btw) and what places should i avoid?

This is a very broad question to answer, you didn't even list the countries you're going through.
Also do you speak any local languages? This may be important - from my old days of hitchhiking I remember one of the main reason the drivers pick up hitchhikers is the boredom. They want to talk to someone while driving, and I really wonder how many truck drivers in Europe speak English fluently. Note that you'll mostly deal with truck drivers, as I'd expect non-pro drivers to be very cautious about picking up passengers.

Post: #5

(03-30-2011 04:38 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:I suggest you buy an InterRail pass. It's safe, cheap and very popular

But a complete waste of money if he's travelling through the Balkans as trains there are so cheap it is more expensive to buy a pass than just to buy tickets as you go. Also sometimes buses are quicker and cheaper than trains.

InterRail Passes are pretty cheap (even cheaper if you're under 26) and avoid smart-asses worries that occur when you're traveling Europe for the first time, don't speak the languages and aren't sure where to go. These worries are very significant if you're planning to go to non-EU countries.

If InterRail passes are good for Europeans, I don´t see why they aren't good for Americans.

Post: #6

DVDutch,

Dont hitchhike anywhere.

I did once on a trip years ago and got 5 different rides.Not one was a normal ride.Scary and crazy.

I was in the states,but I would not do it anywhere now.

Dont do it.

Post: #7

Post: #8

Quote:InterRail Passes are pretty cheap (even cheaper if you're under 26) and avoid smart-asses worries that occur when you're traveling Europe for the first time, don't speak the languages and aren't sure where to go. These worries are very significant if you're planning to go to non-EU countries.

If InterRail passes are good for Europeans, I don´t see why they aren't good for Americans.

They might be cheap but it's cheaper to buy as you go in the region of Europe he's going to be travelling in. Also train travel isn't always the fastest and most conveinent way to travel in that region, for example if he plans to go from Bosnia into Serbia the train takes considerably longer than the bus. Europe is one of the easiest places in the world to travel in, no ones can expect you to speak all the different languages spoken (I managed with English) and as for not being sure of where to go.....you go to the train or bus station, where else would you go.

Also last time I checked Americans couldn't buy InterRail passes, they had to purchase another pass with a similar name.

Post: #9

Post: #10

Dude are you crazy. Black or white I think it is mad, there is alot of anti-american sentinment in Europe (assuming you are american). Like others have stated, you can get cheap travel in some of the southern and eastern european countries. If you are under age 26 you can get a travel pass like Eurorail.

If money is a problem, then you should not be stepping foot in Europe period.

Post: #11

Quote:In theory Austria, Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Denmark are the most racist countries.

Seriously?

Post: #12

I don't think hitch hiking is all that bad of an idea, it's Europe FFS not deepest darkest Africa. You'll be absolutely fine and there's not that much anti american sentiment in Europe so being American won't be a problem. Hitchiking isn't always done because a person can't afford public transport, a lot of the time it's for the experience. I know that's why I did it in Australia. Glad I did as well.

Post: #13

(03-31-2011 08:19 AM)Gringo Wrote:  I don't think hitch hiking is all that bad of an idea, it's Europe FFS not deepest darkest Africa. You'll be absolutely fine and there's not that much anti american sentiment in Europe so being American won't be a problem. Hitchiking isn't always done because a person can't afford public transport, a lot of the time it's for the experience. I know that's why I did it in Australia. Glad I did as well.

I agree with this. You should be fine in Western Europe, and the more rural, the easier and better the hitchhiking. I would be careful though and would try to limit it to more outlying areas and countries and avoid the larger cities and poorer countries.

There is something called Allo-stop, that is organized hitchhiking, that is they match you up with a driver. I used allo-stop once when there was a transport strike in France.

As for being African-American, if you appear to have money (but not too much), have a clean appearance, maybe even carry an American flag, this may help.

Post: #14

Is this a decision based on lack of cash or just for the F of it?

Post: #15

Just for the fuck of it lol

Post: #16

You should do it then, it's not dangerous and you'll get a different experience out of it than most people who are just travelling by train.