On a recent trip to Ireland and London, I discovered that the best way to get to know the local people is to hitchhike. In addition to meeting some rather interesting people, it definitely beat paying for a rental car or idling away your time on a bus ride.
In many parts of the world, thumbing can be as safe as traveling on a bus or by yourself. If it’s your first time, then be sure to hitchhike with a friend as it can ease your mind, increase your security, and feel safer.
Be sure to learn the cultural norms before embarking on a hitchhike: learn whether the drivers expect to be tipped… or if they do it for karma points.