Hitchhiking in Bulgaria

Do you know that there is one very nice and easy way to go from one place to another in Bulgaria? That would be by hitchhiking. Actually, hitchhiking is a popular travelling method not only in Bulgaria but also in other countries on the Balkan Peninsula.

In Bulgaria young, open-minded people would usually go hitchhiking. Some of them are young students who do not have a lot of money. Others just enjoy the travel itself. Hitchhiking suggests you will need to meet new people and talk to them. You will have to communicate and that is what real travelers seek: communication with others, getting to know local cultures and customs, etc. Some would tell you that hitchhiking is dangerous. It might be, so you should probably follow some rules, in order to avoid danger as much as possible. Still, you should be aware that certain ways of travelling are more risky than others. In that sense, hitchhiking is not just for anybody.

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What to do in Bulgaria?

If you have decided you want to try hitchhiking in Bulgaria, here is what you should do. First of all, this kind of travelling is known in the country and people would not be shocked if they see you thumb up on the street. It would be great if you could talk to some locals or some people you know who have done hitchhiking before. They might give you proper tips on how you should behave. If there is none to help you, I will try to give you some tips here.

1. Be careful, the traffic is awful: Yes, in Bulgaria drivers tend to drive crazily sometimes. Well, not sometimes, but always. So, choose a proper place to stay and wait for a car. Do not do it on highways. I am not sure if it is forbidden but it would be complicated for drivers to stop there. If you are on a smaller road, choose a place where a car could easily stop. If not, you might not get a ride.
2. Choose the driver: Do not just hop on the first car that has stopped for you. If you see that the driver is not to your liking just excuse yourself and wait for another car. As I said earlier, hitchhiking is relatively safe but you never know. You should be able to judge people in order to be able to travel without a problem. If the person seems weird or suspicious, do not get on the car and that’s it.
3. Dress properly: This advice is directed towards the girls. At least the first part of it... You are on a road after all. Be careful on how to dress. If you look way too sexy, you might easily be mistaken for a prostitute. Road prostitutes could be seen quite often in Bulgaria, so please be aware. Another tip I think might be useful is to dress as clean as possible. Of course, if you have travelled a long way or if you have been waiting for a car a long time under the sun on a hot summer day, you will not probably look your best. Still, try to put some clean clothes on before you go hitchhiking. After all, who would want to take a dirty, smelling traveler.
4. Be careful when you wave: You should stand with your thumb up. That is the hitchhiking sign. If you start waving your hand, especially if you wave it towards yourself, it will not be quite ok. That is the sign street prostitutes use. You do not want to be mistaken for a prostitute, right?



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5. Bring a poster: You might want to (not obligatory) bring a piece of paper that has written your desired destination. It is not 100% necessary but it could be useful. It would indicate the drivers where you are going to. It should be large and easy to read. After all, cars pass by with speed.
6. You might need to communicate with the drivers: Yes, some drivers would put their lights on for a second, wave you, beep you, etc. Drivers would sometimes want to communicate with you. Some would greet you, while others might avoid you. I have had one case when I was hitchhiking. Some cars would change the lane when they would see me standing on the side of the road. It was as if I would go and jump into their cars. No, I was not going to. Some drivers would bring their fingers together in order to indicate their car is full and they have no place for you.
7. You might have to change cars: Sometimes, especially if you are going to a smaller place, you might need to change cars. There might not be cars heading to your destination right away, so you might need to go to a nearer place and then wait for another driver. Bring your own map and know where you are going.
8. Communicate with the drivers, once you are in: If you get a ride, you should be ready to communicate with the driver and the other passengers. They might ask you where you are going, what you are doing, and so on. You might also ask them some stuff about themselves. Be polite and nice. Be careful when giving personal information. You should not give your info to just anyone. If the driver is quiet, do not bother him or her. Maybe they just prefer a calm ride and took you with them not because they needed to talk, but because they wanted to help you.
9. Enjoy the experience: Every journey teaches you something and helps you collect memories. Enjoy your ride and the people you meet. Be ready to talk, communicate, learn, and teach.

Have a nice time!

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