Hitchhiking to Gdańsk 2024
In the summer of 2024 my friend and I decided to hitchhike together to Gdańsk in Poland. It was the first time I had hitchhiked with another man — I was a bit skeptical at first. But since I love challenges, I simply wanted to try it.
From Prague to Berlin
Our journey began in Prague. First we had to take a bus to a nearby petrol station. It did not take long before we found a young woman who was very kind and took us to northern Bohemia. At another petrol station we had a funny encounter with young women offering food to drivers — I played the ukulele and the moment was truly unforgettably comic.
Then another woman took us across the border into Germany. There at the petrol station the situation was tricky: we needed to continue in the opposite direction, but there was no way to cross the road. So we simply walked about five kilometers to the other side — a bit sad, but reconciled by a coffee. Soon a man took us to the next petrol station, and from there we finally made it all the way to Berlin — the entire route from Prague in just eight hours.
In Berlin we spent two nights. We visited many sights, went to parties and had a lot of fun overall. Berlin has its own energy — loud, colorful, and full of life. It was just the right break before continuing to Poland.
Ustka – the Unexpected Discovery
From Berlin we wanted to continue to Poland. At first it was difficult, but eventually a young woman gave us a lift. The route was uncertain — we actually did not know exactly where we would end up. Fate decided for us and we landed on the coast in the town of Ustka.
We found this small town beautiful, with a very special atmosphere. The beach, the birds, the town itself, the food, and the surroundings impressed us so much that we decided to stay for at least two nights. Sometimes the unplanned stops are the best ones.
Gdańsk – the Destination
From Ustka we set off for Gdańsk. First a car with an older couple stopped for us, and then we were very lucky: a scheduled bus took us on board. All the passengers were surprised and smiled — a funny moment you cannot plan.
The city itself was really great. Our accommodation however was a disappointment — the room was too small, the apartment dirty and unpleasant. Nevertheless Gdańsk was beautiful: we took the tram to the beach, and although the water was cold, we enjoyed the time very much. The historic old town, the atmosphere of the harbor, and the lively city life more than made up for the bad accommodation.
Seven Days, Countless Experiences
This adventure lasted seven days in total. We gathered many experiences — and I learned that hitchhiking with a friend is a completely different, yet equally beautiful way to travel. The unplanned detours, the chance encounters, and the spontaneous decisions make hitchhiking something special.