Travelling by car sharing agency gets frequently compared with hitchhiking. Aside from that, I often get asked what the differences between these two means of transport are. That’s why you can find here a small (hopefully objective) comparison:
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Car sharing agency |
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Hitchhiking |
Main intension is usually to get a quick and cheap ride from A to B. |
The way is the goal. |
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Limited group of persons gives you a lift (mostly students or alternative people). |
You can meet a lot of different people. Any kind of persons can give you a ride (from the business man and the Grandma to the driving newbie). |
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Fast; riding time is calculable. |
Slower; riding time is incalculable. |
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Route is usually fixed before starting the journey. |
You can let you drift by your mood and good hints. |
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No knowledge necessary. |
Some know-how, technique and practice necessary. |
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Mostly, many people with a lot of luggage in the car -> it get’s cramped and inconvenient. |
Riding mostly by two. |
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Mostly, several people in the car who are strangers to one and another -> public atmosphere -> saver. |
Potentially, with several strangers in the car who are familiar to one and another -> higher risk. |
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You can be subjected to the unreliability of drivers and passengers. |
You are always your own master. |
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Socially accepted. |
Hitchhiking sometimes causes lack of understanding and disapproval. |
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Booking on time necessary. It happens that the requested route is not available for the favored time. |
Start every time possible. |
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Departure normally as agreed. |
Extensive waiting times likely (perhaps with coldness, rain, boredom, losing of patience…) |
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Usually, you only meet one group of people per ride. |
Many meetings with a lot of different people on longer rides. |
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Inhibition level is low. |
First time hitchhiking needs some self-conquest. |
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Drivers and passengers generally act on financial motives. |
Drivers give you a lift for charity’s sake or because of pleasure in having company. |
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Inexpensive |
Free |
Conclusion: Car sharing agencies and hitchhiking have as little to do with each other like travelling by train and driving a car.