Car sharing agency vs. Hitchhiking

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:

 

Car sharing agency

 

Hitchhiking

neutral

Main intension is usually to get a quick and cheap ride from A to B.

neutral

The way is the goal.

minus

Limited group of persons gives you a lift (mostly students or alternative people).

plus

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).

plus

Fast; riding time is calculable.

minus

Slower; riding time is incalculable.

minus

Route is usually fixed before starting the journey.

plus

You can let you drift by your mood and good hints.

plus

No knowledge necessary.

minus

Some know-how, technique and practice necessary.

minus

Mostly, many people with a lot of luggage in the car -> it get’s cramped and inconvenient.

plus

Riding mostly by two.

plus

Mostly, several people in the car who are strangers to one and another -> public atmosphere -> saver.

minus

Potentially, with several strangers in the car who are familiar to one and another -> higher risk.

minus

You can be subjected to the unreliability of drivers and passengers.

plus

You are always your own master.

plus

Socially accepted.

minus

Hitchhiking sometimes causes lack of understanding and disapproval.

minus

Booking on time necessary. It happens that the requested route is not available for the favored time.

plus

Start every time possible.

plus

Departure normally as agreed.

minus

Extensive waiting times likely (perhaps with coldness, rain, boredom, losing of patience…)

minus

Usually, you only meet one group of people per ride.

plus

Many meetings with a lot of different people on longer rides.

plus

Inhibition level is low.

minus

First time hitchhiking needs some self-conquest.

minus

Drivers and passengers generally act on financial motives.

plus

Drivers give you a lift for charity’s sake or because of pleasure in having company.

neutral

Inexpensive

neutral

Free

Conclusion: Car sharing agencies and hitchhiking have as little to do with each other like travelling by train and driving a car.