If you’ve ever stuck your thumb out on the side of a road, you know it’s more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s a mix of trust, curiosity, and a little bit of “let’s see what happens.” And lately, more travelers—especially the adventurous, eco-minded kind—are giving it another shot.

Take Austrian travelers Alexandra Menz and Bernhard Endlicher. In 2022, somewhere near the Turkish-Syrian border, a couple who picked them up ended up inviting them to their wedding. That’s not something you get from a bus ticket. The two have hitchhiked across 65 countries, racking up over 4,000 rides, and they share it all on social media. As Menz puts it, “Hitchhiking isn’t a thing of the past; it’s a thing for the future.”

Hitchhiking’s roots go back to the early 1900s. It was especially common during the Great Depression when people needed to move around for work. During World War II, it was even encouraged as a patriotic way to travel. But by the 1950s, the mood shifted. The FBI called it a “menace,” and a handful of violent crimes involving hitchhikers locked in the fear. The once-normal act of accepting a ride from a stranger became something your parents warned you about.

Despite the bad press, hitchhiking never disappeared entirely. In rural parts of southern Africa, Patagonia, or remote corners of Europe, it’s still how people get around. Some German, Austrian, Swiss, and Belgian towns have even set up “ride-sharing benches” so drivers know someone’s waiting for a lift. In the U.S., it’s banned in just five states, and in places like St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s part of daily life.

Instagram might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to hitchhiking, but the hashtag #hitchhiking has nearly half a million posts. Digital creator Courtney Allan (@hitchhikercourtney) hitchhiked from China to South Africa and says she’s never had a truly dangerous encounter—just a few rides she politely turned down when her gut said “no.”

Then there’s Lorenza D’Agostino, who’s covered 25,000 kilometers across South America and Europe. She swears solo hitchhiking can be safe for women and believes the stigma is fading.

Funny enough, ride-sharing apps may have paved the way for hitchhiking’s comeback. As Jack Reid, author of Roadside Americans, points out, people are now used to getting into a stranger’s car. That mental barrier? Smaller than it used to be.

Yes, hitchhiking has its risks. And yes, it’s easier for those with the privilege of time, safety nets, and passports that let them move freely. But for people like Menz and Endlicher, it’s about more than saving money or the planet. It’s about the ripple effect—helping a stranger, making a connection, passing along kindness. Endlicher calls it a “positive feedback spiral,” the idea that small acts of generosity can add up to something bigger.

If you’re tempted, you’ll need common sense, patience, and a willingness to trust your instincts. But in return, you might just get the kind of travel story you can’t make up.

Hitchhiking is having a quiet comeback. For some travelers, it’s not just a ride—it’s a way to meet people, cut down on costs, and travel lighter on the planet.

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