This reminds me: I was driving from Copenhagen to Gothenburg one rainy day about 40 years ago. I saw a guy with his thumb up as I crossed into Sweden. This was new territory for me. I figured I could get some local guidance so I picked him up. He turned out to be a medical student from Warsaw and was clueless. But we had a good chat and eventually found our way.

Seriously - this isn't a good idea. There are plenty of cheap ways to travel through Europe, but hitch hiking is dangerous and foolish. Anyone driving long distance will use motorways - where it's almost impossible to pick up a lift.

Google the name Pierre Chanal to see what happened to unwary hitchikers in France in the 1980's and 90's. Don't for a moment think that it couldn't happen again.