This article is about the profession (we use the term loosely). For a list of hitchhikers, see Category: Hitchhikers.
A hitchhiker is one who ekes out a living, in the loosest sense of the word, by traveling the universe in others’ spaceships, often in luggage compartments, and hanging around dirty spaceports. Armed with a Sub-Etha Sens-O-Matic, an Electronic Thumb, a copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and a towel, the experienced hitchhiker can rough anything. They are despised by several races and individuals, particularly Vogons, for taking up valuable space and not having to pay fare.
Ford Prefect is often revered among them as the greatest hitchhiker of all time.