I'd disagree with #1. While hitchhikers are not super-visible, hitchhiking is still done and it works. I hitchhike at least 20,000 km a year around Europe, and many of my circle of friends are just as active. While my initial motivation was saving money, I enjoy the fact that, done properly, it can be faster than any bus and many trains.
Take a look at Hitchwiki. It has plenty of tips on how to get out of various European cities and some pointers for beginners. If you'll be Couchsurfing, you should stay with CS hosts who are members of the Hitchhiking group on that website. They'll be more tolerant of uncertain arrival times, and they can teach you things you might not find elsewhere.
Avoid mitfahrgelegenheit. You have to pay, and quite often the whole arrangement is more complicated than just getting to the right petrol station whence you can get a free lift in 30 seconds.
