Parking outside congestion zone to get to Covent garden

[Geekman]

Hoping some of you guys can help me. Despite having lived in and around London my entire life, and commuting through central every week, I rarely leave my car in London so am somewhat clueless. Following a hit and run accident I need to take my car from Surrey to a bodyshop in Dartford on Thursday, but I have a meeting in Covent garden at 2pm. So I plan to drive in, park just outside the congestion charging zone, get a bus or tube to Covent garden, then collect the car when my meeting is over and drive it to Dartford to the bodyshop.

Does anyone have any idea as to where it would be best to park? Trying to keep costs to a minimum as I'm already extremely hacked off about losing over £1000 due to some tts dishonesty.

[AndyM31]

If memory serves me, the zone starts just before and beyond Park Lane.

Parking in London is not exactly cheap but from what you say, you are looking for convenience and cost. I can suggest parking in the Kensington and Chelsea town hall which is off Kensington High Street and 2 min walk from Kensington High Street tue station. This route is also well provided for by buses to the west end.

Alternatively you could consider the parking in Knightsbridge, If memory serves it is Kinnerton Street, this is closer to your intended destination but then a little furthers from the tube station and bus routes.

For ease and cost but further away, you cold look to park in Westfield Shepperds Bush as the day cost is something like 5 GBP's and it is near the tube station but further away from where you want to be. One thing is that it is closer to the orbital of London so that could help get you to the East side quicker.

Hope this helps.

[sjg]

North Greenwich is probably the most convenient if you're coming in from Surrey and going out to Dartford - saves either slogging through South London or the Blackwall Tunnel. £11 all day parking at the NCP by the station. 25 mins or so on the tube, one change.

[anonymous-user]

Unless you still have your Oyster card, a single zone 1 Tube fare is £4.50....and then you pay again to go back...an off peak day ticket is still £7.30!

I'd drive and park on the street using the phone up service at about £4 an hour. Cov Gdn is the right side of town to get out towards the City and Blackwall Tunnel using Upper Thames St and the Highway out to Canary Wharf. And its still gonna be about the best way to get to Dartford, no matter where you park.

[Salgar]

There is free parking in Wanstead, in my street, all day every day, 5 minute walk to the tube station and you'll get there in 25 minutes from dartford. Then it's a zone 1-4 travelcard or about £5 on an oyster card for the day. PM/email me if you want the street name.

[Geekman]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up parking in hyde park, worked out pretty well.