Driving into central London on a Saturday
Discussion
I'm off to London for a night but unfortunately it's on a rail strike day (travelling down on Saturday, back on the Sunday) so I'm looking at alternative options of how to get into the West End. How bad is driving in central London? I've always heard horror stories but as it's not something I've ever needed to do so I don't if it's still that bad or whether it's fine if you just chill out and don't expect to be there quickly.
What would be the alternative options if driving in from Norwich is to be avoided? From what I can tell my options are
1) National Express bus
2) Driving down to a tube stop that has a car park (ie. Epping) and hoping there's a space
3) Book a space in an NCP somewhere like Covent Garden and just driving in
What would be the alternative options if driving in from Norwich is to be avoided? From what I can tell my options are
1) National Express bus
2) Driving down to a tube stop that has a car park (ie. Epping) and hoping there's a space
3) Book a space in an NCP somewhere like Covent Garden and just driving in
If it's running then parking near somewhere like High Barnet or Cockfosters and getting the tube is a good option.
On the other hand driving isn't too bad, just expect traffic everywhere when you get in the heart of the city, and don't forget your congestion/ULEZ charges if your vehicle isn't exempt.
On the other hand driving isn't too bad, just expect traffic everywhere when you get in the heart of the city, and don't forget your congestion/ULEZ charges if your vehicle isn't exempt.
Driving around central London is pretty awful in the main, parking is even worse unless you have a designated parking space available, Drive it at least once a month, albeit my journeys are usually weekdays not a Saturday evening but I wouldn't do it through choice.
I think the key to it for me is calmness, try to hang back slightly from other cars and give yourself space where possible, also watch out for yellow box junctions!
I think the key to it for me is calmness, try to hang back slightly from other cars and give yourself space where possible, also watch out for yellow box junctions!
If your intention was to use Greater Anglia then you may still be able to get the train. Throughout the strikes they’ve managed to keep the Norwich to London line open and there’s been one fast train an hour. It finishes early and starts a bit later on the Sunday but it still may be an option.
They’ll release the timetable a few days before the strike days.
Otherwise, drive to Epping or Shenfield and get the Central/Elizabeth line in.
They’ll release the timetable a few days before the strike days.
Otherwise, drive to Epping or Shenfield and get the Central/Elizabeth line in.
Other than the congestion charge, I usually find driving and parking in the west end not too bad.
A lot will depend on the time of day, and bear in mind it will be busier with Christmas shoppers. Depending on where in central London, if it's evening there will be some free on street parking.
Covent Garden streets and parking are busy, Soho/Soho square can be ok at times, as is the area around the Mayfair hotel.
Probably easier to say where exactly you're going/staying for more specific advice.
A lot will depend on the time of day, and bear in mind it will be busier with Christmas shoppers. Depending on where in central London, if it's evening there will be some free on street parking.
Covent Garden streets and parking are busy, Soho/Soho square can be ok at times, as is the area around the Mayfair hotel.
Probably easier to say where exactly you're going/staying for more specific advice.
MesoForm said:
3) Book a space in an NCP somewhere like Covent Garden and just driving in
Did this on the weekend just gone. Used an app on my phone called Just Park to pre-book. They have spaces at a cark park in Brooke Street, just off High Holborn and a 10 minute walk to Covent Garden, and it only cost £4 to park from 11.30am to 9pm. Another good cheap car park on your side of London is Minories Car Park near the Tower of London, just off the end of the A11/12.MesoForm said:
I'm off to London for a night but unfortunately it's on a rail strike day (travelling down on Saturday, back on the Sunday) so I'm looking at alternative options of how to get into the West End. How bad is driving in central London? I've always heard horror stories but as it's not something I've ever needed to do so I don't if it's still that bad or whether it's fine if you just chill out and don't expect to be there quickly.
What would be the alternative options if driving in from Norwich is to be avoided? From what I can tell my options are
1) National Express bus
2) Driving down to a tube stop that has a car park (ie. Epping) and hoping there's a space
3) Book a space in an NCP somewhere like Covent Garden and just driving in
Just a thought...What would be the alternative options if driving in from Norwich is to be avoided? From what I can tell my options are
1) National Express bus
2) Driving down to a tube stop that has a car park (ie. Epping) and hoping there's a space
3) Book a space in an NCP somewhere like Covent Garden and just driving in
4) Drive to your brother's house, park there, bung him some petrol money to drive you the 45 minutes to Shenfield, hop on the Elizabeth line into London. On the Sunday catch a mainline train back to Manningtree and pick up your car and drive back to Norwich.
If you do 2) then Newbury Park is the tube station of choice from this part of the world.
I'm assuming its for the 17th/18th December?
Thanks for all the replies - that JustPark app allowed us to get a space under some flats a 10 minute taxi ride from the hotel for £30 for the two days, even with £30 of congestion charge and 32mpg it's not far off being cheaper than the train. Allowed us to not have to rely on public transport at all.
Driving was an utter non-event, only thing I changed was putting the satnav on spoken instructions as there was a lot more going on around (pedestrians, cyclists, taxis lurching about) than driving in Norfolk!
Driving was an utter non-event, only thing I changed was putting the satnav on spoken instructions as there was a lot more going on around (pedestrians, cyclists, taxis lurching about) than driving in Norfolk!
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