To commute and park in London?

[phoebeflangey]

Hate travelling and much happier driving but realise I'm bonkers for even contemplating it, BUT can anyone advise if I can drive and park for the day (weekday) around the Sealife Aquarium or The Shard ??!!

[Teddybeau1988]

You can prebook ncp spaces

[Teddybeau1988]

Don't forget the congestion charge

[Jewels234]

There's an amazing website called Just Park. You basically park on people's private driveways that they rent out, for much cheaper than NCP. I've both rented my space, and rented others with no problems at all.

You could park further out to avoid the congestion charge, but near a tube on the line that you need.

[Jewels234]

So, not sure where you're coming from, but for Sealife you could park in Earlsfield, get the train the 10 mins to Waterloo, and then take advantage of the 2 for 1 Aquarium tickets that you get by taking the train :)

[FruVikingessOla]

"You could park further out to avoid the congestion charge, but near a tube on the line that you need."

Yes, but make sure about parking near tube/train stations - even further out - because those areas probably have residents parking/restricted parking near stations.

It was 'drive & train' commuters which made many Londoners agree to having residents parking/restricted parking in their areas.

[FreudiansSlipper]

there used to be a cheapish carpark close to the Aquarium but you will be stuck in traffic and looking at £30+ for all day parking with the congestion charge

look to stations on your way and park around there even if you pay it will be a lot less and much quicker

[FruVikingessOla]

Further to Jewels comment about parking near Earlsfield Station - here is the map of restricted roads www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/473/street_parking-zones/218/parking_zones/7

(BTW, the roads in white on the periphery of the coloured zones are in other parking zones, so you still don't stand a chance.)

[TarkaTheOtter]

We used to do this a lot as dh's fuel card covered private miles. The driving was always fine but we mainly did it at the weekend when most parking restrictions lifted and no congestion charge.

[phoebeflangey]

Thanks all, Jewels thanks for the parking on people's drive tip, that's a good idea for another time that I didn't know about. Think it will be the train after all then :(

[Scousadelic]

Jewels I used JustPark recently, booked a privately owned space for 5 days in London as needed to go in and out quite a bit so did not want to be hunting around and paying for a space every time. On one day I came back and there was another car parked in it, rang the space owner who was apologetic but said he did not know the car and could do nothing. I realise this is probably an isolated incident but it was infuriating as it messed my plans for the day up

[bucksmum71]

Hi- it costs £6 to park all day at Westfield Shepherds Bush and you can get tube into London (Central line) really easily or there are plenty of buses

[Teddybeau1988]

Trains aren't too bad OP. DC and I prefer training it to driving. The traffic is likely to be horrendous anyway.

[SpicyPear]

Weekend would be fine. Weekday would be potty unless you particularly enjoy spending most of the day sitting in traffic.

[AlpacaYourThings]

There is no congestion charge at the weekend...

[Teddybeau1988]

OP is planning a weekday trip

[Nightowlagain]

I work in London and drive in from outside, but I work nights mostly. If I'm on a daytime shift I also drive in but it's lunchtime and I have discounted parking. Rush hour is madness, there is a queue coming into town on the motorway by 6.30am.

I really wouldn't recommend driving in on a weekday if you don't know where you're going, if you don't know all the back roads you'll just end up stuck in traffic. You'll be better off on the train honestly x

[phoebeflangey]

It will be the train, thought it was a daft idea to drive in but there may have been a magical route that only mumsnetters knew about

Resigned to the idea of 2 trains, just terrifies me, and I am especially worried about getting on an underground train by mistake (please tell me I am being silly?)

[Charley50]

You're being silly.

[Mintyy]

Lol at magical route .

Nothing terrible will happen if you get on the wrong tube by mistake. People will help you. Londoners are friendly!

[Teddybeau1988]

Driving in town is much worse than getting a train! I learned to drive here and I still hate it. There's cyclists and pedestrians with no fear everywhere and cameras to fine you of you get stopped on yellow hatch marks.

Where are you coming from and where are you going? Can you write down lines and platform numbers ect so you know exactly where you need to be

[Thurlow]

You're being silly

What's your route?

[SpicyPear]

You are being very silly. Get on train, one change, get on train and done. As long as you have planned your route it shouldn't be any problem. If you post where you're going there'll be loads of Londoners here and someone will probably even be able to tell you exactly the best place to stand on the platform!

[phoebeflangey]

I'll be fine :) thanks to all those that helped

[RiverTam]

my tip for travelling to a London terminus is actually get on at the back of the train so you're the last off and won't be swept up in a crowd of people rushing for the barriers, then you can take your time and if you need to ask any questions the person on the ticket barrier won't be surrounded by a mob of people.

What station are you coming in to?

[phoebeflangey]

Waterloo, to those who do it all the time I'm sure I'm laughable but it's a huge thing for me, I'm on my own and I'm coming to london for an appointment at a hospital. Not exactly a tourist visit :(