Day out in London, parking/train options?

[Tinders]

Hey folks,

Just after a bit of advise, im planning a day trip to london during the summer. Normally i'd drive, but with the recent incident, im guessing driving is going to be a bit manic. So i was thinking of maybe parking a little outside and getting a train/tube in. Im coming down from Cambridge. Any experienced Londoners care to suggest any sensibly priced place for parking close to a train station.

Last time i drove, not only did i get hit by the congestion charge and pay a hideous amount for parking centrally, I also got a junction box fine

 

[Maundie]

Why not get the train in from Cambridge?

 

[Crpwned]

Why not just get the train from Cambridge to Kings Cross? Then tube it around London from there.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Forget driving and parking.

 

[Tinders]

Im heading further south later in the day then back upto the midlands the following day hence the need for a car from Cambridge.

 

[-westy-]

Park somewhere north of London, St Albans for example, then train in from there. Failing that, go further west and train from there. No need to drive into London really.

 

[Admiral Huddy]

M11 to Harlow Town.. There's plenty of parking but the station is a fair way off from the motorway.

I'd personally bite the bullet and grab a train.

 

[Richard - London]

Why not get the train in from Cambridge?

This makes the most sense, quicker than driving, cheaper than paying fuel off peak and you can have a beer on the way?

 

[glenimp617]

Cockfosters car park then tube?

 

[Scottland]

We usually park at North Ealing station and get the tube in from there. Costs a few pound a day to park, or less at the weekend.

 

[BigT]

Are you driving from wherever you park to 'further South' later in the day? If so then depending on where 'further south' is I'd suggest M11, M25 over the river, A2 for a couple of miles and park at Ebbsfleet International. It's close to the motorway, has thousands of parking spots and is about 15 minutes into St Pancras on the High Speed I think. Of course if 'Further South' is Surrey or Hampshire then you're on the wrong side of London for that.

 

[Lopéz]

Depending on where I am going, I stay just outside the congestion zone and use JustPark to book someone's driveway. Cheap (for London) and easy.

 

[josh_sheffield]

When driving down to London I tend to park on the road in East Finchley and then get the tube in from there. Quick look on google maps and you can find places to park for free close to the tube station. If you are doing this midweek you have to be there early but on a weekend or arriving on an evening it is fine.

 

[Pez]

I drive down the M40 from the midlands to Hillingdon station (Zone 6) 2mins off the motorway next to RAF Northolt. Loads of parking for £6 all day - Then tube in on the Met/Pic line.

Nice and easy.

 

[VincentHanna]

M11 - M25 - A12 - Park at Westfield all day for £6 and get the Jubilee line from Stratford.

 

[Diddums]

Driving will be fine. Even after the London Bridge incident the road was open a few days after, ain't nobody got time fo' terrists.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

M11 - M25 - A12 - Park at Westfield all day for £6 and get the Jubilee line from Stratford.

This. You also don’t need to go on the M25 your post should read:

M11 > North Circular > A12

Stratford is only a few mins from the end of the M11 traffic is fine after rush hour on a weekday.

 

[VincentHanna]

Yep, forgot they link up

I'm from Essex so I tend to go straight down the A12

 

[b0rn2sk8]

Yep, forgot they link up

I'm from Essex so I tend to go straight down the A12

North circular is also a bit of a stretch, you are only on it for about 500 meters and just stay in the filter lane before coming off again.

 

[dymetrie]

You can park on Felstead Road, about 1/4 mile from Wanstead Station, for free and then jump on the Central line.

As above, it's a nice run down the M11 (the North Circular for 500 metres) then A12 for another 500 metres before you hit Wanstead.

The same as with Westfield (in Stratford) you're in a good spot to be heading south by either going into London along the A12 and through the Blackwall Tunnel, or heading out East to the M25 and crossing at Dartford

Of course, it depends when you're going and where you want to be in London. Loads of the on-street parking in Camden (the borough, not the market) is free on weekends so you can park up and jump on the tube to get to places. I tend to burn down to Primrose Hill, park there and walk my kids into Regents Park and jump on the tube from there.