Journey to London

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Quick one for folks in the know - I have to go to Moorfields eye hospital next Friday, just up the way from Old Street station, and was wondering if anyone has tips on a painless journey?

I was planning on leaving at around 5AM (appt is at 9:30), driving to Hounslow, then heading in via the Tube - that's the default for when me and the Wife used to go to the West End. But looking at the congestion/ULEZ charges for her motor, it's only about 30 quid - so thought about driving all the way in...

Only issue is parking nearby, so wondering if anyone knows the area well, and whether it's worth driving in - or sticking to the tube idea? Maybe a route that allows me to drive closer, and have a shorter tube ride with no change over?

Many thanks for any tips folks.

 

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Morning central London driving is horrendous, or anytime for that matter, last time I tried a couple years ago it took 45mins to do 2 miles. I would avoid it if you can.

That's a fair point, I won't be on 2 wheels, so will be subjected to all that!

Where are you coming from?

Calne in Wiltshire, so will likely be jumping on the M4 at junction 16.

Sorry can't help with parking as I would never drive into London nowadays. But depending on whether they are doing anything to the eyes it might affect your ability to drive afterwards. E.g. they put coloured dye into my mums when she went there.

Again, another good point - it's just a check up before they book in the operation [whenever], so I might need a while to allow for anything they do to clear...

 

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Worth driving to Edgware, then taking the Northern Line in? Seems like less faff than my Hounslow route...

 

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If you have to park, I'd probably use the NCP in Finsbury Square. But as others said, drive then park and tube is probably the less painful approach. Edgware at the end of the Northern line has a commuter car park but you need to get there early to get a space.

Found an NCP at Canons Park, looks worth a punt

 

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If it was me I'd park just outside the congestion charge zone just to the east and walk it. But I live in London so know exactly where to go.

If you dont mind paying congestion charge, then plenty of pay and display parking nearby which no one uses as it is expensive, but you won't need for long.

I stuck at navigating the tube, lose all sense of direction Hoping for a nice direct route, and Edgware > Northern Line is looking less faffy to me

 

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Drive to Chippenham and get a train to paddington then tube to old street. Driving anywhere near old street and then having to get out again on the same day is going to give you a duodenal ulcer the size of the saarlac pit. Only problem would probably be because your appt is 9:30am the train fare would be mental as it's peak prices. Train fares in this country are such a crock of ****

Yeah, prices are mental, but so is fuel - but using the Wife's car means I can set my own schedule.

 

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M4 way - can't you do Hatton Cross?

Hounslow West has/had a free car park right next to it, that's why we usually use that one.

 

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Was trying to avoid having to swap tube lines too - as I'd put money on me going wrong! The drive to Edgware doesn't seem too dissimilar, and at least I'll be on the correct line then

 

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I'm further down the map from you, but I hop on the m3 and drive to Richmond. And tube in from there, parking costs are not too bad. If you have the parking app, you can top up your parking, if you think you will be late back.

Worth a punt, thank you.

Chippenham to Paddington, Paddington to Kings Cross (circle line, Hammersmith & City Line or Metropolitan line), Kings Cross to Old Street (Northern Line. Bugger all traffic and you'll get there easily on time.

I used to go from Reading to Old Street daily, it's a simple journey and the single tube change is trivial.

Much as I'd love a nice lazy ride in, the tickets are coming up as 120 quid. Probably use less then 40 in diesel, and iirc the tube tickets were 20-30 quid, so quite a saving

 

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We did the Moorfields trek every month or so for two years, first thing I'll say is don't drive in, the traffic will kill you.

Tube to Old Street, the second you walk out the tube barriers you'll see a prominent green line painted on the floor. Follow it, it'll take you right to the front door.

Many thanks

 

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Just use a contactless credit card for the tube, you won't get near 20 quid let alone 30 even for both of you, both ways.

Will do - sounds like a much better idea!

Worked in Worship street, between Finsbury Sq and Old Street. I don't recommend driving. Even when it's empty of traffic(when i lived in London) it used to take ages getting through the city as traffic lights are always on red. During normal days, traffic is horrendous. i used to only drive in on Bank holidays. I'd park either Finsbury Square or City of London Corp Car Park on London Wall

Now I live Camberley, I go to Farnborough if need to go in
Farnborough to London Waterloo is 37min, take drain to bank, then either get on the bus at Princess street(20m from outside the tube exit) and it'll take you all the way up to the hospital(no 76 or 243)..bus more pleasant than the tube..or get the tube to old street and walk the remainder...
All I know driving in, it could take over an hour from Clapham to even get to London Bridge...horrendous

Right, that's settled - no driving in London

 

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I'd probably Edgware too, as you say, least number of changes etc..

We have to regularly pop in to the Royal National Orthopaedic Clinic (Bolsover Street), We always ask for an 11:00AM appointment, that makes life easy, cheap train fare if wanting to go that route, or if driving, the roads have calmed down a bit..

The most relaxing was taking a train in (1st Class as it's cheaper that time of day) and getting a Taxi.. cost a fair bit more, but was very enjoyable..

Tried to get a later appt. but the specialist only runs a morning clinic - it's an NHS referral, so I don't mind leaving at postman hours