Journey to London

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:09

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.

Raymond Lin · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:11

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.

dlockers · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:12

Where are you coming from?

Hades · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:12

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.

beachBOYken · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:14

Depends where your coming from, but I would get the tube personally.

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:18

Raymond Lin said:
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!

dLockers said:
Where are you coming from?

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

Hades said:
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...

Feek · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:23

I wouldn’t drive at that time of day.

reflux · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:24

Do not drive in, I used to work on City Road (next to Old Street tube) and the traffic and parking situation round there is pants.

Meanwhile the tube is very convenient - it will take you a few minutes walk to get to Moorfields from there, and there is even a line painted on the pavement between the tube station and the hospital to help partially sighted people / those that have had just had operations.

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:36

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

uvarvu · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:39

Drive to Westbury or Swindon and catch a train. That GB railway sale is on during that time I think.

EDIT: https://www.splitticketing.com/

beachBOYken · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:43

You will be fine driving in London, just use London's new super sewer, while it's not operational.

ahar · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:44

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.

muon · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:44

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.

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:48

ahar said:
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

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:49

muon said:
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

wildman · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:56

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 ****

dlockers · 29 Apr 2022 at 11:57

M4 way - can't you do Hatton Cross?

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 12:08

wildman said:
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.

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 12:09

dLockers said:
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.

Scort · 29 Apr 2022 at 12:11

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