Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 00:17
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Jonnyp100

Hello

I'm planning a trip to visit some friends in London next weekend. However, with only 5 months driving experience under my belt, I'm in two minds whether it's a good idea.

The train is incredibly expensive so I'd like to drive if at all possible. I've driven through many cities in my 6 months such as Birmingham, Derby and Leicester but I've heard terrible things about driving through London.

As far as specific locations go, my friends live in the SW4 area and I am coming from Leicester.

On top of that there's no parking available so I was planning on using a website such as parkopedia to find a place to park.

en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/london_sw4/

I really like my car and don't want to put it at risk as I saved for a very long time to purchase it.

Is this a disaster waiting to happen?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice

JonnyP100

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 00:32
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - dacouch

There are plenty of places to park in Clapham at the weekend for free.

Some of the hottest ladies in London too

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 13:18
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Jonnyp100

Haha I'll try and remember that!

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 00:35
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Smileyman

I learnt to drive in London - it's a doddle. - actually whilst the driving is easy, the traffic is a pain - dealing with cyclists, HGV's, taxis and a myriad of petty restrictions, bus lanes, 20 mph zones, etc and the road layout is confusing. If you travel through central London you will need to pay the congeston charge (not on weekends)

Probably the better option would be to park up outside of London and take a train across the city, use the London Transport website to select a good choice of station, the parking will be easier and probably cheaper than your chosen location. (but check for maintenance closures)

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Edited by Smileyman on 31/08/2014 at 00:38

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 13:21
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Jonnyp100

Thanks I'll have a look into that. I imagine I'd be arriving in central london around 5 in the evening. But that isn't set in stone.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 19:04
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Andrew-T

I imagine I'd be arriving in central london around 5 in the evening. But that isn't set in stone.

That sounds to me like almost the worst possible time of day. But if cash is the most important consideration, driving wth 4 up must be the cheapest. Personally I wouldn't consider it, I would find it all too much hassle - plus the question of where to park. A 'reverse commute' by train from somewhere in the suburbs would be a good compromise.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 00:48
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - RobJP

Personally, I hate driving in London. I regularly have to be within the M25, in Surrey, and that isn't too bad. But London proper, I wouldn't bother. It's stressful, tiring, and just plain hard work.

If possible, I'd go with your suggestion. Drive down and park - possibly a bit further out, and closer to the M25, and get a train in. Done right, you might find decent weekend deals for parking, as it's the quiet points for the business car parks.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 10:08
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Bromptonaut

You don't say whether you're travelling alone or with others nor what days you intend travelling, those factors change the dirve/rail cost ratio substantially. If you travel through Central London before 18:00 Friday or after 07:00 you will need to consider the congestion charge (£11.50/day). If you avoid those times, or navigate outside the CC area, then it won't apply.

Cost wise the off peak rail fare for one person, Leicester to St Pancras, is £58. If your new driver status implies you're a youngster you can reduce that further, to £38.60, with a Young Person's Railcard. Fuel alone to drive - 250miles at 40mpg - will be pushing £40.

Like otherss I'll drive through London if I have too, I worked there for 35yrs and cycle commuted for much of that time, but I'd pay a premium to avoid the prospect!!

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 10:17
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - oldroverboy.

From £10 megabus. leicester-london then bus from victoria to clapham.

I now get Carmarthen to victoria £8 booking a week in advance. the severn bridge is £6.40 on thw way back...

uk.megabus.com/JourneyResults.aspx?originCode=53&a...s

Edited by oldroverboy. on 31/08/2014 at 10:20

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 13:29
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Jonnyp100

Two or three of my friends will be travelling with me and they offered to pay for the fuel and parking, if I drove. So I think public transport will struggle to better that offer.

Also with my car being a 1.6 tdi I think the fuel cost will be in the low £20s. I get about 59mpg.

I've looked into the train and found my railcard from a few years back. It'd cost me £31 on the train but then my companions (none of which have a RC) would be paying £44 a piece.

So it would appear to come down to whether I prefer my friends or my car haha.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 10:22
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - catsdad
I don't think London is particularly risky to drive in and no worse in that respect than the other cities listed. I used to drive in London regularly and now do so occasionally. Generally other drivers expect you to be decisive, not dither, and make progress but bumps seem to me to be relatively rare (slow traffic helps). Maybe surprisingly, people are generally helpful in the shared misery and for example will let you out of side streets more so than most places I've driven. Even "assertive" drivers drive with a refreshing cheek that you soon accept as just the way it's done. However I agree with previous comments that it's not a pleasurable experience because of the volume of traffic and complex road layouts. Have you considered a bus? National Express advertise at just over 2 hours journey time from Leicester and although you still need to get out to SW London the door to door time and cost may not be that different but far more relaxing. Have a good weekend whatever you decide.
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Sun 31 Aug 2014 12:40
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - FP

I need fairly often to travel from Hertfordshire to Lewisham (6 miles SE of Central London) during the week. Despite years of driving experience in the UK and abroad, I would never even consider driving this journey.

Fortunately I can get a bus from very near my house to St Albans station and from there a train to London Bridge, where I change to another train. I can read or get something useful done on the train. I have no worries about parking at my destination.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 19:49
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - gordonbennet

I agree with the poster above who suggested driving to a convenient close rail or underground station with suitable parking, then travel in via public transport, i'd be looking at Watford Junction primarily.

I used to love London driving, but it no longer holds any pleasure at all, too much of everything now.

As Dacouch (top man) mentions, keep eyes peeled in Clapham, in a former job in the 90's i was forced to be parked for 3 hours at a time from 0600 not 200 yds from Clapham underground station, 3 hours of visionary bliss all @ overtime rate, thankyou ladies..:-)

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 21:08
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Bromptonaut

Agree with GB, Watford junction would be a good place to leave car. Massive car park which should be emptying rapidly by 17:00 on a Friday. Only a few minutes from M1 J5. Only issue might be current works to upgrade track through station and consequences forc services on Sunday when you return.

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Sun 31 Aug 2014 21:30
Volkswagen polo V - To Drive To London Or Not - Cyd

You could drive to the Thornhill Park and Ride on the A40 east of Oxford (about 1hr20 from Leicester) and get the Oxford Tube (coach) into London.

It's what I'm going to do (I live in Leicestershire too) next half term cos my lad wants to go London. It's way cheaper that way than getting the train (even though we are only a few miles from Rugby).

Edited by Cyd{P} on 31/08/2014 at 21:33

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