Driving In London

[roadman]

can you just go to london and drive or do you need to plan the trip and pay to go in certain zones i have heard mixed things very confusing

[JimF]

Like many cities, London has a congestion charge:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

[barry1010]

You may have to pay the congestion charge of £15 if you pay in advance or on the same day, otherwise it is £17.50.
You may also have to pay ULEZ of £12.50 a day and maybe the LEZ charge.
This website tells you all you need to know about the charges, how to pay and when. There is also a link for you to check whether your vehicle is exempt.
https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/travel-to-london/driving-in-london

[jno]

the congestion charge is innerish london

https://tfl.gov.uk/ruc-cdn/static/cms/images/congestion-charge-zone-map.gif

I'd avoid drvin g there anyway, it's usually slow and crowded; if yuou leave your car somewhere, use pubicn transport instead.

The Ulez area is much larger and hard to avoid

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-where-and-when?intcmp=52227

[jno]

not pubic transport, unless you're some kind of louse.

[Old_Geezer]

Like many cities, London has 'rip off the motorist because our councillors/mayors are dregs' charges.

Luckily I've not had to drive into London since such legalised theft was introduced.

[smurfchops]

Why would you want to drive into London? I haven’t done that for about 30 years. Nightmare. Especially with congestion charge, parking and roadworks! Get the train or buses every time. Where do you want to go in London?

[Paul22118]

The problem for many people is that if you dip your toe into the ULEZ area, you are stuffed. I live on the south coast and happily motor around in a lovely diesel Mercedes. My elderly sister lives about one mile inside the London Boro of Sutton. So when we visit her it will cost us £12.50 more, every visit. You can bet your bottom dollar King Khan will jack that twelve fifty up every anniversary until no one on reasonable means can afford to visit anyone ever. I watch the results of the London Mayoral election with much interest, along with many many others.

[retrocop]

Khan is killing London for everybody. I live in Sutton and I see no attraction to visit this rip-off city. Even the theatres are prohibitive and Oxford Street is a boarded up mess.

[ladybirder]

Thanks for your link JimF. I see I get a 100% discount as I am disabled and have a Blue Badge;-).

[ToraToraTora]

Did you know Bristol also has a charging zone? Went to pick up a car the other day and the seller showed me how to avoid it!

[Zacs-Master]

Bradford does too but it doesn’t apply to cars

[barry1010]

And Birmingham, Aberdeen, Oxford, Edinburgh, York, Bath, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Glasgow - although not all charge domestic cars.
Coming soon to a city near you

[Zacs-Master]

And Bath, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Newcastle/Gateshead.

[Zacs-Master]

The York one applies to busses only.

[smurfchops]

Paul can you park somewhere just outside the zone and take a train?