To Drive To London Or Not

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

As already said London at a weekend ain't too bad. If you are that concerned though can't you get a train deal? I live in Nottingham (not too far away) & can usually get a £30 return?

As an aside...the day I after I passed my test we "nicked" my mate's mum's car, bunked off school & drove to London. In those days you could still cruise up & down Oxford Street. I can remember dodging in and out of the taxis round Marble Arch, tearing down Park Lane & generally being 17! Ah, those were the days!

[rsv gone!]

My formative driving experience was in central London so I am not short on driving confidence but I would see Sw4 as a very tedious journey and would definitely take the train.

If it really is only 58 quid then you won't see any worthwhile advantage in driving once you add up a couple of hundred miles round trip and the cost of parking.

My vote is for the train.

[jellypig]

Hybrid journey: Drive to Cockfosters Tube Station & park there.

(I assume its open for overnight parking - but as a family, thats what we do for "day out" in that Fancy London)

[thatdude]

I would advise going early as you can to minimise the amount of traffic you encounter. I used to ride into the areas of regents park/baker street, and the earlier the better. Last time i went was about 10:30 on a saturday morning, and even on a motorcycle it was very stressful!

[RYH64E]

I've been driving in London all my life and don't have a problem with it, but I don't enjoy it either. If I was doing that journey alone I'd definitely get the train, if there were a group of us I'd drive down to the outskirts, park up and use the underground.

[surveyor]

Take the train. For this sort of journey it makes sense especially if you will be drinking.

Pin your train down to an exact instead of open ticket and it should not cost a fortune.

[dacouch]

Dr Jekyll said:

This

Use Google Streetview to get an advance look at the junctions. Central London is fine, mainly because everyone else also knows exactly where they are going. The bit between central London and the North/South circular is the tricky one since everyone seems either impatient, disorientated, or both.

Except the minicabs / Addison Lee driverss

[David87]

It's very similar to driving in any other big city, to be honest. You won't be going very quickly, but the sightseeing can be fantastic, particularly at night. The Mall is a bit different to other roads, but it's simple enough. Go for it - and go sightseeing at the same time!

[bencollins4]

jellypig said:

Hybrid journey: Drive to Cockfosters Tube Station & park there.

(I assume its open for overnight parking - but as a family, thats what we do for "day out" in that Fancy London)

This. Drive to a zone 6 underground station and park there. Driving through the middle of London and paying a fortune to park is utterly pointless.

[CYMR0]

Option a. Megabus for cheapness;

Option b. Watford and then a direct train to Clapham Junction

Option c. Driving ain't that bad as others have said.

[DonkeyApple]

jonnyp100 said:

Hello

I'm planning a trip to visit some friends in London next weekend (one night). 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

Edited by jonnyp100 on Saturday 30th August 23:39

I learnt to drive in the 80s in an XJ12 driving around Mayfair and Kensington. Firstly, it was easier back then but secondly, it rapidly becomes all very easy.

The London style people often say is 'aggressive' but it isn't. It's just very positive. If you snooze you lose.

If you've only been driving for 5 months then go for it. If I was advising someone older with lots of driving experience I'd say get the mega bus. But driving in London is a phenominal experience whether good or bad. It'll do you a world of good to get that notch.

Plus, getting to Clapham from the North of England is idiot proof (why there are so many idiots in Clapham )

I'd aim for the Finchley Rd from the M1, before Tegents Park cut over to Maida Vale/Edgeware Road follow that over Marble Arch as it becomes Park Lane and at Hyde Park Corner turn right and cut through to Sloane Street (that manoevre will be the most entertaining. Just steel yourself and don't panic. If you get it wrong the thing about London is that we are used to immigrants from backward places like the North with no clue . Then run down to Sloane Square and straight over to Chelsea Bridge. That road ends at the top of Clapham Common. This route avoids the properly shonky areas and has the tremendous upside of being full of Arabs who'll be worse than you.

[The Moose]

Just drive and be done with it. It's not stressful at all. If you think you're going wrong, pull over and find out where/why etc.

I really don't know why so many people have a cow over it.

[parabolica]

I had the same concerns when I first moved to London (well, Surrey) but quickly got used to London driving. I would echo the comment of coming round the M25 to the A3 (jct 10) then head in a you basically stay on one road after coming of the 25. The good news is that London is very well sign posted, so plan your journey and keep your eyes on the signs so you know you're going in the right direction. Parking is just like anywhere else - lucky of the draw if you get something but there are plenty of options.

IMO if you didn't drive this time you might give yourself a psychological block about ever driving to London; just get on with it!

[jonnyp100]

Thanks for al the replies guys!

And thanks for the welcome 0A!

I have a satnav ready and will leave with plenty of time to spare.

I will definitely have a second look at alternative means of travel though. However, 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.

I take your point Simon and I'd like to think I'm a very good driver, I'd just heard a few too many horror stories from friends about London.

In regards to the parking, I was specifically looking at the private parking on parkopedia as it would be an overnight stay. Does anyone have any experience with parking on someones drive who's advertised it on the internet? Once I've input my stay time into the website (friday afternoon until saturday late afternoon) the private prices are around £12.00.

Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.

[surveyor]

jonnyp100 said:

Thanks for al the replies guys!

And thanks for the welcome 0A!

I have a satnav ready and will leave with plenty of time to spare.

I will definitely have a second look at alternative means of travel though. However, 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.

I take your point Simon and I'd like to think I'm a very good driver, I'd just heard a few too many horror stories from friends about London.

In regards to the parking, I was specifically looking at the private parking on parkopedia as it would be an overnight stay. Does anyone have any experience with parking on someones drive who's advertised it on the internet? Once I've input my stay time into the website (friday afternoon until saturday late afternoon) the private prices are around £12.00.

Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.

The drivings fine. It's just driving, albeit busier and a little more cut and thrust. Parking is a pain. Add on a hangover....

[jonnyp100]

Gaspode said:

If you're going down to London for a piss-up with your mates, then think carefully about driving. The last thing you want is to get picked up on your way home and breathalysed. Figure on sobering up at the rate of 1 unit of alcohol per hour from when you stop drinking. So if you are out until say 01:00 and have drunk the equivalent of 6 pints of decent beer at 2.5 units per pint, you won't be clear to drive until at least 15:00 the next afternoon.

Taking the train might be much the wiser option for you.

Yeah that makes sense and although I won't personally be drinking it is still worth considering the affect of alcohol. Mainly because one of the friends travelling down is a notorious light-weight and is often sick on trains and buses after a night out.

I've managed to find my railcard from a few years back and when using that the price of the train comes to £31. Which I wouldn't mind paying. However there's obviously the passengers (and none of them have railcards) too meaning each would pay £40.

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

Edited by jonnyp100 on Sunday 31st August 11:26

[BobToc]

I use Google Maps on my iphone and it makes driving in London a piece of piss. It's also scarily accurate with its forecast driving times. Biggest issue will be parking. Rentmyspace type websites can be hit or miss, just find someone with good reviews, let them know when you'll be coming and it'll be fine

Edited by BobToc on Sunday 31st August 11:28

[Baz Tench]

jonnyp100 said:

Thanks for al the replies guys!

And thanks for the welcome 0A!

I have a satnav ready and will leave with plenty of time to spare.

I will definitely have a second look at alternative means of travel though. However, 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.

I take your point Simon and I'd like to think I'm a very good driver, I'd just heard a few too many horror stories from friends about London.

In regards to the parking, I was specifically looking at the private parking on parkopedia as it would be an overnight stay. Does anyone have any experience with parking on someones drive who's advertised it on the internet? Once I've input my stay time into the website (friday afternoon until saturday late afternoon) the private prices are around £12.00.

Perhaps I'm worrying over nothing but I'd hate to find my car's been vandalised or worse just so I could avoid the pains of public transport.

Public transport in London is actually very slick (well, the underground is anyway). I've never driven it, so I can't comment on that.

[nervouspassenger]

One more recommendation, try the Google maps turn by turn navigation if you have a smart phone. I think it monitors the current traffic situation and reroutes you away from the jams. I know London pretty well but it has found me some nice clear routes recently.

[Petrolhead95]

Three days after passing my test I drove into Central London. Then again, I know my way around Central.