Help for a non-Londoner please!

[WellWaitForItToPass]

The children and I want to go and see the Queen lying in state, and watch the funeral
on Monday. We’d be going on Sunday and returning Monday morning.
We live 6 hours away and haven’t been to London before. Is it possible to drive there? Where do you park?

It might not be logistically possible but I’d like to find out. I’ve tried Google but it all seems quite complicated, and the kind of thing that people who live there could just say ‘oh it’s easy you just do xyz’ or ‘do not attempt this!’

Thank you!

It would prob cost a fortune and don’t forget the emissions fee etc. Can you not get the train or drive part or the way then train?

congestion Charges

Do you have accommodation for the Sunday night?
And what do you mean by watch the funeral and leave on Monday morning? The funeral doesn’t start until 11am on Monday morning.

London has car parks just like any city. But it's far easier and cheaper to park at a station further out and get the train/tube in.
Which direction are you coming in from?

Absolutely don’t drive to London. I live here.

Can you get the train?

Definitely get the train or a coach. Have you not been to London or is it just the children that haven’t? I think coach to Victoria saves the tube if none of you are confident doing that.

You won't be able to park. I wouldn't attempt it, parking in Westminster on a normal day would be challenging and extortionate, and usually limited to a few hours. Either take public transport or drive to a suburban station and park there.

Don't think you'll actually get in to see her lying in state but you could stay on the outskirts for the funeral and travel in?

The queue is already several miles long and people are starting to wait on the route. Watch on TV, and give some money to one of her charities as a mark of respect.

Give to one of her charities instead, the funeral is costing us 7 billion, decent ppl need to make up the damage.

And another thing (sorry) - queues to see the queen lying in state could close on Saturday www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1669439/Queen-tracker-live-lying-in-state-queue-time-find-end-westminster-hall (Because it takes 30hrs to get from the back of the queue to the coffin)

There are absolutely shed loads of road closures in London at the moment. So look for somewhere to park in the outer boroughs, ideally at the ends of the Jubilee or Northern lines, and head in by Tube. Sensible place to aim for is London Bridge station (That has been fairly close to the end of the queue for pretty much the whole time so far).

I think it's too late, sorry.

They've closed a fair few roads and suspended much of the very little parking in the area anyway. Obviously there is other parking in London but not nearby. Where were you planning on staying?

Also funeral will close down even more, you surely wouldn't be leaving until Monday afternoon due to the timings.

You should only contemplate this by public transport, and have accommodation booked (unlikely at this point). As PP have said central London is a nightmare at the moment with many roads closed. The queues for the coffin will likely double for the weekend. I’d concentrate on finding a spot to watch the funeral procession if you do come - but people likely to start camping out for these on Saturday

There will be lots of road closures and diversions throughout central London and outskirts that day I would leave the car at home and get the train / tube in.

Thank you this is all really helpful!
I was thinking of driving to the outskirts then doing a park and ride type arrangement? Or does this not exist? We are coming from the north west area.
Re accommodation, there is actually loads at reasonable prices on booking.com, I was really surprised!

I’d far rather get the train but the cheapest I can find is 250 each which for four of us is ridiculous!

Does anyone know if we will be able to visit the grave/tomb afterwards? Might be nicer to go down in a couple of weeks.

You realise they will probably close off the queue by Saturday?

I think it’s very unlikely you’ll get to see the coffin lying in state if you arrive Sunday. So prepare for that, and that you’ll just be trying to watch the funeral on a big screen in London somewhere.

If that still sounds worthwhile, then you’ll need to find parking somewhere in the outskirts near a convenient public transport hub and then get a tube into the centre. Where you park depends on what direction you’re coming to London from on what make road. It will be very crowded as everyone has the same idea. Train or coach all the way is better but more expensive for a group of you.

There's no park and ride (not a thing on London). You'd have to park near a tube and then travel in. Doesn't matter which tube as they all interconnect so you can get anywhere but this will make for a v long day for you

There’s no park & ride in London, presumably because of the extensive public transport system.

A friend queued from yesterday afternoon and got in after 8 hours. 5 of that was in the snake queuing system she described as ‘hellish’ although she did say it was worth it in the end.

I don’t really know what to advise. I would if you were planning a normal day out in London but I think all bets are off right now and it’s hard to predict.

She being interred in St George’s chapel, Windsor.

I don’t think you’ll see her lying in state if you arrive on Sunday. I also don’t think you’ll see much of the funeral- the people at the front will camp overnight. Better to watch it on the telly and have a day in London another time. Sorry to be negative.

I was thinking of driving to the outskirts then doing a park and ride type arrangement? Or does this not exist? We are coming from the north west area.

What road are you approaching London on?
There are no official park and rides. But there are car parks near tubes.

Does anyone know if we will be able to visit the grave/tomb afterwards?

She’s being interred in the Royal Vault at Windsor in St George’s. You can visit Windsor & the chapel as a tourist but I doubt you can see her final resting place in the way you are imagining.

Not negative, very helpful thank you.
Yes I think it’s going to be too much hassle and expense sadly. We will watch it on the TV and have a trip to London nearer Christmas.

Thank you for all the info! MUCH more helpful than 2 hours on Google!

The coffin will be interred at Windsor castle after the funeral and not on public view