SE London Parking

[As476]

Good morning, I’m trying to plan a day out with the kids to go to the history and science museums. I drive and will be coming in from the south east. Does anyone know which station is best to park at? And possibly not the most expensive? My car is ULEZ compliant but I’d rather not go into the congestion zone. I used to go with my DF when I was small and he used to park in Crystal Palace but I’ve got no idea anymore if that’s a good strategy!

thanks in advance for any help 😌

I’d park near home and come in the whole way by train. It’ll be quicker, easier, and prob no more expensive. Lots of 2 for 1 if you travel by train too

Is there a reason why you’re not just getting a train from where you are now? I know that’s sounds like a silly question but it seems a bit pointless to drive most of the way and then get the train!

Agree with just getting a train in but if not I’d probably go to Penge east and train straight to Victoria.

I'd get a train. Going into London by car is more expensive than train tickets and those museums have tube stations right by them.

If you go on a Sunday it's free parking on single yellows in London
Otherwise South Kensington is outside the congestion charge zone so you shouldn't need to pay that, map of the zone is on tfl website.
We usually drive to central London, it always works out cheaper for us if there's more than 1 adult to drive and pay the high parking costs (usually in a hotel car park) than to pay 2 train fares.

Yeah it’s a full car of 2 adults and 3 children so trains end up being quite expensive. I can get there and back on half a tank so the fuel costs £30. Trains last time I went cost £60 for the three of us. It just seems a lot. I get free fuel through work so seems silly not to make the most of it. When I used to go with my Dad he used to park for free (side roads or just knowing free places to park) and get the train in for £3 ish. I know this was around 20 years ago so I’m probably well out of date but I thought it was worth considering. I don’t particularly like driving through central London but am fine on motorways.

Also I don’t live close enough to a train station to walk there and parking is around £10 for the full day (nowhere free nearby without a permit) so I thought I might aswell drive as far as possible and make the most of the lower train fare.

thanks!

Not many places on SE London will allow for free on street parking now. Penge East, for example, has a pay car park and all the surrounding streets are permit parking only. Usually 7 days a week. Crystal Palace is hard to park in now and the train station is an offshoot line. I guess you could try near Orpington or Petts Wood but I don't feel the saving will be enough to make it work.

@As476 are you familiar with 'just park'? If not, it is an app where you can book a parking space much like many other parking apps, but with the benefit of having access to private drives and car parks too. I always use it when driving into London, and have found it brilliant.

Most recently, we parked in a secure underground car park belonging to a brand new block of flats.

I wouldn't worry about the congestion charge either to be honest. You'll undoubtedly be able to find a parking spot near where you are going, so paying as a once off will still be cheaper than the train / underground / bus, and a lot less hassle.

Lot less stress and hassle with the train.

There are places you can drive to that are within reach on the tube.

So for example I park at Hillingdon and then get the tube into Central London.

I really appreciate your advice, I think I’ll suck it up and drive all the way in and use Just Park. Thankyou. I just can’t justify the train fares 😂.