Congestion Charge

[blueskyeve]

I am driving into central London on Saturday morning for a one night stay and coming home Sunday afternoon. I originally booked train tickets but they have been canceled due to the strikes, this is the reason I have decided to drive. I have never driven into the congestion zone before, so am not sure what I need to do. I think I'll arrive after midday on Sat, so won't have to pay, but I will leave after midday on Sunday. How do I pay? Do I pay upfront or pay afterwards? Will I get notified that I have driven within the zone?

Where are you driving to and will you have parking there? You might be better to drive to a tube station outside of the congestion zone and tube in.

If you arrive after noon on Saturday you will have to pay, and then again on Sunday (you pay 12-18.00 at weekends).

You can pay in advance or after, within 72 hours I think? Although it costs more if you don’t pay on the same day.

Will you also be in the ulez zone?

If you go to the TFL site there is a charge checker to put in your registration number and it will tell you what charges apply to your car. You can also pay on the site as well.

Thank you for your helpful replies. @TheFlis12345 I'll be arriving before midday on Sat (error on my OP). I'm driving to a hotel near Trafalgar Sq that has parking. Thanks for the parking tip re. tubing in, but I have a small child with me so think I'd rather just drive straight to the hotel (also unsure whether tfl are also striking?).

@eurochick I have checked the tfl website and I will be in the congestion zone, ULEZ and LEZ. Although apparently, I don't have to pay ULEZ for my vehicle.

Thanks @DeltaAlphaDelta79 , I have done this.

So thinking I'll just drive there and back, then pay Sunday evening when I'm home? Is it just simply going onto tfl, entering my details and paying?