Expert: Michael - 6/2/2004

Question
Michael, firstly thank you so much for your last response to my questions about parking at Tube stations.  I would never have found that website myself, and now we've found a few stations with loads of cheap parking out towards the Thames Valley direction, and we've found a fantastic place to stay out there, only 22 minutes drive from the railway stations. Perfect!  London has been the hardest part of the trip to organise (since we have a car and everyone keeps telling us to ditch the car).  You've put my mind at ease.  

Actually, I don't really have a question for you, I just wanted to say thanks!!  Have a good day.

Lisa  

Answer
Hello Lisa,
Thanks so much for getting back to me - I'm so pleased to hear that my information has been so useful to you!

It's worth noting that everyone who has advised you to ditch the car for your London section is quite wise - driving in London is complex enough even for those of who live very near. I know a number of people who live just 15-20 miles from the M25 (the motorway round the city) who would never cross into the city for fear of the traffic! I suppose that's a problem of 15th Century roads catering for 21st century cars! Rest assured, with the travelcards you can purchase, you will avoid all of this and really be able to see London (and far more quickly than if you were trynig to drive!)
My other thought is: do everything you can to purchase a Visitor Travelcard before you travel. These allow you to buy passes for a few days or a week to use all the public transport in London. You can buy them in Australia before you travel through one of the recommended agents listed on the Tube website here:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/2004/gi-outside-UK-country-list.shtml#au...
Alternatively, you can buy them online at
http://www.ticket-on-line.com/
but you must do this BEFORE you leave Australia!
I would suggest you just double check that the station you plan to drive to is within the main 6 zones however. Seven of the Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire stations are actually in lettered zones which are not covered by these travelcards, so you may need to get a special sort of travelcard. The stations which I refer to are Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont&Latimer, Chorleywood, Croxley, Rickmansworth & Watford. If you are planning to drive to one of these stations, then contact London Transport before you buy a travelcard to make sure that it can include your station.

Sorry to have gone on at such great length, but I do think it's worth buying these passes before you travel, partly to save the nuisance of buying it when you're on holiday, but also because they are particularly good value for shorter stays. You will also get some discount vouchers for London attractions! There's many a Londoner who would love to be able to buy a Visitor's Travelcard!

I hope that this too can help you to make the most of your stay in London

Best Wishes
Michael