I'll use a rental to drive around central London for 14 days. Can I pay the congestion charge all at once, on Day 1? Or do I have to pay day-to-day?
Thanks,
Steve

Might as well pay at once since it will be easier:



<i>You only need to pay once, no matter how many times you drive in and out of the charging zone on the same day.

You can pay in advance or on the day of travel. If you don't pay by midnight on the charging day after you drove in the zone, you'll get a Penalty Charge Notice. </i>

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cong...ging/6744.aspx

Be very careful about which website you log onto to pay the charge. there are a number of rogue sites that can rip you off. Make sure that you use the http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ website.

Check out the borders of the congestion charge zone. It's easily avoided. Where are you staying? And are you using the car every day, in the congestion zone?

The last time I drove in London I was on my way from Heathrow to a funeral. I really watched the signs and several times made turns to avoid the beginning of a posted congestion zone. The funeral was not in any way, shape, or form in Central London.

Nevertheless, some time later I got 'the' letter from Hertz saying that my car had been photographed driving through a congestion zone and my credit card had been charged accordingly.

Therefore I am not convinced these zones are as easily avoided as some might think but then again perhaps I am just a non-proficient driver.

No offense, but I can't Imagine circumstances in which driving around central London all day, congestion charge or no, would be a good idea.

Have you thought about a car and driver for the day? Even a black cab . . . .

Unless you've got alot of parcels to deliver over the 14 days you are positing a ludicrous proposal.

The congestion charge itself is not an onerous cost, but car hire and fuel are quite pricey.

But they are insignificant when compared to the savings to your sanity and of time by utilising public transport - whether it be the tube, buses or black cabs.

I simply cannot conceive of the circumstances under which driving a hire car for 14 days in Central London makes sense - on any level.

I kindy recommend you completely re-consider your plan.

Dr D.

I've always been able to avoid the congestion zone, and never had a ticket, but perhaps the camera does not recognize foreign numbers?

Apart from all charges, parking is very expensive in central London, 25 pounds/day or more.

Not to mention parking costs or just finding parking.

Is there a reason for driving in London? Public transport is by far a better idea unless there is a specific reason for driving...

The congestion charge zone was reduced by the current mayor of London a couple of years ago.

To see exactly what area it now covers go to the TfL (Transport for London) website, which also gives you details of how to pay, the days and hours in which it is operational: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/.../whereandwhen/

Driving around Central London is daft in general, add the costs of the car hire, congestion charge, the petrol and the value of the time you'll lose trying to navigate the city's narrow thoroughfares and twisting roads instead of using public transportation that is not subject to vagaries of traffic (e.g., the Tube), and the plan is horrendous.

Even if steve or his companion (assumption here) is not ambulatory, buses and the Tube (google no stairs London Underground) in combination will be a far better choice.

Many thanks for all who replied, except "Dr. DoGood," whose rudeness has no place on any forum.
I'll be in London for business and medical purposes, for time-sensitive tests and testing. My companion, who's lived in London, knows her way around and will drop me off and pick me up. Again, thanks to most of you.

Dr_DoGood's post wasn't rude -- it was totally sensible and straightforward.

Even for business/medical appointments - a rental car very well might not be the best option. A LOT depends on where you are staying and where your appointments are.

Sorry - you thought that was rude?
Really? Which parts?

Sorry if you took offence - but you're going to be alot more offended after 14 days in London if you genuinely think <i>that</i> was rude.

I was going to apolgise - but on reflection I'm not. Not because I <i>am</i> rude. But becasue I've nothing to apologise for. In fact I'm rather taken aback that you've chosen to level such an accusation at me. In a dozen or more years posting on these fora I don't think I've ever been accused in this way.

It's calumny I tell you - I have been traduced!!

(Unapologetically)
Dr D.

So you're taken aback. Never been accused till now? Vanity vanity.

There are posters here who have decided that any response they don't agree with is either "negative" or "rude."

Steve12345, when somebody here says you are "stupid" because you disagree with them (and we had somebody here who has died who did this quite frequently) then that is rude IMO.

steve12345: >>So you're taken aback. Never been accused till now? Vanity vanity.<<

Please read the post again . . what one EARTH do you find rude? It was an extremely ordinary, truthful post.

It was in content no different than several of the others.

I certainly hope you don't get offended by any little comment -- or as explained -- your time in London will be torturous.

It's virtually certain that a combination of Tube, walking & Hackney Cab will be cheaper and faster for getting around central London.

So what's your back up plan WHEN your companion gets stuck in traffic and you miss a time-critical tests?

Perhaps you should consider why you have scheduled such a series of time-critical tests

I don't think anyone was rude to you at all. I live in London and find it baffling that anyone would choose to drive around the centre. Especially for business or medical tests. You can be sitting in traffic for hours. Tube is the fastest way to get around and if for some reason you can't use that (if you have a disability, for example), a cab at least means you're not trying to park all over the place.