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#965901 by Fuzzy14
18 Jan 2025, 21:33
Hi.
Go easy on me. I lived in London back in 2000 but I'm still not really sure what an Oyster is (but I get the gist).

So I'm flying out with Virgin from T3 Heathrow. I'm going to drive down from Scotland, most likely I'll overnight at The Belfry and then finish the drive next day. I've never driven my 2.0 litre 4x4 inside the ULEZ before, it's banned from Glasgow LEZ (£60 fine up here!) so I suspect I'll also have to pay something to the London Mayor.

If I do Purple Parking T3 Meet & Greet... I'm assuming I'll have to pay the ULEZ for the day I drop off and the day I collect. Do I also have to pay for all the days in between because I'm not sure where they'll park it? I'm assuming it's a daily charge for every day it's within the M25 until it leaves.

Alternatively, any suggestions for parking and transport to LHR from outside the ULEZ/M25?

Thank you.
#965970 by Fuzzy14
26 Jan 2025, 17:33
Andrew_Debbie wrote:Why not take a train? By the time you pay for fuel, parking and £12.50 a day ULEZ, the trains should be cheaper, especially if you get an advance fare.


The train is £800 return for the 5 of us.
But I think you've answered my question, I'd be due to pay the ULEZ for every day it's parked up. So I'll find somewhere to stay/park outside the zone then take the train in.
#965973 by Andrew_Debbie
26 Jan 2025, 18:43
Ahh ok.

Maybe not for this trip, but did you look into group and family tickets? You should be able to save 30% on adult tickets and 60% for 5-15 years olds. Kids under 5 can travel for free. Still might be cheaper to drive. < shrug >

Failing that, drive to a station with a big car park and train from there.. Milton Keynes or somwhere closer. I don't know where as I've never needed to do that.


https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/ticke ... familyplus
#965974 by Andrew_Debbie
26 Jan 2025, 18:47
London to Glasgow Central Standard Class Family Advance £93. Most likely long since sold out for the days you need.

2 to 5 customers can travel together using a Family Advance (minimum of one child and one adult, maximum of two adults and three children, or one adult and four children).
#965975 by Kraken
26 Jan 2025, 19:22
I'm not familiar with the workings of the ULEZ's / Clean Air zones - we haven't got one in Nottingham (yet). Give the bankrupt anti-car City Council time though! I have experienced the Birmingham Clean Air Zone & my car is Euro6, so exempt. There are cameras on every entry road into the CAZ. I am sure there must be random cameras dotted around within the zone to catch cars driving purely within it too.

I would have thought you are only liable for the charge on the days your car triggers a camera. It could be parked up in an airport car park for all the other days - and as parked, be emitting zero emissions.

I know there are London / South East based members on here who will be able to give a way more informed answer.
#965976 by Sunseeker
26 Jan 2025, 20:52
Hope the below helps you pay for days car is driven in zone

The daily Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge is incurred only on days when a non-compliant vehicle is driven in the zone. Drivers do not need to pay the daily ULEZ charge for vehicles parked inside the zone that are not driven on that day.
#965977 by mattyp
26 Jan 2025, 21:12
As there’s 5 of you I would suggest just paying the ULEZ rather than parking outside the zone and getting public transport in.

The previous poster is correct, you will only incur the £12.50 charge on the days the vehicle is physically moving inside the zone. There are detection cameras on a lot of the traffic lights and junctions which monitor this. If your car is parked up there will be no charge on that day as the vehicle won’t be detected as moving.

Although this is a one off visit for you, you can set up an auto-pay account with TFL very easily which will automatically bill you when you drive in the zone. If you wanted peace of mind just incase the car park decide to move your car while you’re away (unlikely) then this will avoid any chance of a fine.
#966012 by Fuzzy14
02 Feb 2025, 22:02
Sunseeker wrote:Drivers do not need to pay the daily ULEZ charge for vehicles parked inside the zone that are not driven on that day.



mattyp wrote:The previous poster is correct, you will only incur the £12.50 charge on the days the vehicle is physically moving inside the zone. There are detection cameras on a lot of the traffic lights and junctions which monitor this. If your car is parked up there will be no charge on that day as the vehicle won’t be detected as moving.


Thank you! If it's 2x£12.50 that's not an issue. If it's 16x£12.50 for just having it parked up, it brings other options (park and ride) into play.
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