Visiting Royal Albert Hall via Tube from outside ULEZ

Posted 10th Sep 2023

I'm hoping to go to the Royal Albert Hall, but it looks like return trains are an issue. Is there a tube station outside of the ULEZ that I could park at and catch the tube in? I've done this sort of thing when it was just the congestion charge, but ULEZ has me stumped. I'll be coming from the Midlands.

I can see a few pages discussing suitable tube stations but it looks like they're out of date and they are now inside the extended ULEZ zone.

(For info, given the show time end and the mobility of my relatives I'm not convinced we could get back to Euston in time for the last train home)

21 Comments

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10th Sep
How many are going?

For the sake of £12.50 divided by 4 (for example) I would just pay it & drive nearer to somewhere convenient that works logistically.
Author
10th Sep
Aye, I'm starting to lean that way to be honest. Just having a look at Watford (thanks sm9690) I can see it doesn't have much of a car park and it's 45 minutes to get all the way in. At least inside ULEZ I can be a bit closer and get me on to a tube line that will get me directly there.
10th Sep
Watford probably easiest if you're coming from the Midlands.
10th Sep
There's no direct route from Watford to South Kensington (bear in mind there's still a 10-15 min walk from South Kensington to Royal Albert Hall, longer if mobility issues).

You would have to change train twice and take a long journey on the Metropolitan line, it's just not worth it. The cost savings would be minimal too as have to pay higher fare for the tube for 4 people.

You are able to pay for parking at Imperial College nearby through the Royal Albert Hall, it's £11. Probably better off doing this vs taking the tube at all given it's 4 of you.

Very frustrating thing about the trains in this country, outside of London most stop running at 10pm-11pm, forces an overnight stay, coaches, or driving. Wish some services ran a bit later. (edited)
Author
10th Sep
Thanks for the info, I did have doubts about the Imperial College parking as it says it's often booked up. I'll certainly consider it a first choice though, especially if the tube station is still 15 minutes away from the Hall.

And I agree with the service out of London. I think if we were a bit fitter (or missed the end) we could just manage the last train home. But it's a lot of grief at the end of the day.
10th Sep
Park at the car park outside Hounslow West station and then take the Tube.
10th Sep
Hounslow is within ULEZ now, or it certainly should be if Heathrow is
10th Sep
Ignore the ULEZ, they are only sending warning letters at the minute.
10th Sep
If they are doing that then it will be for the expanded areas not the original.
11th Sep
As people have said, pay the money, or ignore as they are only warning letters.
Think about your health, the air quality on the Tube is terrible. The outside air quality is so much better now with modern cars and the changes to car technology since the 70's and 80's.

We will let the Mayor take the credit for Air quality improvements, but in reality it's down to more modern cars.. Just look at other built up areas and tunnel statistics...
People are being fooled, it's quite entertaining.
Author
50 m ago
Yep, already sorted, I have a prebooked space at Imperial College and will pay the charge as I drive in. It looks like the warning letters are only for the extended ULEZ, since I'm going to be very near the centre I don't think I'll get away with just a warning.