Traveling to London. Anyone tried the drive INTO london ?

[brit_la 1]

Nah no worries. Its intresting to see how even the most simple of issues regarding the visa program changes over time and its also credit to the whole VJ community as to how well we are all kept up to date about those changes.

Its what we are all here for isnt it? I for one would have "come a cropper" a few times already with changes in forms and paperwork, and thanks to others who have reported those changes have saved mine and im sure many others worry and sleepless nights.

Damian P - I am thankful for your input on this. I will have a play with google maps and google earth when i get back from the office this evening. I am hardly a regular visitor to the "Big Smoke".

Gary, I know this was a while ago, but Im coming down from Birmingham too and considering doing exactly the same thing as you. Did you decide to go early and drive? Did you park in Park Lane? If so, how did it go? My interview is in 2 weeks and I think for the hassle it would save, parking up in there would make it quicker and easier.

Just wondered what you ended up doing in the end!

Cheer

Sophie

[*julez* 124]

Gary hasn't been on VJ since November of last year.

[FrostyMist 1]

Gary, I know this was a while ago, but Im coming down from Birmingham too and considering doing exactly the same thing as you. Did you decide to go early and drive? Did you park in Park Lane? If so, how did it go? My interview is in 2 weeks and I think for the hassle it would save, parking up in there would make it quicker and easier.

Just wondered what you ended up doing in the end!

Cheer

Sophie

We drove down to London for my interview, so maybe I can share my experiences.

My interview was for 9am, so we reached London at around 6ish. At that time in the morning, it wasn't very busy at all and we made it to the car park without any hold ups. We'd already done much of the route when going to my medical back in November, so I think that helped a lot.

We parked in the car park that is under hyde park (I think that's the one on Park Lane, but I'm not certain since I didn't do the driving and I was too busy being nervous to pay attention--I can check if you want me to confirm where we parked, though, just let me know and I'll find out). The car park under Hyde Park is massive, and at about 7am it was not busy at all. The cost is about £4 an hour, though I think there's a minimum set price of around £12 or £16 (can't quite remember though to be honest). We parked up at 7, stayed in the car for an hour and ate, then headed off to the embassy at 8. We were back in the car for around 11:30. The great thing about parking there was that we knew we could stay all day if need be, which we thought was better than trying to find a metered parking bay - they have a time limit, from what I've read, and we didn't think that was a wise choice considering that you cannot predict how long you'll be in the embassy.

Getting to the embassy from the car park wasn't a big deal at all. My step-father had to push me in my wheelchair, and we made it there in about 10 - 15 minutes. We printed a road mad off online before we left, and that helped a lot.

It was crazy getting out of London, but I expected that because it was later in the morning. By that time though, I didn't really care anyways because we'd been approved. All in all, I'd expected the whole thing to be a terribly stressful experience, and it wasn't so bad at all. Then again, I was used to London a little (after going there for my medical) so I think that helped to prepare me.

Edited January 27, 2010 by FrostyMist

[brit_la 1]

We drove down to London for my interview, so maybe I can share my experiences.

My interview was for 9am, so we reached London at around 6ish. At that time in the morning, it wasn't very busy at all and we made it to the car park without any hold ups. We'd already done much of the route when going to my medical back in November, so I think that helped a lot.

We parked in the car park that is under hyde park (I think that's the one on Park Lane, but I'm not certain since I didn't do the driving and I was too busy being nervous to pay attention--I can check if you want me to confirm where we parked, though, just let me know and I'll find out). The car park under Hyde Park is massive, and at about 7am it was not busy at all. The cost is about £4 an hour, though I think there's a minimum set price of around £12 or £16 (can't quite remember though to be honest). We parked up at 7, stayed in the car for an hour and ate, then headed off to the embassy at 8. We were back in the car for around 11:30. The great thing about parking there was that we knew we could stay all day if need be, which we thought was better than trying to find a metered parking bay - they have a time limit, from what I've read, and we didn't think that was a wise choice considering that you cannot predict how long you'll be in the embassy.

Getting to the embassy from the car park wasn't a big deal at all. My step-father had to push me in my wheelchair, and we made it there in about 10 - 15 minutes. We printed a road mad off online before we left, and that helped a lot.

It was crazy getting out of London, but I expected that because it was later in the morning. By that time though, I didn't really care anyways because we'd been approved. All in all, I'd expected the whole thing to be a terribly stressful experience, and it wasn't so bad at all. Then again, I was used to London a little (after going there for my medical) so I think that helped to prepare me.

Thanks Frostymint! That was really helpful. Think its helped me to make my mind up about driving straight in now, instead of getting the train. I used to live in london, so not to worried about driving round by myself. More trying to figure out timings really. I think im going to get there as early as possible too, and avoid the congestion charge while im at it. Congratulations on your approval and good luck with all the stuff you now have to sort out! Thats the bit im worried about, all the mayhem after the (hopeful) approval, so much to sort out, eeek!

[FrostyMist 1]

If you do decide to drive to London, then I hope it all goes well. And, all the best for your interview, too.

London is a pretty daunting place, especially if you're not a confident driver. My mum, for example, would probably go to pieces trying to get through London if she'd been the one driving me there. As it was, my step-father is quite relaxed about driving, and having the experience from the medical was a great help, too.

The biggest problems with London are parking and traffic. At about 6am, when we arrived there, it was neither busy on the roads, nor all that difficult to park. As I said, it was a lot busier when we were trying to leave London, but that wasn't so bad - we didn't have an interview to get to!

Edited January 29, 2010 by FrostyMist