Paying for London Congestion Charge can be a daunting task as it is much like paying for any other kind of car tax by class, such as excise duty. However, it’s crucial to know the costs and payment methods before you set off on your journey. Search and compare your travel options, and find out in this article how much Congestion Charge you’ll need to pay and how to pay it if that’s your goal.
What is the Congestion Charge?
The congestion charge is a daily fee charged for driving into the central business district of London during weekdays. The charge is meant to reduce traffic congestion and raise funds for transportation projects in the city. Drivers can pay the fee online, by phone, or at certain retail locations. The Congestion Charge applies to most vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, vans, and other London buses.
When Does the Congestion Charge Apply?
The congestion charge applies Monday to Friday, between 7 am and 6 pm, and on weekends, Sundays, and bank holidays at 12pm.
How Much Does London’s Congestion Charge Cost?
For the Congestion Charge, if you pay on the same day or before 2 days, it’s £15. If you can’t pay within that period, it will be £17.50.
How Do I Pay Congestion Charge for London?
If you are living in or visiting central London, you’ll need to buy a congestion charge on all days other than the weekends and bank holidays. You can purchase this charge online, over the phone, or through an app. If you buy the congestion charge before midnight on the day you enter London, it will cost £15. But if you buy it at any time after that, it will cost £17.50.
There are a few easy ways to pay the Congestion Charge: online, by phone, or in person. If you plan on paying the charge on Tuesday, you can drop by one of TfL’s 820 payment points in London and enter your vehicle’s registration number while they charge £15.
Those who pay after this time will be charged £17.50, payable at any TfL payment point. You can also set up an Auto Pay account with TfL if you’ll be driving into the ULEZ often. Auto Pay starts at £10 a year for each vehicle refitted- though it could require £5 more than this fee if there is congestion across central London because of the ULEZ.
Where is the Congestion Charge Zone?
These include Waterloo, London Bridge, and Liverpool Street. It serves businesses in London areas such as Soho, Piccadilly Circus, South Bank, Mayfair, Covent Garden, Holborn, Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, and Finsbury.
Many major attractions in the Congestion Charge Zone also include:
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Big Ben
• Westminster
• London Eye
• Tate Britain
• St James’ Park
• Green Park
• Buckingham Palace
• British Museum
• National Gallery
• Barbican
• The Shard
The congestion should not affect Kings Cross and St Pancras, the British Library, Regent’s Park and London Zoo, Hyde Park and Angel in Islington. For example, these are just on the outskirts, so you’ll have to be careful to stay away from areas where the disaster has hit.
If you’re trying to find where your hotel or spot you plan to visit is inside the zone, there’s a postcode checker on the TfL website. You can also use it to see if an address falls in the zone TfL charges £15 to drive in the zone on the day of travel, and you can purchase a day pass using their website. Don’t forget: if you plan to drive in the zone, make sure to pay before entering!
You will also be subject to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) charge, which is a £12.50 charge per day for cars that don’t meet certain emissions standards.
Discounts and Exemptions to London’s Congestion Charge
On the TfL website, you can apply for Congestion Charge discounts.
If you live in the Congestion Charge Zone in London, you can get a 90% discount on your resident’s permit.
Blue Badge holders enjoy a 100% discount on the London Congestion charge.
A Congestion Charge discount is also available for vehicles with nine or more seats and a Cleaner Vehicle Discount applies to vehicles that run on electricity.
The first sentence is about a sentence rewriter, so the second sentence should be rewritten.
To battle traffic and high congestion, London’s Congestion Charge was introduced. This charge will be waived for motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles.
Bottom Line
There are a few different ways to pay the London congestion charge, depending on your needs and preferences. The best way to find out what option works best for you is to visit the Transport for London website and explore your options. You can also speak to someone in person at one of the congestion charge payment points located around London. Whichever method you choose, be sure to have your credit or debit card ready so that you can pay the congestion charge as soon as possible.
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