Page 1 of 1
Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 10:57 am
by Galileo
What do people normally do when parking at the NEC? I just bought a couple of tickets as I've missed every other show this year and though I should do at least one. Once recovered from the £20 ticket cost, the site gleefully tells me I need to stump up a minimum of £12 to park as well, or £20 to be near the exhibition halls and to "Avoid payment queues at parking kiosks", is that £20 worth it? Feeling a bit like I'm being mugged here, as the last time I went to the NEC it was free to park, might have been a few years ago!
Edit: Might have my own answer, looked up on parkopedia.co.uk and see that Birmingham International(?!) railway station is right next to the NEC and parking costs £9 all sunday, anyone tried this option?
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:10 am
by triumphdolomiteuk
I'd say that was in the 1970s!
I think it's much cheaper to park in the train station carpark....
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:11 am
by xvivalve
I drive to Sandwell & Dudley rail station where there is free parking and then get a cross city train to Birmingham International for about £3.40 return. I use S&D as it is convenient to where I live, but I'm sure similar stations on the other side of Birmingham also exist.
I think they are now wise to the fact at International
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:18 am
by Galileo
triumphdolomiteuk wrote:I'd say that was in the 1970s!
I think it's much cheaper to park in the train station carpark....
Hmm, I used to work for Checkout computers and put in the restaurant/cafe till systems in the main halls, which on reflection was actually about 1991, which is probably why I didn't have to pay for my company Ford Escort 1.6 LX in wedgewood blue with the boot that never shut properly and the engine you couldn't turn off if you left the wipers going..!
Bingo on the train station car park, just found that one out but you can't pre-book that I can find, we can't be the only ones that have worked this one out?!
See you just posted what I was thinking about the train station Alun, I'll take a look to see what stations are nearby coming from the south.
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 1:34 pm
by Triumph1300
Coventry Canley, or Tile Hill stations
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:58 am
by James467
I park in the station car park, carry through and go into the multi story part and the spaces are of a decent size (important when you have a big car!) plus there are always plenty towards the top. The lifts are pretty quick and it's about a 10 minute walk to the NEC.
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:02 am
by SprintMWU773V
I always go by train now. I can go from Stoke direct, return for less than the cost of parking at the NEC. Weekends have a cheaper car park rate too so the cost is the same overall. The real advantage is not having to drive to the NEC which is horrible and who wants to drive home when you've been on your feet all day.
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:06 am
by James467
Yeah, thats ok when you don't live down south, the train ticket costs me £70 return!

Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:25 am
by SprintMWU773V
My Dad used to go from Blackwater to Reading, then Reading to B'ham. It usually cost him about £25 return by train. he's now moved to Bristol but even now it was the same cost.
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 4:35 pm
by Galileo
Return to Huntingdon is £55 and 2 hoiurs 40 minutes on one of those cramped Turbostar trains with my kneecaps worn for earings, no thanks! Berkswell station to the south has free parking, but by the time you have factored two peoples rail fare it is no cheaper than parking at the station.
Re: Classic Car show - Parking?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:20 pm
by Karlos
Galileo wrote:Return to Huntingdon is £55 and 2 hoiurs 40 minutes on one of those cramped Turbostar trains with my kneecaps worn for earings, no thanks! Berkswell station to the south has free parking, but by the time you have factored two peoples rail fare it is no cheaper than parking at the station.
You sound like Jeremy Corbyn.
