TfL guidance checked
Which areas are in the Congestion Charge zone?
The zone follows street boundaries, not whole boroughs, neighbourhoods or postcode districts. This list groups the commonly used local names within or crossing that boundary. Some overlap: Bank and Moorgate, for example, are both in the City. Use TfL’s address checker for a decision about a particular building.
TfL address checker and charging times · Official Congestion Charge zone map (PDF)
| Part of central London | Local names | Boundary guidance |
|---|---|---|
| City of London | The City, Bank, Monument, St Paul’s, Fleet Street, Temple, Blackfriars, Barbican, Smithfield, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate, Aldgate and Tower Hill | The City lies in the zone; check the northern and eastern boundary roads and the building’s access route. |
| Holborn and Bloomsbury | Holborn, Bloomsbury, St Giles, Chancery Lane and Lincoln’s Inn | These central streets lie within the boundary; wider neighbourhood edges still need an address check. |
| West End | Soho, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, Leicester Square, Piccadilly, Mayfair, St James’s, Strand and Charing Cross | The zone reaches the western boundary around Park Lane; do not assume the boundary road itself is charged. |
| Northern edge | Fitzrovia, southern Marylebone, Clerkenwell, Farringdon and Finsbury | These names describe areas that reach or cross the boundary. The northern roads include Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Pentonville Road and City Road. |
| Westminster and Victoria | Westminster, Victoria and northeastern Pimlico | The southern and western edges cut through the wider neighbourhoods. Use the address checker around Vauxhall Bridge Road and the Victoria area. |
| South of the river | Waterloo, South Bank, Bankside, Borough, London Bridge, north Southwark, northern Lambeth, Elephant and Castle, Newington and western Bermondsey | These areas are wholly or partly within the zone. Check addresses around the southern boundary and Tower Bridge Road rather than assuming all SE1 properties are inside. |
Which areas are on the zone boundary?
Boundary roads are generally outside the charged zone. Turning from a boundary road into the zone can create a charge during TfL charging hours. A neighbourhood name or postcode prefix cannot establish which side of the boundary a building or its vehicle entrance is on.
- Shoreditch, Hoxton and Old Street: Check the northern and eastern edges around City Road, Old Street and Great Eastern Street.
- Spitalfields, Aldgate and Whitechapel: Check the streets around Bishopsgate, Commercial Street and the eastern boundary.
- Tower Hill and Wapping: Check the eastern boundary near Tower Bridge Approach and the actual vehicle entrance. Wapping is generally outside.
- Bermondsey and Shad Thames: Tower Bridge Road forms part of the boundary. Check the exact address; do not treat the whole neighbourhood as inside.
- Islington and Angel: Most of the wider area is outside; the southern edge reaches the zone around Finsbury and Clerkenwell.
When does our moving surcharge apply?
Our business surcharge follows TfL’s Congestion Charge boundary. It helps cover difficult access, extra operating time and the increased risk of parking and traffic fines in central London.
It applies once per job when either the collection or delivery address is inside the zone, including when both are inside. It applies at any time of day or night, including outside TfL charging hours. TfL discounts and exemptions do not remove our business surcharge.
The postcode check gives an initial estimate. We check the full addresses before confirming, especially near the boundary; the online check does not assess every road along the route. Any applicable ULEZ business surcharge, mileage, parking and agreed crossing fees are separate.
TfL Congestion Charge times and rules
What time does the Congestion Charge apply?
TfL’s charging hours are 07:00–18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00–18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. No charge applies from Christmas Day through the New Year’s Day bank holiday, inclusive. TfL guidance
When do drivers need to pay TfL?
For drivers managing their own vehicle, the daily charge covers repeat entries on the same day. TfL allows payment in advance, on the travel day or by midnight of the third day after travel. Auto Pay is available. Use TfL’s payment service and check the correct date and vehicle registration. TfL guidance
Who qualifies for a discount or exemption?
Eligibility depends on the vehicle, driver and any required registration. Living in the zone or holding a Blue Badge does not automatically transfer a discount to a removal van. Electric vehicles are not automatically exempt; check TfL’s current conditions and Auto Pay requirements. TfL discounts do not change our business surcharge. TfL guidance
Is the Congestion Charge separate from ULEZ?
ULEZ, LEZ and tunnel charging are separate schemes with different boundaries, operating times and eligibility rules. A vehicle can meet ULEZ standards and still be subject to the Congestion Charge. TfL guidance
What happens if the charge is not paid?
Missing the payment deadline can lead to a Penalty Charge Notice. Drivers should follow TfL’s current payment, enforcement and account terms. The linked official guidance explains the process and deadlines. TfL guidance
Official zone map, address checker and terms
Plan your central London move
Send both full addresses, the item list and the loading or lift instructions. We will check the access, vehicle and applicable surcharges before confirming your move.