In reply to montyjohn:
> If you're after free parking, it's quite common on residential roads in Zone 6. If you drive to West Drayton and don't mind a 10 minute walk to the train station there'll be plenty of free parking.
I've done that several times when coming in to london from Oxford down the M40, park near ruislip and get the tube in. Also done similar with a bike in my car, parked near northolt and and cycled in along the gran union canal. Traffic free most of the way to paddington.
Never had a problem finding free parking at weekends if you drive round a few streets. Some streets near stations especially are resident only parking midweek daytimes.