January is already a busy month to fly, but with the Australian Open 2026 landing right in the middle of it, things tend to fill up even faster. While tennis crowds head into Melbourne, plenty of people across Victoria take the chance to head somewhere else. Whatever your reason, it’s a good time to plan ahead.

If you’re flying out during the tournament week, Melbourne Airport has you covered with onsite airport parking options that make the start of your trip simple. Whether it’s a quick few days away over the long weekend or something longer with the whole family, there’s a car park here that lines up with how you travel. The key is knowing when the tournament kicks off and how that lines up with your own travel plans.

The Australian Open 2026 runs from 12 January to 1 February, with Opening Week scheduled from 12 to 17 January and the main draw starting on 18 January. It’s a long stretch on the summer calendar, with the women’s singles and men’s singles finals closing out the event on 31 January and 1 February.

Knowing these dates helps you get a sense of when Melbourne will feel busiest, especially if your travel plans fall anywhere in that window. Across those three weeks, the schedule moves from early rounds through the quarterfinals and semifinals, with matches split into day sessions and night sessions. That means there’s steady movement across the city from morning to evening as fans head to and from the courts.

The Australian Open is a world-class tournament run by Tennis Australia. The on-court excitement draws plenty of attention each year, with Ground Passes and Reserved Seats tickets going on sale months in advance. By the time January rolls around also comes school holidays, long weekends and peak summer travel, all of which shape how the city moves while you’re heading to the airport.

Here’s what that looks like across Melbourne during the tournament:

• Crowds gather around Melbourne Park, with fans making their way along Olympic Boulevard to reach Rod Laver Arena (RLA), Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, Garden Square and the Grand Slam Oval. The nearby MCG often brings in its own courtside action too, so the whole area stays busy from morning to night.
• Public transport gets a bit more crowded, with Flinders Street Station as a key stop. Others rely on rideshare to get closer to the courts. That steady movement often spills into the CBD, especially across lunch hours, evenings and weekends.
• The pace doesn’t really slow down, with matches running all day and well into the night. So if your flight leaves from the city or passes through central areas, it helps to be across when the tournament’s on, just so you know what to expect on your way out.

With the city buzzing and January being one of the busiest months to fly, a few simple steps can make your trip to the airport easier. Planning ahead means you’re not rushing when you get here, and you’ll avoid the small delays that tend to add up during peak travel weeks.

Here’s what helps when parking at Melbourne Airport during the Australian Open 2026:

• Book your parking online early to lock in better pricing than drive-up rates and get more choice across our onsite car parks.
• Take advantage of the grace period built into all online bookings. You’ll get extra time on either side of your booked entry and exit. That’s two hours total for short stays, four hours for longer ones.
• Leave earlier than usual, even if you’re not flying during peak hours. A small buffer can go a long way if traffic builds or check-in takes longer than expected.
• Check for roadworks or delays around Tullamarine before you leave. Knowing your route ahead of time gives you more control over your arrival.
• Confirm your terminal before you get here. It’s a small step that saves time and helps you avoid any extra walking between your car and check-in.
• Consider adding Overstay Guarantee when booking online. It gives you peace of mind if your return is delayed due to a cancelled flight, illness or border disruptions.
• Choose the parking option that best matches your trip. It’s the easiest way to make your time at the airport smoother.

Worried about your plans changing? If you need to update your details or change your times, you can use Manage My Booking to cancel or modify your booking up to two hours before your scheduled entry. If you’ve already parked and your return is delayed, it’s also the easiest way to extend your stay without needing to call.

With more people flying in and out of Melbourne this January, it helps to choose a parking option that fits your plans, not just your flight time. Maybe you’re away for a quick long weekend, or flying interstate for a full break. Either way, Melbourne Airport has several onsite options, all a short walk or quick shuttle ride to the terminals:

• Value car park: Heading off for a longer summer break or making the most of the public holidays? The Value car park gives you a simple and budget-friendly place to start your trip. It’s open-air and easy to access via Airport Drive or Mercer Drive, with a free shuttle running every 15 minutes, 24/7. The shuttle stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 4.
  If your trip falls during a busy travel period like the school holidays, you can book Value Express here. It’s a seasonal valet-style option where you drop off your car at the Value Express zone near Bus Stop B, and we’ll park the car for you. It’s one of the quickest ways to get moving when you’re short on time.
• Terminal car parks: If you’d rather park closer to where you’re flying out, the Terminal car parks are your most direct option. Both are right across from the terminals, so there’s no need for a shuttle. You’ll just park and walk straight to check-in.
  There are two locations. The T123 car park connects to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered walkway. It’s a good fit if you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia, or heading overseas. The T4 car park is just 100 metres from the Terminal 4 entrance and suits Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways and Virgin Australia flights. Each location offers both open-air and undercover spaces, with options for short and long stays.
• Premium Self Park: Not one of those who pack light and fly with just small bags? This option puts you in the closest self-park bays to the terminal entry points. You’ll find them on Level 1 of both the T123 and T4 car parks, with undercover spots just a few minutes’ walk from check-in. You keep your keys and park yourself, which makes things quicker on hot days, early mornings or if you’ve got kids or luggage in tow.
• Premium Valet: Flying out during the Australian Open 2026 means hot days and terminals that feel a little busier than usual. Premium Valet helps you skip the extra steps. Just pull into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys and head straight inside while our team takes care of the parking. It’s a smooth handover that suits summer departures, quick trips or any time you want to keep things moving.
• Qantas Valet: No time to pre-book? Qantas Valet keeps airport parking quick and easy. Just drive into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys, and walk straight to the terminal, no booking needed. It’s open to all travellers, and you can ask for a car cleaning service while you’re away. If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you’ll earn points every time you park here.

Only dropping someone off or picking them up? There are pick-up and drop-off points just outside each terminal, with clearly signed lanes to keep things moving. Need a bit more flexibility? The Wait Zone on Mercer Drive gives you up to an hour of free parking, so you can stay parked until your traveller calls to say they’re ready.

With so much happening around Melbourne and more people moving through the airport, planning parking ahead isn’t just helpful but also part of travelling well. It also means you can time your arrival properly and stay focused on your trip instead of the traffic.

Got questions? Head over to our Parking FAQs page for more information on timing, entry, changes and more, so you're not second-guessing anything on the day. Need a hand? Our friendly customer service team is here to help. For upcoming trips, you can also sign up for Melbourne Airport’s Parking Deals newsletter for the latest parking offers and tips sent straight to your inbox.