December through January is one of the busiest times at Melbourne Airport, whether you’re flying interstate or overseas. Between the summer school holidays, warm-weather getaways and family reunions, the airport fills up fast and so do the car parks. So how do you make sure airport parking isn’t the part that slows you down?

By choosing the right parking option that suits your needs, you can save time when it counts. This guide will help you avoid the bottlenecks and start your holiday on the right foot.

It’s not just the airport terminals that get busy over summer. Airport roads and car parks do too. Delays can start well before you reach the check-in counter, especially if you’re arriving without a plan. The good news is, there are simple ways to stay ahead of the rush.

1. Choose the car park closest to your terminal. When the airport’s busy, the last thing you want is to park far from where you need to be. Here’s a quick guide to help you match your terminal with the right car park:

• Terminal 1: Qantas domestic flights
• Terminal 2: All international flights
• Terminal 3: Virgin Australia domestic flights
• Terminal 4: Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways domestic flights

The Terminal T123 car park is located directly across from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with a covered link bridge for easy access. If you’re heading out from Terminal 4, the T4 car park is about 100 metres from the entrance. It’s also a good option for travellers flying from Terminal 3.

2. Book parking online in advance.

When you book online, you can choose your entry time, avoid the higher drive-up rates, and head straight to your car park with no surprises. It's a quick way to take the pressure off when you're travelling during the busiest weeks of the year.

You can book parking online up to 12 months in advance or as late as two hours before you drive. Online bookings also come with a built-in grace period, which can be handy if your timing shifts on the day.

3. Add smart extras to your booking.

Adding extras like Overstay Guarantee to your booking gives you more control over your trip and takes some of the pressure off. With Overstay Guarantee, you won’t need to stress if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to illness, airline issues, or border closures. It’s an easy way to protect your booking and your peace of mind. 

4. Plan ahead and arrive early to beat the morning or evening rush.

Traffic around the airport can build up quickly during school holidays, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. If you’re driving in during those times, you may hit congestion before you even reach your car park.

Set your entry and exit times outside peak periods if possible. Arriving a little earlier gives you more flexibility and helps everything run more smoothly.

5. Use the grace period to avoid peak travel times.

Morning and evening are some of the busiest times to drive in, especially during the summer holidays. But with a built-in grace period on every online booking, you don’t have to time your arrival down to the minute.

For shorter bookings under four hours, you get an extra hour on either side of your entry and exit time. For longer stays, that’s two hours. That means if your flight leaves at 9 AM, you can arrive earlier and not get stuck right in the middle of the early rush. It’s a small adjustment that can make your parking experience quicker, calmer, and easier to manage.

6. Plan for accessible parking early if needed.

Accessible parking bays are available across all car parks, and they’re located near lifts, shuttle stops or terminal entries for easier access. But like everything else during summer, they can fill quickly.

So if you're travelling with someone who needs mobility support, planning ahead can save you time and avoid added stress during peak travel weeks. Kerbside Assistance is available to help you move from drop-off to check-in and can be pre-booked before your flight, while your airline can arrange for Terminal Assistance.

7. Check for road delays and disruptions.

Holiday traffic and roadworks near Tullamarine can add unexpected time to your trip, especially during peak periods. A quick check of live traffic updates before you leave can help you avoid a last-minute detour or delay at the turnoff.

If you’re using a GPS or maps app, keep an eye out for alerts and allow some buffer time just in case. The fewer surprises on the road, the easier it is to get to your car park and on to check-in without rushing.

8. Have your QR code ready for quick entry and exit.

When the car parks are busy, even a short delay at the boom gate can cause a queue. Having your booking QR code ready, either printed or on your phone, lets you scan and go without holding up the line. It’s a small step, but during the holidays, it can save you time and make your arrival feel a little more seamless.

9. Use Manage My Booking if your plans change before arrival.

During the summer holidays, it’s not unusual for travel to run off schedule. If anything changes before you arrive, you can log in to Manage My Booking to update your entry date or exit date, or make other changes as needed.

Cancellations can also be done up to two hours before your booked entry time if needed. It’s the easiest way to avoid hold-ups at the gate and avoid extra charges if your plans no longer line up.

If you're flying during the December–January travel peak, onsite airport car parking is the most reliable option. You’ll be closer to the terminals, avoid offsite transfers, and have more control over your timing on the day you fly.

But different trips call for different parking setups, whether you’re heading away for a week, flying early with kids, or trying to beat the morning rush. Here’s how the onsite parking options at Melbourne Airport stack up:

• Value car park: If you're heading off for a longer holiday trip, this open-air long-term car park is a cost-effective onsite option. The free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes, 24/7, with stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. Just make sure to book ahead as this car park is popular and sells out quickly.

To keep things moving during peak periods, you can book Value Express. This is a seasonal valet-like service where you drop off your car and the staff handle the parking for you. No need to look for a spot or remember where you parked!

• Terminal car parks: Want to walk straight from your car to the terminals? This option ticks the box if you want to stay ahead of the holiday crowds without paying top-tier rates. There are two locations: the Terminal T123 car park sits directly opposite Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and the Terminal T4 car park is just 100 metres from the Terminal 4 entrance.

So whether you’re flying from the domestic terminals or the international terminal, both car parks keep you close and cut down transition time. It’s ideal for short stays but also works well for long-term parking.

• Premium Self Park: For those who want to park closest to the terminal walkways and hold onto their keys, this is a convenient parking option worth considering. The bays are located on Level 1 of the T123 car park and Level 1 of the T4 car park, making them the closest to the terminal walkways. You’ll also get undercover parking spaces, so your car stays protected while you're away. It’s a time-saver if you’re travelling with kids, carrying luggage or just want to get to check-in faster.
• Premium Valet: If you're flying during the December rush and want to skip parking altogether, Premium Valet is the fastest option. Just drive into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys, and head straight to check-in while our friendly parking staff take care of the rest. It's a great parking option if you're flying out with kids, running tight on time or just want the smoothest start to your summer trip.
• Qantas Valet: Whether you're flying Qantas or another airline, this valet parking option is open to all. Located right on Level 1 of the T123 car park, it’s ideal if you want to skip booking ahead and head straight to check-in. Just drive in, hand over your keys, and walk into the terminal. You can also ask for a car cleaning service, so your car feels fresh when you return. Plus, if you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you’ll earn points every time you park here.

If you're just stopping briefly, there are a few ways to park without paying. The Wait Zone is the best option if you’re picking someone up and aren’t sure when they’ll be ready. It’s located on Mercer Drive, and you can stay there for up to 60 minutes for free. Once your passenger is ready, just drive over to the pick-up area.

For quick pick-up or drop-off, you can use the dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones in front of each terminal. But if you need a bit more time to walk someone in or help with bags, you get 15 minutes of free short-term parking at the Terminal Car Parks. Just enter, assist your traveller, and exit before the grace period ends.

Travel adds up quickly, but you don’t always have to pay full price for airport parking. At Melbourne Airport, you can access discounted parking rates by subscribing to our Parking Deals newsletter. It’s where seasonal offers drop first, especially around busy travel periods like December and January. You can also follow us on our social media channels for flash sales, giveaways, and last-minute promos. Deals are often time-limited, so staying in the loop gives you a better shot at saving before you fly.

You don’t need to pre-book, but if you’re travelling during the busy December–January period, it’s the smarter choice. Booking ahead means you can get better rates than drive-up pricing and choose the parking option that works best for your trip. Here’s how:

Step 1: Head to the Melbourne Airport Parking page.
Step 2: Choose your entry and exit time, travel dates, and terminal.
Step 3: Pick a parking option and add Overstay Guarantee if you need it.
Step 4: Pay using a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Step 5: You’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code to scan when you enter and exit

Booking airport parking is quick to do and gives you more control on the day you fly. Plus, you can book up to 12 months in advance or as late as two hours before you arrive.

Parking doesn’t need to be the unpredictable part of your trip. A little forward planning now can save you time when it matters most, especially during the busiest weeks of the year. Whether you're flying early with kids, heading overseas, or picking up family, choosing the right car park and booking ahead puts you in control.

Use the tips in this guide to time your arrival, pick the best parking option for your plans, and make your departure day run smoother. The earlier you lock it in, the easier your airport experience will be.