Driving in? Here’s How To Pay for Parking at Melbourne Airport

Getting to the airport is the easy part. Check Google Maps, time the drive right and head in like you normally would. But once you arrive, knowing where to leave your car and how car park payment works is its own part of the plan.

The good news? Melbourne Airport has a few onsite parking options to choose from, and they’re all cashless and contactless. It’s designed to make the Melbourne Airport parking experience feel more straightforward, right from the moment you drive in.

All Melbourne Airport car parks are cashless. So whether you’re driving up on the day or booking online in advance, you pay by credit card or through mobile payment channels like Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you choose to book online ahead of time, you can do so up to 12 months in advance. This gives you access to more available parking options, and you'll almost always get the best rates compared to drive-up pricing.

No two trips are the same, which is why Melbourne Airport offers a range of onsite parking options to match the kind of trip you’re taking. All of these suit short-term stays, long holidays and everything in between.

• Value Car Park: This open-air car park is our most cost-effective parking option, ideal for longer stays. It has entrances on Mercer Drive and Airport Drive, with a free bus ride that runs every 15 minutes, 24/7. The bus stops are near Terminal 1 for Qantas flights and international departures from Terminal 2, and near Terminal 4 to serve all other domestic flights, including Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways and Virgin Australia.
  
  During peak times, you can book Value Express here. This seasonal valet parking service within the Value Car Park lets you drop off your car near Bus Stop B. Our team will then park your car for you and collect it on your return. You can also upgrade to Value Express on the day, subject to availability.
• Terminal Car Parks: Located just a short walk from all airport terminals, the Terminal Car Parks are ideal if you want to stay closer to check-in. There are two locations. The T123 Terminal Car Park connects to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered link bridge, which is handy if you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia or heading to the international terminal. The T4 Terminal Car Park sits only 100 metres from Terminal 4 and suits travellers flying Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways or Virgin Australia. Both locations offer a mix of open-air and undercover parking spaces.
• Premium Car Parks: These self-park bays are located on Level 1 of both the T123 and T4 Car Parks, just steps from the terminal entrances. It’s a fully undercover option that works well for early departures, warm days or trips where you’d rather not carry bags far. You keep your keys and park the car yourself, making it a simple, familiar choice for frequent flyers, families or anyone wanting a quicker start to their trip.
• Melbourne Airport Valet: Located on Level 1 of the T123 Car Park, this valet service is ideal if you’d rather skip parking the car yourself. Just drive up, hand over your keys and head straight inside. No need to search for a bay or carry bags across the car park. Our friendly staff will park your car for you, and there’s also an optional car cleaning service available, so you can return to a freshly cleaned car.
• Qantas Valet: If you're flying with Qantas domestically, this is the closest valet option to Terminal 1. Just drive in, hand over your keys and head straight to check-in. The service is open to all travellers, but Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn points every time they park here. You can also ask the team about optional car cleaning.

It’s quick and easy to book parking online. If you want to book now, just head to the Melbourne Airport Parking & Transport page and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Select your travel dates and the terminal you're flying from. If you have a promo code, you can add it here.

Step 2: Choose the parking option that fits your needs and preferences.

Step 3: Pay using a debit or credit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Step 4: You’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code to scan at the entry gate and again when you leave.

All online bookings include a built-in grace period, so you have some flexibility if your entry or exit time shifts slightly. But if you end up needing to update your car park booking, you can do it through My Bookings up to two hours before your scheduled arrival. You can also extend your stay online at any time before your original exit time.

If you drive into the car park without an online booking, you can still pay at the gate. Simply tap your credit card or mobile wallet on the marked area on the right-hand side of the entry gate machine to enter. When you return, tap the same card or device again at the exit gate. The system will automatically calculate your parking rates based on how long you stayed.

Depending on available capacity, you can still book parking online up to two hours before your scheduled arrival. After securing an online booking, remember to scan the QR code from your confirmation email instead of tapping your card at the gate. Using your card may not link to your booking and could charge drive-up rates instead. If that happens, press the Help button, and a member of our team can assist.

Yes, you can still pay with cash if needed. When you arrive at the entry gate, press the “Help” button and a member of our customer service team will assist you and issue a ticket so you can enter the airport car park.

Before returning to your car to leave, take that ticket to one of the “Last Chance to Pay” machines located on the Ground Floor of the T123 Transport Hub near the lifts, at the information desk near bus shelter B in the Value Car Park. Insert the ticket, pay with cash and collect the validated ticket. Then head back to the airport car park and use the paid ticket to exit.

It’s easier to get going on travel day when airport parking’s already sorted. Book online early so you can choose the parking option that suits your trip and your preferences best. You may even save big compared to paying at the gate.

Not parking this time? If you’re just dropping someone off or swinging by to pick them up, there are dedicated Pick Up and Drop Off zones right outside each terminal with a one-minute standing limit. If you’re running early, the Wait Zone just off the Tullamarine Freeway gives you up to 60 minutes of free parking while you wait.

For more on parking, payments or how it all works at the gate, check out our Parking FAQs. You can also follow us on social or sign up for our Parking Deals newsletter to get tips, updates and the latest parking offers sent straight to your inbox.