How To Get Back To Your Melbourne Airport Value Car Park After You Land

The last stretch of any trip is always the same: bags collected, terminal behind you and the drive home just ahead. But if you parked in one of Melbourne Airport’s Value Car Parks, how do you get back to your car after landing? Easy. The same 24/7 free bus service that took you to the terminal also brings you back to the car park, with buses running every 15 minutes.

The Value North and Value South Car Parks each run their own free shuttle service, though. So where you catch the bus back depends on which Value Car Park you parked in. For Value North, use the pick-up point outside Terminal 1 if you landed at T1 or T2, or outside Terminal 4, next to the SkyBus stop, if you arrived at T3 or T4. If you're parked at Value South, head to Bus Lane 1, Bay 3 at the T4 Transport Hub, whichever terminal you came through.

Melbourne Airport's Value Car Parks are open-air, self-parking car parks within the airport precinct, each with its own free bus service running every 15 minutes, 24/7, to stops near the terminals. They're the most affordable long-term car park option, and with a flat daily rate, they offer good value for money on a short-term trip too.

Here's how parking at the Value Car Parks works:

• Take Exit 18 off the Tullamarine Freeway and follow the airport signage to your Value Car Park choice. The Value North Car Park has entrances off Airport Drive and Mercer Drive, while the Value South Car Park is accessible via Airport Drive.
• Drive through the boom gate and find an available bay. If you have mobility needs, Accessible Parking bays at Value North are positioned nearest to Bus Shelter A, and those at Value South are nearest to Bus Shelter J. A valid Accessible Parking Permit must be displayed to use the bays, and both buses are wheelchair friendly. Both car parks are open-air with a 3.3-metre height clearance, so SUVs, 4WDs and campervans have no trouble pulling in.
• Before you head to the bus stop, take a note of your section number. You'll thank yourself for it when you get back.
• Head to your nearest bus stop and take the free shuttle bus to the Melbourne Airport terminal area. Value North Car Park buses stop outside Terminal 1 for Qantas and Terminal 4 for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways, with short walks to Terminals 2 and 3. Value South Car Park buses run directly to the T4 Transport Hub.
• When you land back in, the same service takes you back to your Value Car Park.

Getting back to the Value North Car Park after landing means catching the free bus from one of two pick-up points, both clearly marked with orange Value North Car Park signs. If you arrived at Terminal 1 (Qantas domestic) or Terminal 2 (international), the bus stop is directly outside Terminal 1. If you landed at Terminal 3 or Terminal 4, the stop is outside Terminal 4, right next to the SkyBus stop. The bus runs every 15 minutes, around the clock.

Not sure which way to go? Ask one of our Experience Ambassadors. Easy to spot throughout the terminals in their pink jackets, these community volunteers know the precinct well and genuinely love helping travellers find their way. If you're in Terminal 4, look out for staff in Melbourne Airport lanyards. They're always happy to help with directions.

Once the bus arrives, hop on. When you get off, the section number you noted when you parked is all you need. Accidentally boarded the Value South Car Park bus instead? Stay on it to the T4 Transport Hub drop-off, then walk towards Terminal 4. The Value North Car Park bus stop is right outside, next to the SkyBus stop.

The return to the Value South Car Park is the same route every time, no matter which terminal you landed at. Exit your terminal, turn right and walk to the T4 Transport Hub. Whether you flew in on a Virgin Australia flight from Terminal 3 or arrived at Terminal 4, follow the signs to Bus Lane 1, Bay 3. Ask one of our Experience Ambassadors in pink jackets for help if you’re not sure which way to go.

Once you're there, hop on. The bus runs directly back to the Value South Car Park with no stops in between. If you accidentally boarded the Value North Car Park bus, stay on it to Terminal 4, get off and turn left, and then walk to the T4 Transport Hub. Look for Bus Lane 1, Bay 3 and board the Value South Car Park bus. When you get off, the section you jotted down on the way in will take you straight to your car.

Can't find your car or can't remember which bay you parked in? Both Value Car Parks have HELP buttons at every bus shelter and at the entry and exit boom gates. Press one to connect to our friendly customer service team, and we'll send someone out to you.

The team is available around the clock, every day of the year, so it doesn't matter what time your flight got in. When you make contact, have your car registration number and the day and time you entered the car park ready. That's all they need to track down your car and get you on your way.

Flight delayed? If you drove up and paid on the day, there's not much to think about. You'll pay for the time you were in the car park when you exit at drive-up rates. But if you pre-booked your parking online, you've got a lot more room to move if your flight ever runs late.

Here's how an online booking helps:

• Online bookings come with a grace period built right in. For a pre-booked stay of more than 4 hours, there's a 2-hour buffer after your exit time before any extra charges kick in. Under 4 hours? That buffer is 1 hour. This buffer applies automatically, so if your delay falls within that window, you don't need to do a thing.
• If you know you'll need more time than the grace period covers, head to the My Bookings page and extend your stay before your booked exit time. You can do this from your phone while you're still waiting for your connection.

For delays genuinely beyond your control, the Overstay Guarantee is there for exactly this. Add it when you book online for a small upfront fee. It covers overstay charges if your return is delayed by a cancelled flight with no replacement offered, a government-mandated border closure, or an illness that prevents you from getting home. Approved refunds are processed within 14 working days.

Melbourne Airport’s Value Car Parks offer excellent value on any trip, and you can book parking as early as 12 months before you fly. Head to the Parking & Transport page to compare options and lock in a better rate than what you’ll pay at the gate.

Travelling with accessibility needs? There’s Accessible Parking across all Melbourne Airport car parks. You can also book special assistance from our Melbourne Airport Assist team at least 24 hours before you arrive for free wheelchair assistance and buggy transfers from the Arrivals Hall to ground transport hubs.

Got more questions? Visit our Parking FAQs for quick answers to the most common ones. For parking offers, tips and seasonal deals sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to our Parking Deals newsletter and follow Melbourne Airport on social media.