Autumn is a great time to travel, whether you're flying out for a quick break or an international flight. With the school holidays around the corner, a little planning can make your parking experience even easier.

From picking the right car park to knowing the best times to arrive, small steps can help you get from parking to check-in without delay. Here’s how to make Melbourne Airport parking smoother for your autumn getaway.

Getting to your flight on time starts with a smooth parking experience. From knowing when to pre-book to choosing the right car park for your travel plans and making the most of parking services, here’s how to start your autumn getaway right:

1. Choose the Right Car Park for Your Trip

Your travel plans will determine the best parking space for your trip. Do you need short-term or long-term parking? Would you rather take the shuttle service or enjoy the convenience of Valet Parking? At Melbourne Airport, there are on-site car parks designed to suit these varying needs. Choose from:

• Value Car Park: A budget-friendly open-air parking option with a free shuttle bus running every 15 minutes, 24/7. During the autumn school holidays, you can upgrade to Value Express. With this upgrade, you can drop off your car near Bus Stop B, and our parking staff will park it for you. You can add this when booking online or upgrade on arrival.
• Terminal Car Park: A convenient onsite parking option just a short walk from all terminals. Available in two locations (T1 T2 T3 Terminal Car Park and T4 Terminal Car Park), it offers undercover and open-air self-parking options, and is a great short-term parking choice for both weekend trips and for longer trips.
• Premium Self-Park: These are the closest self-parking spaces to the terminals and are entirely undercover. They’re a great choice for travellers wanting a faster route to check-in, but still want to park their own car. Available in two locations: at Level 1 of the T1 T2 T3 Terminal Car Park, and at Level 1 of the T4 Terminal Car Park.
• Premium Valet: For the smoothest start to your autumn trip, let the Premium Valet service take care of parking for you. Just drop off your car, hand over your keys, and head to check-in while the valet parking team does the rest. Located at Level 1 of the T1 T2 T3 Terminal Car Park, Premium Valet operates 24/7.
• Qantas Valet: The most convenient valet parking option for Qantas passengers, but also available to travellers flying with other airlines. For added convenience, you can book an optional car cleaning service. Qantas Frequent Flyers also earn points for parking here.

2. Book Early for the Best Rates

Booking ahead gives you access to cheaper online rates compared to drive-up rates. You can book up to 12 months in advance or as little as two hours before your entry time. Simply select your entry time and exit date, choose a parking option, and pay using a credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Subscribe to Melbourne Airport’s Parking Deals newsletter to receive exclusive discounts, upgrade offers, and parking tips.

3. Consider Adding an Overstay Guarantee for Unexpected Changes

An Overstay Guarantee helps you avoid extra charges if your return is delayed. This add-on covers flight cancellations and other unexpected disruptions, so you won’t have to worry about overstaying your booking.

If your travel plans change, you still have flexibility. You can cancel or modify your entry/exit date through Manage My Booking up to two hours before your scheduled time. If you need to make changes within the two-hour window, you may contact our customer service for assistance.

4. Take Advantage of Grace Periods

All online bookings come with a built-in grace period, so there’s no need to rush if your autumn getaway doesn’t go exactly to plan. A one-hour grace period applies to bookings under four hours, while a two-hour grace period applies to longer stays.

This extra time applies both before your entry time and after your exit time, giving you more flexibility without extra charges. If you stay beyond the grace period, drive-up rates may apply.

5. Plan for Accessibility if Needed

Melbourne Airport offers accessible parking in every onsite car park, with designated spaces close to terminal entrances for travellers with a valid Accessible Parking Permit. Lifts with wide doors, low-height controls, and Braille panels provide seamless access from the moment you arrive. Help is also available on demand, but if you need special assistance, you can book that in advance to help make your trip even smoother.

If you're assisting someone and hold a Companion Card, you may be eligible for a refund on Terminal Car Park fees for stays of two hours or less, provided you show proof of travel.

6. Allow Extra Time for Road Delays and Disruptions

Melbourne’s autumn weather can bring rain, fog, and unpredictable conditions, which may slow traffic around Tullamarine. Roadworks and peak-hour congestion can also add extra travel time, especially during the school holidays. Plan ahead by allowing enough time to reach the airport, park your car, and get to check-in without rushing.

7. Keep Your QR Code Handy

A QR code is required to enter and exit the car park for all online bookings. To avoid delays, save it on your phone by taking a screenshot or adding it to your digital wallet, or print a copy before you arrive at Melbourne Airport.

8. Know Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zones

If you're picking someone up, the Wait Zone on Mercer Drive offers up to 60 minutes of free parking, so you can wait nearby before heading to the terminal.

For quick pick-ups and drop-offs, dedicated zones are available at each terminal:

• Terminals 1, 2 & 3: Pick-up is on the ground level, while drop-off is on Departure Drive, Level 2.
• Terminal 4: Pick-up is on Level 1 of the T4 Terminal Car Park, and drop-off is on Level 2.

If you need extra time, Terminal Car Park offers 15 minutes of free parking, making it easy to meet passengers without rushing.

Parking onsite at Melbourne Airport puts you closer to the domestic and international terminals, giving you extra time before your flight. With no need for offsite transfers, you can head straight to check-in and still have time to pick up travel essentials and grab a coffee or a quick bite.

With everything just minutes away, onsite parking makes the start of your autumn getaway easier and more convenient, so you can relax and focus on the trip ahead.