Flying out for a few days? Obviously, short-term parking makes sense. Gone for a week or more? Long-term parking is definitely the better call. It's that simple, right? Well, not always.

The cost difference isn’t always as big as you’d expect. And depending on how close you want to be to the terminal, how often you travel, or even what time your flight lands, one option might suit you better than the other, regardless of how long you’re away.

At Melbourne Airport, you'll find both short-term and long-term parking options on-site. Our airport car parks are close to the terminals, easy to access, and priced flexibly depending on how long you’re staying. So, instead of guessing, you can pick the one that works best for your trip.

Knowing what’s available is the first step to choosing the right one. Melbourne Airport has five onsite parking options, all within walking distance or a quick shuttle ride to the terminals.

• Qantas Valet Car Park: Flying from Terminal 1? The Qantas Valet Car Park, located on Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2, 3 Car Park, gets you closest to check-in. There's no need to pre-book parking here. Just drive up, hand over your keys, and let the valet parking staff park your car for you. While you're away, you can add optional extras like car cleaning.
• Premium Valet Car Park: Like Qantas Valet, the Premium Valet Car Park is located on Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2, 3 Car Park, giving travellers quick access to check-in. Parking spaces here are in prime locations and are ideal for those short on time and want a valet parking service more cost-effective than Qantas Valet.
• Premium Self-Park: If you’d rather park your own car, this is the closest self-parking option to the terminals. This car park offers fully undercover parking spots on Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2, 3 Car Park and Level 1 of the Terminal 4 Car Park.
• Terminal Car Park: Just near the terminals, this car park connects to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via a covered link bridge and is 100 metres from Terminal 4. It’s ideal for travellers flying from both the domestic and international airport.
• Value Car Park: The Value Car Park is Melbourne Airport’s most cost-effective parking option. It's an open-air parking area located a little farther from the terminals, but a free shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes round the clock. During peak travel times like school holidays, you may upgrade to Value Express. This optional upgrade gives you valet-like service for a one-time fee of $24.

Each parking lot is set up a little differently. So how do you know which one actually suits your trip? It mostly comes down to how long you're planning to be away.

Short-term parking rates at Melbourne Airport apply only to stays under six hours. After that, daily rates kick in, so knowing how long you’ll be parked can make a real difference to what you end up paying.

• If you want to park close to the terminals, the Terminal Car Park makes the most sense. The first 15 minutes are free, then drive-up rates start at $17 and cap at $52 for six hours. But if you book online, rates start from $49 per day.
• The Premium Car Parks (Premium Self-Park and Premium Valet) and the Qantas Valet Car Park also offer short-term parking, but at higher rates. Drive-up rates start from $27 and cap at $84 for six hours. Qantas Valet starts at $40 and goes up to $99 within that same timeframe. If booked online, the rates start from $79 per day for the Premium Car Parks.

So what does this mean for travellers? If your stay is close to the six-hour mark, it’s worth checking online daily rates. In some cases, booking parking ahead, even for a short trip, can work out cheaper than paying drive-up rates.

For example:

• Planning a quick getaway? Let’s say you’re flying out on a Saturday afternoon and plan to park for around five and a half hours. If you drive up to the Terminal Car Park, you’ll pay up to $52. But if you book online, daily rates start from $49. Even though you’re not staying overnight, booking ahead still works out cheaper.
• Dropping a friend off? You’re not just doing a quick kerbside drop-off—you want to walk your friend in, grab a coffee, and say goodbye properly. You stay for about four and a half hours in the Premium Car Park. The drive-up rate can hit $84, while online rates start from $79 per day. The difference is small, but if you plan ahead, you might lock in a better deal than paying drive-up pricing on the day.
• Got a business meeting at the airport? You’re not flying, but you’re meeting a colleague who has a long layover. You park at the Terminal Car Park for about six hours. That’ll cost you $52 at drive-up rates. But if you know your plans in advance, you could book online instead and pay from $49 per day, saving you a few dollars even on a same-day visit.

But if you’re here for just a quick pick-up or drop-off, head to the Wait Zone on Mercer Drive instead. It offers free parking for up to one hour and is the best choice if your passenger is still making their way through baggage claim or you’ve arrived a little early to drop someone off.

If you're heading away for more than a day, long-term airport parking is usually the smarter choice. It keeps your parking cost steady and predictable, especially over multi-day stays where short-term rates can quickly add up.

The Value Car Park is the best fit here. It’s designed with longer trips in mind and offers the lowest daily rates at Melbourne Airport. It’s a popular long-term car park for holidaymakers, FIFO workers, and business travellers who want to keep parking simple and affordable. And because it’s on-site, you still get convenient access to the terminals with the free shuttle service.

Online rates start from $12 a day, which is often cheaper than drive-up parking charges and far less than what you'd pay if you stayed in a short-term car park for the same amount of time.

A few small decisions can make a big difference to your parking cost. Here’s how to get the best value when parking at Melbourne Airport:

Know your options before you book. Parking can be pre-booked online from 12 months out, up until two hours before your planned arrival. Knowing what’s available ahead of time gives you more choice across all parking facilities.

• Book online. Online parking rates are cheaper than drive-up prices across every airport parking option. You can compare options, choose what suits your trip, and book in just a few clicks.
• Add the Overstay Guarantee. For longer trips or uncertain return times, it’s a helpful extra that gives you peace of mind. If your return flight is delayed or cancelled due to airline disruption, it helps you avoid extra fees.
• Make use of the built-in grace period. Every online booking includes a buffer on either side of your selected exit date—up to two hours for longer stays. That means enough time to get to the precinct even with unexpected delays and disruptions on the road.
• Look out for seasonal offers. Sign up to Melbourne Airport’s Parking Deals newsletter to stay updated on new discounts, travel tips and occasional promotions.

Once you’ve chosen your car park, booking online is quick and secure. You can pay using Google Pay, Apple Pay or a debit/credit card. And if your plans change and you need an additional day, you can modify through Manage My Booking up to two hours before your arrival.

From quick stops to longer stays, parking onsite at Melbourne Airport gives you flexibility, convenience, and better value when you book online. To make planning even easier, you can check the parking maps to see where each car park is located and browse the FAQs for help with things like rates, booking changes or shuttle access.

Once you’ve figured out how long you’ll be away, choosing the right parking becomes a lot easier. With online booking, you can compare options, plan around your terminal, and start every trip on the right foot.