Seen New International Routes Launching? Plan Airport Parking Early

Melbourne Airport is opening more doors to international destinations. New routes have just launched to Doha, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with more set for 2026, including flights to Colombo and Helsinki. With more airlines now flying from Melbourne Airport, it’s a good time to sort the practical stuff early, like airport parking.

If you want less to manage on the day you fly, you can pre-book airport parking ahead of time online. There are onsite car parks that put you close to the international terminal, so you’re only minutes away from check-in.

Premium Car Park gets you closer to the terminals than any other parking option. It has two locations: Level 1 of the T123 Terminal Car Park and Level 1 of the T4 Terminal Car Park. For international travel, the Premium Car Park at the T123 Terminal Car Park offers easier access to terminal entry points and keeps your walk to check-in short.

Here’s why the Premium Car Park works well for international travel:

• Linked to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered bridge
• A few minutes walk to the international terminal
• Undercover parking spaces to keep your car out of the weather
• Prime spots near terminal entry points

With more international routes now departing from Melbourne, longer trips are becoming more common. If you’re planning to be away for a while, the Value Car Park and Terminal Car Parks are two of the most cost-effective onsite options.

• Value Car Park: This is an open-air car park with entrances on Airport Drive and Mercer Drive. A free shuttle service runs every 15 minutes, 24/7, taking you to Terminals 1 and 4. From there, it’s a short walk to Terminal 2. It suits longer trips and travellers looking for the lowest daily rate.
• Value Express: If your flight is during peak travel periods like school holidays, this seasonal valet parking option within the Value Car Park lets you drop off your car at the Value Express area near Bus Stop B. Our team then parks it for you, so you can hop on the next shuttle bus.
• Terminal Car Parks: Located at both the T123 and the T4 Terminal Car Park, our Terminal Car Parks offer a mix of open-air and undercover bays. They're a practical option for international flyers, whether you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia or another airline.

These parking options support short-term and long-term parking. Booking online ahead of your scheduled flight gives you more choice and helps you avoid paying higher drive-up rates.

If your flight’s locked in and you’d rather keep things simple on the day, valet parking can help. It’s quick, direct, and takes parking off your list completely. There are two valet parking options onsite at Melbourne Airport:

• Melbourne Airport Valet is located on Level 1 of the T123 Terminal Car Park. You can book parking online, drive in, hand over your keys, and head straight to check-in. It’s a good fit for early flights or if you don’t want to spend time finding a bay. Want your car cleaned before you fly home? Speak to our Valet team, and we’ll arrange that for you.
• Qantas Valet is also on Level 1 of the T123 Terminal Car Park. There’s no booking required here, so you just drive up and hand over your keys. The service is open to all travellers, not just Qantas passengers, but Qantas Frequent Flyers earn points every time they park here. Those parked here can also request a car wash, so they come home to a freshly cleaned car.

If your flights are locked in and your visa is ready, there’s no reason to wait. You can book parking online up to 12 months ahead. The earlier you confirm your entry date and exit date, the more options you’ll have and the better the parking rates you’ll pay.

To book online, just head to melbourneairport.com.au/parking-transport, click on Book Parking Online and follow these steps:

Step 1: Select your entry date and exit date, select your terminal and add a promo code if you’ve got one.

Step 2: Pick the parking option that suits your trip.

Step 3: Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit or credit card.

Step 4: Check your email for your booking confirmation and your Parking QR code.

Yes. Parking bookings at Melbourne Airport give you some flexibility. Every online booking includes a built-in grace period. So if your booking is under four hours, you’ll get one hour extra either side of your entry and exit times. For bookings over four hours, that extends to two hours. This can help if you hit traffic or get held up by roadworks around Tullamarine.

You can also update and manage your booking through My bookings. Changes can be made online up to two hours before your entry time, or anytime before your scheduled exit if you want to extend your stay.

For extra coverage, you can add Overstay Guarantee when booking parking. It’s an optional add-on that covers delays caused by airline cancellations, border closures, or illnesses, so you’re not caught out if plans change at the last minute.

ith new international routes now flying and busy periods across both the international and domestic terminals, planning airport parking early gives you more choice, more time, and fewer last-minute decisions on the day you travel.

Just doing a quick airport run? Use the dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones, or head to the Wait Zone near Airport Drive and the Tullamarine Freeway for 60 minutes of free parking.

Need accessible parking facilities? Visit our Online Mobility Hub or check the Parking FAQs for quick answers to all your questions. You can also sign up to Melbourne Airport’s Parking Deals newsletter for tips, advice and offers sent straight to your inbox.