Flying out sooner than expected? Summer flights fill fast this time of year, especially when sales drop early. If your trip came together quickly, the good news is your last-minute parking still can too.

Here at Melbourne Airport, we have onsite parking options that make it easy to plan spontaneous summer escapes. You’ll be close to your terminal, with less to juggle on the day you fly. So whether you're heading off for a week or just doing a quick airport run, here’s how to keep things simple from the start.

Yes, subject to availability. You can book airport parking from 12 months in advance up until 2 hours before you arrive at the airport car park, so it’s still possible to plan parking on the same day you travel.

Keep in mind that summer is one of our busiest times of year, and parking can fill quickly. Booking earlier gives you more choice and helps you avoid making last-minute changes to your travel plans.

To book now, head to melbourneairport.com.au/parking-transport and follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose your entry and exit times, travel dates and terminal.

Step 2: Pick the parking option that best matches your trip.

Step 3: Add your details and select your payment method. We accept debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Step 4: You’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code.

Step 5: Use that QR code as your parking ticket when you enter and exit the car park.

Yes. All online bookings come with a built-in grace period on both sides of your entry time and exit time. That means if your booking is under four hours, you’ll get an extra hour either side. If you’re parked for longer, you’ll have a two-hour window before and after your booked times. It’s designed to give you more flexibility on the day, especially if your schedule shifts or you run into road delays and disruptions on your way in.

If your plans change after you’ve already parked, you can also update your exit time through Manage My Booking up to two hours before your booked exit.

For added peace of mind, you can add Overstay Guarantee during booking. It’s useful if your return flight is delayed due to airline cancellations, border closures or illnesses. This optional add-on covers unexpected changes that affect your return time.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to airport parking. Some need to park and walk straight to check-in, while others are heading off for longer stretches and need a more practical long-term parking option. Whether it’s short-term parking for a same-day trip or a longer holiday, here are onsite parking options that line up with how you travel:

• Value car park: If you're heading off on a longer summer break, the Value car park is the most budget-friendly option. It's an open-air car park with entry via Mercer Drive or Airport Drive and a free shuttle bus service that runs every 15 minutes, 24/7. The bus stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. During peak travel periods like the summer school holidays, you can book Value Express. It's a seasonal valet-style service where you just drop off your car near Bus Stop B while our team takes care of the parking for you.
• Terminal car parks: If you prefer to park closer to the terminals, the Terminal car parks put you within minutes of check-in. There are two locations:
  • The Terminal T123 car park links directly to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via a covered bridge, ideal if you're flying Qantas, Virgin Australia or heading overseas.
  • The T4 car park is just 100 metres from the Terminal 4 entrance and ideal for travellers flying Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways or even Virgin Australia.

Both locations are just a short walk from check-in, so they work well if you’ve booked a flight last minute and want to keep things simple on the day. You can park short-term or long-term, with a mix of undercover and open-air parking spaces across both car parks.

• Premium Self Park: If you’re flying out soon and want to stay in control on the day, Premium Self Park gives you just that. Located on Level 1 of both the T123 car park and the T4 car park, this option gives you the closest parking bays to the terminal entry points. That means you’ll only be a few minutes walk from check-in. You’ll get prime undercover spots, which helps during hot summer days or early morning flights.
• Premium Valet: If you’re short on time and don’t want to think about parking at all, this valet parking service keeps things simple. Just book ahead, drive into Level 1 of the T123 car park, hand over your keys and head straight to check-in while our team parks your car for you. There’s no searching for a bay and no added steps. It’s a quick option that works well if you're flying early, carrying luggage or just want to move straight through to the terminal.
• Qantas Valet: This parking option keeps things quick when you’re heading off in a hurry. It’s located on Level 1 of the T123 car park and open to all travellers, not just Qantas passengers. But if you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer, you'll earn points every time you park here. There's no booking required. So you just drive in, hand over your keys and head straight to the terminal. You can also request an optional car cleaning service while you're away so you can come home to a freshly cleaned car.

All our car parks have accessible parking bays close to terminal entries, lifts or shuttle stops. So if you or someone in your group needs extra help getting to the terminal, you can pre-book Kerbside Assistance for support from drop-off to check-in. Your airline can also arrange Terminal Assistance.

Before you book, it’s worth checking the height restrictions for your selected car park. That way, you’ll avoid surprises and know your vehicle fits on arrival.

No. You’ll get the best rates if you pre-book parking early. If you book online, you’ll pay less than drive-up parking rates. Booking airport parking ahead of time also gives you more choice, which can be especially helpful during peak travel periods like summer.

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Already parked and need more time? You can extend your stay through Manage My Booking. Just log in, update your exit date and time, and you’re good to go. This is especially useful if your return flight changes or your summer trip ends up running longer than planned.

If you haven’t arrived yet, you can also use Manage My Booking to cancel or change your booking details. Updates can be made up to two hours before arrival, giving you flexibility if your travel times shift after booking.

Even if you’ve grabbed a New Year sales deal last minute, sorting airport parking doesn’t have to be a scramble. Here at Melbourne Airport, we have onsite parking options that get you parked and ready for take-off.

Doing a quick pick-up or drop-off instead? The Wait Zone on Mercer Drive gives you 60 minutes of free parking, or you can use any Terminal car park for up to 15 minutes before regular parking fees apply. If you’re unsure where to head, check out our car park maps, read through our FAQs or reach out to our team. We’re always happy to help.