The Most Common Melbourne Airport Parking FAQs Answered by the Airport Itself

Melbourne is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and our airport is growing with it. More than 36 million passengers came through our terminals last year, and that number is expected to keep climbing in the years ahead. That means more people figuring out where to park and why it pays to sort parking ahead of time.

If you're flying out, doing an airport run or planning a longer trip and you've got questions about airport parking, you'll find the answers right here. Straight from us, straight to the point.

Melbourne Airport offers six onsite parking options available for all kinds of travellers, from those looking for open-air budget parking to premium valet service. Here's what you need to know about each:

• Value Car Park: This is Melbourne Airport's most affordable onsite parking option. It's an open-air parking area accessible from Mercer Drive or Airport Drive, with a free bus service running every 15 minutes, 24/7. If you're flying Qantas domestically or departing internationally from Terminal 2, hop off at the Terminal 1 stop. Flying Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Rex or Link Airways from Terminals 3 or 4? The Terminal 4 stop is the better fit.
• Value Express: Available during peak travel periods like school holidays, Value Express is a seasonal valet parking service within the Value Car Park. Drop your car at Bus Stop B, and one of our team members will take care of parking it for you. You can pre-book Value Express online or upgrade on arrival, subject to availability. It's a good fit if you're after affordable parking but don't want to search for a parking space.
• Terminal Car Parks: There are two locations, both within easy walking distance of the terminals. The T123 Terminal Car Park connects to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 via a covered link bridge, ideal if you're flying Qantas domestically, travelling internationally or catching a Virgin Australia flight. The T4 Terminal Car Park sits just 100 metres from Terminal 4, making it the natural choice for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways passengers. Both locations offer a mix of open-air and undercover parking bays.
• Premium Car Parks: These car parks offer the closest self park bays to the terminal entrances, located on Level 1 of both the T123 and T4 Car Parks. Every bay is fully undercover, so you're protected from the weather the moment you step out of your car. It's a short walk to check-in from either location, which makes it a popular choice for early morning flights, short trips and anyone travelling with extra luggage.
• Melbourne Airport Valet: Drive to Level 1 of the T123 Car Park, hand your keys to our team and walk straight to check-in. That's it. No circling for a bay, no lugging bags across the car park and no trying to remember where you parked when you land. Our team parks your car for you and has it ready when you return. Optional car cleaning is also available, so your car can be freshly cleaned and waiting for you on arrival.
• Qantas Valet: Located on Level 1 of the T123 Car Park, this valet service sits closest to the Terminal 1 entrance. So if you're flying Qantas domestically, the walk to check-in is about as short as it gets. Drive in, hand over your keys, and you're on your way. While Qantas Valet is perfectly positioned for Qantas passengers, it's open to all travellers. Qantas Frequent Flyers earn points on every stay, and optional car cleaning is available while you're away so your car is ready and waiting when you land.

The answer depends on which airline you're flying with, as each airline operates from a specific airport terminal.

• Terminal 1 serves Qantas domestic flights.
• Terminal 2 handles all international flights.
• Terminal 3 is home to Virgin Australia domestic flights.
• Terminal 4 serves domestic flights by Jetstar, Link Airways and Rex.

For Terminals 1, 2 and 3, the T123 Car Park connects directly via a covered link bridge. It's only a few minutes' walk to the terminals. For Terminal 4, the T4 Car Park is just 100 metres away. If you want the closest self-parking bays to the terminal entrances, the Premium Car Parks sit right at the top of the list.

Motorcycle parking is available in all Melbourne Airport car parks. If you're riding to the terminals, the designated parking area in the T123 Terminal Car Park is on the Ground Floor near the exit gates. Standard car parking rates apply for motorcycles across all car parks. If you're cycling to the airport, bicycle racks are available on the Ground Floor of the T123 Terminal Car Park.

You can pre-book parking up to 12 months in advance, with a minimum booking window of 2 hours before your arrival time. Online parking rates are cheaper than drive-up rates, and booking early generally gives you access to the best available rates. Plus, the closer you get to your travel date, the more limited your options may be.

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Online parking rates are cheaper than drive-up rates. But booking online comes with a few other advantages than just the price. When you book your parking online, you also get:

• A grace period built into every booking. If you're running early or your flight runs late, you've got a 1-hour buffer on either side for bookings under 4 hours. For stays over 4 hours, that buffer extends to 2 hours on both ends.
• A QR code sent straight to your email and optionally via SMS, so entry and exit at the boom gate is fast and easy. Save it to your phone's photo gallery or digital wallet for easy access.
• Free amendments and cancellations up to 2 hours before your booked arrival time via the My Bookings page. You can also extend your stay through the same platform after you've already parked, with additional charges applying if your new booking time exceeds the original.
• The option to add the Overstay Guarantee at the time of booking. For a one-time fee, it covers overstay charges if your return is delayed due to a flight cancellation where no replacement flight was offered, a government-mandated border closure, or physical illness preventing you from travelling.

Parking rates at Melbourne Airport vary depending on which car park you choose, how long you stay and whether you book online or drive up on the day. Online bookings are always cheaper than drive-up rates, so booking ahead is worth it.

For live rates across all parking options, head to Melbourne Airport’s Parking & Transport page, tap on ‘Book parking online’, enter your travel dates and compare prices in real time.

For online bookings, Melbourne Airport accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Google Pay and Apple Pay. There are no booking fees or credit card fees. If you drive up without a pre-booking, tap your credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay at the boom gate to enter, then use the same payment method to exit.

If you've already made an online booking, always use your QR code at the gate. Tapping a credit card when you have an active booking will result in a separate charge. If you realise the mistake before exiting, press and hold the Help button on the exit gate machine, and our customer service team will sort it out for you. If you've already exited and been charged, you can apply for a parking refund online.

At the boom gate, scan your QR code to enter, then scan it again at the exit gate when you leave. If you can't find your confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder first. You can also resend it via the My Bookings page.

For further assistance, press and hold the Help button on the gate machine and have your booking reference number ready. Our customer service team is available 24/7 and will get you sorted.

Yes, Melbourne Airport's parking grace period automatically applies to both your arrival time and exit time. For short stays under 4 hours, that’s a 1-hour grace period before and after your booked times. For bookings over 4 hours, that extends to 2 hours on either side. So if your booking runs from 8 am to 8 pm, you can arrive as early as 6 am or leave as late as 10 pm without any extra charges.

To cancel or amend your parking booking, head to the My Bookings page and follow the prompts. Cancellations and amendments are free of charge up to 2 hours before your booked arrival time. If your new booking costs more than your original, you'll pay the difference. If you cancel, your refund is returned to your original payment method. Banks can take up to 5 business days to process it.

Already parked and need more time? You can extend your stay online through the My Bookings page at any point after you've entered the car park and before your exit. Additional charges apply if your new exit time extends beyond your original booking.

Need to cancel within 2 hours of your booked arrival time? Call our customer service team directly on +61 3 9297 1318.

If you stay beyond your booked exit time and exceed the grace period, additional charges apply at Melbourne Airport's drive-up rates. When you're ready to leave, scan your QR code at the exit gate as usual. The screen will display any additional charges, which you can pay on the spot with a credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.

If you know you need more time, you can extend your stay online through the My Bookings page before your booked exit time.

Added the Overstay Guarantee to your booking? You may be eligible for a refund if your return was delayed due to an airline cancellation, border closure, or physical illness. To claim, visit the Melbourne Airport Parking Refunds page, complete your details and upload your supporting documentation. Approved refunds are processed within 14 working days.

Yes. Melbourne Airport's Corporate Parking Program is designed specifically for businesses that send employees through the airport regularly. Members receive 15% off drive-up rates for Terminal Car Parks, Premium Car Parks and Melbourne Airport Valet.

Each account comes with up to 50 transferable parking access cards, so team members can share them as travel plans shift. You'll also get a 30-day monthly credit account with itemised statements, making it straightforward to track and manage your company's travel expenses. The initial contract runs for 12 months with automatic monthly renewals, and opting out only requires 30 days' notice.

Using Melbourne Airport Valet through the Corporate Parking Program may also help reduce your company's fringe benefits tax liability. With the vehicle in valet, the number of days it's available for private use may be reduced, which can work in your favour come tax time.

Melbourne Airport has dedicated accessible parking bays in every onsite car park, located as close as possible to the terminal entrances, lifts and bus stops. To use them, display a valid Disability Parking Permit. If you need the original permit for your travels, a clearly visible photocopy is accepted.

If you need special assistance on the day of travel, Melbourne Airport Assist provides kerbside assistance and operates Monday to Sunday, 6 am to 10 pm. Pre-book at least 24 hours in advance, or approach staff at any of the car parks on the day. For same-day assistance, you can contact our Melbourne Airport Assist team on 0492 868 960.

For help outside of those operating hours, contact our After Hours Help team. Send us an email at [email protected] at least 24 hours before your travel date. Once your booking is confirmed and on the day of travel, call us on +61 3 9297 1318 (9 am to 5 pm) or on 0435 696 814 (outside business hours) at least 15 minutes before you arrive.

If you need wheelchair assistance through the terminal or to the aircraft, contact your airline. Due to occupational health and safety requirements, this type of assistance falls outside what our staff can provide, but airlines have well-established procedures in place for exactly this. The earlier you let them know, the smoother your experience through the terminal will be.

Melbourne Airport has free Pick Up and Drop Off zones at all terminals, clearly signposted from the Tullamarine Freeway. All zones have a strict 1-minute standing time limit, so make sure your passenger is ready and waiting before you pull in.

• Pick Up zones for Qantas (T1), international airlines (T2) and Virgin Australia (T3) are located on Arrival Drive, on the Ground Floor of the T123 forecourt.
• Drop Off zones are located on Departure Drive, out the front of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
• For Jetstar and Rex passengers at Terminal 4, Pick Up is on Level 1 of the T4 Transport Hub and Drop Off is on Level 2.

Due to ongoing construction in the T123 forecourt, delays of up to an hour are possible during peak times. To avoid congestion, we recommend using the T4 Car Park Pick Up and Drop Off facilities instead, just a 10-minute walk from Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

As part of the Naarm Way Stage 2 project, new permanent Pick Up and Drop Off zones are expected to open in the T123 Transport Hub in Spring 2026.

Yes. The Wait Zone on Mercer Drive, just off the Tullamarine Freeway, is free for the first 60 minutes. It's the perfect spot to wait in your car while your passenger clears customs or collects their bags. The Terminal Car Parks also offer the first 15 minutes free for drive-up customers, ideal for a quick drop-off or a short-term park while you help with luggage.

A smoother parking experience starts with a little planning ahead. Book parking early to access the best rates, compare parking options that suit your preferences and arrive at the airport knowing exactly where you're headed.

On the day, add at least 60 minutes to your travel time to Tullamarine. Road delays and disruptions are common near the airport, especially during peak hours and school holidays. A quick check on Google Maps before you leave home can also save you a lot of unnecessary rushing once you get close.