How To Park at Melbourne Airport's Value Car Parks for First Timers

As one of the country’s busiest 24/7 airports connecting Victoria to the rest of the world, Melbourne Airport welcomes more than 36 million passengers a year. For many of those passengers, the first stop on the way to their terminal is the car park. But if you’re travelling on a budget and parking onsite for the first time, where should you park?

The Value Car Parks offer the most budget-friendly onsite parking options at Melbourne Airport. Both the Value North and Value South Car Parks are open-air car parks within the airport precinct, so you stay on airport grounds while keeping your parking low-cost. Which one suits your trip depends on which terminal you're flying from.

Among all Melbourne Airport car parks, the Value Car Parks make the most sense for budget-conscious travellers, especially those flying out for more than a day or two. They’re the airport’s low-cost parking options for anyone who wants to keep parking costs down without leaving the precinct.

Here's what makes them work for first-timers:

• You stay within the airport precinct, with no off-site transfers to organise on either end of your trip.
• The daily parking rates are the lowest among the onsite parking options at Melbourne Airport.
• A free bus service runs every 15 minutes, 24/7, with stops near the airport terminals. The Value North Car Park bus stops near Terminals 1 and 4, with short walks to Terminal 2 (international) and Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia). The Value South Car Park bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub, a short walk to Terminal 4 for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways and Terminal 3 for Virgin Australia passengers.
• Dedicated Accessible Parking bays are available in both Value Car Parks. In the Value North Car Park, bays are closest to Bus Shelter A. In the Value South Car Park, bays are closest to Bus Shelter J. A valid Accessible Parking Permit must be displayed to use these designated bays.
• The buses are wheelchair-friendly, so the trip from the car park to the terminals is accessible for travellers with mobility needs.
• You can bring vehicles up to 3.3 metres tall, which gives larger SUVs, 4WDs and campervans plenty of room.

You don't have to pre-book parking online to park at Melbourne Airport’s Value Car Parks. You can drive up on the day, tap your credit card at the boom gate, and you're in. But online bookings usually give you better rates than if you pay upon arrival, with no booking or credit card fees. For a first-timer, especially, it's also worth sorting it out before you arrive.

Here's what you get when you book parking online ahead of time:

• Better online rates than drive-up rates. First-timer or not, the earlier you book parking, the better the rate you get. So once your flights are confirmed, sort onsite airport parking at the same time.
• QR code sent to your email. Save the QR code to your phone and scan it at the boom gate on the way in and again at the exit gate on the way out. It's faster than tapping a card.
• A grace period that applies automatically. For stays over 4 hours, you get an extra 2 hours on both ends, so a slightly late return or an earlier-than-expected arrival won't cost you extra.
• Option to add the Overstay Guarantee when you book. It covers overstay charges if your return is delayed by a flight cancellation in which no replacement flight was offered, a government-mandated border closure or a physical illness that prevents you from flying home. Approved refunds are processed within 14 working days.
• Amend or cancel your booking online up to 2 hours before your booked arrival time via the My Bookings page. Already parked and need more time? Extend your stay through the same page before your booked exit time.

To book parking online, head to the Melbourne Airport Parking & Transport page, enter your travel dates and promo code (if any), compare parking options and select the Value Car Park that suits your trip. The free bus from Value North serves all terminals with stops at Terminal 4 (a short walk to Terminal 3) and at Terminal 1 (a short walk to Terminal 2). The Value South bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub, making it the better fit for Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia) and Terminal 4 (Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways) travellers.

You can book up to 12 months in advance and pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) or with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

From the Tullamarine Freeway, take Exit 18 for both Value Car Parks. Value North Car Park can be accessed via Mercer Drive or Airport Drive. For Value South Car Park, continue onto Mercer Drive and follow the airport signage via Airport Drive. Once you're through the gates, find a bay, park and take a quick note of your section and bay number before heading to the bus stop.

With ongoing works in the precinct, it's worth checking for road delays and disruptions before you leave home. Give yourself an extra 60 minutes on the drive in (especially in peak travel times like school holidays and long weekends), and you'll pull in without the rush.

Both Value Car Parks have their own free shuttle service, each running every 15 minutes, 24/7. After you park, just head to the designated bus stop and wait for the next bus.

If you're parked at the Value North Car Park, head to the nearest bus stop in the car park. The bus stops near Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, with short walks to Terminal 2 (international) and Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia).

• Flying with Qantas from Terminal 1? Hop off at the Terminal 1 stop.
• Taking an international flight from Terminal 2? Hop off at the Terminal 1 stop and follow the signs to Terminal 2.
• Flying with Virgin Australia from Terminal 3? Hop off at the Terminal 4 stop and follow the signs to Terminal 3. Travelling with carry-on luggage only? If you’ve checked in online, you can head straight to the security checkpoint at Terminal 4.
• Flying with Jetstar, Rex or Link Airways from Terminal 4? Hop off at the Terminal 4 stop.

If you're parked at the Value South Car Park, head to Bus Shelter J. The free shuttle bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub, a short walk from Terminal 4 for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways and Terminal 3 for Virgin Australia flights.

If you're heading back to the Value North Car Park, the pick-up point depends on which terminal you landed at. Landed at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2? The Value North Car Park bus stop is directly outside Terminal 1. Landed at Terminal 3 or Terminal 4? Head directly outside Terminal 4. Look for the orange Value North Car Park signs at both locations.

If you're heading back to the Value South Car Park, as you exit the terminal, turn right and walk to the T4 Transport Hub. Follow the signs to the Value South Car Park bus at Bus Lane 1, Bay 3.

Accidentally boarded the Value North Car Park bus but parked at Value South? Stay on until Terminal 4, get off and turn left, then walk to the T4 Transport Hub and follow the signs to the Value South Car Park bus at Bus Lane 1, Bay 3. Boarded the Value South bus but parked at Value North? Stay on until the T4 Transport Hub, get off and walk towards the terminals. Your Value North Car Park bus stop is directly outside Terminal 4.

That section and bay number you noted when you first pulled in is what gets you back to your car without the search. Once you've found it, drive to the exit gate, scan your QR code, and you're on your way.

For your first visit to the Value Car Parks, book your parking online up to 12 months in advance and lock in the best available rate. Check your booking details, leave time for the drive, note where you parked and keep your QR code handy for the exit gate.

Think value parking isn’t the right fit for your trip? You can compare our other onsite options before you book. Choose terminal parking at our Terminal Car Parks for a shorter walk to check-in, look at Premium Car Parks for closer access and fully undercover parking or choose Melbourne Airport Valet or Qantas Valet if you prefer valet parking.

If you're travelling with accessibility needs, all our car parks have Accessible Parking bays. If you need a hand, book special assistance in advance, and our Melbourne Airport Assist team will take you from the car park to check-in or collect you from baggage claim when you land.

Got more questions? Check our Parking FAQs for quick answers or follow Melbourne Airport on social media. For special offers, tips and updates, subscribe to our Parking Deals newsletter before you fly.