Your Guide To Melbourne Airport’s Value North and Value South Car Parks

Melbourne has a way of filling the calendar. Think a morning at the botanic gardens, coffee at a local cafe, dinner down a laneway and live music after dark. But every so often, a day trip in the Yarra Valley or a few days on the Mornington Peninsula aren’t enough, and something further afield makes the list. For many Victorians, that means driving in, parking onsite and flying out from Melbourne Airport for a well-deserved break.

For those on a budget, our Value Car Parks offer the most affordable onsite parking options, with a free 24/7 bus service running every 15 minutes to stops near the terminals. With entrances off Airport Drive and Mercer Drive, the Value North Car Park connects you to stops outside Terminals 1 and 4, with a short walk to all terminals, while the Value South Car Park bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub for Terminal 4 and Terminal 3 passengers.

Of all Melbourne Airport car parks, our Value Car Parks are the most budget-friendly option. The daily rate doesn't change whether you're away for a long weekend or three weeks, so you know exactly what you'll pay before you leave home.

Here's what both the Value North and Value South Car Parks include:

• While they’re the go-to long-term car park options, both are just as good for a night away as a longer trip. You don't need a week-long holiday to make them worth it.
• Both Value Car Parks are open-air and have a 3.3-metre height clearance, so SUVs, 4WDs or campervans fit without a second thought. Just pull in, choose an available bay and park.
• The Value North and Value South bus services are free. That means there’s no extra bus fare or rideshare cost to add to your parking budget.
• Both free bus services run every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. It doesn't matter if your flight's at 5 AM or you're landing after midnight. There's always one on the way.
• Both car parks are on airport grounds, so your car stays right within the precinct while you're away. Park up on the way in, and it'll be waiting for you in the same spot when you land.
• If you or someone travelling with you has mobility needs, Accessible Parking is available across all Melbourne Airport car parks. The Accessible Parking spaces are positioned nearest Bus Shelter A in Value North and closest to Bus Shelter J in Value South, and the buses are wheelchair friendly. A valid Accessible Parking Permit must be displayed to use them.

Whether you're driving in from central Melbourne or coming from further out in regional Victoria, the Value Car Parks take care of one big decision before the trip starts. You know what you're paying, you know where you're parking, and the free bus handles the rest on the day.

Parking at the Value North Car Park means driving in off the Tullamarine Freeway, finding a bay in the open-air car park and taking the free bus service to your terminal. The bus stops near Terminal 1 (Qantas) and Terminal 4 (Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways). The T1 stop puts you a short walk from Terminal 2 (international flights), and the T4 stop does the same for Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia).

Here's how the Value North Car Park works, from the drive in to your terminal:

• Take Exit 18 off the Tullamarine Freeway and follow the airport signage in. There are two entrances, one on Airport Drive and another on Mercer Drive. With ongoing works around the precinct, check Google Maps for live traffic and ongoing road delays and disruptions before you leave home.
• Once you’re through the boom gate, find a bay and take a photo or jot down your section letter and number before you walk to the bus stop.
• The Value North Car Park has 7 bus shelters spread throughout, so wherever you end up parking, there's always one close by. Head to the nearest stop, and hop on the free bus.
• The free bus stops outside Terminal 1. If you’re flying Qantas domestic, this is your stop. Flying internationally? Terminal 2 is a short walk from the Terminal 1 stop. The bus also stops outside Terminal 4, which serves Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways. Flying Virgin Australia from Terminal 3? Get off at the Terminal 4 stop, and Terminal 3 is a short walk from there.
• Have mobility needs? There are 89 Accessible Parking spaces in the Value North Car Park, all positioned nearest to Bus Shelter A. Remember to display a valid Accessible Parking Permit when using these bays.

If you're flying from Terminal 3 or Terminal 4, the Value South Car Park puts you on a direct bus to the T4 Transport Hub. Park up, walk to Bus Shelter J, and the free bus service takes you straight there. From the T4 Transport Hub, Terminal 4 is just 200 metres away for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways, and Terminal 3 is a short walk for Virgin Australia.

Here's everything you need to know, from the drive in to your terminal:

• From the Tullamarine Freeway, take Exit 18 and follow the airport signage via Airport Drive into the Value South Car Park.
• Find an available parking bay once you're through the gates and take a photo or make a note of your section number.
• Bus Shelter J is the only bus stop in the Value South Car Park. Walk straight there after you park, and the free bus will be along shortly.
• The bus runs directly to the T4 Transport Hub with no stops in between. Your drop-off point is Bus Lane 1, Bay 3.
• Terminal 4 check-in is just a 200-metre walk for Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways. Heading to Terminal 3 for Virgin Australia? It's a short walk from the hub.
• Got a valid Accessible Parking Permit? The 10 Accessible Parking bays sit closest to Bus Shelter J. Just display the permit when parking here.

Getting back to your Value Car Park after landing is the same journey in reverse. The free bus picks you up from pick-up points near your arrival terminal and takes you straight back to the car park. Where you wait depends on which Value Car Park you used and which terminal you arrived at.

• Parked at the Value North Car Park? Your pick-up point depends on which terminal you arrived at. Landed at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2? The bus stop is directly outside Terminal 1. Look for the orange Value North Car Park signs. Landed at Terminal 3 or Terminal 4? Head outside Terminal 4 and look for the orange Value North Car Park signs next to the SkyBus stop.
• Parked at the Value South Car Park? The return journey is the same regardless of which terminal you landed at. Turn right as you exit, 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 wrong bus? Stay on. If you're headed to the Value South Car Park but ended up on the Value North Car Park bus, ride it to Terminal 4, get off and turn left, and then walk to the T4 Transport Hub and follow the signs to Bus Lane 1, Bay 3. If it's the other way around, stay on the Value South Car Park bus to the T4 Transport Hub, get off and walk towards Terminal 4. The Value North Car Park bus picks up right outside, next to the SkyBus stop.

Can't find your car after getting back? Use the HELP buttons at any bus shelter or boom gate to reach our customer service team. Have your registration number and the day and time you entered the car park handy, and we'll help you find it.

You don't have to. Both car parks are open to drive-ups, and you can tap your credit card at the boom gate on arrival. But booking online ahead of time gives you a better rate than paying at the gate, plus a few more practical advantages that make the trip easier.

Here's why it's worth sorting your parking before you arrive:

• Book up to 12 months before your trip, and you'll lock in a better deal than what you'd pay if you drive up. Once your flights are confirmed, sort your parking at the same time.
• After booking, we’ll send you a Parking QR code via email. Scan it at the boom gate on the way in and again at the exit gate on the way out. No ticket and no card tap needed.
• Every online booking comes with a grace period. Book for under 4 hours, and you get an hour's buffer on either side of your booked time. Book for longer, and that buffer stretches to 2 hours on both ends. A slightly early arrival or a delayed return won't cost you extra.
• If there's any chance your return could be delayed, you can add the Overstay Guarantee at the time of booking. It covers overstay charges if your return is held up by a flight cancellation, a border closure or an illness preventing you from coming home. Approved refunds are processed within 14 working days.
• Need to update your entry time? You can amend your booking online via the My Bookings page up to 2 hours before you're due to arrive. Already parked and running late? Extend your stay through the same page anytime before your booked exit time.

If you'd like a hand getting from the bus to check-in (or from baggage claim to the bus), you can pre-book special assistance from our Melbourne Airport Assist team at least 24 hours before you fly.

Got your travel dates locked in? Head to the Melbourne Airport Parking & Transport page to compare parking options and book your Value Car Park online. The Value North Car Park and Value South Car Park are both bookable from there at the same daily rate, so the only decision left is which terminal you're flying from.

Still weighing your options? Our Terminal Car Parks and Premium Car Parks have self-parking bays closer to the terminals and suit both short-term and long-term stays. If you’d rather not park the car yourself, Melbourne Airport Valet offers 24/7 valet parking services with optional car cleaning while you're away. If you're flying Qantas from Terminal 1, Qantas Valet is right next to the entrance.

For quick answers to parking questions, visit our Parking FAQs page. But if you want to receive special parking offers, tips and updates in your inbox, subscribe to our Parking Deals newsletter. You can also keep up to date with the latest Melbourne Airport news by following us on social media.

Melbourne Airport’s parking rates are better than what you’ll pay if you drive up. So if you’ve locked in your flight, head to the Melbourne Airport Parking & Transport page and click on the Parking button in the top-right corner, enter your travel dates and compare parking options. Bookings open up to 12 months in advance.

Got a question before you book? The Parking FAQs page covers the most common ones, from grace periods to amending a booking. For parking offers, tips and updates sent straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Parking Deals newsletter. You can also follow Melbourne Airport on social media.