You’ve seen the sights, loaded the playlists, maybe even squeezed in one last detour. Now it’s time to return the hire car. At Melbourne Airport, it’s a simple process. No loops around the precinct or guesswork about where to go.

All six onsite rental providers—Avis, Budget, Europcar, Redspot, Hertz and Sixt—operate from the same location where you’ll drop the car off: the Ground Floor of the T123 car park, just a short walk from the terminals.

Not sure what to expect? We’ll take you through what to check before you hand back the keys, how the car rental return process works during business hours, and what to do if you’re dropping off after dark or ahead of schedule.

A few quick checks can help you avoid unnecessary fees and keep things simple at drop-off, especially if you're tight on time or heading straight to your gate. Before bringing your rental vehicle back to Melbourne Airport, make sure you:

• Check your drop-off time. Take note of your return date and aim to be back within the agreed time. Running late could lead to extra charges, depending on how long you go over.
• Review your rental paperwork. Have a quick look through your rental agreement. It confirms your return location, fuel terms, and who’s listed as the renter. Keep it handy in case any questions come up at check-in.
• Top up the fuel. Most cars need to be returned with a full tank of fuel, unless you’ve chosen a prepaid option. To avoid a possible higher refuelling charge, fill up just before arriving and hold onto the receipt in case the desk asks for it. The nearest petrol station is the BP at the corner of Centre Rd and Melbourne Dr, a short drive from the Car Rental Returns entrance.
• Clear out your belongings. Phones in cup holders, sunglasses in the glovebox, snacks in the door—these things disappear fast. Check the cabin, boot and seat pockets before locking up.
• Snap photos of the car from all angles. This includes the front, back, both sides, the odometer, and the fuel level. It’s a simple way to record the return condition, especially if you're dropping the car off outside of business hours.

You don’t need to vacuum or polish, and you definitely don’t need to pay for a professional clean, but the car should be in a reasonable condition. Most rental car companies expect it to be tidy and free of rubbish, the way you’d leave your own car if someone else were about to drive it.

A few crumbs? Not a problem. Sand, pet hair or a boot full of rubbish? That’s where cleaning fees can start to apply. Providers like Hertz charge extra if the vehicle needs more than a standard clean. Redspot is clear about this too—everyday cleaning is covered, but steam cleaning or deep interior work might trigger a charge.

So, before drop-off, take a minute to throw out any rubbish, shake out the mats if they’re muddy, and make sure nothing’s been left behind. Wipe down anything sticky if you’ve been eating on the go, especially on longer drives or family trips.

Once the rental is tidy and your things are packed, it’s time to make your way to the drop-off point. There’s no need to figure out where to go on the fly. Returning your car hire at Melbourne Airport is a straight drive into the same area all six providers share.

Here’s exactly how it works:

• Follow the Car Rental Return Entry sign. The return location is on the Ground Floor of the T123 car park. As you approach Melbourne Airport via Terminal Drive, take a right turn onto Centre Road and follow the signage for ‘Car Rental Returns‘.
• Look for your provider’s return bays. You’ll see marked bays for each company. Each provider has its own signage and parking bays. If in doubt, there’s usually someone nearby to assist during business hours.
• Park and lock the car. Do one last sweep of the cabin, boot and seat pockets before locking the vehicle. Then make your way to the rental desks.
• Return the keys at the desk. Head to your provider’s counter and hand over the keys. If the return is during office hours, a team member may check the car while you’re there. Some providers will simply log the return time and inspect the vehicle later.

Once the return is logged, you’re all set. If a bond was placed on your credit card, it will be released in the days following your return. Timing varies depending on the provider and bank. Any extras, like fuel charges, toll tags or accessories, will be processed at this point, and you’ll usually receive a final receipt by email.

If you're flying out straight after, allow extra time. The return process is efficient, but giving yourself a buffer means less rushing between the car park and your airline’s check-in counter.

Late arrival? Early flight? No problem. All on-site rental providers at Melbourne Airport offer an after-hours return process. You’ll still return the vehicle to the Ground Floor of the T123 car park. Each company’s bays are clearly marked, and you’ll follow the same entry route via Centre Road.

Head to the car rental counters located on the same level of the car park. You’ll find a clearly labelled drop box for each provider. This is where you leave the keys and any required paperwork. Some may also ask you to fill out a short return form and include it with the keys.

Keep in mind that the car will be officially checked once staff are back on site. Any charges, like fuel top-ups or cleaning, will be processed based on the condition noted during that inspection. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s worth asking at pick-up so you know exactly what to do when it’s time to return the keys.

Plans change. Flights get rescheduled, and road trips wrap up sooner than expected. If you're thinking about returning your hire car ahead of schedule, it's worth checking with your provider first, especially if you booked on a prepaid or promotional rate.

Here’s how it generally works at Melbourne Airport:

• Avis allows early returns, but prepaid rentals are non-refundable.
• Budget follows a similar policy. Refunds depend on how the booking was made.
• Hertz may adjust the cost for early drop-off, depending on the rate type.
• Europcar, Redspot and Sixt also accept early returns, but charges may apply if you're returning before a discounted return time.

Some bookings are flexible, especially if paid at the counter. But if your rate was locked in, dropping the car off a day or two early won’t always change the final cost.

Yes, but only if they're listed on the rental agreement. If you've nominated an additional driver at the time of booking or at the counter, that person can return the vehicle.

It gets trickier if they’re not listed. In that case, the provider may hold off finalising the return until they’ve spoken with the main renter directly. Some may refuse to accept the keys at all, especially if the drop-off is outside business hours or the car needs to be inspected on the spot.

To avoid hold-ups, it’s best to add anyone who might return the car with you. Most desks allow this during pick-up, and it only takes a few minutes.

Getting your car hire sorted early makes the return feel like just another step, not a scramble. The easiest way to book? Use the Melbourne Airport Car Rental page. You’ll find all onsite providers in one spot, with live availability, clear pricing, and no booking or cancellation fees.

During booking, just set your drop-off and pick-up dates and times, and select Melbourne Airport as your return point. Need a one-way rental? That’s covered too. With access to major providers across Australia, you can pick up from Melbourne Airport and choose a different drop-off location that fits your plans.

It takes a couple of minutes to book, but it saves you a lot more later. No backtracking. No surprises. Just the right car hire, set up to make your trip run smoothly.