Parking options compared
Compare parking options at Melbourne Airport
This page lays out the parking products available at Tullamarine so you can weigh cost against convenience before you book. The right choice depends on trip length, budget, and how much walking or shuttle time you will accept.
Closest terminal walk
2 to 5 minutes
Long stay shuttle loop
10 to 15 minutes
Airport address
Departure Drive, VIC 3045
Booking desk hours
Open daily, 24 hours
Closest to check in
Covered multi-level parking
The undercover lots are the closest airport parking to the terminals and the easiest for a short trip. Your car stays out of the sun and hail, and you walk to check in rather than wait for a shuttle. For melbourne airport parking travellers staying a night or two, that walk matters more than the saving you would get further out.
Rates sit at the top of the range, which makes sense for a night or two but adds up over a week. If you drive a tall 4WD or carry a roof box, check the height clearance before you book. Lifts, covered walkways and trolley bays keep the trip to the terminal simple, even with kids or extra bags.
- Walk to Terminals 1 to 4 without a shuttle leg.
- Undercover protection from sun, hail and frost.
- Check clearance first if your vehicle is tall or loaded.
Long-stay outdoor lots
These sites trade distance for price. You park, catch a shuttle on a fixed loop, and the daily rate drops the longer you stay. For parking melbourne airport trips of a week or more, that curve is what brings the total down to a workable figure.
Surfaces vary by lot, sealed or gravel, and larger vehicles fit more comfortably than in the multi level garages. Allow ten to fifteen minutes for the shuttle and the walk to your gate, a little more at night. Drivers who know they will return tired often prefer the well lit rows near the bus stop.
Check terminal walking times
Valet parking and short stay, side by side
Hand the keys to an attendant at the terminal and collect the car on return, or use the hourly bays for a fast pickup. Both keep you close to the doors. The difference is whether you want someone else to park, or you want to stay with the car for twenty minutes.
Short stay and hourly bays
First hour premium
Best for pickups, watch the arrivals board
Closest walk
Valet parking
It suits travellers with heavy bags, early departures, or tight connections, and it removes the shuttle leg entirely. The price reflects that convenience. Confirm the drop off point and the return procedure when you book, because they differ between operators. Keep your claim ticket where you can find it at midnight.
Short-stay and hourly parking
For pickups and drop offs, hourly bays sit closest to the terminals. The first hour is charged at a premium, and rates climb quickly after that. If you are meeting an arrivals flight, watch the board and time your entry rather than parking early and paying for the wait.
Comparing rates honestly
Published rates are a starting point, not a promise. Long stay bookings usually beat gate prices, short stays rarely do, and valet sits at the top regardless. Use the quote tool to price your actual dates, since school holidays move the numbers more than any headline figure.
Long stay pre booked online
Lowest daily average
Covered multi level, short trip
Higher, walk to terminal
Hourly bays at the door
Premium first hour
Valet with terminal handover
Top of the range
Peak holiday weekends
Book earliest
Airport parking prices shift with demand. A Tuesday in term time and the Saturday of a long weekend rarely look alike, so price the exact entry and exit times you will use.
Matching the lot to your trip
A weekend in Brisbane points to covered parking. A month in Europe points to long stay. A business day trip points to the closest bay you can find. Run the trip length and terminal through your head before you choose a product, not after. Travellers who pre book melbourne airport parking with the return in mind usually walk less and pay less.
Compare on the home pageBooking windows and availability
Some lots open reservations months ahead, others release spaces closer to the date. Peak periods sell out first. If your dates land on a school holiday or a public holiday weekend, book as soon as your flights are confirmed. Leaving it to the drive up means fewer choices and a longer walk.
Check the entry and exit times on your confirmation, and keep the booking reference where you can reach it at the barrier. If plans shift, change the booking before you travel rather than sorting it at the gate.
Read the pre-booking steps
Accessible bays and special requests
Accessible parking is available in the covered lots, and permits should be noted during booking. Family bays and wider spaces can be requested, though they are not guaranteed on busy days. Flag any special need early so the lot can plan, and bring the permit with you on the day.
Ask about accessible baysWhich option fits your dates
Quick answers for travellers still weighing distance, price and walking time.
Is covered parking worth it for one night?
Usually yes. For a single night the price gap is small and you walk straight to check in with shelter over the car. Over a week the gap grows, and long stay starts to make more sense.
How much shuttle time should I allow?
Allow ten to fifteen minutes from bay to terminal, plus the walk to your gate. Early morning and late night loops can run a little slower, so build in a buffer before a tight domestic departure.
When does valet make sense?
When bags are heavy, departures are early, or connections are tight. You hand over the keys at the terminal and skip the shuttle entirely. Confirm the return point when you book so pickup stays simple.
How do I request an accessible bay?
Note the permit during booking and contact the team ahead of travel. Accessible bays sit in the covered lots closest to the lifts. Family and wider bays can be requested the same way, subject to availability on busy days.
Price your actual dates before you decide
Headline rates only tell half the story. Enter your entry and exit times to see what covered, long stay and valet look like for your trip, then choose the walk you are happy with.
Level 2, Terminal 2, Departure Drive, Melbourne Airport, VIC 3045, Australia · Open daily, 24 hours
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