If you’ve ever struggled to find parking at Melbourne Airport, you’re not alone.
From delayed shuttle services to the high[ parking rates, many travellers share frustrations around parking at Melbourne Airport.
Here’s what you need to know to save money and time when flying out of Melbourne Airport:
A common trap is arriving to Melbourne Airport car parks without a booking.
Melbourne Airport’s official car parks fill fast, especially during peak travel times or holidays. They also charge some of the highest parking rates in the entire country.
You may end up circling the car park and paying a significant amount more, adding stress, and less money in your pocket.
If time is tight, booking in advance or using an off-site parking provider will guarantee your spot so you never arrive to a full car park, and will save you a lot of money.
Parking with car parks that offer free shuttle transfers can save you hundreds of dollars.
Off-site car parks with shuttle services are the cheapest options, and offer on-demand shuttle transfers to and from the terminal you're flying from.
On-site car parks with shuttle services are affordable, too, but don't offer on-demand shuttle transfers.
Because of this, travellers have reported waiting 20+ minutes in hot or rainy weather because the shuttle was infrequent, or full when they wanted to get on, leaving them queuing for the next bus.
If you choose shuttle parking, double-check the shuttle timetable, especially at official car parks, as they typically operate on a scheduled timetable, and you may be subject to waiting a bit.
Always arrive at shuttle car parks 30 - 45 minutes before you need to check-in at Melbourne Airport.
Short-term parking is available close to the terminals, but it isn’t cheap.
The Terminal Car Park charges $54 for 24 hours and $162 for three days. The Business Car Park is $79 for 24 hours and $237 for three days. Both are within a 2 to 12-minute walk to the terminals.
If you're travelling for a day or two days, and convenience matters more than price, these car parks will likely suit you best.
But if availability or budget is a concern, pre-booking or opting for a long term car park or one with shuttle services will often give you better results.
Electric vehicle drivers should know that charging stations are limited at Melbourne Airport.
The Terminal 4 Car Park offers 2 EV wall chargers, but spaces are not guaranteed and are often in high demand. It is not certain you will be able to park at an EV charging bay upon arrival.
Off-site providers like A1 Airport parking and Park and Fly Airport parking do offer EV charging, and it will be reserved for you upon arrival.
The height restrictions of Melbourne Airport car parks are as follows:
A valid concern with parking is security, especially when leaving your car for several days.
CCTV cameras are standard, but many travellers prefer having staff physically present, especially overnight.
Check if the car park is staffed 24/7 or if staff don't stay on-site, for both official and private car parks. This can be the difference between “secure” and “just watched by a camera.”
As a tip, official car parks are monitored by CCTV & automated entry and exit barriers, but lack on-site patrols and staff.
Off-site, private car parks are monitored by CCTV, on-site staff, and perimeter fencing, but most don't have automated entry & exit barriers, which is one of the reasons why on-site staff are always available.
Most Melbourne Airport car parks are open-air, except for the terminal car parks.
If you're worried about hail, sun exposure, or weather-related damage, it’s worth choosing indoor or covered parking for added protection.
Several off-site providers offer both outdoor and covered bays, while some — like Melrose Airport Parking — specialise in indoor parking only.
At just $138 per week, Melrose offers fully indoor parking for less than many uncovered on-site options.
One overlooked tip is to balance cost and convenience.
Some travellers pick the closest car park, only to find better-priced options just a few minutes further away with more reliable shuttle services.
Comparing real-time availability, shuttle frequency, and security features helps you find the best fit, not just the closest spot.
| Car Park | Cost per Week | Service & Transfer Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park & Fly Airport Parking | $114.00 | Shuttle: 7 min | Book |
| A1 Airport Parking | $114.40 | Shuttle: 5 min | Book |
| Jetaway Airport Parking | $100.00 | Shuttle: 10 min | Book |
| Melrose Airport Parking | $138.00 | Shuttle: 7 min | Book |
| Quest Melbourne Airport | $160.00 | Shuttle: 5 - 7 min | Book |
| Value Car Park | $112.00 | Shuttle: 3 - 5 min | Info |
| Terminal Car Park - 1,2, & 3 | $432.00 | Walk: 7 - 12 min | Info |
| Terminal 4 Car Park | $432.00 | Walk: 4 - 9 min | Info |
| Qantas Valet | $525.00 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Info |
| Business Car Park | $672.00 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Info |
| Premium Self-Park | $672.00 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Info |
| Valet Car Park | $672.00 | Walk: 1 - 2 min | Info |
Please note that these rates are subject to change without notice, but were verified in July 2025. These are both online & drive-up rates. Compare car parks in Melbourne in the search bar above, or consult the official Melbourne Airport website to see the most updated online rates.
Melbourne Airport gets busiest early in the morning, typically from 5:30 to 8:30 AM, with long lines for shuttles and parking entry.
If your flight is early, aim to arrive 30 - 45 minutes early, even if you're parking on-site, and especially if you didn't reserve your parking in advance.
For off-site parking, always arrive at the car park 30-minutes before you need to check in at Melbourne Airport
Doing so reduces stress and avoids the notorious “rush hour” parking scramble.
Many travellers opt for an Uber or Taxi to get to and from Melbourne Airport to avoid paying parking fees, but ride-share rides between Melbourne CBD and the airport cost around $130 to $140 return during off-peak hours.
During peak times, this can rise by $15 to $20 each way.
If you live close to the airport, using ride-share is not a bad option, as you can even pay less than this.
However, if you're travelling with a family, live 15+ minutes from the airport, or travelling during a busy time, using a park-and-ride option can cut costs significantly.
Off-site parking starts as low as $114 per week.
If flying very early or late, book car parks with 24-hour shuttle service and staff.
Should your flight get delayed, you don't want to worry about getting back to the car park in-time to retrieve your vehicle.
Car parks that operate 24/7 are your best bet as they will always be open, and if you park with a private car park, shuttle services will be running on-demand, so you're never left waiting to get back to your vehicle.
The most accessible parking option at Melbourne Airport is going to be the Premium valet or Qantas valet parking options. Travellers can get dropped-off at the terminal, and have their vehicle parked for them.
Both valet services are located on Level 1 of the Terminal 1, 2 & 3 car park.
However, if you don't want to pay the high price, but still need a reasonable option and short distance to the terminals, consider the terminal car parks within walking distance of the terminals, as they all offer accessible bays near the lifts at each level of the car park.
To use the accessible parking bays, a valid Accessible Parking Permit must be displayed when using the designated accessible car parking spaces. These parking bays are marked with the international symbol of access.
The lifts with the terminal car park(s) have wide doors and low height controls to ensure accessibility with a wheelchair. Inside the car park lifts, the control panel is also written in Braille.
If you want to park with an affordable, secure, and convenient car park, with Flyparks, you can.
We carefully select each car park based on its reliability, security, and excellent service, ensuring you receive the best parking experience.
Verified customer reviews are available for each car park; simply visit their page and scroll to the 'Reviews' section to make an informed choice.
Plans changed? Cancel your reservation free of charge up to 24 - 48 hours before your parking begins (unless otherwise stated).
Booking with Flyparks guarantees the same rates as booking directly with the car park, and you can secure your spot in under 3 minutes.
Flyparks is committed to making airport parking affordable and stress-free.
Have questions? Our responsive customer service team is here to help and guarantees a reply within 24 - 48 hours, Monday - Friday.
All the Melbourne Airport parking fees cited are approximate and subject to change without notice, but were accurate at the time of publication for the duration(s) listed. Please note that Flyparks does not compare all the airport car parking spaces available in the market, and cannot consider specific needs and individual requirements. Always read the terms and conditions before booking.
