When parking at Melbourne Airport, you've got two main choices: on-site at Tullamarine or opting for an off-airport lot. If you’re having a hard time choosing, we’re here to make it easier for you.

In this guide, we’ll shed light on the nitty-gritty of both options. We're talking about comparing parking spaces, shuttle services, security features like CCTV, and, importantly, how your wallet will feel about it.

Whether you're after convenience, cost-effectiveness, or both, we've got the insights you need. Let's find out which parking choice meets your travel needs best.

The main difference between onsite and off-airport parking is the location.

Onsite parking at Tullamarine Airport means parking within the airport's own car parks. Basically, you’re parking right at the airport’s doorsteps. This means you’re closer to the terminals, offering easy access to the check-in counters and less hassle when you're lugging around bags.

Offsite parking, on the other hand, is located outside the airport's immediate vicinity. These parking facilities are run by independent companies and typically offer shuttle bus services that transport you from the parking lot to the airport.

Parking right within the airport car parks makes sense for heaps of reasons:

• Close to the Terminals: You're only minutes away from check-in and boarding. No racing against the clock or worrying about missing a shuttle or the unreliability of public transport. Depending on the parking option you choose, you may even park directly opposite the airport terminals, making your travel experience a lot smoother.
• Free Shuttle Service: If you opt for our Value Car Park, we have a free shuttle bus ready to take you from the parking lot to the terminal. It runs every 15 minutes, making transport easier.
• Peace of Mind: We have parking spaces that are undercover and equipped with CCTV cameras. So you can confidently start your journey knowing that your car is well-monitored.
• Valet Parking: For those looking for an extra touch of luxury, we also offer valet services. This means you can just drop off your car and go. We’ll have it ready for you when you get back.
• Variety of Options: Whether you’re after value for your money, easy access to the terminals, or the convenience of having someone park your car for you, there’s an airport parking option for every need and budget.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Melbourne Airport Parking Rates: We have hourly rates for quick pick-ups and drop-offs and daily rates for long-term parking. Check out our drive-up rates to estimate how much you’ll pay, or book online for the best rates.
• Easy Online Booking: Booking parking in advance not only Short-Term and Long-Term Melbourne Airport Parking Rates: We have hourly rates for stays under 6 hours (except for the Value Car Park) and daily rates for long-term parking. Check out our drive-up rates to estimate how much you’ll pay, or book online for the best rates.
• Grace Periods: When you book online, you’ll get a one hour grace period for both before and after your booked hours. This means you can enter the car park an hour earlier and leave up to an hour later than your booked parking time.

To determine which makes for the best parking experience, let’s compare onsite and off-airport parking services in terms of options, features, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Parking Options

As mentioned, Melbourne Airport offers plenty of parking options for every need and budget. Let's take a closer look at what's available on-site at Tullamarine and how it stacks up against offsite parking options.

• Value Parking: Ideal for budget-conscious travellers, our Value Car Parks offer competitive rates without sacrificing convenience. It’s a cost-effective option, especially for long-term parking.
• Terminal Parking: Perfect for those seeking the shortest walk to check-in and arrivals. It offers direct access to Terminal 1, 2, and 3. It’s also just right at the doorstep of Terminal 4, perfect for Jetstar, Link, and Virgin Australia passengers.
• Premium Parking: Designed for travellers looking for a bit more comfort and speed during their airport visit, with dedicated spaces closer to the terminals.
• Valet Parking: The pinnacle of convenience, where you simply drop off your car and head straight to your flight.
• Business Parking: Tailored for business travellers, it offers speedy access and a swift route to the terminals, ensuring you're on time for your flight.
• Qantas Valet Parking: Smack dab within the Qantas domestic terminal, and with dedicated check-in, it’s the ultimate parking experience. You can also earn Qantas flyer points just for parking and even have options for car cleaning.

Plus, if you’re a few minutes too early for a quick pick-up, you can take advantage of our Wait Zone on Mercer Drive, just off Tullamarine Freeway. Parking there is free for the first 30 minutes and only $4 for the first hour. 

Offsite parking services, on the other hand, offer pretty limited options. In general, you can only choose from open-air and undercover parking spaces. Some may have short-term and long-term car park facilities. However, as they are quite far from the terminals, they may not be that practical for short-term parking.

Both onsite and offsite car parks offer features to make your parking experience smoother. Let’s break down the features that set onsite car parks apart from offsite parking facilities.

At Melbourne Airport, you can enjoy:

• CCTV Surveillance: Round-the-clock monitoring provides that extra layer of peace of mind, knowing your vehicle is watched over.
• Free Shuttle Service: Free shuttle buses to and from the Value Car Park that run every 15 minutes ensure you're never left waiting.
• Easy Access: Direct access to the airport terminals means you're only steps away from check-in and arrivals.
• Help Points: We have help points all over the parking area. Just push the button on the intercom to talk to one of our friendly customer service representatives.
• Overstay Guarantee: When your travel plans go awry, our Overstay Guarantee ensures you won’t have to worry about extra parking costs. If your flight gets delayed due to certain circumstances, you can claim a refund for the additional charges.

Many offsite parking facilities also feature CCTV cameras and offer additional services like car cleaning. Some also have online booking platforms, but they may not be as comprehensive as the Melbourne Airport app.

If you’re parking off-site or in our Value Car Park, you may need a shuttle bus to take you to the terminals. However, the shuttle bus services for different parking facilities can vary significantly.

Melbourne Airport prides itself on a shuttle bus service that's hard to beat. Buses run every 15 minutes, all day, every day. This around-the-clock availability means that no matter what time your flight is, you can count on a shuttle being ready for you.

Off-site parking facilities, while also offering shuttle bus services, operate a bit differently. Their schedules can vary, with some running on-demand and others at set intervals, possibly longer than the 15-minute rotations of Melbourne Airport's shuttles. While still reliable, the timing and frequency might require more planning on your part, especially during early mornings or late nights.

The most cost-effective option doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest. While offsite parking often appears cheaper at first glance, there are several factors you need to consider beyond the price tag. This includes:

• Short-Term and Long-Term Parking Rates: Some offsite parking offers daily rates instead of hourly. But if you’re just dropping someone off or picking them up, paying for a daily rate doesn’t really make sense. In such cases, our hourly rates might be more cost-effective. Our Terminal Car Parks even let you park for free for the first 15 minutes.
• Shuttle Bus Frequency: Inconsistent shuttle bus schedules mean more risk of missing your flight and saying goodbye to your hard-earned plane fare money.

Choosing between onsite and offsite parking at Melbourne Airport really boils down to what you value most for your trip. Each option has its merits, but when you weigh them up, onsite parking often comes out on top for many travellers.

Onsite parking means you're right there at the airport. You're just a short stroll or a quick shuttle ride away from check-in. It's hard to beat that kind of convenience, especially if you're running tight on time or just prefer a smoother start to your journey.

Offsite parking can be lighter on the wallet, and for some, this might be the deciding factor. However, it usually means a bit more planning is needed to account for shuttle timings and the slightly longer journey to the airport.

So, if you’re looking for a smoother, more secure, and convenient parking experience, book your parking spot at Melbourne Airport today!