Why Docklands frequent flyers choose on-airport parking for a long trip away

For trips that run into weeks, frequent flyers park their car at the airport rather than hail a cab at both ends of a fortnight.

Got a trip coming up and wondering where to leave your car? In a Docklands tower, you know it can’t sit in a resident bay or on the street for a fortnight. Those who fly out often drive to the airport and leave their car there, and plenty of Melburnians do exactly the same.

Roughly 36 million passengers pass through Melbourne Airport each year. For a long stay, many head for the Value Car Parks, the airport’s most affordable on-airport parking option just off Airport Drive. But why should parking onsite be part of your checklist?

Choose from onsite car parks for all kinds of trips

A quick interstate run for work asks for something different to a fortnight overseas. Melbourne Airport’s onsite parking options cover both. The multi-level Terminal Car Parks are a few minutes’ walk from all terminals. For undercover self-parking bays closest to check-in, park at the Premium Car Parks. If you want to hand over parking altogether, there’s Melbourne Airport Valet or Qantas Valet.

But for a fortnight away, savvy frequent travellers choose the Value Car Parks. These are open-air car parks that offer the most budget-friendly rates. There are two: the Value North Car Park suits any terminal, while the Value South Car Park is ideal for Terminal 4 and Terminal 3 passengers.

No off-airport transfers on both legs of the trip

Onsite parking means no off-airport lot to reach at either end. You park, get to the terminal and fly out. After the trip, just fly in, walk to your car park and drive home.

That’s true even if you’re parked at the Value Car Parks, which are both within the airport precinct. They have a free 24/7 bus service that runs every 15 minutes, day and night, to the terminals.

The two buses run different routes. The Value North Car Park bus stops at Terminal 4 and Terminal 1, covering all terminals, while the Value South Car Park bus heads straight to the T4 Transport Hub, the more direct line for Terminal 4 and Terminal 3.

Load the car at home, at your own pace

Packing for a fortnight is different to a weekend away. Driving to the airport and parking onsite means you load the car in your own driveway or your building's car park, take as long as you need and drive off when you're ready. The bags go in once and come out once, when you're back and standing next to your car at Melbourne Airport.

Booking onsite parking online comes with advantages

Booking airport parking online in advance locks in the best available rate at the time. Online bookings open up to 12 months out, so you can sort parking long before your trip.

If the plan shifts, you can amend or cancel your booking up to 2 hours before arrival. Every online booking also includes a 2-hour grace period on either side for stays over 4 hours. Already parked and running late on the way back? You can extend your booking online any time before your booked exit.

Frequent travellers also add the optional Overstay Guarantee when booking, which covers overstay charges if a flight is cancelled, a border closes or a physical illness holds you back.

Sort the car park before you fly

For long trips out of Docklands, parking onsite is always the easy call. The car sits at the airport the whole time, so there’s no transfer to a separate lot and no cab boot capping the luggage. Match the trip to the right onsite car park and book online in advance to lock in the best available rates.