Frequently asked questions about Melbourne Airport parking

Online parking reservations made through official booking portals can typically be amended or cancelled up to two hours before your scheduled arrival time without financial penalty. You must log into the portal where the booking was created to alter dates, times, or vehicle registration details.

If you arrive earlier than your reserved window or depart later, standard gate rates will apply for the additional hours accrued outside the booking period. For peace of mind during travel peaks, always ensure your registration plate details match your current vehicle before entering Tullamarine.

If you have an online booking, entry depends on the method selected during reservation: automatic licence plate recognition or credit card identification. If using licence plate recognition, drive slowly toward the boom gate; the camera reads your plate and prints or dispenses a validation ticket or raises the gate automatically.

If using a credit card, insert or tap the exact physical card used for the online booking. Do not press for a casual paper ticket unless instructed, as this may initiate a separate drive-up charge. In the event of a scan delay, remain inside your vehicle and depress the amber intercom button on the boom gantry to connect with a parking attendant.

Most official parking reservations provide a complimentary grace period of one to two hours past your scheduled departure time to accommodate minor baggage or flight delays. This window activates automatically from your stated exit timestamp.

If your return flight suffers extensive delays pushing your exit beyond this grace buffer, the exit barrier machine will calculate the additional time at standard drive-up hourly tariffs. You can pay this remaining balance directly at the exit barrier using a credit or debit card without needing to visit a walk-up terminal payment kiosk.

Maximum vehicle clearance depends strictly on the facility. The central Terminal 1, 2, and 3 multi-deck garage enforces a 2.25-metre ceiling height limit. The Terminal 4 multi-level car park enforces a 2.15-metre ceiling limit. The open-air Value Car Park accommodates vehicles up to 3.3 metres in height.

Drivers operating lifted four-wheel drives, vehicles carrying roof racks, or trade vans must verify total vehicle height before approaching covered structures. Overheight vehicles entering covered multi-deck structures risk severe structural collisions and gate entry denials.

If you took a physical ticket upon entry and cannot locate it upon return, press the intercom assistance button located on any automatic pay station or exit barrier gate. Operational staff monitor the intercom system 24 hours a day and can look up your entry time using your vehicle licence plate number.

Lost ticket fees generally equate to the full daily rate for each day the vehicle was recorded inside the facility. If your vehicle entry was verified via an online reservation or digital credit card tap, physical tickets are not required for departure validation.

Dedicated accessible parking bays are positioned adjacent to lift lobbies across all multi-level terminal garages and near shuttle shelters in the Value Car Park; valid disability parking permits must be clearly displayed.

Motorcycles may park in terminal multi-decks, with dedicated motorcycle spaces available at specific discounted rates in designated ground-level zones. Motorcycles must pull a ticket or scan an online booking at standard vehicle barrier gates to initiate entry procedures.