MEL - Pre-Pay Parking

[Austman]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Well that has screwed that idea - I never catch bus - I walk - if you know where to park it's only like 5 mins walk.

Was in the "regular" Long Term today. Where is the 5 mins walkable area? Near station "A"? or? There's a bit of construction going on in that area atm.

The bus does a loop ending at "A" before going to the terminal. From the teminal it starts at "H" (I think) then eventually get to "A".

So if you need to be bussed, parking near "A" might get you to the terminal a bit quicker but it will take longer to be dropped back.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

As I say I never bus - walk both ways

 

[Hvr]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Last weekend I parked near A and the bus was there so I took it to the terminal. However, I walked back no problems at all. Wouldn't wait for the bus at A.

Will do the same again this weekend.

 

[Austman]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

As I say I never bus - walk both ways

Right - but from where? Even station "A" was more than a 5 min walk I would have thought.

 

[Hvr]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Right - but from where? Even station "A" was more than a 5 min walk I would have thought.

Enter near the top part and you should find something close enough to walk up.

Unless there is a bus within sight it's usually still quicker to walk from near B.

 

[serfty]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Oh ok - didn't know that - but that is not what the 'Pre Pay' in Long Term was - it was just in Long Term - wonder what is going on. Maybe the discount for 'Pre Pay' in Long Term just discontinued?

I am thinking they have either removed the discounts of the period or only had a certain amount for pre-pay and they have bee snaffled.

FWIW, If I want to avoid buses, with a 10 day park I generally rent a car each way (I have a CDP that can average the cost to around $50 + fuel[/toll] each way). (It's about 10% more to collect from Airport).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Don't enter off Terminal Drive - go to lights - turn left into Centre Rd - enter back entrance - drive to closest point near terminal and start looking - always spare parks there and always trolleys dotted around. OK so 5 mins may be exaggeration - but it does not take 10mins.

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Don't enter off Terminal Drive - go to lights - turn left into Centre Rd - enter back entrance - drive to closest point near terminal and start looking - always spare parks there and always trolleys dotted around. OK so 5 mins may be exaggeration - but it does not take 10mins.

I suspect that is the entrance (on Centre Rd) myself and penegal used last Saturday (after a scenic tour precipitated by rather dopily not realising the exit on Melrose Dve is exit only ). We drove pretty much straight into a bay in section A12 and yep, it was between 5 and 10 mins walk through the multi-level car park. Always something to learn (and then re-learn, when 'they' change it).

Must say we never noticed the 'Value' carpark across the road, not that we were looking for it...must be something quite new?

 

[Bofter]

It's fairly new in terms of being open as the value long term however the car park has existed for years, I think previously as staff parking.

 

[JessicaTam]

I park near G or H and catch the bus. Then when I return I am first off the bus and usually beat it out of the carpark.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

We drove pretty much straight into a bay in section A12 and yep, it was between 5 and 10 mins walk through the multi-level car park.

Easier to cross Centre Rd and walk the path that ran beside where old Fed Police building was - I saw last weekend it has been knocked down - then you cross the taxi queue and enter first entrance T2 arrivals - elevator up to Deps and you are there.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Was in the "regular" Long Term today. Where is the 5 mins walkable area? Near station "A"? or? There's a bit of construction going on in that area atm.

The bus does a loop ending at "A" before going to the terminal. From the teminal it starts at "H" (I think) then eventually get to "A".

So if you need to be bussed, parking near "A" might get you to the terminal a bit quicker but it will take longer to be dropped back.

I park near G or H and catch the bus. Then when I return I am first off the bus and usually beat it out of the carpark.

I park near H too, too easy!

 

[Austman]

A SkyBus is used for the Value Car Park run!

And, depending on luck, the trip to/from the terminals is fast - because there is only 1 bus station at the Value Car Park and 1 drop-off/pick-up point at the airport. It's not too bad to wait at the Value Car Park station however - it has an air conditioned waiting room, a vending machine and even toilets.

At the airport, the bus both picks-up and drops-off where the Long Term bus drops-off (outside the "Virgin" T3 terminal, but over 1 island). This has meant (according to the driver) some returning pax for the Value Car Park hop on the wrong bus - they get on a Long Term bus that is dropping-off pax at the airport.

Finding the exit out of the Value Car Park is a bit hit-and-miss (depending where you parked). There are zero exit signs.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Don't enter off Terminal Drive - go to lights - turn left into Centre Rd - enter back entrance - drive to closest point near terminal and start looking - always spare parks there and always trolleys dotted around. OK so 5 mins may be exaggeration - but it does not take 10mins.

Took me 9:44 last Thur carpark to JQ checkin at approx. 2pm - and it took me 30secs to get a trolley - and Cruiserette had high heels on so it was a slower than usual walk.

 

[robintay]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

When you book for the Value Long Stay car park, what is shown in the 'Car Park' field when you go to the 'Manage My Booking' page? I just booked online and it says the car park is 'Long Term Summer Savers'. Not sure if it's just the normal outdoor long term or value long stay.

 

[Austman]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

When you book for the Value Long Stay car park, what is shown in the 'Car Park' field when you go to the 'Manage My Booking' page? I just booked online and it says the car park is 'Long Term Summer Savers'. Not sure if it's just the normal outdoor long term or value long stay.

The Value Long Stay shows as "Value Long Stay" in the booking confirmation Car Park field.
The Long Term Summer Savers is for the regular Long Term and shows as "Long Term Car Park" in the booking confirmation Car Park field.

I've done both recently.

 

[robintay]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

I see. Thanks, Austman!

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

Some very cheap deals again!

20 days outdoors for $99!

About $60 cheaper than the off-site Airport car-parks

I hate supporting the airport when they are trying to screw the off-site carparks out of business, but for that price I can't say no!

Plus the bonus of 10 Amex points per $1

So if I stay longer, you are just charged say, an additional hour/day at the "retail/signed" rates ?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

ltt you are permitted a 2hr grace period either side of your nominated entry / exit times - occupation outside this time period you pay full rate for the extra time post your nominated exit time.

 

[whughes3]

Re: MEL AP-Car park that's as big as a suburb

As noted above, the cheaper deals are indeed back for now; but note that a LARGE part of the LTCP is currently cordonned off for construction works, including the Airport drive (freeway) entrance; so finding a spot is not easy! Also, just to add to the annoyance, the bus is now dropping you off at ground level, and in the "bus" lane, not the closer general traffic lane.