At a glance
- Where
- Avalon Airport, between Geelong and Melbourne, Victoria
- First hour
- The first 60 minutes of parking are free
- Cost
- Drive up: $28 for 2 hours; $60 for a day. Pre-booked: $18 for 2 hours; $50 for a day. Online Saver (stays over six days): from $152.10 for 6 days. Prices as of 7 November 2026
- Getting there
- About 25 minutes from Geelong and 50 minutes from Melbourne by road (the airport’s estimates); SkyBus to Southern Cross Station; Route 18 from Lara station; MyBus door to door
- Who it’s for
- Anyone driving to Avalon for a flight, or collecting someone, and wanting to know what it costs before they arrive
- What to do now
- Decide how long you will be away, book online at least two hours before you arrive if you can, and allow extra time for the road works on the way in
- Last checked
- Saturday 7 November 2026, against the airport’s parking, parking FAQ, bus, driving and taxi pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Which roads are closed on a given day during the works that run until 2027; the airport asks drivers to follow the signs and traffic management on the day
Avalon Airport gives you the first 60 minutes of parking free, and after that a pre-booked space costs less than driving up: $18 for two hours instead of $28 and $50 for a day instead of $60. If you will be away more than six days, the Online Saver car park is the cheapest option, from $152.10. All figures here are the airport’s own, read on 7 November 2026.
How much does parking at Avalon Airport cost?
The airport lists three ways to park. Terminal Drive Up is for people who have not booked: you arrive and park, about a two-minute walk from the terminal. Terminal Pre-Booked is the same area, also a two-minute walk, but booked online beforehand at a lower price. Online Saver is a pre-booked-only car park about an eight-minute walk from the terminal, aimed at stays of more than six days.
| Length of stay | Terminal Drive Up | Terminal Pre-Book | Online Saver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 60 minutes | Free | Free | N/A |
| 2 hours | $28 | $18 | N/A |
| 3 hours | $34 | $24 | N/A |
| 4 hours | $40 | $30 | N/A |
| 1 day | $60 | $50 | N/A |
| 2 days | $105 | $73.50 | N/A |
| 3 days | $150 | $97 | N/A |
| 4 days | $195 | $120.50 | N/A |
| 5 days | $240 | $144 | N/A |
| 6 days | $285 | $167.50 | $152.10 |
| 7 days | $330 | $191 | $152.10 |
| 8 days | $375 | $214.50 | $152.10 |
| 9 days | $420 | $238 | $152.10 |
| 10 days | $465 | $261.50 | $169 |
| Each additional day | $45 | $23.50 | $16.90 |
Rates as listed by Avalon Airport on 7 November 2026. The airport can change them, so check the parking page when you book.
Is it worth booking online?
On the airport’s table, the pre-booked price is lower than the drive-up price at every length of stay beyond the free hour. Taking a seven-day trip as an example, the table shows driving up at $330 (the dearest), a pre-booked terminal space at $191 and the Online Saver car park at $152.10 (the cheapest), in exchange for the longer walk. For a ten-day trip the order is the same: $465 to drive up; $261.50 pre-booked at the terminal; $169 in Online Saver.
The airport also says pre-booking secures your space before you travel. Bookings can be made up to two hours before you arrive. The airport describes Online Saver as pre-booking only, so you cannot drive up and use it.
What if I only need to pick someone up?
There is a dedicated pick-up and drop-off area close to the terminal entrance, limited to two minutes. If you want to wait for a passenger inside the terminal or walk them to check-in, the first 60 minutes of parking are free, so a short visit costs nothing.
Taxis and ride-share are handled separately. The taxi drop-off and departure rank is directly outside the terminal. From 15 March 2025 the airport set a commercial vehicle access fee of $4.40, GST included, for commercial vehicles picking up passengers. Ride-share services and taxis are charged per vehicle under their agreements, with payment at the terminal control point.
How do I pay, and does the car park take cash?
The airport’s electronic parking system is cashless. If you pre-booked, you pay when you book. If you did not, you can drive into the At Terminal car park and either tap a credit card or take a ticket. If you tap a card on the way in, you must tap the same card on the way out, and the boom gate opens after you are charged. If you take a ticket, you pay at the pay station in the terminal. You cannot use the Value Long Stay car park without a booking.
The system reads number plates. With a booking, it links your plate to the booking and the boom gate opens on its own, both on entry and on exit. Without a booking, this does not work and you will need to take a ticket or tap a card. If you have a booking and your plate is not recognised, scan the QR code in your booking confirmation email. Tickets are still available, but only for people who have not pre-booked.
Can I change or cancel a booking?
You can manage a booking up to four hours before your booked entry time by entering your Order ID on the airport’s site. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your booking. For $5, Cancellation Protection lets you cancel up to one hour before your entry time.
There is a 60-minute grace period on both ends of a booking. You can enter the car park 60 minutes before your booked entry time and leave 60 minutes after your booked exit time without extra charges. If your flight changes or is cancelled within four hours of your booking, the airport says the booking is non-refundable and points to Section 8 of its online parking booking terms. Refund requests go through the form on the airport’s refunds page. If you booked before 1 April 2025 under the old system, the airport says your booking is still valid and you can reach it through the previous booking portal.
For questions about the electronic parking system, the airport lists carpark@avalonairport.com.au.
How long does it take to drive to Avalon Airport?
The airport gives these approximate times on toll-free roads:
| From | Approximate drive time |
|---|---|
| Geelong CBD | 25 minutes |
| Melbourne CBD | 50 minutes |
| Wyndham | 20 minutes |
| The Bellarine | 45 minutes |
| Start of the Great Ocean Road | 35 minutes |
From Melbourne, the airport says to cross the Westgate Bridge, follow the Princes Freeway towards Geelong, and take the Beach Road exit straight on to Avalon. It puts the airport 55 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. From Geelong it is 20 kilometres: follow the Princes Freeway towards Melbourne and take the Beach Road turn-off. The airport says to follow the signs for Short Term Parking or Long Term Parking, depending on your booking.
Are there road works on the way in?
Yes. The airport’s parking page carries a notice that, as part of the introduction of the new Route 18 bus service and front-of-airport upgrades, road works will be under way until 2027. Temporary access is in place, some road closures and changes apply, and delays are possible. It asks drivers to allow extra time and to follow all signage and traffic management. The notice does not list which roads are affected on which days.
How do I get to Avalon without driving?
The airport lists four options besides driving yourself.
| Service | Route | What the airport says |
|---|---|---|
| SkyBus Avalon City Express | Southern Cross Station in Melbourne; Synnot Street, Werribee | Meets each major flight; free WiFi on board; adult from $25; seniors from $20; Family 1 (1 adult and up to 4 children) from $25; Family 2 (2 adults and up to 4 children) from $50; tickets at the airport or Southern Cross Station; 1300 759 287 |
| Route 18 | Lara station to the airport | 21 services on weekdays and 20 on weekends; arrives 75 to 120 minutes before departures and 30 minutes after arrivals; connects with most flights |
| MyBus Airport Transfers | Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast, home or hotel to the airport | Bookings essential, at least two business days before you fly; booking team Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm; 1300 169 287 |
| Taxi | Rank directly outside the terminal | Approximate fare $120-130 to or from Melbourne and $40-50 to or from Geelong |
Taxi companies named by the airport are 13 CABS (13 2227), Black & White Cabs (133 222) and Geelong Taxi Network (131 008). For car hire, the airport lists Budget, Avis, Hertz and Europcar, Turnbull’s Hire and Kangaroo Rentals.
Route 18 runs between Lara Station and the airport. The airport links to the Transport Victoria timetable for Route 18; the times are not repeated here because they can change.
Which option suits which trip?
For an hour or less, park free or use the two-minute pick-up area. For a half-day or overnight trip with a known return, pre-booking saves $10 on a two-hour stay ($18 against $28) and $10 on a one-day stay ($50 against $60). For a long holiday, the Online Saver car park is the cheapest column on the table, with an eight-minute walk from the terminal. For a one-way trip with no car to leave, SkyBus, Route 18 or MyBus avoid parking altogether, and the airport quotes taxi fares of $120-130 to Melbourne and $40-50 to Geelong.
If a trip might change, remember the cut-offs: changes up to four hours before entry, free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and $5 Cancellation Protection if you want to cancel closer to the time.
Sources
- Avalon Airport: Parking (read 7 November 2026)
- Avalon Airport: Parking FAQ (read 7 November 2026)
- Avalon Airport: Bus (read 7 November 2026)
- Avalon Airport: Driving (read 7 November 2026)
- Avalon Airport: Taxi (read 7 November 2026)
Featured image: Jetstar A320 at Avalon Airport (photo: Bidgee / CC BY-SA 3.0 au) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Avalon Airport, SkyBus, MyBus or Public Transport Victoria. Prices and services can change; check the airport’s website before you travel.