Townsville Airport Parking, Pick-up and Drop-off: Saver and Select Car Parks, 10 Minutes Free, Route 222 Bus for 50 Cents and Taxi Toll (QLD)

At Townsville Airport you choose between the open-air Saver car park, about a 5 minute walk from the terminal, and the covered Select car park, about 1 minute away. For a quick drop-off use the pick-up and drop-off zone outside the terminal, where you must stay with your vehicle, or the Short Term Car Park with 10 minutes free. Translink’s route 222 bus runs between the airport and the city for 50 cents each way.

This guide uses Townsville Airport’s own transport pages, read on Monday 9 November 2026, and is current as of November 2026. Townsville is on Queensland time (UTC+10, no daylight saving).

Where can I park at Townsville Airport?

The airport lists two options and says both have accessible spaces and easy access. Its FAQ says the car parks are open 24 hours, and recommends pre-booking online to lock in a spot and save.

Car park	Type	Walk to the terminal	What the airport says
Saver	Open air	About 5 minutes	Good value, ideal for budget-conscious travellers and longer stays
Select	Covered, well lit	About 1 minute	The most premium option, perfect for short term stays

The airport’s booking page does not show a price until you enter your entry and exit times, so we cannot give one. Its FAQ answer to “How much will it cost to park?” only repeats that there are two options and that you save by pre-booking. If you have booked, number plate recognition cameras scan your plate at the car park and the boom gate opens on its own. If it does not open, scan the QR code in your booking confirmation email.

Is the car park expansion going to affect me?

Yes, it may. The airport says it is building more car parks, with approximately 300 additional bays across the precinct when the project is complete. During construction there may be temporary changes to parking availability, access routes and pedestrian pathways. It asks travellers to allow extra time to find a park and reach the terminal, and to follow the on-site signs and wayfinding. The work is being delivered in stages, with alternative parking arrangements as required.

How do I drop someone off or pick them up?

The airport’s pick-up and drop-off zone is directly outside the terminal. Drivers must stay with their vehicle, passengers should be ready at the kerb, and no parking or waiting is allowed in the zone. Penalties apply for unattended vehicles. The airport explains there is no parking in front of the terminal because it is a Restricted Parking Zone under Commonwealth security rules. On drop-off you should exit the vehicle immediately after stopping, and on pick-up your passenger should be at the kerb for immediate pick-up.

Option	What the airport says
Pick-up and drop-off zone	Outside the terminal; stay with the vehicle; no waiting
Short Term Car Park	A short stroll from the terminal; 10 minutes free, for helping with luggage or meeting someone at arrivals
30 minute free holding pattern	A few minutes from the terminal, with free Wi-Fi; wait for the call, then go to the kerb
Accessible spaces	In all car parks and at the pick-up and drop-off zone, close to terminal access points

The airport suggests checking flight updates before you leave, and says most passengers take 10 to 15 minutes to collect their bags after landing. It also suggests agreeing on a meeting spot, especially in busy times.

What happens if I stop in the wrong place?

Parking or stopping outside designated areas at the airport is not allowed under the Commonwealth Airports (Control of On-Airport Activities) Regulations 1997. A breach can bring a Parking Infringement Notice. The airport says all infringements are issued on behalf of the Australian Government and that it receives no income from infringement payments. To pay or appeal a fine, or nominate another driver, use the airport’s self-service portal.

How does the bus to the city work?

Translink’s route 222 runs seven days a week between Townsville Airport and Townsville City for 50 cents each way, according to the airport. The route links the airport with the Breakwater ferry terminal, the Palmer Street precinct, the stadium and the wider bus network through the Townsville City bus hub. It runs every 60 minutes from 4am to 11pm, seven days a week, except Good Friday and Christmas Day. You can plan a trip at translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

What about taxis, rideshare and shuttles?

Taxis and rideshare are available directly outside the terminal at the end of the arrivals. A $3.80 airport toll applies to both, and the passenger pays it. For a wheelchair accessible taxi, the airport says its Kerbside Concierge can organise one. The airport describes the drive to the city centre as around 10 minutes.

Option	What the airport says
Route 222 bus	50 cents each way, hourly, 4am to 11pm
Taxi or rideshare	End of arrivals; $3.80 airport toll paid by the passenger
Townsville Shuttle Service	Daily, to city hotels and the Magnetic Island ferry terminal, timed to all major flights; bookings essential (shuttletsv.com.au)
Private and group transfers	Local operators for coaches, limousines and the Burdekin district, listed on the airport’s page

Can I change or cancel a parking booking?

You can cancel or change a parking booking up to 12 hours before your scheduled arrival time, using “Manage My Booking” on the airport’s pre-booking site. You need your booking reference number and the email address used for the booking, or you can use the link in your confirmation email. Changes or cancellations inside the 12 hour period are handled by the car park team case by case, and the airport lists prebook@tsvairport.com.au for contact. If you book and the car park closes, the airport says you receive a full refund.

Which private operators does the airport list?

Beyond the shuttle, the airport’s transport options page lists local operators for private transport. It describes these services and gives each operator’s contact details, which we have not copied here because several are personal mobile numbers.

Operator	What the airport says it offers
Acacia Limousines	Sedans and stretch limousines for hire
Burdekin Service Cars	Private transport between the airport and the Burdekin district
Calypso Coaches	Coach, minibus, truck and bus hire
Detours Townsville	Air-conditioned mini and touring coaches from 16 to 60 seats
Gordonvale Coaches	Transport for groups of 10 to 300 people
McMillans Bus Charters Townsville	Vehicles from 5 to 33 seats, suited to airport transfers, events and group travel
Townsville Transfers	Door-to-door transfers in a modern sedan; listed as the airport’s premium local transfer service

Can I hire a car at the airport?

Yes. The airport says major rental car companies have desks inside the terminal, and recommends pre-booking, especially during peak periods. Its car rentals page lists Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, and links to the VroomVroomVroom comparison site for real-time rates. VroomVroomVroom says you can cancel or change a booking at no extra charge and do not need a credit card until pick-up. You need a valid driver’s licence.

Sources

• Townsville Airport — Book Car Park (read 9 November 2026)
• Townsville Airport — Passenger Pick-up and Drop-off (read 9 November 2026)
• Townsville Airport — Transport Options (read 9 November 2026)
• Townsville Airport — Car Rentals (read 9 November 2026)

Featured image: Townsville Airport (photo: Queensland Airports Limited / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Townsville Airport, Queensland Airports Limited, Translink or any transport operator named above. The airport’s pages are the source for every detail above.