Leaving car at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport for 5-6 weeks?

cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 17:47
Last edited 11/03/2014 - 18:04

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on where to leave a car at Melbourne Tullamarine airport when going on an overseas holiday for 5 - 6 weeks that is reasonably priced?

Or any other suggestions on how to get there and back? Living 2 hours from the airport out east is limiting our options. I would prefer not to leave our car at the airport at all if possible but i cant think of any other options.

Anyone have any other suggestions? Or if we do have to leave it there what is the cheapest and best way to go about it?

Thank you

edit i should also add in that the skybus or public transport isnt an option as we will have 6 weeks worth of luggage and the closest train station is nearly an hours drive away plus another hour on the train just to get to the city!

Travel

Comments

  • cheapgeek on 11/03/2014 - 17:53

    Train into the city, (cost < $10 per person)
    and then skybus (http://www.skybus.com.au/fares/) out to the airport…is about $18 per person

    really depends on how many people you have and how much luggage…but I've used this before and it works

  • qwerty on 11/03/2014 - 18:02
    +1

    There are a ton of new places opening up looking for airport car park money

    http://www.eliteairportparking.com.au/ is close by and really new so i think its cheapest but also available

    http://www.andrewsairportpark.com.au/melbourne/rates.aspx

    http://www.busybeaverairportparking.com.au/parking-rates/rat… - this one is undercover not indoors like elite

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 18:03

    thanks. unfortunately we dont live near a train line (closest is nearly an hours drive then another hour just to the city) and with 6 weeks worth of luggage public transport isnt really an option anyway so was hoping for a cheap way to leave our car at the airport

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 18:06

    thanks qwerty i will look at those sites now

    • nikey2k27 on 13/03/2014 - 10:30

      Look into cost of service car i used them i live 2hours from airport in Townsville. It cost about 70.00 to airport.

  • qwerty on 11/03/2014 - 18:10
    +1

    Cheapest - drop everyone off / luggage at the airport

    Drive to surrounding suburbs not near the airport / factories park the car and lock it with a steering lock

    Catch bus / walk to airport

    Or find someone on gumtree that is willing to let you park in their driveway / on their property for a nominal fee.

    • p1 ama on 11/03/2014 - 19:48

      I wouldn't do the whole parking in surrounding suburbs sort of thing. You never know what will happen and unlike airport car parks, those places are not that secure, I'd rather just pony up and park at the airport and have the peace of mind. I wouldn't enjoy a holiday if I wasn't sure whether my car was safe.

      • cloudy on 12/03/2014 - 09:45

        I think parking in surrounding suburbs is the best way, i do it all the time. If you look at crime rates in Tulla vs any other suburb its not really any different. I don't see why they are "not that secure".

        Additionally, it was only last year or 2 years ago, ACA had a story about those car park companies, that say its secure parking, but just park ur car on the street long term anyway, lol

        If you read their T&C they dont accept liability for damage.

        • algy on 12/03/2014 - 21:30
          +2

          But ACA did the story, so it is guaranteed that it is bullshit.

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 18:51

    had a look at those sites the cheapest seems to be around $230 which still seems expensive. does anyone know if any of the carparks have specials? or are there any other carparks further away from the airport that would be cheaper?

  • p1 ama on 11/03/2014 - 18:56

    I honestly would recommend that you consider a cab. Let's say you're out for 6 weeks.

    I'm not sure how much you'll be paying, but from looking around it'll be around $250 - $300 for the 6 weeks, surely that a cab fare to the airport for you is less than $150.

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 19:15

    taxi fare is about $250 EACH way…so $500 in total

    unfortunately

    • p1 ama on 11/03/2014 - 19:46
      +11

      To be honest, the best possibly way is to get a friend or a neighbour or someone to drive you and compensate them for their time.

      If I were friends with you and lived near you, 2 hours from the Airport, I'd be happy to drive you for free given you pay for the petrol.

      • Peace Maker on 14/03/2014 - 06:47
        +1

        Airtasker maybe?

  • mintysaurus on 11/03/2014 - 19:21
    +3

    Is hiring a car an option? I don't know what it'd cost though

  • robbyjones on 11/03/2014 - 19:25

    Is there a car hire company where you can pick up at one point and drop off at airport?

    • Megeso1246 on 12/03/2014 - 15:31
      +3

      I did this about a year ago. Also went on a 5-week holiday. Organised to pick up a car at Hertz the day before travel, drove to airport and dropped it off there. Same on the return trip, picked up at airport and dropped off at closest to where I live. Hire was $60/day so $120 all up. Some car hire companies charge more for dropping off at another location, so will need to do a little research first. I used vroomvroomvroom.com.au to compare

  • aggregate on 11/03/2014 - 19:34
    +1

    Your car probably will be out of battery by the time you get back. Find a friend and drive you to the airport. Alternatively hire a car.

    • ilostnemo on 12/03/2014 - 11:09
      +2

      6 weeks won't hurt the battery, I've had cars sit for 3 months and they start 1st click.

      Id investigate car hire places that have a agency at the airport.

      You also have to weigh up the convenience of having door to door service with your own car.

      If you are going to save $50 but have to catch trains, carry luggage, I'd look for another way to save
      $50.

      Enjoy your holiday, you don't want to park your car in a side street and worry about it every second day.
      I'd also assume $250 is a small percentage of the total holiday cost.

  • zrach on 11/03/2014 - 20:11

    Taxi to nearest train station and go from there. 1 hour train ride isn't bad. Alternatively, google if your place has an airport shuttle. Most areas do

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 20:35

    Ideally we would prefer to leave our car at a proper carpark at the airport or a bit further out if cheaper. Anyone know of any cheaper options than $250 for the 6 weeks?

  • easternbluecut on 11/03/2014 - 20:39
    +1

    what about airport bus (note this is not a sky bus) not sure where you're located but you said east so maybe http://www.airportbus.com.au/ also not sure of price but I'd be very surprised if it cost more than $200 or you could even try airtasker I'm sure someone would be happy to drive you to and from the airport for $50-$100 plus petrol.

  • cinnamon85 on 11/03/2014 - 21:50

    Thanks guys. Unfortunately airport bus doesnt even come close to where I live :(

    Derpdeder thanks for that, that price is a bit more reasonable :) can anyone use code sp25? Where did u get the code? Thats great!

  • chrispc on 11/03/2014 - 22:13

    Do you have a friend that lives close to the airport? You could probably park there.

  • wodaidai on 11/03/2014 - 22:27

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/84719
    could work … definitely cheaper

  • rinbond on 12/03/2014 - 08:15

    Try alpha parking near airport,we use them and by far the cheapest,when you do online qoute put in sporting assoc in the dropbox.$167.40
    (42 days)

  • daoople on 12/03/2014 - 08:38

    On the whole the suggestions people above have mentioned are probably the most sensible. It would help if you mentioned in your post the closest town/suburb you live in so that others know where you are travelling from - so we're not guessing as to what options are available.

    Regardless, hope it all works out. We are in the same situation, but we live in the city so we have different options available.

    There are regoinal airport shuttles available, but would something like Yarra Valley Transfers help? http://www.yarravalleytransfers.com.au/yvt_004.htm

  • backpaqer on 12/03/2014 - 09:18

    I hate the whole airport parking game and the taxi extortion racket…I park at mother-in-law's and catch a $25 cab from there (and boy do the cabbies hate it when they get me coming home…but tough).

    Limo hire companies usually do fixed rate point to point - get a quote, you might be surprised (it's actually cheaper for me to get a limo to my place in south-eastern burbs than catch a taxi).

    Last trip was 3 guys heading to the Tour De France with 3 bikes and 4 weeks of luggage…we used a maxi taxi from the closest blokes place.

    Other than that, find out if you know someone who lives a lot closer to the airport than you do and cab it from there or find a friend who is willing to drive you…best options I reckon.

    • bluedufflecoat on 13/03/2014 - 11:05

      You could always tip the cabby a bit more generously for the ride back.

  • stinx2001 on 12/03/2014 - 10:23

    I live on a pretty quiet street in Glenroy, about $20-$25 taxi to the airport depending on traffic. Our second car is parked on the street for 90% of its life and we have never had an issue in the 4 years we have lived there (having said that I will probably get home from work tonight and find it gone or missing windows haha). Just be sensible and leave NOTHING in the car and make sure you will be covered by insurance if something does happen.

  • JediJan on 12/03/2014 - 11:01

    I am in a similar situation to you with a holiday coming up soon. Over an hour south of Melbourne and one of our passengers is an 85yo. Only friend I have north of Melbourne has no available parking (or on street available). I believe your vehicle is just as safe parking on the road as it would be in a car parking facility. Last year I parked with Europcar for a week but NEVER EVER again with that lot. They say they 360o video your car on entry but when you complain about the long scratches to your bumper on collection, they apparently do not have to show you that video. The car was parked so I did not see the front bumper on collection too. When the damage is about $700 it is not worth your insurance company's effort to make too much fuss either, so I was stuck with the bill. I would like to park somewhere south of Tullamarine and use their shuttle bus for drop off/pick up etc. At the moment I am considering Busy Beaver.

  • blackwind on 12/03/2014 - 11:44

    There a company using 12 passengers VAN. We use them all the time, cost you around $80-100(return), you tell them where you live, they either ask you to go near by or pickup from your house, and drop off at airport, and you can confirm with them for return, they can pick u up from the air port to home…

    Very friendly service, we've done heap of time, if you interested I will have to look for their number!

  • movieman on 12/03/2014 - 12:36

    I know someone who has some space near Tullamarine.

    I'll PM you.

  • cinnamon85 on 12/03/2014 - 13:55

    hi blackwind that would be great if u could find the company name and number of the van that picks you up!

  • blackwind on 12/03/2014 - 14:09

    PM sent

  • DrStinge on 12/03/2014 - 14:55
    +3

    Pay an Ozbargainer $100 ;)

  • cinnamon85 on 12/03/2014 - 14:57

    thanks everyone, i appreciate your help and suggestions. i would still prefer a proper carpark at or near the airport as we would prefer to take ourselves and leave our car at a proper secure location. its looking like they are all a bit too expensive though. was hoping there was a well known cheap one or one with a heavily discounted rate!

  • danyool on 12/03/2014 - 16:56

    Rent it out to someone else while you're away and earn money!!

    http://www.drivemycarrentals.com.au/carhire

    Might be tricky having someone want it for the exact dates you're away, but if you had a friend who could tee it up, could be a good earner. IF you don't mind your car being drivin by someone else (it would be covered by insurance that the renter pays) - I haven't done this myself, just looked into hiring a car once, but didn't end up using them.

  • striker5950 on 12/03/2014 - 18:01

    mate you can be sure your battery will be dead by the time you return, but thats no problem, have a jump starter inside your car:P

  • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2014 - 20:41

    I have used these guys before (only short term), they seemed friendly enough and short minibus ride to the airport is included to/from, they don't make you wait if they know that your flight is almost due. I did a big shortlist at the time to find the cheapest and they were the cheapest when I did the comparison for that short term.

    http://www.aceairportparking.com.au/

  • angelkulit025 on 12/03/2014 - 21:41
    +1

    I live 15 minutes from the airport =)you can just pay me 100 as what DrStinge said..lol

  • Peacekeeper on 12/03/2014 - 22:05

    Like a few people said earlier, if you can't find someone to drive you then car rental is the way to go. Cheaper than airport parking/taxi and just as fast.

  • ascotno1 on 12/03/2014 - 22:59
    +1

    I use Alpha..cheapest by far.
    http://www.alphaairportparking.com.au/melbourne.php

  • PeterC86 on 13/03/2014 - 10:26

    all the options i think have been mentioned:

    1. one way car hire both ends
    2. friend/relative to drop you off/pick you up
    3. drop everyone off, then go park somewhere nearby (even near to closest taxi rank if u dont want to rely on bus/train)
    4. drive to that nearest taxi rank to airport, drop everyone off, get taxi driver to follow you to where you park in random close suburb, and then take you all to airport.

    easies

  • deathjr on 13/03/2014 - 11:59

    Alpha and Value long stay (airport) are the cheapest options, but alpha has been in controversy lately for parking your cars out on the street with all your information displayed on the windscreen. This was reported by A Current Affair, so you might want to do your own research about this.

  • backpaqer on 13/03/2014 - 12:33

    And if you get a taxi driver to drive you a short trip…see if they'll give you their details for a "named pickup" at a definite date/time as they can then jump the entire taxi rank queue and stand in the arrivals hall with your name on a card.

  • iFetch on 13/03/2014 - 22:08

    I second ascotno1. I've found that Alpha Aiport Parking offers consistently cheaper prices, and I'm pretty sure they will beat any other quote you have if you send it to them. http://www.alphaairportparking.com.au/melbourne.php
    Once you join up they send you gift vouchers to use for your next park. They also do car rentals - I once got a Nissan Micra for about $20 per day at their Gold Coast branch - best deal by far at the time!

  • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2014 - 22:22

    I've used Andrew's parking at least half a dozen times for long term parking. Good price, and quick pick up from the airport. Can definitely recommend.

    • donbot on 14/03/2014 - 10:04

      Agreed. Have used them probably half a dozen times of so in recent years, plus my folks/gfs folks. Never once had to worry about calling them to send a shuttle bus… everytime I have walked out of the terminal upon return and seen their blue bus and jumped aboard.

      10% discount for RACV members too.

  • bradtheresa on 13/03/2014 - 22:36

    I'd just hire a car, and drop at the airport - saves on hassles & worries, and an added bonus is that the car rental drop offs are always closer than where you can park your own car, so a shorter distance to walk.

  • GOFYS on 14/03/2014 - 08:07
    +1

    "with 6 weeks worth of luggage, public transport isn't really an option"
    Wow! Too much luggage on Day one. How are you planning to get around for the other 5 weeks and 6 days.

  • MementoMori on 14/03/2014 - 09:20

    For what it's worth… my car was broken into in an attempted theft at Melbourne Airport Long Term parking. Several high performance cars were stolen that weekend.

    Melbourne Airport Long Term parking IS NOT SECURE.

  • cinnamon85 on 14/03/2014 - 10:14

    Whitecane I mean I am not taking a large suit case and hand luggage for each of us on a train. We want to drive with our luggage not lift it on trains and buses

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