MEL Long Term Car Park

[Cocitus23]

I would be interested to know what other users of the outdoor long term carpark at MEL consider to be the optimum position for parking. Most people try to get close to the entry/exit, say Stations A, B or C. But sometimes when the pick-up bus arrives it is already full. Perhaps it is better to drive to the far end, around G or H, but then you run the risk of the bus being full of newly arrived passengers. Maybe somewhere in the middle (D, E, F) is optimal. What do you think? Are there any other factors to consider?

 

[tuapekastar]

I would be interested to know what other users of the outdoor long term carpark at MEL consider to be the optimum position for parking. Most people try to get close to the entry/exit, say Stations A, B or C. But sometimes when the pick-up bus arrives it is already full. Perhaps it is better to drive to the far end, around G or H, but then you run the risk of the bus being full of newly arrived passengers. Maybe somewhere in the middle (D, E, F) is optimal. What do you think? Are there any other factors to consider?

I've rarely, if ever, found any free spaces near the entrance. I just drive in and keep going till I find a park! D is usually the best I'll do. And I've never noticed any particular 'pattern' as to how crowded the bus is. I posted sometime last year (or perhaps earlier) on 'long term car park rage' where a number of buses did not even stop as they were packed (it was 0800-ish, school holidays IIRC) and there was a confrontation between driver and desperately wannabe passenger (not me).

I think time of day is a far more important consideration or factor than which car park station you end up at.

And I caught the bus TO the LTCP a month or so ago quite late at night (~2300) and it was jampacked...you never can tell!

 

[serfty]

It does not always help parking a G or H either as the bus's often enter th Park Jam packed with inbound PAX and you still can't get on.

Straitman pointed me to an off-site carpark mob which seemed just as efficient and certainly less expensive; you can book via the RACV web site and save even more. (melbourne airport parking - RACV Travel)

 

[Cocitus23]

It does not always help parking a G or H either as the bus's often enter th Park Jam packed with inbound PAX and you still can't get on.

Straitman pointed me to an off-site carpark mob which seemed just as efficient and certainly less expensive; you can book via the RACV web site and save even more. (melbourne airport parking - RACV Travel)

Thanks Serfty. I understand what you say about G and H. That's why I suspect that E or F might be better - gives a chance to off-load a few of the incomers. And you wouldn't run the risk of a full bus not stopping to pick you up, as happened to me at B last week.

Thanks, too, for the tip on the RACV subsidised parking. I am an RACV member, but was not aware of that service. Must try it.

 

[rambisyouth]

United Airport Parking I think are fairly similar with reasonable rates. They advertise 3 minutes to the airport from their facility.

I used them last week and called for pick up as I left the gate in domestic (no luggage) and they were waiting for me at the pickup location.

 

[straitman]

United Airport Parking I think are fairly similar with reasonable rates. They advertise 3 minutes to the airport from their facility.

I used them last week and called for pick up as I left the gate in domestic (no luggage) and they were waiting for me at the pickup location.

I have used United in the past but gave up because they were dearer than Jetport, never even went close to the advertised 3 minute time lines and were slow on the pickup.

Maybe they have lifted their game :!:

As serfty stated there is a discount (approx 10-15%) for RACV members when using Jetport.

 

[rambisyouth]

Thanks Bill. I'll try Jetport next time.

 

[markis10]

One way hire cars are another option which has the added benefit of points, however you need to be close to the pick up point .

 

[avonlea]

I've used all three options (Melbourne Long Term, United and Jetport)..

Answering the original question.. on our last trip starting the Friday before school holidays, we found "G" to be the best position. Very few people on the bus arriving, as not many people coming to Melbourne, but by the time we got to "D", we were full and passed all of the final 4 stops. The only problem was the cost. For the weekend, was the same as for the full week. Not good at all.

We've done United, which is good when it comes to picking up the bus on return, but not so good when it comes to meeting their "3 minute" advertising. Also, not much different to Long Term Parking in cost.

We've done Jetport, which is good when it comes to cost, but atrocious when it comes to being picked up on return. You have to phone a mobile number, that you are given on a little piece of paper when you depart, and after x weeks away you've most probably lost it. None of the information people know about the company, so finding the mobile number at the airport is extremely difficult. Finally, their pickup point is not anywhere near the most popular long-term terminal.. International.. so you have to drag your bags to where they do pick up.

Bottom line.. you get what you pay for.. Jetport is cheap and simple, with some warts. United is middle-of-the-road. Long Term is the easiest to deal with, but the worst for the "short term-long term parking".

 

[docjames]

Have used Andrew's in MEL a few times - always pretty good, and in between on price.

One of my friends who uses them a lot swears by them.

At least MEL Long Term is not as big a rip off as BNE......:evil::evil::evil:

 

[straitman]

We've done Jetport, which is good when it comes to cost, but atrocious when it comes to being picked up on return. You have to phone a mobile number, that you are given on a little piece of paper when you depart, and after x weeks away you've most probably lost it. None of the information people know about the company, so finding the mobile number at the airport is extremely difficult. Finally, their pickup point is not anywhere near the most popular long-term terminal.. International.. so you have to drag your bags to where they do pick up.

The pickup point for all the off airport parking companies has recently changed to about half way along the walk way at the front of domestic rather than at the end as it was. This makes it a little more convenient. I'm not sure what the problem is re walking from International at Melbourne as I would have thought the difference is only about 150 Metres.

There are many off airport companies and they are all a little better or worse in my opinion. I have been picked up almost instantaneously through to having to wait 15-20 minutes.

 

[avonlea]

I'm not sure what the problem is re walking from International at Melbourne as I would have thought the difference is only about 150 Metres.

Me by my self.. no problems.

Me with wife and two kids under 11 after a long flight.. not as easy..

When you supply details of your arrival flight to the company and are not told anything different, you expect the pickup to be where the other companies are picking up people.. i.e. outside International. When you have to ring them, are told a bus will be there "soon", and then have to ring back after 20 minutes waiting and are then told to walk down to Virgin.. that is frustrating.

We did ask the driver why he couldn't pick up at International like the other companies, and he said that Jetport didn't have the rights to pick up where the other companies do.

 

[browski]

You have to phone a mobile number, that you are given on a little piece of paper when you depart, and after x weeks away you've most probably lost it.

Putting their number into your phone should take 12 seconds. Are you Amish?

 

[avonlea]

Putting their number into your phone should take 12 seconds. Are you Amish?

You know.. it's very sad when people go on forums such as this one, put their experiences out for public view, and then get put down by ignorant, rude, "know-it-alls".

This is a forum offering advice to travellers, not some trashy place where the idea is to try to think up some disparaging comment to post.

Obviously, you haven't used Jetport early in the morning with kids in tow and lots of things to do. The last thing I was thinking of was putting the phone number in my mobile!!!

Kindly keep any facetious remarks to yourself, and keep this forum for useful comment!

 

[Cocitus23]

You know.. it's very sad when people go on forums such as this one, put their experiences out for public view, and then get put down by ignorant, rude, "know-it-alls".

This is a forum offering advice to travellers, not some trashy place where the idea is to try to think up some disparaging comment to post.

Obviously, you haven't used Jetport early in the morning with kids in tow and lots of things to do. The last thing I was thinking of was putting the phone number in my mobile!!!

Kindly keep any facetious remarks to yourself, and keep this forum for useful comment!

Well said, Avonlea. I'm right with you.

Cocitus23

 

[BensAdventures]

I've used United a couple of times, but mostly I settle for the ease of MEL Long Term. I always drive straight for 'D' and always there is a park near the stop. The buses are rarely too full by then.

BTW, good response Avonlea!

Ben

 

[tuapekastar]

I guess we're all coloured by the mixed experiences we've had.

I've used MEL LTCP many times with results varying from excellent to pretty average.

The only two off-airport excursions I've done were a) Jetport self-park, which was very good and hassle-free (would happily use again) , and b) Andrew's, where I (and two others) had to wait outside the office ~15 minutes for our cars to be delivered when leaving. I doubt I'll use them again.

I guess I could just as easily have had differing expriences depending on the day/circumstances, but it goes to show that one bad customer experience (especially if it's the first one) can be enough to prevent any repeat business.

Price enters into it...LTCP seems good value when the stay is 6 or 7 days, off-airport when the stay is 1/2/3 days.

 

[matt.blak]

I use Europe Car Parking for all my trips from Melbourne. You need to pre-book and the paperwork is ready when you get there. They drive you straight to the airport. If you are running late, they will also drive you and you can complete the paperwork onyour return. This has saved me a few times.

My biggest worry with the LTCP is how long it takes to park and catch a bus back to the terminal. I know I should arrive with plenty of time, but after battling the freeway, this does not always happen.

Pickup is from 3 places along the front of the terminal, and they are usually there ina few minutes. My car has always been ready to go when I get to the carpark, just put my bags in and go.

If you choose outside parking, its cheaper than LTCP, if you choose ndoor, its about the same. Indoor they move your car so its ready for your return. I like to think of it as valet parking, so I fell a bit "special".

 

[apj01]

I always go as far as possible to the back near where the bus comes in to LTCP. You can usually get a park near the bus stop. Parking near the entrance is just a nightmare - given up on that ages ago. Unless you fluke one as you drive past.

 

[robertz]

From my past experience, (1 missed flight and a Tiger flight with 2 minute left) dont under any circumstances be tempted to park in A,B,C if its busy and in the morning. All the buses are full and wont stop. Especially if u are travelling with your wife. Mine kept pressing the emergency button, screaming at the voice that after 30 minutes of buses going by that we were about to miss our plane.

Then there was the story of trying to get a taxi to pick us up at B and take us to the terminal... Thats a whole new world of pain..

Rob