Alice Springs Airport Parking

Looking for parking at Alice Springs Airport (ASP) and worried it’ll be a bit of a mission?

Grab a drink, put your feet up and read this guide – because we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. Stick with us and, in a few minutes, you’ll not only know your ideal parking lot at ASP, but also know where to dash if you need the loo and the best places to eat and drink.

And if you’re driving in from a little further out, ask for an extra day’s holiday to explore the area around Alice Springs, because in case you haven’t heard, it’s rather special. A legendary northern Territory settlement, Alice Springs is bang in the middle of the Red Centre and close to iconic sites Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas – otherworldly dome-like rock formations believed to have formed around the same time as Uluru).

As you might expect, the culture here has Aboriginal and European influences and the town’s large Aboriginal population is represented in indigenous art galleries and culture centres where you can visit yourself. As well as Europeans and Aboriginal people, you’ll find Asians and Americans living in Alice Springs and this multicultural diversity is showcased in authentic, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Top things to do in Alice Springs include meeting wildlife like emus, birds of prey and kangaroos at Alice Springs Desert Park, taking a camel ride out of town into the desert, and learning about Northern Territory reptiles like crocodiles, lizards and snakes at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. If you’re feeling fit, you can take a bushwalk around the many trails in the area (but plan your route and take plenty of water) and culture vultures love the Alice Springs Museum, which showcases Aboriginal history and culture as well as telling the stories of the early European settlers. Meanwhile, the Araluen Cultural Centre is a lovely place to see a play, dance show or live music performance, and there are plenty of nice shops around town to pick up anything from souvenirs to clothes and homeware.

Find the best deals at Alice Springs Airport

Without blowing our own trumpet, we reckon the best way to find a great deal on parking at Alice Springs Airport is by doing what you’re doing right now – reading this riveting guide!

But in general, good general tips on finding airport parking in most locations include booking your parking in advance through the airport’s website or app (often the easiest way to get a good price) and keeping an eye out for seasonal discounts or cut price rates that apply if, for example, you’ve got a certain type of credit card.

Off-site parking lots are sometimes a good pick for bargain hunters too – as long as you don’t mind hopping on a shuttle to the terminal, they can be keenly priced. But if you value convenience over cost, perhaps consider valet parking – if you want minimum hassle, have a large travel party and lots of luggage, it’s a game-changer.

Compare parking at Alice Springs Airport

With 1500 parking spaces for short-term, long-term and disabled travellers, the parking provision at Alice Springs Airport is pretty generous.

And it’s all part of a super setup at an air hub with a history stretching back over a century. First constructed as a tiny airstrip in the middle of town, Alice Springs Airport was used primarily by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and to deliver mail. Like many airports, it was commandeered for military use during World War II, after which it returned to civilian use.

In the 1950s, ASP was expanded to handle larger aeroplanes and a new terminal was opened in 1960. Further expansion followed in the 1970s to cope with the influx of tourists to the region and today ASP is a major regional airport that connects the area to the rest of Australia and international locations.

What parking is there at Alice Springs Airport?

There’s tons of terrific parking at ASP. But if you’re serious about sussing out a bargain (and you’re open-minded), it’s sometimes worth checking out airport parking comparison sites. Looking4Parking is one decent example – this long-term player in the parking space can sometimes offer unique deals.

For now though, let’s take a look at your official Alice Springs Airport parking options:

• Short-term parking at ASP is the best choice when you’re picking up or dropping off passengers and it’s free for the first 10 minutes, then charges accrue at an hourly rate. Grab a ticket from the machine when you enter and then pay at the terminal before you go back to your car.
• Long-term parking at Alice Springs Airport is at the north side of the complex and it’s a cheaper option when you’re flying off for more than a handful of days.
• Valet parking is also available at ASP and this is a top option if, for instance, you’re a businessperson who wants to scoot through airside with minimum hassle or if you’ve got lots of bags and want to head right through to security and let paid professionals take care of parking your vehicle.
• Disabled parking at ASP is available in the short and long-term car parks – it’s free for anyone with a disabled permit.

Getting to Alice Springs Airport

The drive from the centre of Alice Springs to Alice Springs Airport takes around 15 minutes and the signs along the way are easy to follow.

For GPS, the address is Alice Springs Airport, Santa Teresa Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870.

>Facilities at Alice Springs Airport

Alice Springs Airport isn’t the world’s biggest airport, but it has everything you need in terms of facilities.

If you need to draw cash, there are two ATMs – one close to the baggage claim area and another near check-in. There are plenty of baggage carts available for free, and baby change facilities are located near the toilets so you can clean up your little ones before boarding.

There’s free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport, plenty of mobile phone charging areas and when you need to relax pre-flight, you’ll find comfy and cosy rest rooms and family zones.

ASP has a range of good shops too. You can pick up newspapers, magazines and snacks at News Travels, stock up on souvenirs like boomerangs, hats and t-shirts at Australian Way, grab last minute toiletries at 7-Eleven, chic fragrances at The Perfume Shop and healthy potions and lotions at The Body Shop. Finally, for good prices on high-end liquor and designer gifts, don’t forget the duty free.

Here’s a pro tip if you’re travelling with teenagers, haven’t flown for a while and want to avoid pre-flight family fireworks – make sure that your first stop is somewhere you get something tasty to eat. And there are lots of good choices at Alice Springs Airport. For instance, Café Terra Rose serves a range of artisan coffees, teas and snacks like wraps, sandwiches and salads – it’s a good choice when light bites will suffice. And the Flying Doctor Café is a similar (although not identical) deal, with teas, coffees and lots of healthy choices. But when you want to chow down on some hearty Aussie tucker and grab a filling brekkie, lunch or dinner, definitely make a beeline for the Outback Kitchen. There are also plenty of vending machines when you’ve got a craving for your favourite soft drink or chocolate bar before boarding but if you’ve got a little more time and are partial to a relaxing pre-flight drink, the Aero Bar serves a super selection of refreshing beers, wines and spirits as well as tasty bar snacks.

Whew. As you can see, there’s more to Alice Springs Airport than meets the eye. When you’re thinking about the best parking spot, first consider your unique needs – can you park a little further away or would you rather be close? What’s your budget? Would you pay more for VIP convenience? Then simply match it to the recommendations we’ve collated. Once you’ve got your ASP parking sorted, you can then settle down and enjoy some of the airport’s ample pre-flight amenities. We hope you enjoyed your Alice Springs Airport parking guide – wherever you’re going, park smooth, sly safe and have a fabulous time.