How to get to Gozo? All the options for reaching the island!

Hello, after my first articles on Malta’s sister island, I would like to tell you all you need to know about how to get to Gozo. To give you an idea of its location, Gozo lies to the north of Malta (5km) and Comino (2km). To give you a better idea, Gozo is half the size of Malta. Suffice it to say, you can easily explore the whole island! Although the roads aren’t always easy to navigate, haha! As you know, I spent four full days there and also went quad biking for a day. What struck me about this Mediterranean island is that I found it to be really authentic and unspoilt. At first glance you might think there isn’t much to do on Gozo, but there are many hidden gems to discover. In fact, I’ve listed all the things to see and do on Gozo in our dedicated article.

If you want to discover a quiet and natural island, I’m sure you’ll love Gozo! It’s the perfect place to take a break and unwind while exploring wild and idyllic spots! The aim of this article is to make your life easier by giving you all the options for getting to Gozo.

To find out more about the island, we’ve put together a guide to the beaches of Gozo, the perfect guide to help you find your way around!

Firstly, please note that there is no airport in Gozo, so you will have to fly to Malta’s airport in Luqa. From France, this will only take 2-3 hours, depending on your departure city. Once in Malta you have two options to get to Gozo: ferry or private boat.

The most traditional ferry departs from the port of Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta, just opposite Gozo. You can take your car on board this ferry without any worries! In terms of accessibility, you can easily reach the ferry terminal by:

• car: I rented my car through the comparison website Discover Cars. I was able to easily find good deals and choose the type of car I wanted. I picked it up directly at the airport and dropped it off at the end of my stay there.

• Bus: There are buses from Luqa airport, Valletta, Sliema, Mellieħa (basically the whole east coast of the island). In high season, tickets cost €2 and in winter €1.50, which is still a cheap option. Buses generally run every 20 to 30 minutes, but less frequently in the evenings.
• Taxi: if you prefer a safer, more comfortable ride to Ċirkewwa, there are plenty of cabs waiting at the airport. The advantage of taking a cab at the airport is that you pay at the cab rank in the arrivals hall before getting into the cab. I find this a rather practical system. This way, prices are fixed, you pay in advance and there are no nasty surprises with the meter. When the meter starts running, you never know what to expect, haha. In general, the ride from the airport to Ċirkewwa costs around €35.
• Bolt, Uber, etc. : you can also use these apps to book a ride. I won’t hide the fact that they’re generally a little cheaper than traditional cabs. However, prices always depend on the time of day and how busy it is. That’s just the way it is!

If you’re wondering how to get to Gozo from Valletta, there’s been a new ferry service for the past four years that takes you to Gozo from Grand Harbour (in Valletta)! This crossing is operated by Gozo Fast Ferry and Virtu Ferries Gozo. You cannot take your rental car on board, but if you are on foot, this can be a good alternative. It is much closer to Malta Airport if you want to travel to Gozo without spending time on the main island.

Good news for you, the classic ferry between Ċirkewwa (Malta) and Gozo runs very often. What’s more, it operates 24/7, even on public holidays. Whether you leave early in the morning, in the middle of the day or even late at night, you can count on this ferry! During the day, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., there’s a departure approximately every 30 to 45 minutes. There’s no need to hurry – there’s always someone arriving! If you still want to check the Ċirkewwa-Mġarr ferry timetable, you can visit the Gozo Channel company website. During the night, of course, departures are less frequent: approximately every 1 h 30 to 2 hours. Please note: in summer, departures are more frequent.

Another tip for the road: if you want to be on the safe side, I advise you to arrive 20 minutes before boarding time, especially in summer (when there are many more passengers and rental cars), otherwise you may have to wait longer.

From Valletta, the fast ferry leaves between 6.30am and 7pm, no later, so be careful. There’s a ferry every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the time of year. If the weather is bad, departures may be suspended as a precaution. Although Malta’s climate is mild, the sea can be rough in winter and there can be storms.

Rest assured, travel between Malta and Gozo is both simple and affordable. Whether on foot, by car or with the family, prices are truly reasonable and accessible. To give you an idea:
From Ċirkewwa (classic ferry):

• The ticket for an adult pedestrian costs around €4.65 (round trip).
• For kids (aged between 3 and 12), the fare is all the more affordable: around €1.15.
• For kids under 3, it’s free.
• If you take your own vehicle, the fare is around €15.70, driver included, round trip.

You won’t pay on the outward journey from Ċirkewwa. For the record, I didn’t know this and as we were rushed in, I thought we’d got in without paying. I checked right away and it was still reassuring for the rest of the trip and to enjoy the scenery ahah.

From Valletta (fast ferry) :

• The price of an adult ticket is between €7.50 and €9.99 per trip (this may vary depending on the season)
• For kids, fares are around €5.

Granted, the ferry from Valletta is slightly more expensive, but it saves time depending on where you’re staying on the island.
For the classic ferry, you won’t need to book: you’ll just have to go straight to Ċirkewwa. For the fast ferry, it’s best to book in advance, especially in high season or at weekends, if you want to be sure of having room.
Another little tip: if you’re traveling with several people, check out the offers for groups or multi-trip packages, as there are some great deals to be had!

There is a direct ferry from Pirkewwa. The journey takes 25 minutes. Let me tell you, it goes by quickly! What’s more, the scenery is beautiful as you leave Malta, pass by Comino and arrive at Mġarr, the small coastal village of Gozo (the terminus). A wonderful panorama of these three Maltese islands!

There are cliffs and magnificent views along the way. Let me tell you, it’s a pretty cool ferry ride! What’s more, if you go before the usual rush hours and out of season, there are very few people on board. You won’t feel cramped, trust me!

From Valletta, the crossing to Gozo is quite pleasant. You’ll sail along the entire west coast of Malta, then to Comino and finally to Gozo. This time the crossing takes 45 minutes. Admittedly, it’s longer from the capital, but it saves time as you don’t have to take a bus or taxi to the north of the island. In any case, the crossing is very comfortable and the ferries are quite modern. However, the ferries are very crowded in the summer. Try to leave early in the morning, it’s much more pleasant!

Although the ferry is still the easiest and most common way to get to Gozo from Malta, there are other options. There are quicker and more exclusive solutions. I’ll give you all the alternatives depending on your wishes and expectations during your stay.

If you prefer a personalised experience that allows you to travel at your own pace, avoiding the crowds and waiting times, you can take a private boat or taxi boat. You can easily book one from Valletta, Sliema or St Julian’s. This way you can choose your departure time and day, and most importantly, you can stop along the way to swim, snorkel or explore the caves around Comino and Gozo. In my opinion, whatever your itinerary, you’ll have a great day!

Prices: For a private boat, just for you, prices range from €100 to €200. Of course it all depends on the size of the boat and how long you want to go. But if there’s more than one of you, the shared price is still affordable!

With a shared taxi boat, you’ll have less freedom to make stops. You’ll pay between €15 and €20 per person. However, as you can imagine, this type of boat is very popular in the summer. So book well in advance, especially if you have a specific time slot in mind.

If you don’t want to go to the trouble, or if you’ve booked an excursion on Gozo that you like, you should know that the service provider will usually take care of your transfer to the island. For my part, on my guided quad day in Gozo, the service provider took care of everything. We were transferred in private boats chartered by Gozo Pride Tours. In addition to the trip, the local meal was included in Gozo. The whole day was seamless, we just had to enjoy ourselves. After all, that’s what vacations are all about, isn’t it?

Even if you don’t necessarily go on a quad bike tour of Gozo, but use an organization to discover the island’s must-sees, you won’t have to worry about how to get to Gozo or how your day will go.

Looking for an experience off the beaten track? Gozo can be reached by seaplane or helicopter.

To start with the helicopter, there are several private companies offering transfers between Malta and Gozo. To name but two: Helicopter Charter Gozo and Flapper. Generally, the flight is quite quick: 15 minutes. In my opinion, you won’t miss a thing with all the views of the Maltese archipelago flashing before your eyes. There are a number of departure points, including Malta Airport, the Grand Harbour in Valletta and Xewkija Heliport in Gozo.

Of course, helicopter transfers are not scheduled like ferries. They are on request transfers. If you’re interested in this experience, you’ll need to contact the companies I’ve mentioned. Although it’s an exclusive experience and not cheap (from €120 per person), remember to book well in advance, especially in high season.
FYI: if the weather is inclement (even with over 300 days of sunshine a year, it can happen), flights may be postponed. You never know!

I’ve talked mostly about basic transfers to Gozo, but if you want to get more out of it, I know there are companies that offer 50-minute panoramic helicopter flights. Depending on the price, it might be worth it!

As for seaplanes, there are no longer any regular services. In the 2000s they were operated by Harbour Air Malta. Nowadays, they only operate on request, with private flights for groups or excursions. To give you a little more information, they often depart from the Grand Harbour in Valletta.

Again, the flight lasts 20 minutes and takes in breathtaking scenery over Malta, Comino and Gozo. It’s best to check fares directly with the companies offering the service, such as Nordic Seaplanes and Flapper. One thing’s for sure: it’s not cheap! But it’s still a unique experience if you want to treat yourself and have the budget!

We agree: if you already have a rental car in Malta, you can very well take it to Gozo via the Ċirkewwa ferry (remember!). Personally, I did this as it was a great way to see Gozo at my own pace! Well, I have to admit that there are a few things to be aware of: some of the roads are not really obvious or accessible, Gozitan driving habits are rather peculiar and it’s difficult to park in the summer. In my opinion, it’s all part of the adventure!

If you prefer not to drive, there are other options: rent a quad bike, a bicycle, a scooter or take a taxi. To make things easier for you, I’ve listed all these solutions below. In any case, don’t forget that it is possible to visit Gozo without a car!

If you prefer not to drive around Gozo, the bus is a good option. The network on the island of Gozo is fairly well developed between the main places of interest. You can easily visit Victoria (the capital), Xlendi, Marsalforn, Ramla Bay, Dwejra and many more. All bus routes depart from Victoria: that’s where it all happens!

As on the island of Malta, you’ll need to be prepared to pay €2 per trip. If you really need to make a lot of journeys, check out the day passes and unlimited passes on offer. It could be cheaper if you plan to travel a lot!

The only downside is that buses to the beaches can fill up quickly in the summer… And for more remote places, for walks that involve narrow, rugged roads, the bus will drop you off on the main roads and you’ll have to walk the rest of the way! If the weather is not too hot and you like walking, you can do it!

Oh, and I almost forgot: you can download the Tallinja app to check the timetable online and plan accordingly.

If you prefer to move around more freely without depending on bus schedules, and public transport is not your thing, you have several options open to you:

• Rental a bike: so, given the descents and climbs there are in Gozo, everyone I saw on a bike was equipped with electric assistance, and understandably so! Except perhaps for the sporty types who want a bit of a challenge…
• Rental a scooter: in Gozo, there’s a certain Italian influence and vibe. The scooter, Vespa, dolce vita side of things is pretty cool and makes it easy to get around between beaches, villages and wild spots. You just need to have your driving license with you.
• Quad rental: frankly, it’s quite popular in Gozo. It’s true that there are narrow dirt roads to get to some of the hidden nuggets. But at least you’ll be able to go everywhere without worry, with a touch of adventure! As I said above, I did a quad bike tour on the spot, and in terms of sensations, it was really top-notch! What’s more, there are several rental agencies on the island offering quad bikes for day or half-day hire. Quads are often automatic, so driving is that much easier. Again, you just need to have your license with you!

• Taking a cab: frankly, I passed quite a few Bolts on the island. I confess I didn’t look at the prices, as I’d already rented a car. But, as usual with these apps, the price depends on the journey and the time. Let me reassure you: from what I’d heard, it was only a little more expensive than the bus. And if there’s more than one of you and you split the fare, it’s still worth it!

As you can see, not renting a car in Gozo doesn’t mean you can’t visit the island: you have many other options than the bus to stay free and have time to do lots of things in a day or more.

I’ll stop here for this article on how to get from Malta to Gozo. Between the two ferries, the helicopter and the seaplane, there’s no shortage of ways to get to Gozo from Malta.

I’m repeating myself, but I really encourage you to take the time to visit this Maltese island. I can assure you that you won’t regret it! What’s more, you’ve seen that renting a car in Gozo isn’t compulsory: there are plenty of other ways to get around the island!

If I’ve convinced you to give it a few days, I’ve also prepared an article on hotels in Gozo. It should make it even easier to organize your stay in Malta and Gozo! In any case, that’s the aim!

See you soon for more adventures in the Maltese archipelago!

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to explore the beautiful Maltese archipelago and share all the beauty of its islands with you. A little piece of paradise not to be missed!

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