Gozo is a small island with unexpected natural beauty, a vibrant culture, and a rich history – as such, exploring it is a must when you visit Malta. However, given that the island is not directly connected to the main island of Malta, you might be wondering how to get to Gozo.
If you are coming from abroad, the first thing you should know is that Gozo does not have an airport. Therefore, you have to fly into Malta International Airport (MAL) on the main island even if you only want to explore Gozo. The heliport on Gozo is currently not in use, so there is no way to fly there.
To get to Gozo from Malta, be it straight from the airport or after spending some time on the main island, you currently have three options and all of them include ferries or boats. Hereby, which mode of transportation is best for you, depends on where you start your journey, how much time you want to spend on Gozo, and whether you are bringing a car. And potentially also how inclined you are to sea sickness.
Let’s have a look at your options so you can decide which one works best for you:
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1. Day Trip to Gozo
If you do not have enough to spend several days in Gozo but want to see some of what the island has to offer, an organized day trip is the best option for you. These day trips include the transfer to Gozo as well as a tour to some of the most beautiful spots of the island like the Blue Hole, Wied Il Ghasri, Xlendi, and the Tal Mixta Cave.
While many tours have you take one of the two ferries after picking you up from your hotel, some of them use their own boats to take you to Gozo.
Once in Gozo, you will then explore the island by doing a Jeep Tour, a Quad Bike Tour, a Tuk Tuk Tour, or a Buggy Tour.
If you prefer a cultural program that includes the Ggantija temples and a tour of Victoria, this Gozo day trip by air-conditioned van is ideal for you.
If none of the pre-organized tours are what you are looking for, you can also book a customizable private guided Jeep tour that includes a powerboat transfer from Malta.
2. Gozo Channel Ferry
The Gozo Channel Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that operates between Cirkewwa on the main island and Mgarr on Gozo. The crossing time is 25 minutes.
During the day, a ferry departs every 30 to 45 minutes. At night, a ferry departs around once an hour. The ferry schedule can be found on the website.
You are not allowed to stay in the car during the crossing, but there is plenty of space to sit or walk around on the upper deck. While one of the Channel Ferries is smaller, they all have a small cafeteria and mini market onboard.
You can also walk onto the open deck, which I highly recommend as the ferry approaches Mgarr. At least, if you are a walk-on passenger. It is also worth looking to the right as the ferry passes the island of Comino with the Blue Lagoon.
How much does the Gozo Channel Ferry cost?
The Gozo Channel Ferry return trip costs 4,65€ for walk-on passengers, and 15,70€ for a car and driver. At night (after 8 PM) and during winter, there is a reduced fare of 12,80€. The fare per child is 1,15€, and funnily enough, it costs the same amount to bring a bicycle. Residents of Gozo get a special price.
It might come as a surprise, but you only have to pay for the return trip on your way back from Gozo to Malta. When heading to Gozo, you simply board the ferry without having to pay. You have to pay for your return ticket at the Mgarr Ferry Terminal. As of now, only some fares can be purchased online.
How to get to Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal?
If you are not driving to the ferry terminal in your (rental) car, you can get to Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal by bus, taxi, or UBER. There is a fixed rate of 32€ for a taxi ride from the airport to the ferry terminal, and a UBER ride should be in the same price range. If you take the bus, you have to take one of the following bus lines to get there:
| Bus Line | Stops | Earliest & Last Departure | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| X1 | Airport – Msida – Swieqi – Qawra – St. Paul’s Bay – Mellieħa – Ċirkewwa | 5:20 AM 10:50 PM | 1:09 – 1:25 h |
| 41 | Valletta – Floriana – Pieta – Msida – Swatar – Birkirkara – Ħal Lija – Mosta – Burmarrad – St. Paul’s Bay – Xemxija – Mellieħa – Marfa – Ċirkewwa | 5:25 AM 9:25 PM | 1:06 – 1:24 h |
| 42 | Valletta – Floriana – Ħamrun – Santa Venera – Fleur-de-Lys – Birkirkara – Ħal Lija – Mosta – Burmarrad – St. Paul’s Bay – Xemxija – Mellieħa – Marfa – Ċirkewwa | 5:20 AM 9:30 PM | 1:00 – 1:27 h |
| 222 | Sliema – St. Julians – Swieqi – Pembroke – Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq – Qawra – St. Paul’s Bay – Xemxija – Mellieħa – Marfa – Ċirkewwa | 9:00 AM 8:00 PM | 0:47 – 0:49 h |
| 101 | Mgarr – Zebbiegħ – Mġarr – Għajn Tuffieħa – Manikata – Mellieħa – Marfa – Ċirkewwa | 6:20 AM 10:20 PM | 1:03 – 1:10 h |
Bus lines X300, X1A, and X1B also stop in Ċirkewwa, but due to very limited service hours, I would not plan to take them when heading to Gozo.
During the weekend or public holidays, the bus ride to Cirkewwa can take longer, as the road leading there is a bottleneck where traffic congestion tends to occur.
In Malta, all bus tickets cost 2,50€ during the day, and 3€ at night.
3. Gozo Fast Ferry (Gozo Highspeed)
The Gozo Fast Ferry, now Gozo Highspeed, is a passenger ferry that can take you from Valletta to Mgarr on Gozo in 45 minutes. These fast boats can transport up to 300 passengers, and it is allowed to bring dogs and other pets on board if they wear a muzzle or are in a bag.
It is the best option if you want a relaxed Gozo day trip from Valletta that focuses on one or two destinations and do not have a rental car. It is also a great way to travel to Gozo during long weekends or public holidays when people from the main island head to Gozo and traffic near Mellieha comes to a standstill.
As the Gozo Fast Ferry departs from Lascaris Wharf Terminal, your journey to Gozo starts out as a mini cruise through the Grand Harbour of Valletta. There is no outside area, so try to sit at the window if you want to have a good view.
Overall, I had a good experience traveling with these ferries. The seats are comfy and there is free wifi onboard. However, the fast ferries are not ideal if you tend to get seasick. Due to the size and speed, you can feel the waves and it can be a bumpy ride.
There is no set interval between departures, so you have to consult the current schedule to see which departure time is ideal for your travel plans.
During the summer months (May – September), the earliest ferry to Gozo is usually at 6:45 AM while the last ferry departs at 10:15 PM. On Friday and Saturday, there is also a 00:30 AM ferry. You can find out more about the current schedule as well as service updates on their Facebook page.
How much does the Gozo Fast Ferry cost?
A one-way Gozo Fast Ferry ticket for adults costs 7.50€ and 3€ for children and seniors (60+). Infants under 3 travel free of charge. You can also buy an online exclusive return ticket for 12€ – it can be bought up to one hour before departure. There is a special discount for residents of Gozo.
You can buy the tickets online or on-site. You can board up to 2 minutes before departure, but I recommend being there earlier.
How to get to Lascaris Ferry Terminal?
To get there from Valletta, you can simply walk to the terminal (the Barakka Lift ticket is included) or take bus line X133 to Lancaries bus stop. If you are coming from the Three Cities, you only have to walk a few meters as the Three Cities ferry docks at Lascaris Wharf too.
If you are staying outside of Valletta, you can take a UBER or switch to bus line 300 at the Valletta bus station. It is not ideal to drive there yourself, as parking on site is very limited.
There is also a Comino and Gozo Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry, but I do not recommend taking it to get to Gozo, as you will not have sufficient time on Gozo to make it worth your while. Stick to the three mentioned ways of getting to Gozo if you actually want to enjoy your time on Malta’s smaller sister island.
How to get to Gozo from Valletta
If you are already in Malta, taking the Gozo Highspeed ferry tends to be the most convenient option. I would only opt for the Channel ferry when traveling with a lot of luggage, are prone to sea sickness, or need a ferry that can transport your car.
The fast ferry will take you to Gozo in 45 minutes, and while it is more expensive than the Gozo Channel ferry, the time you will save will be worth it.
Should you favor the larger car ferry, you can catch bus lines 41 or 41 to Ċirkewwa. Both depart at the Valletta Bus Station in front of the City Gate. The bus ride will take 1:00 h to 1:30 h, and the ferry ride will add another 25 minutes to your travel time. Please note, that you might have to wait up to 45 minutes for the next ferry departure.
How to get to Gozo from St. Julians or Sliema
Sliema and St. Julian’s are both good bases for exploring Malta, and if you want to travel to Gozo from either, taking either of the ferries will take around the same time. However, taking the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mgarr is more convenient if you want to stick to public transport, as there is a direct bus (line 222) from Sliema via St. Julian’s to Ċirkewwa Ferry terminal. Especially, as this ferry has frequent departures.
As such, I would only take the fast ferry if you are traveling to Gozo on the weekend or a public holiday, as there is a great likelihood of traffic congestion en route to Ċirkewwa.
In this case, you can take bus line TD2 to Kullegg, where you will then switch to line 300. Alternatively, you can also take lines 13, 13A, 14, or 16 to Pieta, where you once again switch to bus line 300.
Getting to Gozo from the Airport
Both ferries are good options if you want to get to Gozo from Malta International Airport. The total travel time for both is around the same. If you stick to public transport, taking the Gozo Channel ferry will be cheaper, but if you opt for the comfort of a taxi or UBER so you do not have to catch a bus with your suitcase, it is cheaper to take the Gozo Fast Ferry ‘Gozo Highspeed’.
To get to the ferry terminal in Ċirkewwa from the airport, you just have to take bus line X1. Once there, you board the next departing ferry.
If you want to take the ferry from Valletta, I recommend taking a UBER to Lascaris Wharf. I took a UBER when doing the reverse, and based on my experience, the UBER ride should only cost 10 to 15€. Once there, you board the highspeed ferry and off to Gozo, you go!
Alternatively, you can take bus X1 to Sptar (7 stops), before changing to bus line 300 which will take you to Lascaris.
How to Get Around in Gozo
Once you are in Gozo, you have several ways to get around and the best mode of transportation once again depends on how much time you are spending in Gozo. Of course, you can just drive everywhere yourself if you brought a car over from the main island, or if you rent a car upon arrival.
However, Gozo has a good bus system, and if you have a few days to explore the island, you can use the public buses to get to many popular spots. For the most part, the bus routes are arranged in a star-like way with Victoria acting as a center where all bus routes converge.
To get to Victoria from Mgarr Harbour, you can take bus lines 301, 303, and 323. Hereby, route 301 is a direct bus that only takes 18 minutes. At night, you can take bus route N301.
If you only have one day and want to independently explore the island, the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus might be the best option for you. These buses depart right at the ferry terminal in Gozo and there are two different routes. Find out more and book your Hop-on Hop-off bus tour here.
Sadly, not every beautiful place in Gozo can be visited by bus, and in those cases, you will need a UBER (if the road is paved) or a rental car.
FAQ: Transport to Gozo
How long is the ferry ride from Malta to Gozo?
A ferry ride on the Gozo Channel ferry departing Ċirkewwa takes 25 minutes, while the Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta takes 45 minutes.
As such, the Gozo Channel ferry is the better option if you tend to get seasick, and therefore, wish to avoid spending more time on the water than necessary. The larger Gozo Channel car ferries also sway less due to their size and slower speed.
How easy is it to get from Malta to Gozo?
Since there are two ferry routes, it is rather easy to get from Malta to Gozo. Both ferry ports on the main island can be accessed by bus. Which ferry is suitable for your travel plans depends on where you are and if you want to take a car to Gozo.
Are you planning a trip?
Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my adventures around the world.
Roundup: Getting to Gozo
Regardless of how you get to Gozo, you will have a great time exploring all the island has to offer. There are many beautiful spots waiting to be discovered by you, which makes having to take the ferry there more than worth it.
Based on my own travel plans, I took the car ferry to Gozo and then took the Gozo Highspeed ferry to Valletta when it was time to leave Gozo after more than two weeks. I took a UBER to the airport straight from the Lancaris ferry terminal, and it was a very convenient option that allowed me to make the most of my last day in Gozo.
More about Malta
If you are planning a trip to Gozo, you might also be interested in these travel guides:
Gozo Itinerary
Restaurants in Gozo
Diving Gozo
How will you visit Gozo?
Let me know in the comments!
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