Gozo has no airport and no bridge, so every visit starts with a boat. The good news is that the crossing is short, frequent and one of the nicer parts of the trip. There are two ways across: the car ferry from Ċirkewwa and the fast passenger ferry from Valletta. Here is how each works, how the prices are structured, and how to pick the right one for where you are staying.
Option 1: the Gozo Channel car ferry from Ċirkewwa
This is the main route and the one most people use. Ferries sail between Ċirkewwa, at the very northern tip of Malta, and Mġarr harbour on Gozo. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, ships carry cars, bikes and foot passengers, and in summer they run around the clock, roughly every 45 minutes during the day and less often at night. In winter the night service thins out, so check the timetable if you are travelling late.
You do not book. Drive or walk up, and you board the next departure. On busy summer weekends there can be a queue of cars at Ċirkewwa in the morning and at Mġarr in the evening, so foot passengers, who never queue, have the advantage.
Getting to Ċirkewwa. By car it is about 45 minutes from Valletta or Sliema on a normal day. By bus, route 41 and 42 run from Valletta and route 222 from Sliema and St Julian’s, all ending at the terminal. Allow over an hour by bus in summer. Taxis and ride apps know the route well.
Option 2: the fast ferry from Valletta
Two operators run fast passenger ferries between Valletta’s Grand Harbour and Mġarr. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, it is foot passengers only, and it leaves you in the centre of Valletta at one end, which is a huge advantage if you are staying in the capital, Sliema or the Three Cities. Some sailings and seasons also serve Sliema or Buġibba, which is worth checking if you are based on that side of the island.
Fast ferries are more affected by weather than the big ships. On rough days sailings are cancelled and you will need to get to Ċirkewwa instead, so keep the car ferry as your backup plan.
How Gozo ferry prices work
Prices are set by the operators and change from time to time, so check their websites for current fares rather than trusting a blog post. What stays the same is the structure:
- You pay on the way back. Tickets for the Ċirkewwa car ferry are bought at Mġarr on Gozo, for the return leg. The trip out is free. This confuses everyone the first time.
- Foot passengers pay a few euros return. It is one of the best-value boat trips in the Mediterranean.
- Cars pay more, with the driver included, and passengers pay the foot rate on top. Bicycles are cheap or free.
- Gozo residents get a lower rate, which is why the locals ahead of you in the queue pay something different.
- The fast ferry costs more than the car ferry, and you pay each way. It is still reasonable for what it saves you in bus time.
Which ferry should you take?
- Staying in Valletta, Sliema, the Three Cities, or arriving without a car? Fast ferry, as long as the weather is calm.
- Have a hire car, or staying in the north of Malta (Mellieħa, St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba)? Ċirkewwa car ferry.
- Bringing bikes? Either, but the car ferry is the easier load.
- Day trip with a tight schedule? Ċirkewwa. It runs more often and almost never cancels.
Arriving at Mġarr
Mġarr is a small harbour with a bus terminus, taxis, car hire desks and a few cafés. Buses to Victoria leave to meet the ferries and take about 15 minutes. Boats to Comino and the Blue Lagoon also leave from here in season, which is covered in our Blue Lagoon guide. If you plan to cycle, the road climbs steeply out of the harbour, one more argument for an eBike. Our Gozo eBike routes start from Victoria and the eBike tours we are launching will include ferry pick-up, so you can ride away from the terminal.
Tips from people who cross every week
- Sit on the open top deck of the car ferry. The view of Comino and the Gozo cliffs is the best free attraction in the country.
- If you are driving in high summer, cross before nine in the morning and come back after seven in the evening to skip the queues.
- Keep your return ticket if you are on the fast ferry; it is checked on boarding.
- Rough sea? The big ferries still sail in almost anything. The fast ferries do not.
- Bad weather forecast for your Gozo day? Swap it for Valletta or Mdina and go to Gozo the day after. Both are covered in our 3-day Malta itinerary.
Once you are across, start with our guide to things to do in Gozo.
