Gozo is reached only by boat. There is no airport (private flights use a small airfield near Xewkija but no scheduled service), and there is no bridge despite recurring announcements of a planned tunnel. Two regular ferry options cover the crossing, plus a third small option to Comino.
The Cirkewwa-Mgarr car ferry
The main service. Operated by Gozo Channel, running between Cirkewwa (north Malta) and Mgarr (Gozo) every 30 to 45 minutes from 06:00 to 23:00, reduced overnight service.
- Crossing time: 25 minutes quayside to quayside.
- Walk-on passengers: no booking needed. €4.65 return, paid at the Gozo-side toll booth on the way back.
- Cars and vehicles: no booking needed. €15.70 return for car + driver + passengers, paid at Mgarr (Gozo) on the way back. You drive on at Cirkewwa for free; the fare is collected only on the return crossing.
- Summer queues for cars can be 30 to 90 minutes between 09:00 and 11:00 on weekends. Cross before 09:00 or after 13:00 for the quickest experience.
This is the right ferry for travellers with cars, for travellers bringing significant luggage, and for travellers based in the north or staying at one of the northern accommodations.
The Valletta-Mgarr fast ferry
The passenger-only alternative. Operated by Gozo Fast Ferry between Valletta (departing from the Sa Maison ferry terminal in Marsamxett Harbour, below the western bastions) and Mgarr on Gozo.
- Crossing time: 45 minutes.
- Frequency: hourly in summer, half-hourly at peak times. Reduced in winter (3 to 4 crossings per day).
- Fare: €7.50 one way, €12 return.
- Booking: available online at gozofastferry.com. Useful for guaranteed seats; walk-on is also possible if seats remain.
This ferry is the right choice if you are based in Valletta or Sliema without a car. It saves the 90-minute bus to Cirkewwa.
Getting to Cirkewwa to catch the main ferry
If you take the Cirkewwa route:
- From Valletta: bus #41, #42, or #45 to Cirkewwa, around 90 minutes total, €2.50. The #45 is the express variant.
- From Sliema/St Julian’s: bus #X1 express to Cirkewwa, around 90 minutes total, €2.50.
- From the airport: bus #X1 from airport interchange to Cirkewwa, around 80 to 90 minutes. Or Bolt, around €35 to €50.
- Driving from Valletta to Cirkewwa: 35 to 50 minutes off-peak.
On Gozo
Gozo is small enough that no point is more than 25 minutes by car from Victoria, the central town. The bus network is acceptable for the main destinations.
- Bus #301 or #303 from Mgarr ferry to Victoria, 20 minutes, €2.50.
- Bus #307 from Victoria to Xagħra (for Ġgantija temples), 15 minutes.
- Bus #311 from Victoria to Dwejra (Inland Sea, Azure Window site), 20 minutes.
- Bus #322 from Victoria to Ramla Bay, 25 minutes.
- Bus #330 from Victoria to Xlendi, 15 minutes.
- Bus #310 from Victoria to Marsalforn, 12 minutes.
- A €2.50 day ticket covers unlimited Gozo bus travel for that day.
For travellers with a car off the ferry, the road network is well-signed and traffic is light. Driving across the island east-to-west or north-to-south is 25 minutes maximum.
For travellers without a car, the Victoria bus terminal is the central hub for all routes.
The Comino ferry from Gozo
A separate small ferry runs from Mgarr (Gozo) to Comino, €10 return, 10 minutes each way. This is the better way to visit Comino if you are based on Gozo (smaller boats than the Cirkewwa-Malta-side operators, less crowded entry points, the morning boat at 09:00 puts you at the Blue Lagoon before the Malta-side day boats arrive at 10:30).
See the Comino guide for the full strategic case for using this route.
Cars on Gozo
- Hiring on Gozo: a handful of agencies in Victoria and Mgarr (Mayjo, Avis, the smaller Sicily Car Hire). €25 to €40 per day. Cars tend to be smaller than the Malta-side equivalents, which is helpful on Gozo’s narrower roads.
- Bringing a Malta-side rental: all major Malta-side rental agencies allow Gozo crossings; check the contract for the ferry fee handling (usually you pay the €15.70 return ferry fare directly and submit the receipt).
- Scooter rental is genuinely usable on Gozo because the roads are quieter and the distances are short. €25 a day from Xlendi or Marsalforn schools.
Accessibility
The Cirkewwa terminal has level boarding and an accessible toilet. The Gozo Channel vessels have lifts between the car deck and the passenger deck.
The Mgarr terminal in Gozo is similarly accessible. The walk from the ferry to the bus stops is 200 m on a level paved surface.
The Victoria bus station is accessible. Most Gozo buses have low-floor entry.
The Cittadella in Victoria has wheelchair access to the lower levels and one of the cathedrals. The upper bastions involve some stairs.
The Ġgantija site is fully wheelchair-accessible on the visitor pathway, including the temple interiors on a raised walkway. Ramla Bay has a level beach approach. Dwejra has paved paths to the main viewpoints; the Inland Sea boat trip requires stepping down to a small boat.