Gozo Ferry: How to Get from Malta to Gozo (Times, Fares and Tips)

There are two ways to take the ferry from Malta to Gozo: the Gozo Channel car ferry from Ċirkewwa, and the passenger-only fast ferry from Valletta. Here is how each one works, how long the crossing takes, what it costs and how to reach the terminals. For door-to-door routes from Sliema, Valletta, Buġibba and the airport, see how to get to Gozo.

Gozo Channel Car Ferry from Ċirkewwa

The Gozo Channel ferry is the main link between the islands. It sails from Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta, to Mġarr harbour in Gozo. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, with sailings up to every 30 minutes during the day, and the service runs around the clock, weather permitting.

• Foot passengers and cars: you can walk on, cycle or drive on.
• Pay on the return: the trip from Malta to Gozo is free. You buy your ticket when you leave Gozo.
• Fares (2026): €4.65 return for an adult foot passenger (€4.05 leaving Gozo after 20:00 from November to March), €1.15 for a child aged 3 to 12, and €15.70 for a car and driver. Check current fares on the Gozo Channel website before you travel.
• Tickets: buy at the Mġarr terminal, online through the Gozo Channel e-ticketing system or in the Gozo Channel app.

Fast Ferry from Valletta to Gozo

The fast ferry runs between the Grand Harbour in Valletta and Mġarr in Gozo, with crossings of a little under 45 minutes. It carries foot passengers only, so it suits day trips if you are staying in Valletta, Sliema or the south of Malta.

• Fare (2026): about €7.50 each way for an adult.
• Check in: 15 to 20 minutes before departure.
• Not 24 hours: the fast ferry has a last departure each evening, so check the timetable before you plan dinner in Gozo.

Car Ferry or Fast Ferry: Which Is Better?

	Gozo Channel (Ċirkewwa)	Fast ferry (Valletta)
Crossing time	About 25 minutes	Under 45 minutes
Cars	Yes	No, foot passengers only
Hours	24 hours	Daytime and evening
Adult fare (2026)	About €4.65 return	About €7.50 each way
Best for	Drivers, the north of Malta, late returns	Valletta, Sliema and the south

How to Get to the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal

Ċirkewwa is at the far north-west tip of Malta, about an hour from the airport by bus or taxi.

• From Valletta: buses 41 and 42.
• From Sliema: bus 222.
• From Buġibba: bus 221.
• From the airport: the TD1 Airport Direct bus, hourly and about an hour to Ċirkewwa for €3.50, or a taxi at a fixed fare booked at the arrivals hall.
• By car: follow signs for Ċirkewwa and the Gozo ferry, and join the vehicle queue at the terminal.

Gozo Ferry Tips

• Allow extra time in summer if you are driving, as car queues can build at busy times.
• Sit on the upper deck for views of Comino on the way across.
• Check the weather: crossings can be disrupted in very rough seas.
• Check the last fast ferry before planning an evening in Gozo, or use the 24-hour car ferry back.

A Gozo Day Trip by Public Transport

You do not need a car or a tour to see Gozo. This is how we would do it by bus and ferry:

1. Early morning: take bus 41 or 42 from Valletta, 222 from Sliema or 221 from Buġibba to the Ċirkewwa terminal.
2. Cross to Gozo: walk on to the Gozo Channel ferry. There is no ticket to buy on the way over.
3. Arrive in Mġarr: catch a local bus to Victoria, the island’s bus hub, or join the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, which stops by the ferry terminal.
4. Explore: the Citadel, Ġgantija and Dwejra are all reachable by bus or the sightseeing bus. See things to do in Gozo.
5. Head back: pay for your return ticket at Mġarr before boarding. The car ferry runs 24 hours, so you will not get stranded.

Taking a Car on the Gozo Ferry

• Follow signs for the Gozo ferry at Ċirkewwa and join the vehicle lanes. You drive straight on, without a ticket.
• The return fare for a car and driver was about €15.70 in 2026, paid at Mġarr when you leave Gozo.
• In summer, and on Sunday evenings, queues for the return to Malta can be long. Allow extra time if you have a flight to catch.
• Check that your hire car company allows trips to Gozo.

What Travellers Say About the Gozo Ferry

Gozo Ferry FAQ

How long is the ferry from Malta to Gozo?

About 25 minutes on the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa, and a little under 45 minutes on the fast ferry from Valletta.

Do you need to book the Gozo ferry in advance?

Not usually for the Gozo Channel car ferry. You just turn up, and you pay on the way back. For the fast ferry it is worth booking ahead in summer.

Does the Gozo ferry run at night?

Yes. The Gozo Channel ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr runs 24 hours, subject to the weather. The fast ferry from Valletta does not run through the night.

Can you fly to Gozo?

There are no scheduled flights to Gozo. Fly into Malta International Airport and take the ferry. Helicopter charters to the Xewkija heliport can be arranged privately.

Can you take a hire car to Gozo?

Yes, the Gozo Channel ferry carries cars. Check your hire company allows it before you book.

How much is the Gozo ferry?

On the Gozo Channel car ferry, an adult foot passenger paid about €4.65 return in 2026, and a car with driver about €15.70, paid on the way back from Gozo. The Valletta fast ferry cost about €7.50 each way. Check current fares before you travel.

Keep Planning

Sources: Gozo Channel, Visit Gozo: getting here, Malta Public Transport: Ċirkewwa terminal, Free Malta: ferry prices 2026, Free Malta: night ferries, Xewkija Heliport (Wikipedia), r/malta: Gozo trip.