How to get from Valletta to Gozo: 4 Best Options

Staying in Valletta and planning to visit the beautiful island of Gozo?

As you prepare yourself for your trip, let’s delve into the four best options to get to Gozo Island from the capital city of Malta.

Whether you are a foot passenger or travelling with your rental vehicle, looking for a cheap way to get to Gozo or interested in Yippee tours for a seamless experience, we’ve got you covered.

For starters, you need to know that there are two types of Gozo ferries, run by different ferry operators:

• Gozo Channel (main ferry departing from Ċirkewwa ferry port)
• Gozo Highspeed (fast ferry departing from the Grand Harbour – Ta’ Liesse)

Both ferries dock at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo.

1) Gozo Highspeed Fast Ferry – The fastest way

If you are staying in or near Valletta, you don’t need to cross the main island anymore to get to Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago. You can use another ferry service between Malta and Gozo, departing from Valletta, called Gozo Highspeed. This is currently the fastest way to get from Valletta to Gozo.

The Gozo fast ferry services depart from Lascaris, located on the east side of the Capital (see Google Maps for the location).

Tickets are to be purchased at the booking kiosk located in the Valletta terminal. Please arrive a little early to make your purchase and board on time. You can also buy them online on the company’s website to get a discounted return pass.

The duration is around 45 minutes. For the departure time, check the ferry timetables, which can be found on Gozo Highspeed’s website.

In a nutshell, the fast ferry is the easiest way to get to Gozo. However, there is a downside: only foot passengers can travel on the ferry, so you can’t take your rental car on the vessel. This means you might struggle to get around as buses are not always efficient.

2) Gozo Channel Ferry – The cheapest way to reach Gozo from Valletta

Although not the fastest, the cheapest way to get to Malta’s sister island is by relying on public transport. You need to take a bus operated by Malta Public Transport to Ċirkewwa and then take the Gozo Channel Ferry.

• 1st step: bus to the ferry terminal

Go to the main terminus located at the entrance of Malta’s capital and take either Route 41, 42, or X300, direction Ċirkewwa. The journey takes around 1 hour.

* If you’re willing to pay a little more money, you can consider booking a taxi trip with ride-hailing companies like Bolt, Uber, and Ecabs. A journey costs at least €25.

• 2nd step: ferry crossing to Gozo

When you get off the bus, you will find the main ferry operated by Gozo Channel. When departing from Malta, there’s no need to buy a ticket, so you can simply wait in the passenger area to get on the ferry.

Ferry tickets are to be purchased before the return journey to Malta. For foot passengers, a ticket costs €4.65. A reduced fare of €1.15 applies to children aged 3-12 years.

The duration is around 25 minutes. Ferries operate all day round, even at night.

For more information about each ferry company alongside their prices and schedules, see our dedicated article: How to Take the Malta to Gozo Ferry and Fast Ferry.

The ferry ride itself is a pleasant experience, especially if you spend it on the upper deck, with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, Comino and the coast. However, this journey is longer, especially if you take the bus all the way to Malta’s northern tip.

Getting to Gozo by car

If you’re driving your own (rental) car, it’s also possible. Note, however, that you can’t take your vehicle on the fast ferry; instead, you will need to drive to Ċirkewwa and take the main ferry.

• 1st step: drive to the ferry terminal

The journey to the Ċirkewwa lasts around 50 minutes, longer when there is traffic. For the itinerary, we recommend you use navigation tools like Google Maps, which will take you through the less crowded way.

• 2nd step: ferry crossing to Gozo

Once you arrive at the ferry terminal, wait in line with the other vehicles. Just as for foot passengers, you will only need to purchase a pass for your return journey to Malta. Park your car in the hold, following the instructions of the staff, and enjoy views of the Maltese coast from the upper deck.

Transfers with Yippee: The seamless way to get to Gozo

If you book a day excursion with us, you won’t need to worry about the way to get to Gozo Island; comfort and convenience are our priority. Transfer from your accommodation (or nearby pick-up point) in Valletta (or any other place you are staying in) is included in our main tours:

• Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Sunset Tuk-Tuk Tour
• Quad Bike Tour
• Sunset Quad Bike Tour
• Jeep Safari Tour
• Sunset Jeep Safari Tour
• Buggy Tour
• Sunset Buggy Tour

The journey to Gozo is made on a Yippee private boat so that you can admire the stunning coastline as we sail toward the island.

If you’ve booked a tour that does not include a transfer to Gozo (such as our private Gozo tour), kindly request a quote to add either pooled transport or a private transfer.

Please note: In the event of bad weather and rough seas, we will provide all travellers with passes for the communal ferry instead of our private boat, for safety reasons.

Travel tip: Make the most of your day in Gozo with Yippee

Taking the fast ferry sounds like a convenient and easy way to reach Gozo, but you can’t travel with your car, so how do you get around once you get there? Additionally, buses can be inefficient at times, and you may end up wasting plenty of time.

To make the most of your day, why not join us on an exciting adventure? Forget about the old-fashioned tours: We offer a range of unique excursions with chauffeured Tuk-Tuks and jeeps; ideal for couples, families and small groups, as well as our self-drive 570cc Quad Bikes (ATV) and buggies; perfect for adventure-seekers, keen on navigating the island’s rugged landscape.

Choose one of our all-inclusive tours led by a local expert, who will show you all the treasures our beloved island has in store: history, natural beauty, charming villages, picturesque landscapes, historic landmarks, and much more!

To name a few, you’ll discover iconic places like Dwejra Bay, the magnificent Citadel in Victoria, Ta’ Sanap Cliffs, Xlendi, Wied il-Mielaħ Window, Xwejni Salt Pans, and Marsalforn Bay.

Our tours also include a short visit to Comino, where you’ll explore its marvels, such as its stunning Blue Lagoon, its lesser-known Crystal Lagoon and beautiful caves on our private Yippee boat. If the weather is nice, you’ll also experience the beautiful azure waters of the tiny island during a swimming stop.