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Getting to Gozo is easy using the Gozo ferry, which sails to and from Malta up to 74 times every day of the week.
In this article I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to catch the Gozo ferry, what the cost is, timing, tips, transport options and more!
The Gozo ferry is run by the Gozo Channel Line, who own four ships and operates a daily ferry service that carries both passengers and vehicles between the two main islands.
You’ll be able to find a ferry at almost every hour of the day, all year round, running a trip every 30 minutes during peak times.
The ferry sails between Ċirkewwa (all the way up north in Malta) and Mġarr (a small harbour on the southeast coast of Gozo) and a crossing takes just around 25 minutes (one way). Both foot passengers as well as vehicles can be transported on the ferry.
Embarkation and disembarkation are simple and smooth, and in fair weather the trip is more than pleasant. Prepare your camera during the crossing–the scenery is breathtaking, including views of Comino.
To be able to catch the Gozo ferry, first you need to get to the Ferry Terminal in Ċirkewwa.
These are the most commonly used transport options:
The Malta Public transport is an efficient way to get to Ċirkewwa. It’s very economical but not very fast. The following bus routes can take you to the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal from various towns and villages across Malta: 41, 42, 101, 221, 222, 250 and X1. If taking a bus from Valletta, it will take you around an hour to get there.
From Malta International Airport you can also catch the X1 bus directly to Ċirkewwa. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 15 min. A one-way bus ticket costs just €2.
You can find taxis just outside the Airport terminal or from Valletta. A trip to Ċirkewwa coast around €30 / £27 / $35.
Bolt (formerly Taxify) is another easy way to make the journey to the Ferry Terminal. Use the app to make the request. Usually it only takes a few minutes for a car to pick you up. https://bolt.eu/
Renting a car in Malta is a good option when you want to uncover all the secrets the island has to offer. You might, for example, want to visit hidden, more secluded beaches like the ones I mention in my article on the Best Beaches in Gozo.
The way the ticketing works confuses some people but it’s very straightforward: When you board the ship in Ċirkewwa you do not need to collect/pay for a ticket. The fare for the trip is paid on your return.
If you’re a foot passenger you’ll need to purchase tickets at the passenger terminal in Mġarr Harbour, while vehicular traffic has to pass through ticket booths to pay the fare and joy the ferry queue for embarkation.
Here’s an overview of ticket prices:
| Type of ticket | Description | Cost |
| Children’s Fare | Applicable to children from between 3 and 12 years. | €1.15 |
| Standard Passenger Fare | Applicable for all passengers. | €4.65 |
| Standard Passenger Night Fare | Applicable for all passengers. | €4.05 |
| Car And Driver Standard Fare | Applicable for 1 car + driver. | €15.70 |
| Car And Driver Standard Night Fare | Applicable for 1 car + driver. | €12.80 |
| Motorcycle And Driver Night Fare | Applicable to all passengers. (2 wheels only) | €6.95 |
| Standard Motorcycle & Rider Fare | Applicable to all passengers. (2 wheels only) | €8.15 |
| Standard Motorcycle & Rider Night Fare | Single way fare applicable to all passengers, travelling between 1.30am and 4.30am during the winter schedule. (2 wheels only) | €6.95 |
| Bicycle Standard Fare | Applicable for all bicycles | €1.15 |
Once you arrive in Gozo you will need some form of transport to make the most of your stay. Gozo is a tiny island, just 65 square kilometers, and probably the best way to discover its most secret places is if you drive yourself. Have a look at the options listed below.
The Malta Public Transport operates 14 bus routes in Gozo. Once you make the crossing, you can take a bus from Mġarr harbour in Gozo to other villages in Gozo (Route Map here). When using the bus service in Gozo you can travel using the same bus cards and tickets used in Malta. The 301 between Victoria (Rabat) and the ferry terminal operates every 30 minutes.
Taxis are an option, but much more expensive than driving yourself around. You can easily grab a taxi or hire a car at the ferry terminal on arrival.
Hop on hop off buses are also very convenient if travelling to Gozo without a car and if you want to see the main attractions in a short time. The buses stop at all the major attractions. Headphones are provided to listen to descriptions of the sights in 8 different languages. You’ll find the tour bus waiting when you get off the ferry. Just hop on the bus and purchase your ticket in the bus itself. A day ticket for adults costs €18 and you can get tickets in advance here.
Rent a bicycle to tour the island, while getting a good workout too! Try Mġarr Tourist Services, right in the harbour. This is their address: 4, Mġarr Harbour, Mġarr Terminal, Mġarr GSM 9031. Phone: 9982 9141. The cost is €25 per bike for the day.
Another option is On 2 Wheels, but you would first need to get to the village of Żebbuġ. The address is 22 Triq Il-Wied, Iż-Żebbuġ. Phone: 2155 7104. Bikes cost €12.50 per day, and you could get a cheaper deal for rentals of more than one day.
Jeep tours can be booked from Mġarr harbour as soon as you set foot off the ferry. The drivers know Gozo inside out and will take you to places that are not usually found on the tourist maps. Have a look at this Jeep Safari tour in Gozo if that sounds like something you’d be interested in doing.
Check out my two guidebooks full of local knowledge and my best recommendations for your trip!
Malta & Gozo guide book
Valletta: An Insider’s Guide to Malta’s Capital
Take the hassle out of planning your trip to Malta and be an informed traveller!
A future tunnel link between Malta and Gozo is likely to be dug in the coming years. It’s an ambitious Government project worth some €50 million euro that plans to construct a tunnel under the Gozo Channel. The approved design is for a single tube with two lanes, one in each direction. The tunnel will have 90-metre-long emergency lay-bys at 250-300 metre intervals alternating on both sides and a one-metre-wide shoulder at either side. The construction of the tunnel is expected to take until 2023-2024 to be completed.
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