How to get to Gozo from Malta
All you need to know about your island hopping options
Are you looking for your options on how to get to Gozo from Malta? No problem, I have got you covered.
If you are not chartering a helicopter, you will have to take a boat or ferry if you want to travel between the Maltese islands.
I spent 3 days in Gozo and 4 days in Malta afterwards. In addition to these necessary ferry trips, I took a short boat trip to the blue lagoon on Comino. Therefore, I am very familiar with the different ferries and boat trips between Malta, Gozo and Comino.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the different ferry options between Malta and Gozo. In addition, I will tell you about the alternative day trips to Gozo from Malta with a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon.
What ferries connect Malta and Gozo?
There are two ferry companies and two ports of departure in Malta but only one port of arrival in Gozo for all ferry services between the neighboring islands of Malta and Gozo.
Cirkewwa Gozo Ferry
The Gozo Channel ferry company connects Malta with Gozo from the northwestern tip of the main island (⇨ Ferry terminal location). The car ferries run regularly from ÄŠirkewwa ferry terminal on Malta to Mgarr, Gozo’s port in the south of the island.
The crossing takes about 25 minutes and the ferries run several times an hour throughout the year, day and night. Interestingly, you only pay for the ferry on the return trip.
Car ferry ticket prices
Car with driver: €15.70
Foot passengers: €4.65 per person
⇨ Website with full schedule of departure times
Valletta Gozo Ferry
If you are traveling in Malta without a car or find it more convenient to cross over from Malta’s capital Valletta to Gozo, you can alternatively travel with Virtu Ferries Gozo (⇨ Ferry terminal location).
The ferry company connects the two islands several times a day from below the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. The crossing takes about 45 minutes.
⇨ This Gozo fast ferry from Valletta is a pedestrian ferry only. It does not have a vehicle garage, so you can’t take your car on board. However, bicycles or scooters can be transported at no extra charge.
Ferry ticket prices
Pedestrians: €7.50 per person/trip
⇨ Check availability and online booking
My tip: In high season, you should buy your ferry tickets in advance to avoid long queues at the counter or even fully booked trips.
Best ferry route from Malta to Gozo?
If you have a car that you want to bring to Gozo, you have no choice but leaving it behind or taking the boat from ÄŠirkewwa to Gozo.
That connection is cheaper and faster. It also runs several times an hour, even at night. Its big advantage over the fast ferry from Valletta is that you can move around freely on deck.
We visited Gozo and Malta in winter and found it wonderfully refreshing and not too cold at all on the outside deck of the car ferry. Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to sit insite on the ferry from Valletta to Gozo with the crowds.
Good to know for the Gozo Valletta ferry: Since you cannot or are not allowed to go on the outside deck, you should definitely try to get a window seat on the left side in the direction of travel. This way you can admire Valletta and its fortified walls from the water!
How do I get to the Port of Cirkewwa in Malta?
Malta Port Cirkewwa is located in the far northwest of Malta. It is the closest point to the island of Gozo.
Getting to Cirkewwa by car
Cirkewwa Port is just under 30km and a 45-minute drive from the capital Valletta and Malta International Airport.
Getting to Cirkewwa by bus
From Valletta, the connection via Malta Public Transport is really good. The bus numbers 41 and 42 run to the ferry port about every 10 minutes. The journey takes approximately 1:15 hours and costs €1.50 or €2.00 per person, depending on the season.
From Malta Airport, the X1 bus runs approximately every 40 minutes. It is the only direct service from the airport to Cirkewwa. The journey takes about 1:15 hours and also costs €1.50 or €2.00 per person (⇨ timetable X1).
As I booked a hotel in Gozo, I took the bus straight from the airport. Very easy, the bus stop is directly in front of the main entrance. Do not forget to buy your Tallinja Card in the Terminal before getting on the bus. They have a shop in the main arrival hall.
My tip: If you are traveling by bus in Malta and Gozo for a week, you should buy the Explore Card. 7 days of unlimited bus travel, only cost €25.00 per person. Since I traveled by bus every day, the Tallinja Card quickly paid itself off. Info: Any Malta Gozo ferry service is not included.
How do I get to the Port of Mgarr on Gozo?
There are several buses running between Mgarr, the port of Gozo, and Victoria, the largest town on the island. Bus numbers 301, 303 and 323 connect the two places without the need to change services.
The fastest and most direct bus from the port to Victoria is the 301, which takes about 20 minutes for the 6km / 3,7miles. The bus stop is right outside the terminal building.
Boat Trip to Gozo and Comino from Malta (Organized Day Trips)
Another way to get to Gozo and Comino from Malta by boat is through an organized day trip. These tours usually depart from the port of Sliema, north of Valletta, or from Bugibba / St. Paul’s Bay, on the north coast of Malta.
Gozo, Comino and The Blue Lagoon Day Cruise
✅Full day cruise with several stops
✅Stop at the Blue Lagoon for 1.5 hrs and visit Comino’s beautiful sea caves
✅Land transportation to Victoria in Gozo
✅Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo – 2 Island Boat Cruise
✅Full day cruise with several stops
✅3-hour stop in Gozo & 1,5hrs in the blue Lagoon
✅10 meter water slide
✅Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Tips for Day Trips to Gozo and the Blue Lagoon
There are lots of different companies offering day trips to the Blue Lagoon and Gozo from Malta. I strongly recommend that you compare offers as the content and prices can vary quite a bit.
- How long is the trip? Check in advance how much time you will have on site. Even though Gozo is small, the island offer lots of things to see.
Spending an hour at the Mgarr harbour will not do you any good. Likewise, you may not feel like spending 7 hours in the blue lagoon, as beautiful as the water may be. Is the blue lagoon even worth a visit?
- Compare what is included, especially for the Blue Lagoon. Some operators include a trip to a sea cave in Comino, others may or may not require you to book this separately.
Ferry to the Blue Lagoon from Malta and Gozo
As an alternative to the excursion boats, there are regular ferry services from the terminal in Cirkewwa on Malta and from Mgarr on Gozo to the island of Comino. The Comino jetty is located in the middle of the popular blue lagoon.
Ferry Malta – Comino
The journey with Comino Ferries from Cirkewwa in Malta to the Blue Lagoon takes about 25 minutes and the return journey is 35 minutes. Departures are every 30 minutes.
Price from: € 15.00 per person / round trip
Ferry Gozo – Comino
From Gozo there are 2 ferry companies (Ebsons Comino Ferries and Bella Comino Ferries) connecting Mgarr with Comino. Travel time is about 15 minutes to the Blue Lagoon, and optionally you can book to pass through the Caves. Departures are hourly from Mgarr.
Both companies charge the same price. Those may vary depending on the season. If you buy directly online from their website, you will get the cheapest rates.
Price from: € 8.00 per person / return (excluding caves)
Price from: € 12.00 per person / return (with caves)
Good to know: The ferry trips are of course cheaper than the excursion boats but you may not find a place to lie in the sun.
The blue Lagoon only offers a very tiny piece of beach at the pier or the expensive sun loungers in the bay. You can find more space just about a 30-minute walk from the jetty, on the beach of Santa Maria Bay.
FAQ’s on how to get to Gozo from Malta
How long is ferry ride from Malta to Gozo?
The duration of the ferry ride to Gozo from Malta depends on the port of departure. From Cirkewwa the travel time is 25 minutes, from Valletta the ferry needs 45 minutes to reach Gozo.
How much is ferry from Gozo to Malta?
The fast ferry to Valletta does cost € 7,50 per person / way. The car ferry price is €4,65 per person / round trip.
Can you do a day trip from Malta to Gozo?
Even if Gozo has much to offer than you can see in one day, you can most certainly do a day trip to the neighboring island. If you only have one day, I do recommend an organized tour taking you to the main attractions.
Conclusion
As you’ve likely discovered, traveling by ferry from Malta to Gozo and/or Comino is incredibly easy.
Whether as a pedestrian from any Malta port, by car from Malta’s northwestern port Cirkewwa, or with an organized day trip, there are plenty of options to suit every preference.
Ferries and excursion boats operate year-round, ensuring you can explore Gozo’s attractions and Comino’s Blue Lagoon any day you choose. Don’t miss out on these highlights during your Malta vacation!
⇨ Have you already decided where to stay in Gozo during your Trip?
