How do you get to Gozo from Malta?

Take the Gozo Channel ferry from Cirkewwa (northern tip of Malta) to Mġarr port in Gozo. The crossing takes 25 minutes. Foot passenger return fare is €4.65, collected at Mġarr on the way back. In summer, ferries run every 30–45 minutes.

Malta to Gozo ferry: Cirkewwa timetable, prices and tips (2026)

The Cirkewwa–Mġarr ferry: the only way to drive to Gozo

There is one way to get from Malta to Gozo with a vehicle: the Gozo Channel Company ferry from Cirkewwa (north Malta) to Mġarr (Gozo). On foot or by bicycle, you could also take the high-speed catamaran from Valletta (see below), but the vast majority of travellers — especially those with cars — use the Cirkewwa route.

The ferry crossing is 25 minutes of open sea between the northern tip of Malta and the Mġarr harbour on Gozo’s southeastern coast. The service runs year-round, all day and into the night, making it the essential connection between the two main islands.

Ticket prices (2026)

The critical fact about payment: You pay for the return journey only — at Mġarr when leaving Gozo. The outward crossing from Cirkewwa is free. This confuses many visitors who queue at Cirkewwa expecting to buy a ticket.

Passenger type	Return fare (both legs)
Foot passenger (adult)	€4.65
Foot passenger (child 4–14)	€2.30
Child under 4	Free
Pedestrian cycle	€0.50 extra
Car up to 4.5m	~€15.70 return
Motorcycle	~€6.50 return
Van / larger vehicle	€20–35+

These prices are current as of early 2026 and subject to revision. Cards are accepted at the Mġarr terminal.

Passes that include the ferry

Several day-pass and hop-on-hop-off products include the Gozo ferry as part of a bundle:

iSeeGozo Day Pass (ferry + Gozo hop-on-hop-off bus)
Gozo Heritage Day Pass (ferry + Heritage Malta sites on Gozo)
Some 3-islands cruise products include the Cirkewwa ferry as part of a Gozo day

If you are buying one of these bundled products, check whether the ferry is included — you may not need to pay separately at Mġarr.

Timetable: when do ferries run?

The Gozo Channel ferry runs 24 hours a day, with a roughly constant service. Frequency varies by time of day and season:

Summer (approximately June–September)

During the day: every 30–45 minutes
Evening and night: every 60–90 minutes
First morning crossing: approximately 1–2 am (night service runs but infrequently)
Last return: service runs through the night with gaps

Winter (approximately October–May)

During the day: every 60–90 minutes
Evening: every 90–120 minutes

Always verify the exact timetable before travelling at the Gozo Channel Company website (gozochannel.com) or via the Tallinja app, which shows bus connections to Cirkewwa and ferry times. Do not assume — timetables shift seasonally and for maintenance periods.

Getting to Cirkewwa from Malta

Cirkewwa is at the northernmost tip of Malta, approximately 22 km from Valletta.

By bus

Routes 41 and 44 from Valletta (Valletta bus terminus) go to Cirkewwa. Journey time: 70–90 minutes from Valletta, 50–70 minutes from Bugibba/Mellieha.

Honestly: The bus to Cirkewwa is very practical for foot passengers. Get the timetable in advance; these routes are less frequent than central routes (roughly every 30–60 minutes). Leave significant buffer time in summer.

By car or Bolt

From Valletta: approximately 35–45 minutes by car (longer in summer traffic). From Sliema: approximately 30–40 minutes. From Bugibba: approximately 20 minutes.

Bolt to Cirkewwa: €25–35 from Valletta; practical if you have luggage or a tight timetable. A Bolt from Cirkewwa back to Valletta or Sliema after a Gozo day trip is a popular option.

With a car: what to know

You pay at Mġarr, not at Cirkewwa

Repeat: you do not pay anything at Cirkewwa. Drive onto the ferry, cross, arrive in Mġarr. When you are ready to leave Gozo and board the return ferry at Mġarr, you pay the round-trip car fare at the toll booths.

Queue management

The Cirkewwa car ferry loading system uses a queuing system on the road approaching the terminal. In summer peak times (Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, Sunday evenings), car queues can be 1–2 hours long. The ferry loads multiple cars per crossing but demand in August is genuinely high.

Tips for cars:

Avoid Friday afternoon and Sunday evening crossings in July–August
Arrive at Cirkewwa at least 45 minutes before your intended crossing in summer
There is a café and toilets at Cirkewwa terminal while you wait
Foot passengers walk past the car queue and board much faster

Alternative: high-speed catamaran from Valletta

A faster and more scenic option for foot passengers (not available for cars):

Valletta–Victoria Gozo high-speed catamaran — operated by Virtu Ferries.

Departs from Valletta Waterfront, arrives at Mġarr Gozo (or sometimes a dock near Victoria)
Crossing: approximately 45–60 minutes
Operates on a limited schedule (not as frequent as the Cirkewwa ferry)
More expensive than the Cirkewwa ferry

This option is useful if you are staying in Valletta and want to avoid the long bus ride to Cirkewwa. For most visitors based in Sliema or St Julian’s, the Cirkewwa route (via bus or Bolt) is more practical.

On the ferry: what the crossing is like

The Gozo Channel ferries are functional car-and-passenger ferries. The vessels used in 2025–2026 include the Godfrey Mega-Ferry and similar vessels. They have:

Indoor passenger decks with seating
An outdoor upper deck (popular on good-weather days — excellent views of Comino and the sea)
A small snack bar (sandwiches, drinks, coffee)
Toilets
No Wi-Fi (the crossing is 25 minutes; it is not necessary)

The views from the outdoor deck on a clear day are excellent — you can see Comino’s limestone cliffs, the Blue Lagoon in the distance and the Mġarr harbour approaching. Worth going to the top deck, especially on your first crossing.

Seasickness risk

The open channel between Malta and Gozo is exposed water. In Gregale wind conditions (November–February) the crossing can be rough and the ferry is occasionally suspended. In summer, the sea is typically very calm — no seasickness concerns. In the shoulder season (October, March), moderate swell is possible.

Arriving at Mġarr, Gozo

Mġarr harbour is small and functional. When you disembark:

On foot: The harbour is a 5-minute walk to the village of Mġarr itself; Gozo buses depart from immediately outside the ferry terminal for Victoria and other destinations
By car: You drive off the ferry and exit through the Mġarr toll booth (pay your return fare here)
Bolt on Gozo: Bolt operates on Gozo (with fewer drivers than Malta); book from the Mġarr area as soon as you have signal

From Mġarr, Victoria (the capital) is 15 minutes by bus or car. The main Gozo sites are all within 20–30 minutes.

Gozo returning to Malta: timing tips

Plan your return crossing time carefully. If you are a foot passenger, arrive at the Mġarr terminal a few minutes before the next crossing — it is easy. If you are with a car, add 20–45 minutes buffer in summer (queues at Mġarr can also build up on busy days, though they are generally shorter than at Cirkewwa).

The last bus from Mġarr to Victoria or further into Gozo is around 8–9 pm (check the specific timetable). If you are staying for dinner in Gozo and returning to Malta late, check when the last convenient bus runs from wherever you are dining to Mġarr, and whether buses or Bolt will get you back.

Frequently asked questions about the Gozo ferry

How often does the Gozo ferry run?

Every 30–45 minutes during the day in summer; every 60–90 minutes in winter. Night crossings are available but less frequent. The ferry runs 24 hours.

How much does the Gozo ferry cost?

€4.65 return for foot passengers (adults), collected at Mġarr on the return. Children 4–14: €2.30. Under 4: free. Cars: approximately €15.70 return.

Can I take my car to Gozo?

Yes. Drive to Cirkewwa, queue for the car deck, cross to Mġarr (25 minutes). Pay at Mġarr when you leave Gozo. In summer, car queues at Cirkewwa on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings can be 1–2 hours.

Is the Gozo ferry running in winter?

Yes, year-round. Frequency drops to roughly every 75–90 minutes in winter. The ferry is occasionally suspended in very severe Gregale storm conditions, but this is rare (a few times per year at most).

Do I need to book the Gozo ferry in advance?

No — the ferry is walk-on (or drive-on) without reservation. Turn up and board. In summer with a car, the only planning needed is arriving early enough to avoid a long car queue.

Where is the Cirkewwa ferry terminal?

At the northernmost tip of Malta, near Mellieha. GPS coordinates: approximately 35.9888° N, 14.3358° E. Follow signs to “Cirkewwa” or “Gozo Ferry” from the Mellieha roundabout heading north. The terminal is clearly signposted.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20