How to Get Around Gozo, Malta: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Island
There are so many great things to do in Gozo, and you want to see all that the island and has to offer, you’ll first need to plan how to get around Gozo. The best option depends on how much of the island you want to see and how independently you want to travel. Gozo is small enough that you have several ways to explore it, from buses and rental cars to taxis and guided tours, plus some much more fun options like tuk tuks, quad bikes, jeeps, e-bikes, and Segways.
We’ve explored Gozo in a couple of different ways, and transportation can really change how much of the island you get to experience. Having your own vehicle gives you the most freedom to reach beaches, viewpoints, coastal areas, and smaller villages, while organized tours take care of the navigation and logistics for you.
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about getting around Gozo, including the most practical transportation options, the fun ways to explore the island, and which options make the most sense for reaching some of Gozo’s most popular spots.
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The Basics of Getting Around Gozo
Before choosing between a car, bus, taxi, or tour, we’re giving a brief overview of how to reach the island, and where you should base yourself.
✈️ How to Get to Gozo, Malta
Getting to Gozo is easy! First, you’ll have to make it over the main island of Malta. From there, there are a few different options including ferries, organized tours, and private sailing charters.
👉🏻 For a full breakdown of each option, check out our complete guide on how to get to Gozo Island, which covers every route in detail.
How to Get to Gozo – Malta’s Stunning Sister Island
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get to Gozo, comparing the different options so you can choose which one is right for you.
❣️ What is the Best Area to Stay for Getting Around Gozo Easily?
Where you stay in Gozo can make a difference depending on how you plan to explore the island. If you’re renting a car, you’ll have plenty of flexibility, but if you’re relying on public transportation or want to walk to restaurants and other amenities, you’ll want to be more strategic with your location.
👉 Not sure where to focus your trip? Read our guide: 28 Epic Things to Do in Gozo, Malta
🚗 Options for Getting Around Gozo
Here are the main ways of getting around Gozo, Malta:
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How to Get Around Gozo, Malta: Comparing Transportation Options
Now that you know a bit about visiting the island, let’s dive into how to get around Gozo! We’re covering all of the different options, and which one is best for which kind of trip.
🚗 Getting Around Gozo by Car
Renting a car gives you the most freedom when exploring Gozo. You can decide where you want to go, stop at viewpoints along the way, and combine several different parts of the island in a single day.
We highly recommend renting a car in Gozo if your itinerary includes beaches, coastal areas, archaeological sites, villages, and viewpoints that aren’t all close together. You also won’t have to organize your day around bus schedules, which will save you a ton of time.
For travelers who want to explore independently and fit a lot into their time on Gozo, a rental car is probably the most ideal option.
⭐️ Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Gozo
🚌 Getting Around Gozo by Public Transportation
Public buses are the most budget-friendly way to get around Gozo, especially if you’re a solo traveler. Victoria is the main transportation hub, with routes connecting the town to different villages and areas around the island.
Buses can work well if you’re staying somewhere with a convenient route and don’t mind planning your sightseeing around the schedule. They’re less convenient when you’re trying to visit several more remote places in a single day, or if you’re traveling during
If you’re traveling without a car, check your route before heading out and allow yourself extra time between stops.
🎟️ Bus Tickets in Gozo
If you’re only taking a few buses, you can simply purchase your ticket when you board. Tickets can be paid for with cash, a contactless bank card, or a smartphone, and they’re valid for two hours, allowing you to transfer between buses during that period without paying another fare.
The standard fares are:
| Ticket | Fare |
|---|---|
| Day Routes (Winter) | €2.00 |
| Day Routes (Summer) | €2.50 |
| Night Routes | €3.00 |
| Special Services | €3.00 |
| Tallinja Direct Routes | €3.00 |
| Tallinja Direct Route TD1 | €3.50 |
Keep your ticket or other proof of payment with you while traveling. Ticket inspections are carried out regularly, and passengers can be fined €50 if they cannot show a valid ticket or have not properly validated their travel card or ticket.
💳 Tallinja Travel Cards
If you’re going to be using buses frequently, a travel card can be a much better deal than paying for individual journeys. The cards are valid on buses throughout both Malta and Gozo, so they’re super useful if your trip includes time on both islands.
There are several options depending on how long you’re staying and how much you’ll be using public transportation.
⭐️ 12 Single Day Journeys – €19
This card gives you 12 journeys on day routes, with free transfers within the two-hour validity period. Unlike the unlimited cards, this one can be shared between multiple travelers, making it a good option for couples, families, or groups who won’t necessarily be taking buses constantly.
The card is valid for six months from its first use and can be purchased from Malta Public Transport sales offices, card-dispensing machines, authorized retail outlets, or through the tallinja app.
⭐️ Explore Adult – 7 Day – €25
The Explore Adult card provides seven days of unlimited bus travel on day routes, night routes, and selected special services. It does not include Tallinja Direct routes. The card is for individual use and cannot be shared.
⭐️ Explore Child – 7 Day – €7
Children between 4 and 10 years old can use the Explore Child card for seven days of unlimited bus travel under the same general conditions as the adult Explore card. Children under 4 travel for free and don’t need a card.
| Travel Card | Price | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Single Day Journeys | €19 | 12 journeys on day routes with free transfers within 2 hours. Shareable between travelers. |
| Explore Adult – 7 Day | €25 | 7 days of unlimited travel on day routes, night routes and selected special services. |
| Explore Child – 7 Day | €7 | 7 days of unlimited travel for children ages 4–10. Children under 4 travel free. |
| Explore Flex – 4 Day | From €21 | 4 days of unlimited bus travel, with options to add Gozo Highspeed, cruises and other sightseeing services. |
| Explore Flex – 7 Day | From €27 | 7 days of unlimited bus travel, with options to add Gozo Highspeed, cruises and other sightseeing services. |
🌊 Explore Flex Travel Cards
The Explore Flex card is another option if you want to combine bus transportation with some of Malta’s other sightseeing and travel services. You can choose between four or seven days of unlimited bus travel and add options such as a return trip to Gozo on the Gozo Highspeed, a harbour cruise, or other sightseeing experiences.
Current Explore Flex options include:
| Offer | 4 Days | 7 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Bus Travel | €21 | €27 |
| Bus + Gozo Highspeed Return | €36 | €42 |
| Bus + Harbour Cruise | €36 | €42 |
| Bus + 2 Islands | €53 | €59 |
| Bus + 2 Islands & Harbour Cruise | €68 | €74 |
| Bus + Golden Comino Escape | €53 | €59 |
| Bus + Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus | €41 | €51 |
💡 The Explore Flex card can also be topped up through the tallinja app or at Malta Public Transport sales offices, giving you additional flexibility if you need to pay for certain services separately.
🛒 Where to Buy Bus Cards
Travel cards are available from several locations, so you don’t necessarily need to wait until you’re in Gozo to purchase one. They can be found at:
🚕 How to Get Around Gozo by Rideshare and Taxi
If you don’t want to rent a car, taxis and ride-hailing apps make getting around Gozo pretty easy. It can definitely be a pricier option, but worth it if you are traveling with a few people or have limited time on the island. There are several services available on the island, including:
⚠️ Traditional taxis generally use fixed fares rather than meters, and cash is often preferred, so we suggest confirming the price and payment method before getting in.
🚐 Getting Around Gozo by Guided Tour
Guided tours are one of the easiest ways to see a lot of Gozo without having to plan the transportation yourself. Many tours combine several of the island’s major sights into one itinerary and include transportation between them.
This is a smart idea if you’re staying in Gozo without a car or only have a limited amount of time, especially if you’re traveling Malta on your own. Instead of figuring out how to connect beaches, villages, viewpoints, and historical sites, you can join an organized experience and let someone else handle the driving and navigation. It’s also fun for meeting fellow travel buddies!
🚴 Fun and Unique Ways of Getting Around Gozo
Beyond the standard options, there are some super fun and unique ways to get around Gozo that let you turn transportation into part of the experience. These are perfect if you want to see more of the island while incorporating a bit of adventure into your itinerary.
- Tuk Tuk Tours in Gozo: Tuk tuk tours are a fun way to explore Gozo without worrying about navigation. They can take you between major landmarks, coastal areas, and villages while giving you a local perspective along the way. Since they’re open-air, you also get to enjoy the scenery as you travel around the island.
- Quad Bike Tours in Gozo: Quad bikes are a more adventurous way to explore Gozo, combining sightseeing with off-road riding. Tours can take you through rural landscapes and along routes that aren’t accessible by a traditional car, making this a fun option if you want some adrenaline mixed into your sightseeing.
- Jeep Tours in Gozo: Jeep tours are a good way to cover a lot of the island in one day, with stops at beaches, villages, viewpoints, historical sites, and coastal landmarks. Depending on the tour, you may either drive the jeep yourself or have a chauffeur take you around.
- E-Bike Tours in Gozo: E-bikes give you the freedom of cycling without having to worry as much about Gozo’s hills and longer distances. They’re a nice middle ground between walking and driving, allowing you to explore more of the island while still being outside and able to stop along the way.
- Segway Tours in Gozo: Segway tours let you cover more ground than walking while exploring with a guide. They’re a smaller-scale alternative to a full-day jeep or car tour and can be a fun way to see some of Victoria’s major sights.
- Hiking in Gozo: Hiking is another way to get around portions of Gozo, particularly along the coastline, through valleys, and across the countryside. There are routes ranging from shorter coastal walks to longer hikes, making this a cool option for seeing parts of the island that you might otherwise miss.
FAQ About How to Get Around Gozo Island
Now you know pretty much everything you need for getting around the island of Gozo! But in case you missed anything, here are some frequently asked questions we’ve gotten and found across the web about how to get around Gozo as a tourist.
What is the best way to get around Gozo?
Renting a car is one of the easiest ways to get around Gozo if you want the freedom to explore beaches, villages, viewpoints, and more remote areas on your own schedule. Public buses, taxis, and organized tours are also available depending on how independently you want to travel.
Do you need a car to get around Gozo?
No, you do not need a car to get around Gozo. Buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and organized tours can all help you explore the island without driving. There are also fun options like tuk tuk, quad bike, jeep, and e-bike tours.
Is public transportation good in Gozo?
Gozo has a public bus network connecting Victoria with many of the island’s main towns and attractions. Buses can be useful for travelers on a budget, although having your own transportation gives you more flexibility for reaching beaches, viewpoints, and less-connected areas.
Can you use Bolt or Uber in Gozo?
Yes. Bolt is widely used on Gozo and is generally considered the more dependable app-based ride-hailing option. Uber is also available, although cars can take longer to arrive. eCabs is another local option, particularly useful if you want to arrange a ride in advance.
How long does it take to get around Gozo?
Gozo is relatively small, so driving between many of the island’s main areas does not take very long. The amount of time you need depends more on how many places you want to visit and whether you are relying on buses, driving yourself, or joining an organized tour.
What are the most fun ways to explore Gozo?
Some of the most fun ways to explore Gozo include tuk tuk tours, quad bike tours, jeep tours, e-bike tours, Segway tours, and hiking. These options let you combine sightseeing with the experience of exploring the island in a different way.
Where should you stay in Gozo?
Victoria is a convenient base if you want easy access to public transportation and a central location for exploring the island. Other towns can work well if you prefer to stay closer to the coast, beaches, or a quieter part of Gozo, especially if you have your own transportation.
How to Get Around Gozo: Final Tips and What’s Next
Getting around Gozo is pretty easy once you decide what kind of trip you want. A rental car gives you the most independence, while buses are the budget option and organized tours are great when you want to see a lot without handling the logistics yourself.
Where you stay matters too. If you’re traveling without a car, staying in Victoria will generally make your life easier, while Xlendi and Marsalforn are great choices if you want to prioritize being near the coast.
A few final tips for getting around Gozo
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know everything you need for getting around Gozo, let’s help you learn more about visiting the island, and other parts of Malta.
Here are other Malta guides we have:
🚢 How to get to Gozo
💦 Best things to do in Gozo
✈️ How to get to Malta
🌊 17 Things to do in Malta
Here are a few upcoming Malta guides we’re working on:
⛵️ Gozo Island travel guide
🏝️ Day trip to Comino Island
🚗 How to get around Malta
📖 Complete guide for planning a trip to Malta
Ready to explore one of the most beautiful Maltese islands? We hope you’re ready to move around Gozo with ease, and that you enjoy all this little slice of paradise has to offer.
Ready to learn more about visiting the Maltese islands? We have quite a few Malta travel guides coming up – but in the meantime, you can explore all of our other European travel guides. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get all of our updates on articles, trips, and shop discounts..
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