How to Get to Gozo – Malta’s Stunning Sister Island
Wondering how to get to Gozo? Since Gozo doesn’t have its own international airport, getting there works a little differently than traveling to Malta’s main island. You’ll first need to reach Malta and then continue on to Gozo, but the good news is that the islands are well connected and the journey is relatively easy.
Whether you’re flying into Malta from abroad or you’re already spending time on the main island, there are a few ways to continue on to Gozo. Your best option will depend on where you are starting from, whether you’re bringing a car, and how much time you have.
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about how to get to Gozo, from arriving in Malta to choosing the best ferry for your trip.
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How to Get to Gozo: The Basics of Visiting Malta’s Islands
Before getting to Gozo, you’ll have to get to Malta first! Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get to Malta, and then how to move around once you actually arrive in Gozo.
✈️ How to Get to Malta’s Main Island
Malta is an island that is pretty well connected, and you can get there by both air and sea.
Here are the different options for traveling to Malta:
How to Get to Malta, One of Europe’s Most Beautiful Islands
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get to Malta, no matter where you’re coming from, along with visa details and other helpful info.
🚗 Getting Around Gozo
The best way to explore Gozo is by car. The good thing is that there are certain ferries that you can take that allow cars. You’ll just need to plan for the correct departure, and purchase a ticket with the car on it. Also, please allow extra time when driving, as you’ll need to arrive early.
If you don’t have a car, you’ll be able to take any of the ferries as a foot passenger to Gozo. Once you’re in Gozo, you can then take public buses, taxis, or Uber (although it may not be as easy or reliable).
It’s important to know how you’ll be getting around Gozo before deciding your route to arrive there.
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How to Get to Gozo from Malta
Once you’re on Malta, getting to Gozo is pretty simple. There are two main ferry options, and the right one depends mostly on where you’re staying and whether you’re traveling with a vehicle.
⛴️ How to Get to Gozo with the Gozo Channel Ferry
The Gozo Channel is the main ferry between Malta and Gozo and the one you’ll want if you’re traveling with a car. It runs between Ċirkewwa in northern Malta and Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, operates 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes about 25 minutes. There are at least 48 scheduled departures per day, with additional trips added when needed to help reduce queues.
This is also the option to use if you’re traveling from Malta International Airport and want to go directly to Gozo. You’ll need to make the journey from the airport to Ċirkewwa first, then board the ferry.
The current published timetable runs through November 8th, 2026, although schedules are updated periodically, so we recommend checking the official timetable before your trip just in case we aren’t able to update this when you read our guide. Gozo Channel doesn’t use reservations, either.
💡 Boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis, which is particularly important if you’re traveling with a rental car because you may need to wait for the next sailing if the vehicle queue is long.
💶 Gozo Channel prices:
One thing to note is that the standard passenger ticket is valid for a round trip, rather than being charged separately for the trip to Gozo and the trip back.
Gozo Channel ferries have cafeterias, vending machines, onboard refreshments, free Wi-Fi, temperature-controlled indoor areas, and accessible facilities including elevators.
🚤 How to Get to Gozo with the Fast Ferry from Valletta
If you’re staying in Valletta, the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry is another option. Rather than traveling all the way north to Ċirkewwa, you can board at Lascaris Wharf in Valletta and travel directly to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
The current timetable has frequent departures throughout the day. For example, the Valletta → Gozo service begins as early as 6:45 AM, with departures continuing throughout the day and evening. There are also later seasonal sailings, including services after midnight during part of the year. The schedule varies seasonally, but below you can see what the general schedule looks like.
💶 Fast ferry prices from Valletta
Unlike Gozo Channel, this is a one-way fare, so you’ll pay again for your return trip.
There are some important differences from the larger Gozo Channel ferry, too. The fast ferry is passenger-only, so you can’t bring a rental car.
You can bring luggage, but the operator has specific size and weight limits, and check-in closes two minutes before departure, with passengers advised to arrive 15–20 minutes beforehand. The ticket price also does not include meals, so I would not tell readers to expect a full cafeteria service like they get on Gozo Channel.
🚤 How to Get to Gozo via Buġibba or Silemme
The fast ferry network isn’t limited to Valletta anymore! Gozo Highspeed also operates services connecting Sliema and Buġibba with Gozo, which is great if you’re planning on staying in St. Pauls or St Julian’s.
Schedules vary a bit by season and day of the week, particularly for the Sliema and Buġibba services, so just double check the schedules below.
🍴 Amenities on the Gozo Ferries
The Gozo Highspeed fast ferries are more streamlined since they are designed primarily for getting passengers between Malta and Gozo quickly. The vessels have climate-controlled seating and accessible boarding ramps, and you can bring both a piece of stored personal luggage and a smaller hand luggage item with you.
The Gozo Channel ferry is the more full-service option, especially if you’re traveling with a car or have a bit more luggage. The ferries have free Wi-Fi, temperature-controlled indoor areas, onboard cafeterias, and vending machines, so you can grab coffee, drinks, snacks, or something more substantial during the roughly 25-minute crossing. There are also elevators to the upper deck, and the vessels are designed to allow wheelchair maneuverability in public areas
🚢 Which Ferry Should You Take to Gozo?
All four ferry options will get you to Gozo, but they’re designed for slightly different types of travelers, and the one you choose will depend on where you’re staying and if you have a vehicle.
For us, the biggest thing to consider is simply where you’re starting in Malta. If you’re already in Valletta, the fast ferry makes a lot of sense. If you’re coming straight from the airport or have a rental car, heading to Ċirkewwa for the Gozo Channel ferry is the best option.
Final Tips for How to Get to Gozo & What’s Next
Getting to Gozo is easy – making it a no-brainer when it comes to taking a trip there. If you’re bringing a car, the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa is your option, while foot passengers can choose between Gozo Channel and the faster passenger ferries from Valletta, Sliema, or Buġibba.
⭐️ A Few Tips for Taking the Ferry to Gozo
Whichever option you choose, the ferry ride is a pretty easy part of your Gozo adventure. Once you arrive at Mġarr Harbour, you’ll officially be on the island and ready to start exploring all of the fun things to do in Gozo.
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know how to get to Gozo, let’s help you discover more of the island! We already have a guide about how to get to Malta, and the best things to do on Malta’s main island, but here are some other guides that will be coming up in the upcoming weeks:
⭐️ Things to do on Gozo Island
⛵️ Gozo Island travel guide
🏝️ Day trip to Comino Island
🚗 How to get around Malta
📖 Complete guide for planning a trip to Malta
Getting to Gozo is easy – making it a no-brainer when it comes to taking a trip there. Still have questions or concerns though? Feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
Ready to learn more about visiting Gozo island? We have a few Gozo guides coming up, as well as other Malta travel guides – 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..
Are you ready to start booking your trip to Gozo and Malta? With Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning we make it super easy, so you can adventure more and stress less. To learn more about how it works, take a look at some of our travel planning packages or book your one-on-one consultation with us.
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