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How to get from Gozo to Valletta
The fastest way from Gozo to Valletta is the fast passenger ferry from Mġarr to Valletta, about 45 minutes. The cheapest is the Gozo Channel car ferry from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa, about 25 minutes, followed by a bus to Valletta, about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30.
Best option: Ferry. The fast ferry goes straight to Valletta's harbour, avoiding the long bus ride across Malta.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Fast passenger ferries from Mġarr (Gozo) to Valletta | about 45 min | several a day; check current timetables | about €5–8 one way | Foot passengers only; two companies operate the route. Sailings may be cancelled in rough seas. |
| bus Gozo Channel car ferry Mġarr–Ċirkewwa, then Malta Public Transport bus to Valletta | about 25 min crossing plus 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 by bus | ferries round the clock, about every 45 minutes by day | about €5 return for a foot passenger (paid in Gozo) plus about €2–3 for the bus | Express bus routes run from Ċirkewwa to Valletta. |
| car Gozo Channel car ferry to Ċirkewwa, then drive to Valletta | about 25 min crossing plus about 1 h drive | about €16 return for car and driver plus fuel | Parking in Valletta is scarce; use car parks outside the walls. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- The Gozo Channel fare is collected only on the Gozo side, when you leave Gozo; the trip to Gozo is free.
- Book the fast ferry ahead for busy weekends in summer.
- Buses from Ċirkewwa fill up when a ferry arrives; be quick off the boat.
- Avoid driving into Valletta on weekday mornings.
Common questions
What is the fastest way from Gozo to Valletta?
The fast passenger ferry from Mġarr to Valletta, which takes about 45 minutes and arrives in the Grand Harbour area. It runs several times a day. The alternative, the Gozo Channel ferry to Ċirkewwa plus a bus, takes about two hours in total because Ċirkewwa is at the far north of Malta.
Do I pay for the Gozo ferry both ways?
On the Gozo Channel Mġarr–Ċirkewwa ferry you pay once, for the return trip, when you leave Gozo. Travel from Malta to Gozo is free. Fast ferries to Valletta charge for each journey, either one way or return. Check current fares, as they change.
Can I take a car from Gozo to Valletta?
Yes, on the Gozo Channel car ferry to Ċirkewwa, then drive about an hour to Valletta. The fast ferries take foot passengers only. Parking in Valletta is limited, so use a car park outside the city walls. For a day trip, leaving the car in Gozo and taking the fast ferry is simpler.
Do the ferries run in bad weather?
The Gozo Channel car ferries are large and run in most conditions, around the clock. The smaller fast ferries to Valletta are more likely to be cancelled in strong winds or high seas. On stormy days, check before you set out and have the Ċirkewwa route as a backup.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.