How to Get to Gozo: Ferries, Tickets & Everything You Need to Know

Quick Answers FAQ

Find Your Perfect Ferry Quiz

Choosing the right ferry to get to Gozo can depend on a few key factors, like your travel time, location, and your personal preferences. To make things easier, we’ve put together a quick quiz to help you decide which ferry service suits your needs best. Answer a few simple questions and find your perfect match!

Gozo Channel Ferry

The Gozo Channel Ferry is the traditional way to travel between Malta and Gozo, operating between Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. This ferry accommodates both cars and foot passengers, making it a convenient choice if you are driving.

• Gozo Ferry Cost: Tickets for the Gozo Channel Ferry are reasonably priced. Currently, a round-trip ticket costs approximately €4.65 for foot passengers and €15.70 for cars, including the driver and €8.15 for a motorcycle plus its rider. Passengers who are over 60, and children under 12 both enjoy discounted rates. Foot passengers can be purchase return tickets at both terminals. If the Cirkewwa ticket office is not open, you can still board the ferry across to Gozo. You will need to purchase a ticket at the Mgarr terminal for the return trip. This will be exactly the same price as if you had bought it in Cirkewwa. 
  
  
• Crossing Length: The ferry crossing takes approximately 25 minutes.
  
  
• How to Get to Cirkewwa Terminal: From Malta International Airport, you can take a taxi, private transfer, or a bus to the Cirkewwa Terminal. The journey takes around 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. There are several bus routes that stop at Cirkewwa, including X1 route which runs directly from the airport.
  
  
• Frequency: The service runs pretty much 24/7 with sailings usually no longer than 45 minutes apart, although at peak times the gap could be as short as 15 minutes.
  
  
• In Bad Weather: The Gozo Channel Ferry is generally very reliable, but adverse weather conditions may cause delays or cancellations. It’s always a good idea to check the latest updates on their website or their Facebook page.
  
  
• On Board Amenities: Inside the ferry, you’ll find an onboard café, perfect for grabbing a refreshment during your journey. While the café may not be open for late-night trips, vending machines are available at all times, providing snacks and drinks whenever you need them. There is also free wi-fi available onboard. For seating, there are chairs and tables set up for a relaxed travel experience. Toilets are also available onboard, ensuring a comfortable journey. If you prefer fresh air and scenic views, head to the deck for a delightful perspective of the beautiful harbours and the picturesque Comino Island. As you sail past Comino from Cirkewwa stand on starboard side (the right-hand side as you look towards Gozo) you can see Santa Marija Tower, which doubled as Chateau D’If in The Count of Monte Cristo.

Additional Info: While you can’t book tickets in advance, the ferry runs throughout the day and night. Usually the longest gap in between sailings is 45 minutes.

Top Tip: The ferry gets very busy on Friday evenings, especially in the summer as well as days before public holidays, as many people from Malta travel over to spend the weekend in Gozo. Sunday afternoons are also peak times as travellers return to the main island. Plan your journey accordingly to avoid long queues. We also recommend checking out the live Gozo Channel webcams so you can see how busy the service currently is.

Valletta Gozo Highspeed Ferry

Launched in June 2021, the Gozo Highspeed Ferry connects Valletta Grand Harbour directly to Mgarr Harbour. This ferry is foot-passenger only but allows bicycles with prior booking. Pets are welcome on board too.

• Gozo Highspeed Ferry cost: A single is approximately €7.50 for adults and €3.00 for children and Senior Citizen and Disability Card Holders. Return tickets offer slight discounts. Tickets can be booked online in advance or purchased at the terminal.
  
  
• Crossing Length: The ferry crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
  
  
• How to Get to Valletta Terminal: The ferry terminal is located at the Lascaris Wharf, which is close to the Valletta Waterfront and about a ten-minute walk from the main bus terminus, or you can take the 133 which will drop you a two-minute walk away. If you are travelling straight from the airport, then a taxi is the quickest and most direct method. It is possible to take public transport but you will need to take two buses to reach the terminal. Depending on the time of day, it will take 15-30 minutes by taxi from the airport to the terminal.
  
  
• Frequency: The first sailing from Valletta is at 06:45, followed by 08:45. After that, there is a ferry at quarter to the hour every hour until 20:45. During summer, the last weekday ferry is at 22:15, and on Fridays and Saturdays, there is an additional late service at 00:30.
  
  
• Cancellations: This service is more sensitive to cancellations and changes to its schedule. Either due to the weather or events taking place in the Grand Harbour, such as the annual International Firework Festival. 
  
  Changes to the service are usually announced first on the Gozo Highspeed Facebook page, so we strongly recommend checking that before you travel to the terminal.
  
  
• On Board Amenities: The Gozo Highspeed ferry has dedicated luggage racks, and the friendly staff are always happy to help you stow it away safely. There are also places to secure bicycles. There is no standing allowed in the main cabin area, so seats are plentiful and comfortable. There are onboard bathrooms, free wi-fi and a vending machine is also available for drinks and light snacks.

Additional Info: During the summer, the service is very popular. We recommend booking tickets in advance online to make sure you catch the ferry you planned. We also recommend turning up to the terminal 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Top Tip: Even on seemingly calm days, the trip can be a little bouncy. We recommend sitting at the back of the ferry and looking out of the window during the trip to reduce the likelihood of motion sickness.

Sliema and Buġġiba Gozo Ferry

Great news for anyone staying in Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġġiba or St Paul’s Bay! A brand new fast ferry service launched in May 2026, connecting these popular areas directly to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo for the very first time.

It’s operated by Gozo Highspeed Ltd, which also runs the existing Valletta to Mġarr Harbour fast ferry, and you can find all the details on our dedicated guide.

How it works

Two vessels will operate simultaneously on the route, which is how the service can run so frequently throughout the day. Each ferry departs from Sliema, stops at Buġġiba to pick up and drop off passengers, then continues to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. You can join the service at either Sliema or Buġġiba depending on where you are staying.

Approximate journey times:

• Sliema to Buġġiba: 30 minutes
• Buġġiba to Mġarr, Gozo: 30 minutes
• Sliema to Mġarr, Gozo (full journey): 75 minutes

This service is foot passengers only. If you are travelling with a car you will still need the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa.

Timetable

Summer (March to October) — 22 trips per day

Sliema to Gozo:

Depart Sliema	Arrival Buġġiba	Departure Buġġiba	Arrival Mġarr
05:45	06:15	06:30	07:00
06:45	07:15	07:30	08:00
08:45	09:15	09:30	10:00
09:45	10:15	10:30	11:00
11:45	12:15	12:30	13:00
13:45	14:15	14:30	15:00
15:45	16:15	16:30	17:00
16:45	17:15	17:30	18:00
18:45	19:15	19:30	20:00
19:45	20:15	20:30	21:00
22:00	22:30	22:45	23:15

Gozo to Sliema

Depart Mġarr	Arrival Buġġiba	Departure Buġġiba	Arrival Sliema
05:15	05:45	06:00	06:30
07:15	07:45	08:00	08:30
08:15	08:45	09:00	09:30
10:15	10:45	11:00	11:30
11:15	11:45	12:00	12:30
13:15	13:45	14:00	14:30
15:15	15:45	16:00	16:30
17:15	17:45	18:00	18:30
18:15	18:45	19:00	19:30
20:15	20:45	21:00	21:30
21:15	21:45	22:00	22:30

Summer (November to February) — 16 trips per day

Sliema to Gozo:

Depart Sliema	Arrival Buġġiba	Departure Buġġiba	Arrival Mġarr
05:45	06:15	06:30	07:00
06:45	07:15	07:30	08:00
08:45	09:15	09:30	10:00
09:45	10:15	10:30	11:00
11:45	12:15	12:30	13:00
12:45	13:15	13:30	14:00
15:45	16:15	16:30	17:00

Gozo to Sliema

Depart Mġarr	Arrival Buġġiba	Departure Buġġiba	Arrival Sliema
05:15	05:45	06:00	06:30
07:15	07:45	08:00	08:30
08:15	08:45	09:00	09:30
10:15	10:45	11:00	11:30
13:15	13:45	14:00	14:30
14:15	14:45	15:00	15:30
16:15	16:45	17:00	17:30

Top Tip: If you are joining at Buġġiba rather than Sliema, check the timetable carefully. The ferry will already have passengers on board from Sliema, so make sure you are at the terminal before the scheduled Buġġiba departure time.

Fares

Sliema to/from Gozo (one way):

Passenger type	Fare	ID required
Standard adult	€8.50	No
Personalised Tallinja card holders	€6.50	Personalised Tallinja card
Gozo Residents	€2.25	Valid ID/Residency card
Students	€4.50	Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)	€3.00	Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs	€3.00	Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10	€4.00	No
Children aged 3 and under	Free	No
Hospital appointment holders	Free	Appointment evidence

Buġġiba to/from Gozo (one way):

Passenger type	Fare	ID required
Standard adult	€6.50	No
Gozo Residents	€2.00	Valid ID/Residency card
Students	€3.50	Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)	€3.00	Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs	€3.00	Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10	€3.00	No
Children aged 3 and under	Free	No
Hospital appointment holders	Free	Appointment evidence

Sliema to/from Buġġiba (one way):

Passenger type	Fare	ID required
Standard adult	€6.50	No
Personalised Tallinja card holders	Free	Personalised Tallinja card
Students	€3.00	Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)	€3.00	Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs	€3.00	Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10	€3.00	No
Children aged 3 and under	Free	No

Which Gozo Ferry Should I Take?

With three ferry options now available, choosing the right one is easier than ever. Take our quick quiz to help you pick, or read through our comparison below:

• Speed: Despite the longer crossing time of 45 minutes, the Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta is often considered quicker overall if you are staying in Valletta or the south of Malta. Similarly, if you are staying around Sliema, St Julians, Qawra, St. Pauls or Buġġiba, the new highspeedFerry is the most convenient option, saving you the journey to Ċirkewwa or Valletta entirely.
  
  
• Accessibility: If you are bringing a car or motorcycle, the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa is your only option as both the Highspeed services are for foot passengers only, they do allow bicycles with prior booking.
  
  
• Convenience: The Gozo Highspeed Ferry offers online booking, making it easy to secure your spot. The Gozo Channel Ferry does not require advance booking but runs so frequently that availability is rarely an issue for foot passengers.
  
  
• Location: Where you are staying in Malta makes a big difference. If you are in Valletta or the south, the Valletta Highspeed Ferry is your most convenient option. If you are in Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġġiba or St Paul’s Bay, the new Sliema and Buġġiba service will save you significant time. From other areas of northern Malta, Ċirkewwa and the Gozo Channel Ferry may still be the easiest choice.
  
  
• Availability: The Gozo Channel Ferry runs pretty much 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with only a short gap in the early hours. The Gozo Highspeed Ferry runs from 06:45 with additional late services in summer. The Sliema and Buġġiba service runs from 05:45 to 23:15 in summer and 05:45 to 17:00 in winter.
  
  
• Weather sensitivity: The Gozo Channel Ferry is the most reliable option in bad weather. Both fast ferry services are more prone to cancellations in strong winds, so always check before you travel during unsettled conditions.
  
  
• Cost: The Gozo Channel Ferry offers the lowest fares for foot passengers at €4.65 return. The Gozo Highspeed Ferry is €7.50 single. The new Sliema and Buġġiba service starts at €6.50 single from Buġġiba or €8.50 from Sliema, though Tal-Linja card holders travelling from Sliema pay the lower €6.50 fare.
  
  
• Experience: The Gozo Channel Ferry provides a classic Mediterranean crossing with open decks, stunning views of Comino and a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for families. The Gozo Highspeed and the Sliema and Buġġiba service offer a faster, more modern ride. For a first visit to Gozo, many people find the Channel Ferry the more memorable introduction to the island.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your travel priorities—whether that’s speed, cost, convenience, or the need to transport a vehicle.

Gozo Ferries: Side-by-Side Comparison

Or are you still undecided? Here’s a quick comparison of the two ferry services to help you weigh up your options. Whether you’re travelling with a vehicle or just on foot, this table highlights key differences between Gozo Channel Ferry and Gozo Highspeed Ferry.

Feature	Gozo Channel Ferry	Gozo Highspeed Ferry	Sliema & Buġġiba Ferry
Departures from	Ċirkewwa	Valletta (Lascaris Wharf)	Sliema and Buġġiba
Arrives as	Mġarr Harbour, Gozo	Mġarr Harbour, Gozo	Mġarr Harbour, Gozo
Travel time	25 minutes	45 minutes	75 mins from Sliema 30 mins from Buġġiba
Passenger Type	Foot, motorbikes, cars, bicycles, pets	Foot, bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, pets	Foot, bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, pets
Frequency	Every 15 – 45 minutes, 24/7	Roughy hourly: 06:45 to 20:45	22 trips/day (summer) 16 trips/day (winter)
Adult Fare	€4.65 return	€7.50 single	€8.50 single from Sliema €6.50 from Buġġiba
Pre-booking	Not required	Recommended	Recommended
Best for	Cars, frequent crossings, 24-hour travel	Visitors staying in Valletta	Visitors staying in Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġġiba or St Paul’s Bay
On-board amenities	Café, bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, shop, lifts	Bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, luggage/bike racks	Bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, luggage/bike racks
Accessibility	Priority boarding; 3 ferries have lifts, 1 with chair lift only	Wheelchair ramps available	Wheelchair ramps available
Weather reliability	Rarely cancelled, may have delays in storms	Cancelled in high wind/rough seas	Cancelled in high wind/rough seas

Getting to Gozo from Malta Airport

Flying into Malta International Airport and heading straight to Gozo? Here are your options.

By taxi or private transfer The quickest and most hassle-free option is a taxi or private transfer directly from the airport to Ċirkewwa, where you can board the Gozo Channel Ferry. The journey takes around 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Several private transfer companies offer a door-to-door service that can take you all the way to your accommodation in Gozo, which is worth considering if you have heavy luggage or are travelling with a family.

By bus to Ċirkewwa If you prefer public transport, the X1 bus runs directly from Malta International Airport to Ċirkewwa Terminal, where you can board the Gozo Channel Ferry. The journey takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Check the Tallinja website for current timetables before you travel.

By bus to Valletta for the Highspeed Ferry If you are travelling without a vehicle and would prefer the Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta, you can take public transport from the airport to Valletta. You will need to take two buses, so allow plenty of time. A taxi from the airport to Lascaris Wharf in Valletta takes around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and is the more straightforward option.

Top Tip: If you are arriving on a Friday evening or the day before a public holiday, allow extra time for the journey to Ċirkewwa. The Gozo Channel Ferry can get very busy at these times and queues for cars can be long.

Getting to Gozo from Valletta

Valletta is one of the most popular bases for visitors to Malta, and getting to Gozo from the capital is straightforward.

Gozo Highspeed Ferry (recommended) The most direct option from Valletta is the Gozo Highspeed Ferry, which departs from Lascaris Wharf in the Grand Harbour. The terminal is about a ten-minute walk from the main Valletta bus terminus, or a two-minute walk from the 133 bus stop. The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes and arrives directly at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The first sailing from Valletta is at 06:45 and the last is at 20:45 (22:15 in summer, with additional late services on Fridays and Saturdays at 00:30).

By bus to Ċirkewwa Alternatively, you can take a bus from Valletta to Ċirkewwa to board the Gozo Channel Ferry. The journey takes around 45 minutes to an hour. This is the better option if you are travelling with a vehicle, though you will need to make your way to Ċirkewwa first.

Top Tip: The Gozo Highspeed Ferry can be affected by events in the Grand Harbour, such as the annual International Firework Festival, which can cause schedule changes or cancellations. Always check the Gozo Highspeed Facebook page before you travel.

Private Transfers from the Airport to Gozo

If convenience and comfort are your top priorities, private transfers can take the hassle out of reaching Gozo. Many companies offer door-to-door service that includes both the transfer to the ferry terminal and the ferry crossing itself.

• How It Works: Upon arrival at Malta International Airport, your driver will meet you and take you directly to the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, where you will usually board the ferry as a foot passenger, with your luggage staying in the car. Once you arrive at Gozo, your driver will escort you back to the vehicle, and will then drive you directly to your destination.
  
  
• Time & Cost: Transfers to the Cirkewwa terminal typically take 45-60 minutes. Costs vary depending on the company and the size of your group, but private transfers offer a stress-free and efficient alternative.
  

Additional Benefits: Many transfer services allow you to pre-book extras like child seats or luggage assistance, ensuring a seamless journey from start to finish.

Top Tip: It’s worth asking your hotel if they can arrange a transfer from the airport to Gozo. In the off-peak season, some hotels have been known to offer this for free as an incentive to stay with them.

I also recommend checking out Get My Transfer. Simply enter your details and local drivers will send bids, you pick the one that you like and the app puts you in touch immediately. I tried their services out on a recent trip to France and it worked perfectly, giving me a stress-free journey to my final destination.

Useful Links

• Gozo Channel Ferry
• Gozo Channel Facebook
• Gozo Highspeed Ferry
• Gozo Highspeed Facebook
• Malta Public Transport

Remember, the crossing itself is part of the experience. Gozo starts the moment you leave the mainland behind.

Ready to Explore More?

Discover everything Gozo has to offer by checking out The Ultimate Guide to Gozo, The Guide to Film Locations in Gozo, or Is Gozo Worth Visiting? These resources, along with our Practical Guide to Gozo and How to Get Around Gozo will help you plan the perfect trip!