Gozo Highspeed Ferry docked.

Sliema to Gozo Ferry: Complete Guide to the New Fast Ferry Service

By Kerry Gaffney | Last Updated 22/04/2026

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The wait is almost over. Getting to Gozo from Sliema, St Julian’s or Buġġiba is about to get a whole lot easier.

A brand new fast ferry service connecting Sliema and Buġġiba directly to Gozo is launching on 5th May 2026, you can find the full timetable and fares below.

Until now, visitors staying in the Sliema and St Julian’s area faced a choice between a 45-minute taxi or bus ride north to Ċirkewwa to catch the Gozo Channel Ferry, or heading south to Valletta to board the Gozo Highspeed Ferry. The new service changes all of that, putting Gozo within easy reach of two of Malta’s most popular tourist areas for the very first time.

Here is everything you need to know.

What is the New Sliema to Gozo Ferry?

The new service will run from Sliema Ferries terminal in Sliema to a newly built jetty in Buġġiba, and then on to the existing fast ferry terminal at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. It will be operated by Gozo Highspeed Ltd, a joint venture that also operates the existing Valletta to Gozo fast ferry service, so you can expect the same high-speed vessels and standard of service.

Two vessels will operate simultaneously on the route, which is how the service can achieve such a high frequency of sailings throughout the day.

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

How Long Does the Sliema to Gozo Ferry Take?

The full journey from Sliema to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo takes approximately 75 minutes. The ferry stops at Buġġiba along the way, so if you are joining at Buġġiba your journey to Gozo will be around 45 minutes.

  • Sliema to Buġġiba: approximately 30 minutes
  • Buġġiba to Mġarr, Gozo: approximately 30 minutes

  • Sliema to Mġarr, Gozo (full journey): approximately 75 minutes.

Where Do I Board the Sliema to Gozo Ferry?

In Sliema: The ferry departs from Sliema Ferries terminal on the Sliema waterfront. This is a well-known landmark and easy to find. Parking in Sliema is extremely limited and can be very frustrating, so we strongly recommend arriving on foot, by bus or by taxi rather than driving to the terminal.

In Buġġiba: A brand new jetty has been built specifically for this service. It is located off the Buġġiba promenade. As with Sliema, parking in Buġġiba and the surrounding area can be very challenging, particularly in summer. We recommend using public transport or a taxi where possible.

In Gozo: The ferry arrives at the existing fast ferry terminal at Mġarr Harbour, the same terminal used by the Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta. From Mġarr Harbour you can pick up a bus to Victoria, hire a car, or take a taxi.

Top Tip: If you are joining at Buġġiba rather than Sliema, make sure you are at the terminal before the scheduled Buġġiba departure time. The ferry will already have passengers on board from Sliema, so it will not wait.

Sliema to Gozo Ferry Timetable

The service runs daily throughout the year, with more frequent sailings in summer.

Summer (March to October) — 22 trips per day

Sliema to Gozo:

Departure SliemaArrival BuġġibaDeparture BuġġibaArrival Mġarr
05:4506:1506:3007:00
06:4507:1507:3008:00
08:4509:1509:3010:00
09:4510:1510:3011:00
11:4512:1512:3013:00
13:4514:1514:3015:00
15:4516:1516:3017:00
16:4517:1517:3018:00
18:4519:1519:3020:00
19:4520:1520:3021:00
22:0022:3022:4523:15

Gozo to Sliema:

Departure MġarrArrival BuġġibaDeparture BuġġibaArrival Sliema
05:1505:4506:0006:30
07:1507:4508:0008:30
08:1508:4509:0009:30
10:1510:4511:0011:30
11:1511:4512:0012:30
13:1513:4514:0014:30
15:1515:4516:0016:30
17:1517:4518:0018:30
18:1518:4519:0019:30
20:1520:4521:0021:30
21:1521:4522:0022:30

Winter (November to February) — 16 trips per day

Sliema to Gozo:

Departure SliemaArrival BuġġibaDeparture BuġġibaArrival Mġarr
05:4506:1506:3007:00
06:4507:1507:3008:00
08:4509:1509:3010:00
09:4510:1510:3011:00
11:4512:1512:3013:00
12:4513:1513:3014:00
14:4515:1515:3016:00
15:4516:1516:3017:00

Gozo to Sliema:

Departure MġarrArrival BuġġibaDeparture BuġġibaArrival Sliema
05:1505:4506:0006:30
07:1507:4508:0008:30
08:1508:4509:0009:30
10:1510:4511:0011:30
13:1513:4514:0014:30
14:1514:4515:0015:30
16:1516:4517:0017:30

Sliema to Gozo Ferry Fares

Fares vary depending on where you are travelling from and your eligibility.

Sliema to/from Gozo (one way):

Passenger typeFareID required
Standard adult€8.50No
Tallinja card holders€6.50Tallinja card
Gozo ID card holders€2.25Valid ID card
Students (public education institutions)€4.50Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)€3.00Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs€3.00Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10€4.00No
Children aged 3 and underFreeNo
Hospital appointment holdersFreeAppointment evidence

Buġġiba to/from Gozo (one way):

Passenger typeFareID required
Standard adult€6.50No
Gozo ID card holders€2.00Valid ID card
Students (public education institutions)€3.50Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)€3.00Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs€3.00Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10€3.00No
Children aged 3 and underFreeNo
Hospital appointment holdersFreeAppointment evidence

Sliema to/from Buġġiba (one way):

Passenger typeFareID required
Standard adult€6.50No
Tallinja card holdersFreeTallinja card
Students (public education institutions)€3.00Institution card
Senior citizens (60+)€3.00Valid ID card
Passengers with special needs€3.00Blue or yellow card
Children aged 4 to 10€3.00No
Children aged 3 and underFreeNo

Top Tip: If you hold a Tallinja card and are travelling from Sliema all the way to Gozo, you pay the Buġġiba fare of €6.50 rather than the standard Sliema fare of €8.50. Make sure you have your card with you.

How to Pay

Payment details will be confirmed when the service officially launches. The existing Gozo Highspeed Ferry accepts card and contactless payments, and we expect the new service to follow suit. If you hold a personalised Tallinja card there may also be a tap and go option at the terminal, though this is yet to be confirmed. We will update this section as soon as full details are available.

Is the Sliema to Gozo Ferry Prone to Seasickness?

This is a question worth considering. The existing Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta is operated by the same company using similar high-speed vessels, and some passengers do find it a bumpy ride on choppy days. Several visiting travel influencers have flagged this in recent months, so it is worth being aware of.

This is a question worth considering. The existing Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta is operated by the same company using similar high-speed vessels, and some passengers do find it a bumpy ride on choppy days. Several visiting travel influencers have flagged this in recent months, so it is worth being aware of.

If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend checking a local weather site such as Maltese Islands Weather, which includes the sea state in its daily forecasts. If the outlook is rough, or you simply prefer a smoother ride, the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa remains the most stable option. It is a larger vessel and you can step outside on the open deck, which many people find helps.

Top Tip: If you do take the fast ferry and feel unwell, sitting towards the back of the vessel near a window tends to help.

What to Do When You Arrive in Gozo

Arriving at Mġarr Harbour is your first introduction to Gozo and it is a lovely one. The harbour is ringed with colourful fishing boats, overlooked by the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes perched on the hillside above — and if you are a film fan you may already recognise it from shows like The Madame Blanc Mysteries.

Getting Around Gozo

Once you are off the ferry you will need to decide how to explore the island. Our complete guide to getting around Gozo covers all your options in detail, from public buses and taxis to car hire and the Bolt app. Victoria, the island’s capital, is a short bus or taxi ride from the harbour and makes a great first stop.

Where to Stay in Gozo

If you are planning more than a day trip, Gozo has a wonderful range of accommodation to suit every budget and style, from boutique hotels in Victoria to traditional farmhouses in the countryside and apartments overlooking the sea. Our guide to where to stay in Gozo covers the best areas and options to help you choose.

Things to Do in Gozo

Gozo punches well above its weight for experiences. Whether you are into history, hiking, beaches, diving or food, there is plenty to keep you busy. Browse our Gozo village guides for inspiration, or check out the best tours and experiences on Gozo if you would rather let someone else do the planning.

Gozo Film Locations

Did you know that Gozo has been the backdrop for over 60 films and TV productions? From Game of Thrones to Gladiator II, Troy to The Madame Blanc Mysteries, the island has starred in some of the biggest productions of the last 50 years. Our Gozo filming locations guide is the perfect companion for any film fan visiting the island.

If you are a fan of The Madame Blanc Mysteries in particular, our complete Madame Blanc filming locations guide covers every location used across all four series, with an interactive map to help you find them. Or if you are short on time, our Gozo in a Day guide includes the best filming locations you can visit in a single day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

The service launched on 05 May 2026, following successful test sailings.

Yes. The new service is foot passengers only. If you are travelling with a car or motorbike you will need to use the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa instead.

Yes. The ferry stops at Buġġiba on both the outward and return journeys. You can board at either Sliema or Buġġiba. The journey from Buġġiba to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo takes approximately 30 minutes, and the standard adult fare is €6.50 one way.

There are currently three ways to get to Gozo by ferry. The Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa is the only option for vehicles and runs 24 hours a day. The Gozo Highspeed Ferry from Valletta is the best option if you are based in Valletta or the south of Malta. The new Sliema and Buġġiba service is the most convenient option if you are staying in Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġġiba, Qawra or St Paul’s Bay. See our complete guide to getting to Gozo for a full comparison.

The timetables and fares in this guide are based on the published timetable at launch.

The timetable and fare information on this page was initally sourced directly from the published tender document for the service, which was issued by the Maltese government in July 2025.

The tender document sets out the required schedule and fare structure for the operator.

It was then updated when the official timetables and fares were published.

We will continue to update this page as soon as new details become available.

We will keep this page updated as new information becomes available. For the latest news on the service follow Gozo Highspeed on Facebook.

A small limestone gothic chapel on a hill over a harbour, set in a film strip border.

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