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 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:

Departure 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

Winter (November to February) — 16 trips per day

Sliema to Gozo:

Departure 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
14:45	15:15	15:30	16:00
15:45	16:15	16:30	17:00

Gozo to Sliema:

Departure 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

Sliema to Gozo Ferry Fares

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

Sliema to/from Gozo (one way):

Passenger type	Fare	ID required
Standard adult	€8.50	No
Tallinja card holders	€6.50	Tallinja card
Gozo ID card holders	€2.25	Valid ID card
Students (public education institutions)	€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 ID card holders	€2.00	Valid ID card
Students (public education institutions)	€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
Tallinja card holders	Free	Tallinja card
Students (public education institutions)	€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

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

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