Where you collect the car at Malta Airport
Malta International Airport (airport code MLA) is the only airport on the islands. Gozo has no commercial airport, so whether you are heading to Valletta, the north coast or across to Gozo, your flight lands here. The airport sits in the southeast of Malta, close to the capital, with the official postal town of Luqa, although it physically straddles the boundary with the village of Gudja. You may see either name on maps, and both point to the same place.
Hire cars at the airport are centralised in the Park East car park, a separate building reached by a covered walk of roughly three minutes from the terminal. Once you clear customs and collect your baggage, a member of our team meets you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with the Nova Drive name or your surname. There is no off-site depot and no shuttle bus to wait for. We walk you across to the pickup point, the pick-up location shown on your booking as Malta International Airport, Park East, hand over the keys and point you towards the exit. If you ever lose your bearings inside the terminal, follow the directional signs marked RENTAL CARS towards Level 1 of Park East.
The surrounding villages of Luqa, Gudja, Kirkop and Safi are residential and industrial rather than sightseeing spots, so the airport is best thought of as a practical gateway. You pick up the car and drive straight out to wherever you are staying. You can read more about collection from the terminal on our Malta airport car hire page.
What to bring to the desk
Having the right documents ready keeps the handover quick. Please bring the following for the main driver:
- A full, valid driving licence held for the minimum period we require. If your licence does not use the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it.
- A passport or photo ID to confirm your identity.
- A credit card in the main driver's name for the refundable security deposit. The card must match the name on the booking.
The deposit is a temporary hold placed on the credit card at the desk, not a charge, and it is released after the car comes back in good order. This is a refundable deposit, so please plan for it: we do not generally accept debit cards, prepaid cards or cash for the hold, and the card needs enough available headroom to cover it. The exact amount varies by vehicle class and is shown before you book, with larger and premium cars typically held at a higher figure than the smaller classes. If you would like a child seat, arrange it with our team in advance so it is fitted and ready when you arrive rather than added on the day.
It is worth taking a moment before you drive off to photograph the car from all sides and the interior. It is a simple habit that protects both of us if there is any later question about the car's condition.
Add your flight number so delays are tracked
When you book, add your inbound flight number. It lets us link your booking to your flight so that if you land late, your car is still held for you and someone is there to meet you. It is one of the most useful things you can do to make the day run smoothly.
There is one detail that catches people out. Flight trackers generally only pick up a flight once it has actually departed. So if your flight is delayed before take-off, or cancelled and rebooked, the tracker will not know yet. In that situation please phone or email us directly with the new details. Our team is Malta-based and available around the clock, so you can reach a real person even if your plans change at short notice. A quick message saves any confusion at the desk and means we can plan around your revised arrival. If you need to reach us, the details are on our contact page.
What the all-in price includes
Our prices are all-in, which is worth understanding because car hire quotes are not all built the same way. Many low headline rates are a bare Collision Damage Waiver, which still leaves you responsible for an excess, the deductible you pay before any cover applies, and that excess can run into a substantial sum. An all-in price removes that exposure.
With Nova Drive, a single quoted price includes VAT, the airport pickup fee, Collision Damage Waiver and third-party insurance, and unlimited mileage. The excess is waived, so beyond the refundable deposit there is no large extra hold hanging over the rental. There is nothing to add at the desk for the cover itself, and no surprise line items when you collect the keys. You can browse the cars and what each one includes on our fleet page, and if you are weighing up your options, our car hire Malta page sets out how the rental works in detail. We also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, so an early booking does not lock you in if plans shift.
Dropping off before your flight
Returning the car is the reverse of collection, and the same Park East location applies. Aim to arrive at the car park with enough time to hand back the keys, do a quick walk-around with our team and get to your check-in desk without rushing. Roads near the airport are straightforward, but allow a buffer in the morning peak and during the busy summer months.
A few small habits help. Refuel before you arrive if your booking asks you to return the car with a full tank, keep the rental paperwork to hand, and give yourself a moment to clear any personal belongings from the boot and glovebox. Once the car is checked back in, the credit card deposit hold is released. Depending on your bank, the hold can take a little time to disappear from your statement, which is normal and nothing to worry about.
Late-night and early-morning arrivals
Flights into Malta land at all hours, and late or early arrivals can be accommodated, but it is worth knowing how out-of-hours pickup works. Staffed desk hours are not round-the-clock by default. For arrivals outside normal hours, we arrange a meet-and-greet or key handover in advance, so the key point is to tell us your flight details when you book rather than turning up unannounced and expecting a walk-up service in the middle of the night. With the arrangement in place, someone is there to meet you whatever time you land.
One thing every visitor should keep in mind before pulling away, especially after a long flight: Malta drives on the left, the same as the United Kingdom and Ireland. If you are used to driving on the right, give yourself a minute to adjust before you set off. Village roads can be narrow and roundabouts come up quickly, so an easy first few kilometres helps you settle in. A smaller car is often less stressful on the tighter lanes if it is your first time on Maltese roads, and you can compare sizes on our automatic car rental Malta page if you prefer not to change gears while you adjust.