The Cirkewwa to Mgarr car ferry
Gozo sits just off the north-west tip of Malta, and the way to take a car across is the Gozo Channel ferry between Cirkewwa, at the northern end of Malta, and Mgarr harbour on Gozo. It is a proper vehicle ferry, so cars, vans and passengers all travel on the same boat, and it is the standard route locals and visitors alike use to reach the island by car.
The crossing is short and boats run frequently through the day, so for most of the year you rarely wait long outside the busiest summer mornings. There is no road tunnel between the islands despite years of discussion, so the ferry is the route, and it is a pleasant part of the trip in its own right, with harbour and open-sea views on the way over.
Driving up to Cirkewwa from the south of Malta takes the better part of an hour depending on traffic, so if you are collecting your car at the airport and heading straight for Gozo, allow time for the drive north plus any queue at the terminal in peak season.
No booking needed for the car ferry
Here is the part that surprises first-timers, and it is good news: you do not need to book the car ferry in advance. For the standard Gozo Channel car ferry you simply drive to the terminal at Cirkewwa, join the vehicle lane, and board the next available boat. There is no reservation to make and no time slot to hit for the car.
That makes a Gozo day genuinely spontaneous. You can decide over breakfast that today is the day, drive north, and be on the island within a couple of hours, without having pre-arranged anything for the vehicle. It also means you are not locked into a fixed return time; you come back whenever your day winds down.
In peak summer the vehicle queue at Cirkewwa can build up on busy mornings, so if you want an early start it is worth arriving in good time. But the principle holds all year: turn up and drive on. If you have not picked up your car yet, our longer-term and monthly hire options suit anyone planning an extended stay that includes plenty of Gozo trips.
Fares are paid at the terminal, and can change
You pay for the crossing at the terminal rather than online for the standard car ferry, and the ticketing has a quirk worth knowing: for vehicles you generally pay on the return leg only, at the booths on the Gozo side at Mgarr. In practice that means you queue your car at Cirkewwa and drive on without buying anything first, then settle up when you come back.
Fares depend on the vehicle and can vary, and, like any published price, they can change over time. For that reason we are not going to quote a specific fare or a fixed timetable here, because a number that is right today may be out of date by the time you travel. Check the current Gozo Channel timetable and the fare shown before you go, and keep a means of payment handy for the booth at Mgarr.
Budget a little extra time in high season for the queue, and you will find the whole process straightforward. Our Gozo car rental page has more on exploring the island once you are across.
Any car size can make the crossing
You do not need a particular type of car to take the ferry. Any size of vehicle can make the crossing, from a compact city car right up to an SUV, a 7-seater or a minivan, so whatever you have hired for your trip can come to Gozo with you. There is no need to downsize or swap vehicles for the journey.
That said, the car that suits Gozo itself is worth a thought. The island's village lanes are narrow, rural and winding, much like Malta's, and parking around Victoria and at popular beaches such as Ramla and Dwejra fills up early in summer. A smaller, compact car is easier to handle and to park in those spots, while a larger vehicle gives more room for a family day out with beach gear. Either works on the ferry; it is really about what suits your day once you land.
Whatever you drive, the same rules apply on Gozo as on Malta: it drives on the left, roundabouts give way to traffic already on them, and the lanes reward a patient, unhurried pace. For a full day-by-day itinerary once you are across, our Gozo road trip guide maps out a loop of the island.
Making a Gozo day easy with your hire car
Put simply, taking your hire car to Gozo comes down to four easy facts: the Cirkewwa to Mgarr ferry carries vehicles, you can take a Nova Drive car straight across, there is no booking needed for the car, and any size of car can make the crossing. Pay at the terminal, check the current timetable and fare before you go, and allow for the queue in peak season.
Because you collect at Malta International Airport with a meet-and-greet, you can be on the road north within minutes of landing, and because every booking comes with free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, planning a Gozo trip carries no risk if your dates move. When you are ready, browse the fleet, read about Gozo car rental, or get in touch with our Malta-based team for a hand planning the day.