Gozo Transportation

If you're arriving by plane and going straight to Gozo, a bus shuttle service is now available from Malta International Airport to Cirkewwa where you can board the ferry to Gozo.

As this is a new service, initially there will only be eight return trips and run during the summer months, until September.

Tickets costs Lm 2.15 (Eur 5) per person / per trip and can be purchased on board. Seats may also be pre-booked by using the Gozo Channel telephone number or email address found in the Contacts section below. A time-table is available on the Gozo Channel website.

08-Jul-07

The ideal way to travel to the sister Island of Gozo is from Cirkewwa Harbor in the north part of MALTA by Ferry and only a 15 min crossing time.
It will cost you only about 4 Euros each passenger and if you take the car its about 13 Euros including the driver.....not bad for another destination besides MALTA!

The best way to see Gozo is definitely by car and not by bus...at least, that's what I think! The traffic may be rather chaotic in the capital, Victoria, but it's nowhere near what it's like in Malta and once you get out into the open spaces it is pleasant driving. If you still want to use the bus service and see all the major attractions, then allow more than one day in Gozo.

Buses are infrequent and the last one is usually around 7pm or even earlier...so if you don't want to walk to Mgarr Harbour, or spend the night in Gozo, think early! You can pick up a time-table at the main bus terminus in Victoria. There doesn't seem to be one available online at the time of writing this tip. The Mgarr Harbour (Ferry) bus no. 25, leaves Victoria 30 minutes before each ferry departure and the last bus from Mgarr to Victoria is 7.15pm (Mon to Fri). The link below provides the bus number and route information.

The most common way of getting to Gozo is using the Ferry from Cirkewwa (Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo). The boats operate on a regular scedule.
The ferrys transport passengers and cars between the two islands.

You only pay using the ferry from Gozo to Malta, you need to go back anyway.... (unless you use the Helicopter).
From the Harbour Mgarr there are regular busses to Victoria.

2 more images

Buses on Gozo don't run as often as on Malta island. Buses are grey and wait just outside the ferry terminal (line no. 25). They wisk you to Victoria for Euro 0.47. Unfortunately, we didn't get to ride on the old bus on photo no. 1 but on a coach like bus. Not all the drivers give you change.

At Victoria bus station there is an information booth where they can give you a timetable for the island. We took a bus to Xlendi (pronounce Shlendy) which is no. 87.

When taking the bus back from Xlendi, we all had to get off before the bus terminus because the driver had his work finished and took his bus straight home.

Alternatives to buses are:
1. Take a hire car from Malta to Gozo
2. Use the hop on hop off bus for your tour of Gozo. This is good if you want to see it all in a short time ie if you don't get off, the tour takes 150 minutes and costs Euro 15.00.
3. Use your own feet (we did from Victoria to Xewkija)
4. Hire a bicycle (possible on Malta for sure, on Gozo I don't know)

3 more images

There is plenty of space for foot passengers on the ferry either in the café or outside with a good view to take pictures.

On Malta you can buy your return ticket for Euro 4.65 (tourist price in Nov. 2010) but you can also wait and do it before your return trip from Gozo as tickets are only checked on the return trip.

On the Malta side you board the ferry through the big opening like the cars. Then you either go up the stairs or take the lift (only on the right side of the ferry) if you have walking problems. On Gozo you leave the ferry from the passenger deck upstairs onto a covered walkway, then down an escalator.

With just one day on the island and wanting to get a good overview of the sights we decided to book a jeep tour. Although a bit of a bone shaker it did allow us to travel on roads that the buses would not be able to - it was certainly rough surfaces by the salt pans in the north of Gozo. Cheaper bus tours are available but this was more fun plus as the only 2 in the jeep our guide (provided with the tour and very knowledgable of the area despite his South Wales accent!) allowed us to stop where ever we wanted for a pic and was flexible with time stops - longer here, shorter there the choice was ours. A great day out and with the blue skies and sunshine a highlight of our trip to the Maltese islands. Cost was about £50 for two people

There is a ferry every 45 minutes and the trip takes about 20 minutes.

Ports:
* Malta Island: Cirkewwa (on the west).
- Tel.: (+356) 2158 0435/6 and 2157 5884
- Fax: (+356) 2158 0435
- E. mail: admin@gozochannel.com

* Gozo Island: Mgarr (on the east)
- Tel.: (+356) 2155 6114 and 2156 1622
- Fax: (+356) 21556743
- E. mail: gborg@gozochannel.com