Yes, you can travel to Gozo by sea. Ferries and fast ferries connect Malta with Gozo throughout the year, and the right choice depends on where you are staying, whether you want to bring a vehicle, how price sensitive you are and how quickly you want to dock in Mġarr.
If you need to take a car, head to Ċirkewwa for the Gozo Channel vehicle ferry, which locals use day in, day out. If you are based in or near Valletta and travelling light, the fast ferry from the Grand Harbour is the easiest walk‑on option, with seasonal boats also leaving from Sliema and Buġibba along the northeast coast.
There are two kinds of services. Gozo Channel is the classic roll‑on/roll‑off ferry from Ċirkewwa at Malta’s northern tip to Mġarr on Gozo. It carries vehicles and foot passengers and is the only practical option if you are driving. Alongside it are passenger‑only fast ferries linking Valletta’s Grand Harbour to Mġarr, with extra seasonal sailings from Sliema and Buġibba. All routes arrive at Mġarr Harbour.
Routes and operators in brief. From Valletta, passenger fast ferries run every day and tickets on the route start from €6.00, while Gozo Highspeed lists fares from €7.50. From Sliema and Buġibba, services are seasonal between May and October and run on between two and seven days per week depending on time of year. On the Valletta route there are almost 40 sailings a day in high season, so day‑trippers rarely wait long once they reach the quay.
Departure points feel different on the ground. Valletta is the city option: you board in the Grand Harbour and step off right at Mġarr after about three‑quarters of an hour, ideal if you have just done a grand harbour cruise or are staying on the peninsula. Ċirkewwa is the workhorse up north, well placed for anyone coming from Mellieħa Bay, Paradise Bay or a morning of Cirkewwa diving. Sliema and Buġibba are the seaside choices, good if you are staying along the promenade or in St Paul’s Bay, but remember they are May–October only and Sliema is the slowest crossing of the lot.
On frequency and when to avoid. Gozo Channel runs around the clock, with summer daytime departures as often as every 45 minutes from Ċirkewwa. The current Gozo Channel timetable covers 19 May 2025 to 8 November 2026 and operates daily. Fast‑ferry schedules change seasonally, and weekend mornings and late Sunday afternoons can be busy with Gozitans and Maltese heading to and from family visits. There is also a dedicated dangerous‑goods sailing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which can affect one slot in the daytime timetable.
Crossing time is the other big decider. The Gozo Channel crossing between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr takes 25 minutes. Valletta to Mġarr is about 45 minutes, Buġibba to Mġarr about 30 minutes, and Sliema to Mġarr up to 1h15m. In choppier weather the fast ferries can slow down or be curtailed, so if it is blowing up, the Ċirkewwa car ferry is the safer bet for reliability.
What it costs, without surprises. Foot‑passenger tickets on the fast ferries generally run €6–€8.5 one way depending on route. On the Valletta route, fares start from €6.00, while Sliema starts from €8.50 and Buġibba from €6.50. The passenger fare from Ċirkewwa on Gozo Channel is €4.65. Online prices often exclude service fees, and some listings mark fares as subject to change with weather, holidays and the season. If you are planning a classic Gozo beach day to Ramla Bay or San Blas Bay, the cheapest approach is usually bus or taxi to Ċirkewwa and walk on.
Taking a vehicle. Only Ċirkewwa allows vehicles onto the ferry, and Gozo Channel is the only practical option for drivers. A standard car plus driver is priced at €15.70, with a reduced night fare from Mġarr in the off‑season and separate tiers for vehicles longer than 5.3 metres. If you are renting for a day trip, weigh up the time to collect and queue a car against simply walking on and using the frequent 20‑minute bus from Mġarr to Victoria, then hiring an e‑bike or a quad on arrival.
On board, both services are set up for an easy crossing. Gozo Channel offers free Wi‑Fi, refreshments and temperature‑controlled lounges, with open decks for views of Comino as you pass. The fast ferries carry over 300 passengers, are wheelchair accessible, and allow bicycles and electric scooters free of charge with a quick notification when you arrive at the quay. Pets are permitted, although there is a one‑item personal baggage limit, so keep bigger suitcases for the car ferry.
Practical tips that locals use. If you are staying around Valletta or Sliema and travelling light, the fast ferry saves the long road north and drops you straight into Gozo’s harbour. If your plan is Comino first, Mġarr is also the jumping‑off point for small boats to the Blue Lagoon and the Crystal Lagoon, which take about ten minutes when conditions allow. Families should aim for mid‑morning sailings when the lounges are calmer, and bring a light layer because the air‑conditioning can feel cool after a beach. If you will connect to a bus on Gozo, carry small cash to buy a single ticket from the driver, and if you are heading for a classic coast‑and‑cliffs afternoon back on Malta, consider returning via Ċirkewwa for an easy hop to Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa or a swim at Fomm ir‑Rih.
Who each route suits. Valletta is best for city‑based travellers who want a straight shot to Gozo without a long road transfer. Ċirkewwa is unbeatable for reliability, late‑night returns and anyone with a car. Sliema suits promenade hotels but is slower, and Buġibba is handy for St Paul’s Bay with the quickest seasonal hop. Families and first‑timers who want the simplest day out can also follow our Gozo day trip to line up boats and buses without thinking.
Fast ferries from Valletta are for foot passengers only. All routes arrive at Mġarr Harbour. The Gozo Channel crossing between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr takes 25 minutes.
Common questions
Can I take my car to Gozo?
Yes, but only from Ċirkewwa on the Gozo Channel vehicle ferry. Valletta, Sliema and Buġibba fast ferries are foot‑passenger only.
How long does the crossing take?
Ċirkewwa–Mġarr takes 25 minutes. Valletta–Mġarr takes about 45 minutes, Buġibba–Mġarr about 30 minutes, and Sliema–Mġarr up to 1h15.
Do the ferries run late at night?
Gozo Channel runs around the clock. Fast‑ferry timetables vary by season and usually finish earlier in the evening.
Is there Wi‑Fi on board?
Yes. Gozo Channel offers free Wi‑Fi, refreshments and air‑conditioning. The fast ferries also provide Wi‑Fi.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Photo: Giuseppe Milo, CC BY 3.0.
