As you might have seen on my Instagram, I spent a couple of days in Gozo, Malta’s second largest island. Gozo is a popular day trip destination to escape the busy atmosphere of the Malta’s main island. There’s only one way of getting there: taking the ferry. Whether you’re going for a day trip or stay for a couple of days like me, here’s all you need to know about the ferry to Gozo island.
Getting to Cirkewwa ferry terminal
Both from the capital Valletta and from Malta International Airport, it takes roughly around 45 minutes to get to Cirkewwa. Ferries from Gozo Channel Company travel very frequently back and forth from Cirkewwa to Mgarr and serve as a lifeline for Gozo; you’ll see quite a few trucks going back and forth using this line.
Bonus: roughly about 5 km before you get to Cirkewwa, you can take a quick stop at Popeye Village. You don’t have to pay to go inside because the best views can be had from outside the village, right next to the road!
Payment for the Gozo ferry
You actually don’t pay for the ferry to Gozo. Just park in the queue between the lines and wait til the next ferry arrives, it shouldn’t be long! Next to the waiting area there’s a small place for snacks and drinks. In case you don’t bring your car, you can wait in the terminal. Access for those passengers to the ferry is by bridge, not through the same access as cars do, as sometimes happens elsewhere. For foot passengers, the ferry is never full, and cars might have to wait for the next one only when it super super busy. Since the ferry is the only way to get back from Gozo to Malta, you just pay for your ticket when you return. Car + driver ticket costs 15.70 euro and a passenger standard fare is 4.65 euro.
The ferry trip from Malta to Gozo
The trip takes around 20-30 minutes and departs every 45 minutes during the day. I believe the Gozo Channel Line has three ferries in service. At night it might be less frequent but the ferry still runs! There is a shop onboard and a seating area both inside and outside. Beware that it can get quite sunny and windy outside! Along the way you pass by the island of Comino and you might catch a glimp of the Crystal Lagoon and the famous Blue Lagoon!
When you’re planning to head back from Gozo to Malta, just keep in mind that traffic can get busy in Victoria and Mgarr at any given time of the day, so make sure you don’t miss your preferred time of departure. Although it isn’t actually that bad, since it’s only 45 minutes until the next ferry arrives.