Are you wondering “Do you need a car in Malta to enjoy your trip?”
I had the same question when I first visited the Island so you are not alone!
After visiting Malta and Gozo with and without a car, I personally liked the freedom and convenience having a rental car offers. However, this may not suit you.
To help you decide if you want a car when visiting, let’s deep dive into the logistics and everything else surrounding exploring Malta. By the end of this guide, you will feel confident about getting around Malta by car hire, bus, boat or public transport!
Short On Time? I’ve Got You!
🏆If you want to hire a car, I always use and recommend Discover Cars
For those who would rather someone else does the driving, you can easily use the bus, ferry or taxi services.
👉 But if you want to get to your hotel ASAP and start your getaway, BOOK THIS Malta Private Airport Transfer
Planning A Trip To Malta? Use The Resources Below!
► Accommodation– I Recommend Booking.Com
► Local Tours– I Recommend Viator.Com
► Car Rental– I Always Use DiscoverCars.Com
Should You Hire A Car In Malta?
If you are like me and love value for money, convenience and saving time, hiring a car in Malta is a great idea!
The roads are easy to navigate and you will be able to make lots of stops in a few hours on a Malta road trip. Renting a car is also super handy because it means no public transport or long waiting times. So you can go where you want when you want.
It also saves you on airport transfers as you can easily drive from the airport to your hotel or first landmark!
However, if you do not drive or just don’t want the hassle of hiring a car on your trip, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to get around Malta and Gozo.
Best Malta Car Rental Options
Not only have I rented a car in Malta but in +30 countries, so I know how overwhelming the process of finding the best deal and company can be. Whether you want to pick your car up straight from the Airport or during your trip, I always use and recommend Discover Cars.
👆They compare cars and prices from every single rental car provider and use real customer reviews. They also have 24/7 customer service which really puts my mind at ease!
🚗 Check Rental Car Prices & Availability With Discover Cars Here
Here are some of the best Car hire’s you should consider booking if you want to drive in Malta:
auto Union at Malta Airport– With quick pick-up & drop-off time, customers rate this as one of the best rental companies to use from Malta Airport
OTQ Car Rentals– Also comes highly rated and you can add another driver for free!
SIXT– This was the rental company I used in Malta and even though it took a bit of time, the car and customer service were amazing.
Tips For Renting A Car In Malta
I found renting a car in Malta was a bit different to most places I have rented one before. Whether you have rented a car here before or have never hired a car, take a look at these tips to make the process stress-free:
- Film the car before you drive it away. I do this every time I hire a car so I will not be charged for damage I didn’t do.
- Be aware of the wind. Sometimes it can be so powerful it could take the car door off or small stones being carried can damage the vehicle.
- Return the car with a full tank, there are a few petrol stations near the airport.
- Use a credit card to pay for your rental as most companies fully withdraw the full cost on a debit card.
- Take spare water with you. The roads are dusty so you may need to clean your windscreen more often.
- If you are renting from the airport, be aware some of the companies are a bit of a walk away.
How To Get Around Malta Without A Car
Driving somewhere new can be stressful so sometimes renting a car may not be what you want (I can be a nervous driver so completely get it). But that may not be the only reason why hiring a rental car just doesn’t suit you. Luckily, this shouldn’t hinder any of your plans.
So if you don’t have a driver’s license, don’t want to drive or just simply want to enjoy your trip and have someone drive for you, Malta is a great place for this!
Whether you want to know the best way to reach your hotel or just do an epic day trip, these are the best ways to get around for all budgets and needs:
1. Bus
Using the Malta bus service is an easy and budget-friendly way to get around not only Malta but Gozo too!
Some bus services don’t connect you to many places but this is where I felt Malta’s public transport system truly shone when I was there. Not only does it allow you to reach pretty much everywhere, tickets are cheap which is great if you are travelling with anyone else.
You will pay around €2 per ticket and you can buy them directly from the bus driver. Make sure you have coins with you as a lot of the time they are not able to give enough change back from €10 or €20 notes.
Just keep in mind though if you want to discover hidden coves or secret beaches, you won’t be able to by bus.
However, you could book a boat trip and have an expert guide show you!
2. Taxi
This is probably the most popular option to get from the airport to your amazing Malta hotel.
Although it is not the most budget-conscious way to fully explore the Island, they are super convenient and more comfortable than getting the bus.
The average cost is €1.30-2.50 / km but this will depend on what company you use or what distance you use.
You can even download apps to get your taxi or even use Uber during your trip.
The most recommended companies to use are Ecabs and Bolt.
3. Private Transfer
If you are looking to do the best things in Malta and don’t want to drive yourself, you may want to consider booking a private transfer.
Not only does this give you a luxurious start to your trip if you are just looking for an airport pick-up, but you can even arrange one for touring the Island. Arranging a private transfer to get around means you will be able to go wherever you want. It also helps avoid the crowds and access air conditioning (which you will hugely appreciate in the summer months!)
✈️ For your Private Airport transport, BOOK THIS Malta Private Airport Transfer
Why book this airport transfer?
- Choice 3 vehicles
- Suitable for big or small groups
- Welcome sign
- Air-conditioning and bottled water
🏆 For exploring Malta, THIS IS THE BEST PRIVATE TRANSPORT to book
Why book this private transport?
- WIFI & charging ports
- Air-conditioning
- 4-10 hour option
- Expert driver
4. Ferry/ Boat
To visit Gozo or the Blue Lagoon, you will need to use the ferry service. This is my favourite way to see the Islands and the sites of Malta you can only reach by boat. There are a few different services available depending on where you want to visit. All of these services offer a cheap and convenient way to reach other amazing parts of Malta.
This is the most popular way to reach Gozo and you can buy your ticket for as little as €4.65. You can get tickets for all needs including cars, motorbikes, cyclists and foot passengers so there are plenty of options for you!
Valletta Ferry Services allows you to reach the Three Cities which is a must-visit place when visiting. Even though you can reach here by bus, car or taxi, taking the ferry will make your visit even more enjoyable.
🥾 If you have time I highly recommend booking a walking tour here as they don’t take long and allow you to see it through a local’s eyes.
Valletta Ferry Service also offers a cheap, fast and convenient to Marsamxett Harbour (which is stunning) where you can reach Sliema.
Where To Stay In Malta Without A Car
Do you need a car in Malta to find an epic place to stay? Nope- the whole place is blessed with so many great accommodation options. Whether you are staying in Malta or even Gozo without a car, you will find plenty of great places to stay!
I love moving around the Island and staying in different places every few nights, but I get this may not be the best option for you.
No matter what type of place you are looking for, these are the best places you should consider booking for your trip:
✅ be.HOTEL– has an amazing panoramic outdoor swimming pool that can be used all year round. It also is in an amazing location for those who want to spend time at the beach!
✅ Azur Hotel By ST Ho– is a great option for all as it has family rooms, an airport shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk.
✅ Radisson Blue Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands – offers its guests the most idyllic stay with its own private beach, 3 swimming pools, 3 restaurants and multiple activities.
✅ Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz– This is the best place to stay in Gozo without a car. It also has an airport shuttle, a tennis court and multiple swimming pools to enjoy!
Do you need a car in Malta? Final Thoughts
So do you need a car in Malta? Nope, but it can help!
Malta has so much to see and do and having your own car means you can explore on your own terms. When I visited in May I found it a great way to visit swimming spots!
You can also take your rental car over to Gozo which will make getting around there super easy too.
But if you can’t drive or simply don’t fancy doing it during your trip, don’t worry- the public transport is great and it links you pretty much everywhere in Malta.
Just keep in mind that in the summer season, it will be a lot busier so try and book anything you can in advance, it will save you so much time!
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Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
