Avis One-way rentals between Gozo Ferry Port and Malta Airport are explicitly allowed. Varies by booking Confirm whether the rental is under CDW, SCDW, or FDW before boarding the ferry. Gozo Garage One-way rental repositioning is published at €75 each way. €75 Check the excess/deductible and franchise terms before departure. Hertz One-way rentals are available but may carry a separate one-way fee. Not published Verify ferry permission in writing before boarding. Car Hire at Gozo Ferry Terminal — Mġarr Harbour Pickup Guide Home › Ferry Terminal Car Hire Car Hire at Gozo Ferry Terminal A Gozo Ferry Terminal car hire collection at Mġarr Harbour is the fastest way to start driving on Gozo, because most suppliers hand over the keys within minutes of ferry arrival and the Mġarr–Ċirkewwa crossing takes about 25 minutes. Gozo Channel operates the standard RO-RO ferry service, and foot passengers can also use the Valletta–Mġarr fast ferry before collecting a car on the Gozo side. For visitors who want immediate mobility, the practical choice is a pre-booked car with either a terminal desk or a meet-and-greet handover. How Car Pickup Works at Mġarr Harbour Mġarr Harbour car rental collection uses two clear systems: airport-style desks for some international brands and meet-and-greet delivery for many local companies. This matters because the pickup point changes the handover time, the paperwork format, and whether the car is parked in a marshalling area or a nearby public bay. 1) International brands with desks or kiosks Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and Hertz are the main international names associated with the ferry terminal area, and each brand may use a different handover point depending on season and booking channel. Avis / Budget / Thrifty: These brands are typically positioned near the terminal access road, with the cars parked in an adjacent lot for quick release. Hertz: Hertz has used a terminal kiosk setup for walk-up and pre-booked rentals, which can suit same-day arrivals. Typical pricing: Recent traveller-reported off-season rates have been seen from about €35/day for a basic car, but the final rate depends on rental date, age policy, and insurance choice. 2) Local operators with meet-and-greet delivery Local Gozo operators such as Mayjo Car Hire, M&J Car Rentals, Gozo Garage, TRAC (trac.mt), Gozo Car Rentals, Xlendi Tourist Services, and Dolmen Car Rental often use a meet-and-greet process. Arrival point: A representative meets the renter in the arrivals lounge at Mġarr Harbour. Documentation: The rental agreement and ID check are usually completed on a phone or tablet. Vehicle location: The car is commonly parked in the marshalling area or a nearby marked space. Typical handover: The representative walks the customer to the car, explains basic controls, and confirms fuel level and damage photos. Getting to Gozo by Ferry The Gozo Channel ferry is the standard mainland-to-island link, and it is the most important transport connection for anyone collecting a rental car in Mġarr. Route: Ċirkewwa in north Malta to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. Crossing time: About 25 minutes under normal operating conditions. Fare: The standard vehicle fare is €15.70 for a car up to 5.3 metres plus one driver. Passengers: Additional passengers travel free with the vehicle. Payment rule: Payment is collected on the return journey from Gozo, not on boarding at Ċirkewwa. Fleet type: The service uses RO-RO vessels, including Ta' Pinu, Gaudos, and Malita, each with space for up to 138 cars. Frequency: Departures can run every 15 to 30 minutes at peak daytime times. A practical route from central Malta is the X1 bus to Ċirkewwa, which is useful for travellers leaving a car on the Malta side and collecting a Gozo rental on arrival. Foot passengers can also use the Valletta–Mġarr fast ferry, which is often the simplest connection for visitors staying in Valletta. Once you have your car, see our full route and parking guide for the best driving itinerary. When to Avoid the Ferry Gozo Channel ferry queues can become long at predictable times, and the busiest periods are usually tied to weekend return traffic and Maltese public holidays. Sunday evenings in summer: These are often the slowest departures from Gozo to Malta, with waits that can reach several hours. Friday to Sunday in summer: Car queues of 1 to 2 hours are common during daytime peaks. Weekday mornings from 08:00 to 09:30: Commercial traffic and tour vehicles can increase congestion. Holiday peaks: Carnival, Good Friday to Easter week, and Santa Marija in mid-August are frequent queue-building periods. The official Gozo Channel webcams are the most useful source for real-time queue checking before departure, especially if you are planning a rental-car return or a same-day island change. Parking at Mġarr Harbour Mġarr Harbour car park: A multi-storey car park is located next to the terminal and is generally free of charge. Capacity: The facility has roughly 200 spaces, which is limited relative to summer demand. Street parking: Some free roadside parking is available near the harbour, but occupancy rises quickly in peak periods. Mayjo Car Hire advises customers that harbour parking is limited, and that arriving by bus or taxi is often easier than trying to bring a private car to the terminal. For many travellers, the simplest plan is to leave the mainland vehicle in Malta, cross as a foot passenger, and collect the rental car on Gozo. One-Way Rental from Gozo to Malta Airport A one-way rental from Gozo Ferry Port to Malta International Airport is possible with some suppliers, but the policy, insurance cover, and fee structure can differ significantly by company. Operator One-way policy Published fee Insurance and ferry note Important caveat: Hertz Malta has reportedly refused ferry-crossing use in some past agreements, and some contracts have stated that insurance is void if the car boards the ferry without approval. Always confirm the ferry-crossing rule directly with the named supplier before payment or pickup. For airport drop-offs, some suppliers also charge out-of-hours fees; for example, Avis has published a €25 surcharge for Malta Airport return between 20:00 and 08:00. You can compare operator prices on our homepage. FAQ Can I pick up a rental car directly at Gozo Ferry Terminal? Yes, many Gozo car rental providers allow pickup at Mġarr Harbour immediately after disembarking from the Gozo Channel ferry. Local companies such as Mayjo Car Hire, M&J Car Rentals, and Gozo Garage commonly use meet-and-greet handover, while Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and Hertz may use desks or kiosks. The main exception is that the exact pickup point can change by season and booking channel. Is the Gozo ferry expensive for a car rental trip? No, the standard vehicle fare is relatively low at €15.70 for a car up to 5.3 metres plus one driver. Additional passengers travel free, and the crossing time is usually about 25 minutes between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr. The caveat is that one-way rentals, out-of-hours drop-offs, or ferry-related insurance exceptions can add extra cost. Do I need special insurance to take a hire car on the Gozo ferry? Yes, you should confirm ferry use under the rental policy before boarding because some agreements only permit ferry travel under specific CDW, SCDW, or FDW terms. The exception is that policy wording varies by company, so written confirmation is safer than relying on general terms. Is parking available at Mġarr Harbour? Yes, Mġarr Harbour has a free multi-storey car park with about 200 spaces, plus some roadside parking. The practical issue is that spaces fill quickly during weekends, summer evenings, and holiday periods. What is the best time to cross on the ferry with a rental car? The best time is mid-week outside the 08:00 to 09:30 morning peak and outside Sunday evening return traffic. Gozo Channel ferry webcams can help you see live queue conditions at Ċirkewwa and Mġarr before departure.