Hiring a car is the right move for some Malta holidays and a waste for others. The island is small enough that nothing is far away, but the roads are busy and the old towns were not built for cars. Used on the right days, a car opens up places buses barely reach. Used in the wrong place, it becomes an expensive way to look for parking.
Is a car worth it?
If the plan is Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and Mdina, buses and ferries cover it, and a car adds stress. A car helps on days with several stops spread across the island: the south-east around Marsaxlokk Bay and St Peter’s Pool, the south-west cliffs at Dingli Cliffs, or the north-west bays of Gnejna Bay and Golden Bay. On Gozo, where buses are sparser, a car gives the most freedom. A middle path is to hire for three or four days, not the full stay.
Compare it with the alternatives in the getting around Malta overview and the buses guide before you decide.
Driving on the left
Traffic in Malta drives on the left, as in the UK, and the driver sits on the right. For visitors used to the opposite, the first hour is the hardest. Pick up the car outside rush hour, spend a few minutes adjusting mirrors and seat, and start on quieter roads. Junctions and roundabouts are where mistakes happen, because the instinct is to look the wrong way.
Roundabouts are frequent. As in the UK, you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, approaching from the right. Local drivers can be assertive, tail close and use the horn, and a calm, predictable style is the best response. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, and cameras exist, so keep to the signs.
Roads, villages and parking
Main roads are busy and mostly good. Village streets are another matter: narrow, sometimes one-way, with parked cars on both sides and corners that need patience. A small car is far easier than a large one. Satnav and map apps help, but they sometimes send drivers through very tight lanes, so use judgement when a route looks like an alley.
Parking is the main problem in towns. Spaces in Sliema, St Julian’s and Bugibba fill early in the evening, and marked bays may be reserved for residents. Read the signs and the lines carefully; fines are issued and tow-aways happen. At popular beaches in summer, lots fill by mid-morning, and cars end up along the roadside. Arriving early solves much of it.
Valletta and park and ride
Do not drive into Valletta if you can avoid it. The city is small, steep and heavily restricted, and parking inside the walls is scarce. The usual approach is to leave the car outside and walk or take a bus in. Large car parks in and around Floriana sit just outside the walls, and park and ride arrangements exist at times, so check what is currently running. From Floriana it is a short walk to the city gate.
Licences and paperwork
In general terms, rental companies require a valid driving licence, identification and a payment card in the driver’s name, and they set their own rules on minimum age, how long the licence has been held and whether a licence from outside the EU or UK needs an international driving permit. These rules differ from one company to another, so confirm them when booking, not at the desk. Read the insurance terms, in particular the excess and what is excluded, such as tyres, windscreens and underbody damage on rough tracks.
Check the car carefully on collection. Photograph existing dents and scratches, and make sure they are noted on the form. Return the car with the fuel level the contract asks for.
Taking the car to Gozo
The Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa carries cars, so a hire car can cross physically. The question is whether the contract allows it. Many companies forbid it, ask for notice or charge extra, and insurance may not apply on Gozo. Ask before you go and keep the answer in writing. If the answer is no, some firms offer a separate car on Gozo, or you can leave the vehicle in Malta and use taxis and buses on the island. Queues for the crossing build in summer, so arrive early. The details are in the Gozo ferry guide.
Fuel, tolls and breakdowns
Malta has no motorway tolls, and petrol stations are scattered across the island, so running out of fuel is rarely a problem. Distances are short and a tank lasts a long time. Ask the hire company what to do in a breakdown, and keep the emergency number from the contract in your phone. For minor accidents, note the details and photograph the scene before moving the cars if it is safe, then call the rental company.
Practical tips
- Book ahead in summer and around holidays, since cars run short.
- Choose a small car for village streets.
- Download offline maps in case of poor signal.
- Keep to the speed limit and avoid using a phone while driving.
- Park legally and check signs before leaving the car.
- For the airport pick-up, see the airport to Valletta guide before deciding whether to collect on arrival.
On a day of beaches and views, a car also lets you leave when the crowd arrives. That is often the best use of it.
