Most people use the Gozo Channel Ferry service to get back and forth between Malta's main island and the island of Gozo (there is also a helicopter service from the international airport on Malta to Gozo). The passage takes about 25 minutes on one of several modern car ferries, with beautiful scenery of Malta, Gozo, and the tiny island of Comino. This article discusses fares, schedules, and handy hints about the ferry.

The Gozo Channel ferry runs between Cirkewwa, Malta and Gozo's picturesque harbor village, Mgarr. The ferry runs round the clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year and is Gozo's reliable trade link to her bigger sister island.

Roundtrip fares for foot passengers are Lm2.00. A car and its driver is Lm6.25 roundtrip. Fare is paid only when you board the ferry in Cirkewwa; in Mgarr you simply board the ferry without purchasing a ticket. You can prepay for a number of passages in advance for a discount. If you settle in Gozo and obtain an ID card you will qualify for substantially lower subsidized fares.

The ferry itself has a cafeteria with a somewhat pricey menu of snacks, soft drinks, beer, etc. Both inside and outside seating is abundant, and it is a joy in the summer to walk the decks gazing out at the stunning views and watching fishermen in their traditional Maltese boats while the sea breeze cools you.

The ferry terminals are well served during the day by buses on both islands. On Malta, Bus 45 runs between the ferry and Valletta (25 Maltese cents) and Bus 645 goes from the ferry to the tourist destinations of Bugibba, St. Julians, and Sliema (50 Maltese cents). On Gozo, Bus 25 goes from Mgarr to Victoria and back on a schedule matched to the ferry until 7:00 p.m. Of course the expensive white taxis are abundant at both ferry terminals, so be prepared with a polite but firm "no thank you" if you do not require their services. If you take a cab always negotiate the fare beforehand and expect to pay about Lm5 from Mgarr to any Gozo location and anywhere from Lm5 to Lm15 from Cirkewwa to locations on the main island.

You can check the schedules and other details at Gozo Channel Company's website.

Gozo Channel Company also offers a rather expensive and inconveniently-scheduled daily roundtrip passage between Mgarr and Sa Maison, Malta which is close to Sliema. More information is available on their website.