Car hire Malta airport, driving on the left and Gozo

Renting a car in Malta feels like a paradox. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe, an archipelago you could almost overlook on the map, and yet it is packed with things worth seeing: 7,000 years of history, cliffs that drop straight into the Mediterranean, walled cities, sleepy fishing villages and the quieter sister island of Gozo. The question is not whether there is enough to experience, but how you can best get around. If you searched for car hire Malta airport, this guide also walks you from baggage reclaim to the rental office in Park East and sets out the deposit, card and licence rules that apply there.

Because Malta is compact, and that changes the equation. Where you would almost certainly need a car in Sicily or Spain, on Malta it is less black and white. The main island is barely 27 kilometres long. There is an extensive bus network, ride-hailing is widely available, and the busy core around Valletta, Sliema and St. Julian’s is more a place where a car gets in your way than helps you along. At the same time, a rental car opens doors: the remote bays in the north, an early start to Gozo, the southern cliffs without waiting for a bus.

In this guide we explain honestly when a rental car in Malta is worth it and when it is not, how driving on the left works in practice, how to take the ferry to Gozo with your car, and how to survive the infamous Maltese traffic. Plus two concrete day routes to get you going. No sales pitch, just what works.

Do you really need a car in Malta?

This is the first real decision, and the answer depends heavily on where you are staying and what you want to do.

If you are staying in the central zone, meaning Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s or Gzira, and your main plan is to visit cities and beaches that are easy to reach by bus, then you probably do not need a car. The bus network (Malta Public Transport) covers nearly the whole island, and during rush hour you often end up stuck in the same traffic jam as the bus anyway, but with the added stress of driving and parking yourself. Ride-hailing via Bolt is widespread in Malta.

A rental car becomes attractive the moment you want more independence. The advantages at a glance:

A commonly heard middle ground: do not rent a car for your entire stay, but only for the two or three days when you really want to explore the island. For the city days you leave it parked, or you simply do not rent anything. That saves a lot of parking stress.

Driving on the left: the British legacy

Malta was a British colony until 1964, and that period left behind more than red phone boxes and English as a second official language. In Malta you drive on the left, with the steering wheel on the right of the car. For anyone who has always driven on the right, that is the biggest mental adjustment of the whole trip.

In practice the driving itself is often fine once you are on a through road. The tricky moments are the transitions: pulling out of a parking spot, entering a junction, and above all the roundabouts. On Malta you go around a roundabout clockwise, and you give way to traffic coming from the right. It sounds logical on paper, but under pressure your old reflex kicks back in. So take roundabouts calmly and deliberately look the right way.

Our strong recommendation: rent an automatic. Changing gears with your left hand while also getting used to driving on the left, narrow streets and assertive traffic is one burden too many. An automatic removes at least one layer of complexity, so you can focus on the road. If you are torn between the two, read our comparison of automatic versus manual rentals before you book. Automatics are common in Malta but do sell out faster, so reserve in good time.

Driving style and roads: defensive is the key word

Be honestly prepared: Maltese traffic has a reputation, and it is not undeserved. The driving is assertive to downright chaotic by northern European standards. Right of way is sometimes taken rather than given, indicators are not always a habit, and at junctions the rule of nerve often applies. Add narrow, busy streets to that and you understand why defensive driving here is not advice but a necessity.

Road quality varies sharply. The main arteries are generally fine, but in villages and on secondary roads you come across narrow lanes where two cars can barely pass each other, plus the occasional pothole or unexpected narrowing. Keep your distance, anticipate sudden braking, and do not let yourself be rushed by someone sitting right on your bumper. During rush hour, roughly early morning and late afternoon, the central zone around Valletta and Sliema grinds to a halt. Plan your journeys around it as much as possible.

Speeds are low because of the short distances and the congestion; you rarely cover long stretches in one go. That is also a reassurance: you never really get far from home.

The airport and where best to rent

Malta International Airport (MLA) is near Luqa, in the central-south of the main island and a short drive from almost everywhere. It is by far the most popular pick-up point: all the major rental companies and local players are present, and you drive off straight away with your car. The alternative is a city office (for example in Sliema or St. Julian’s), which is handy if you do not want a car for the first few days after all and pick it up later.

Where you rent can also tie in with the region you are staying in. A rough guide:

Car hire Malta airport: from baggage reclaim to Park East

At Malta International Airport you do not collect your rental car in the arrivals hall. The airport’s own car rental page says that if you have pre-booked, you get the keys at the rental offices on Level 1 (lower) of Park East, a separate car park building about a 3-minute walk from the main terminal. Look out for “RENTAL CARS” on the direction signs, the floor markings in the terminal and the lift signs, and they lead you there. The airport says more than 30 car rental companies operate from Luqa, and its list places them in Park East.

In our Vrooem search on 1 October 2026, for seven days in November, Malta airport showed cars from two brands: Green Motion and U-Save. They count as one office here, because their own location data gives the same Park East address, the same phone numbers and the same walking directions. Your voucher shows which brand supplies your car. Both brands had automatics in that search, and the line-up can change with your dates.

Those steps follow the collection details that both companies publish for this branch, which also ask you to phone the branch if you need help on arrival. Save the Malta numbers from your voucher before you fly. Every Vrooem booking includes a free travel eSIM, so you have mobile data as soon as you land to make that call or open your voucher on the walk over.

On Vrooem at Malta International Airport (MLA)

Checked on 6 October 2026, for a 7-day rental from 27 October 2026:

• 20 cars from 2 rental brands.
• Pickup: office within walking distance of the terminal for 20 cars (Green Motion and U-Save).
• 4 of the 20 cars are automatic.
• Fuel policy: full to full on all 20 offers.
• Larger cars: 4 cars with 7 or more seats.

These numbers change with the dates and availability, so a search for your own dates shows the current offer.

Landing late at Malta airport

Green Motion’s and U-Save’s official location data list their Malta airport office as open from 08:00 to 20:00 every day, bank holidays included. Outside those hours, their Malta terms treat service as on request: it cannot be guaranteed, and an extra fee applies where it is accepted. The terms also hold a reservation only for a set time after the booked pick-up time, 2.5 hours at Green Motion and 3 hours at U-Save, after which it counts as a no-show. A flight number you give is for information only, and it is up to you to tell the branch about a delay.

So if your flight is due in late in the evening, call the branch before you travel and agree how your arrival will be handled, or choose a pick-up time within opening hours, for example the next morning. That also fits the earlier tip about not taking your first drive on the left in the dark.

The deposit, the card and the “no deposit” question

Searches for car hire at Malta airport often end in “no deposit” or “no credit card”. Green Motion’s and U-Save’s Malta terms give the same answer to both:

• Deposit: no package is entirely deposit-free. With Premium Plus the excess is zero and the deposit is 150 to 200 EUR, depending on the car group. With Basic, Plus and Premium, the deposit equals the excess, and it gets smaller with each step up. The exact amount for your car group is on your voucher.
• Credit or debit card: the deposit goes on a Visa or Mastercard credit card. A debit card is accepted for the deposit only with Premium Plus. American Express, Diners and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit. The same payment table does not accept a debit card for charges paid at the desk itself, so keep that in mind for any extras you add there.
• Name, funds and expiry: the card must be in the main driver’s name, have enough funds to cover the excess and stay valid for at least 2 months after the return date, with the card number and expiry date clearly visible.
• How it is held: the deposit is a pre-authorisation, so the money is ring-fenced on your card rather than charged. The terms say the bank usually releases it within 5 to 15 days, and sometimes later depending on the card and the country that issued it.
• Separate excess insurance: if you buy an excess policy from a third party, the terms say you still leave the deposit at the desk. If damage occurs, you pay the rental company and claim the cost back from your insurer.
• What sits outside the excess: windows, mirrors, wheels, tyres, the underside and the interior, among other items, are not included in the excess unless stated otherwise. Premium Plus lists glass and tyres as covered.

So the straight answer to “no credit card” at Malta airport is that with these two brands it works with Premium Plus and a debit card for the deposit. For a booking made through Vrooem, the conditions on your voucher have the final word, and Vrooem shows all four packages, from Basic to Premium Plus, before you pay. Our guide to excess and deposit explains how the two are linked.

Your licence and age: what the desk asks for

GOV.UK says you can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Malta. The rental terms ask for more. Green Motion’s and U-Save’s Malta terms require holders of a non-EU licence, UK licences included, to show a valid International Driving Permit together with the original licence. Their other rules:

• the licence must have been held for at least 1 year and be in English or the Latin alphabet,
• digital driving licences are not accepted, so bring the physical card,
• bring a passport or national ID card as photo ID,
• drivers must be between 21 and 75, with a young driver surcharge from 21 to 24 and a senior driver surcharge from 71 to 75.

The terms state that if the driver arrives without the required documents, the booking is cancelled at the counter without a refund. So if you hold a UK or other non-EU licence, arrange an International Driving Permit before you fly. EU licence holders need only their licence, as the documents paragraph further down explains. Our guides to documents for renting a car abroad and the young driver surcharge go into both in more depth.

Gozo, Valletta, fuel and the return

• Gozo: the cross-border section of both Malta terms says the cars may go to Gozo and may not leave the Maltese Islands. The same terms also carry a general line that cars are not permitted on ferries. If you plan to take the car across from Cirkewwa, ask the branch to confirm it in writing before you travel.
• Valletta: the terms list a Controlled Vehicle Access (CVA) pass as an optional extra you can add at the desk. If you do not add it and drive into the Valletta access zone, the CVA bills are passed on to you in full with an admin fee on top. Decide at the desk whether Valletta is on your route.
• Kilometres: unlimited within Malta in all four packages.
• Fuel: full to full, so you bring the car back with a full tank. Missing fuel is charged per litre plus a refuelling fee. Green Motion’s Malta airport page names the nearest petrol station: drive down Vjal L-Avjazzjoni, turn left at the roundabout and the station is on your left. Our fuel policy guide explains the different arrangements.
• Returning the car: in our search, pick-up and return were both at the Malta International Airport office, so you head back to Park East. The terms allow a grace period of 59 minutes on the agreed return time. Photograph the car and the fuel gauge when you hand it back, and allow for the walk to the terminal before check-in.

Our guides to Green Motion and Green Motion vs U-Save cover the two sister brands in more depth.

Checked on 1 October 2026: Malta International Airport, Rent a Car, Malta International Airport, Transport, Green Motion Malta International Airport, Green Motion Malta location data and opening hours, U-Save Malta location data and opening hours, Green Motion Malta terms, U-Save Malta terms and GOV.UK travel advice for Malta. The brands, automatics and return location come from our Vrooem search of 1 October 2026 for 4 to 11 November.

Valletta: leave the car outside

Valletta is a World Heritage site within fortress walls, and the city was simply not built to drive around in by car. Vehicle access to the peninsula is regulated with a paid system and cameras that register how long you stay in the zone. For a tourist this is an unnecessary hassle.

The smart approach: park outside the city and come in on foot or by ferry. On the edge there is, among other things, a large underground car park near the city gate, and from Sliema a short, scenic ferry sails directly to Valletta. That crossing is an experience in itself, with views over the Grand Harbour. Valletta itself is best explored on foot anyway; the city is small, and the hilly streets and steps are not made for wheels.

Gozo by ferry

For many travellers Gozo is the highlight of Malta: greener, slower, more rural. The crossing is made on the Gozo Channel car ferry from Cirkewwa, right at the north-western tip of the main island, to Mġarr on Gozo. The crossing itself takes about half an hour and the boats run frequently, in both directions throughout the day and evening.

The handy system: you usually pay for the crossing only on the way back, when you leave Gozo. On the way over you simply drive or walk on board. In high season and at weekends, do expect queues at the terminal, so on busy days arrive earlier.

Then the big choice: do you take your rental car on the ferry, or do you rent a separate car on Gozo itself?

For a day trip, bringing your own car is usually the simplest. If you are staying a few nights on Gozo, crossing as a pedestrian and renting locally there can be the easier option. In any case, check whether your rental company allows you to take the car on the ferry; most do, but get it confirmed.

Parking: tight, busy and a little creative

Parking is a challenge in Malta, especially in the central zone. Streets are narrow, spaces are scarce, and in the tourist hotspots it is often full by midday. A few practical pointers to make it easier on yourself:

• Choose accommodation with parking, or ask in advance where guests park.
• Avoid the centre of Valletta by car entirely; use edge car parks.
• In the countryside and at beaches, parking is generally easier, except at peak times in summer.
• Watch for colour markings and signage for reserved or paid zones, and do not give extra money to informal parking attendants you do not trust.
• Fold in your mirrors on very narrow streets; it saves both damage and nerves.

Give yourself some leeway in time to find a spot, especially if you are going out to eat in a popular seaside town in the evening.

Two day routes by car

Below are two worked-out day trips that really make the rental car pay off. The time indications are a guide; allow for overruns from traffic, photo stops and long lunches.

Route 1: a full day on Gozo

Leave early, certainly in high season, and drive to Cirkewwa for the ferry. The earlier you leave, the quieter both the ferry and the island roads are. Once you arrive on Gozo at Mġarr, head towards Victoria (Rabat), the central town with its imposing Citadel. Climbing the fortress for the panorama over the whole island is a guaranteed highlight.

From there you head to the west coast and the natural inland bay of Dwejra, the area where the famous Azure Window once stood (that rock arch collapsed in 2017, but the spot with the Inland Sea and the cliffs remains impressive). At midday you can head towards the bay of Ramla l-Ħamra, known for its strikingly red-brown sand, or the salt pans along the north coast near Marsalforn. Round off at a village restaurant before driving back to the ferry towards evening.

Allow a full day here, from morning to evening. Do not try to see everything on Gozo in one day; pick two or three anchor points and leave room to wander. That is exactly what makes the island so pleasant.

Route 2: the south, from fishing village to cliffs

This route bundles some of the finest spots in the south, which are awkward to combine by bus but follow on smoothly from one another by car.

Start in Marsaxlokk, the colourful fishing village with the typical luzzu boats in red, yellow and blue in the harbour. On Sundays there is a large market, but even on weekdays the quay has atmosphere in the morning. Then drive to the south coast for the Blue Grotto, a series of sea caves where, in calm water, you sail under the rock arch in a small boat and see the bright blue water. The viewpoint along the road is worth the stop in itself.

Nearby lie the prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, megalithic structures thousands of years old, beautifully set above the sea. A walk across the site takes you back to a time long before the pyramids. End the day with a late waterside dinner in Marsaxlokk or back towards your base.

For all of this, allow roughly half a day to a full day, depending on how long you linger at the temples and the caves. The lovely thing about this region is that the distances are small; you lose little time to driving and a lot of time to looking.

Insurance, deposit and the scratch risk

Malta’s narrow streets call for an honest conversation about insurance. The chance of a scratch, a knock against a low wall or a folded-in mirror is objectively higher here than on broad mainland roads. By default a rental car comes with insurance that has an excess built in, and the size of that excess depends on the company and the package. The rental company blocks it on your credit card as a deposit when you pick up the car.

You have roughly two ways to cover that excess: a package from the rental company, or a separate excess insurance that you take out in advance with an independent provider. With the second route the deposit is usually still blocked at the desk, as the airport section above explains for Green Motion and U-Save. Before you decide, read our explanation of excess and deposit, so you do not make a rushed choice under pressure at the counter.

Two practical points. At pick-up, always take photos and a video of the car, all around, including existing scratches, and have any damage noted on the contract. With those narrow streets, you do not want a later dispute over a dent that was already there. And check whether glass, tyres and the underbody are also covered, because those are exactly the parts that most often get damaged on narrow roads.

For fuel: where possible, choose a full-to-full arrangement, where you leave with a full tank and bring it back full. With full-to-empty, by contrast, you pay for a full tank up front and whatever is left at the end stays in the car. You can refuel across the whole island; note that some stations have more limited hours or machine payment outside peak times.

As for documents: for travellers from the EU, your national driving licence (card format) is more than enough, since Malta is part of the EU. Bring your ID card or passport, your driving licence and the credit card in the name of the main driver. You do not need an international driving permit.

Season and when to book

Malta is a summer destination par excellence, and you see that reflected in the crowds. In July and August it is hot and busy; rental cars, and automatics especially, sell out faster then. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September, October) are considered the most pleasant: mild weather and fewer crowds. Winter is quiet and mild, ideal for walkers and culture lovers.

For booking, a simple rule of thumb applies: the busier the season, the earlier you reserve. In high season you book weeks ahead, especially if you want an automatic or a specific type of car. In low season you have more leeway. Always compare what each offer includes, such as the excess and the deposit.

Common mistakes

• Renting a car for your entire stay while you spend half the days in the city and only have to park it.
• Taking a manual out of habit, and then getting thoroughly annoyed with changing gears on top of driving on the left.
• Wanting to drive into Valletta by car and running into the regulated, paid access zone.
• Underestimating the switch to driving on the left, especially when pulling out of empty streets and car parks.
• Choosing your insurance at the counter in a hurry, without having looked at excess cover in advance.
• Not taking photos at pick-up, and later being held responsible for existing scratches.
• Booking too late in high season and ending up without an automatic (or without a car).
• Trying to do Gozo in one rushed afternoon instead of setting aside a full day or an overnight stay.

As a reference point for another warm, left-driving or island-style holiday country, you can also read our guide on renting a car in Cyprus, where driving on the left also comes into play. And for the general basic rules that apply everywhere, from fuel policy to pick-up times, our list of 12 tips remains a handy final check before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I pick up a hire car at Malta airport?

At the rental offices on Level 1 of Park East, a separate car park building about a 3-minute walk from the terminal, according to the airport. For Green Motion and U-Save, go down to Level -1 after baggage reclaim, walk through the tunnel, turn right to Park East and take the lift to Level 1. Your voucher has the branch numbers if you need help.

Can I hire a car at Malta airport without a credit card?

With Green Motion and U-Save, yes, if you choose Premium Plus: their Malta terms accept a debit card for the deposit only with that package, which has zero excess and a deposit of 150 to 200 EUR depending on the car group. With the other packages the deposit goes on a Visa or Mastercard credit card in the main driver’s name. A debit card is not accepted for charges paid at the desk itself, such as extras added there. The conditions on your voucher have the final word.

Do UK drivers need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in Malta?

GOV.UK says a UK photocard licence is valid for driving in Malta, but Green Motion’s and U-Save’s Malta terms ask non-EU licence holders, UK licences included, to show an International Driving Permit with their licence at the desk. Without the required documents the booking is cancelled at the counter, so bring one.

Do you drive on the left or right in Malta?

In Malta you drive on the left, a legacy of the British colonial era. The steering wheel is on the right of the car and on roundabouts you go around clockwise. Be especially alert when pulling out of empty streets and car parks, because that is where the old reflex towards the wrong side of the road kicks in fastest.

Do I need a car in Malta?

Not necessarily. For a city break around Valletta, Sliema and St. Julian’s, buses, the ferry and ride-hailing are perfectly enough. A rental car pays off mainly for Gozo, the remote bays in the north and the south with Marsaxlokk and the Blue Grotto. A popular middle ground is to rent a car only for the exploration days.

Can I take my rental car on the ferry to Gozo?

Usually yes. The car ferry from Cirkewwa to Mġarr takes vehicles and you usually pay for the crossing only on the way back. Do check whether your rental company allows you to take the car on the ferry. For a day trip, bringing it is the simplest; if you are staying several nights on Gozo, renting separately and locally can be the easier option. Green Motion’s and U-Save’s Malta terms allow their cars to go to Gozo but not beyond the Maltese Islands, while the same terms also carry a general line that cars are not permitted on ferries, so ask the branch to confirm a Gozo crossing in writing before you go.

Is automatic or manual better in Malta?

We recommend an automatic. Driving on the left, narrow busy streets and assertive traffic already demand enough attention; changing gears with your left hand makes it unnecessarily harder. Automatics are available but sell out faster, so reserve in good time. You will find more considerations in our guide on automatic versus manual rentals.

Am I allowed to drive into Valletta by car?

You can, but it is not advisable. Access to the historic core is regulated with a paid system and cameras. It is better to park on the edge, for example in an edge car park, and come in on foot or by the scenic ferry from Sliema. Valletta is best explored on foot anyway.

Which documents do I need as an EU citizen?

Your EU driving licence in card format is enough, since Malta is an EU country; an international driving permit is not needed. In addition, bring your ID card or passport and a credit card in the name of the main driver for the deposit.

What about insurance and deposit?

By default there is insurance with an excess, and the rental company blocks a deposit on your credit card. Because of the narrow streets the scratch risk is higher, so decide calmly in advance whether you cover the excess with the rental company’s package or with a separate excess insurance. At pick-up, take photos and a video of existing damage.

When is the best time to rent a car in Malta?

Outside high season, so in spring or early autumn, is the most pleasant in terms of weather and crowds. Either way, book early, and certainly in July and August, because that is when cars and automatics in particular sell out quickly. Always compare what each offer includes, such as the excess and the deposit.