Gozo has no airport of its own, so every journey to Xagħra starts with a short sea crossing. It is easier than it sounds: here are the two ways across and how to reach them from Malta International Airport.
Cars and foot passengersOption 1: the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa
The main ferry sails from Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta, to Mġarr harbour in Gozo. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, and during the day there is a sailing as often as every 30 minutes; the timetable changes with the season.
You do not pay when you leave Malta. Tickets are paid — or validated, if you bought online — at Mġarr before the return trip.
- By bus: the X1 and TD1 buses run from the airport to Ċirkewwa. Allow one to two hours depending on traffic and the time of day.
- By taxi: the official taxi desk at the airport offers a fixed fare to Ċirkewwa (€32 at the time of writing). The drive usually takes around an hour.
- By hire car: collect your car at the airport and drive to Ċirkewwa, where cars queue to board. Having a car on Gozo makes beaches and villages easy to reach.
Foot passengers onlyOption 2: the fast ferry from Valletta
Gozo High Speed runs a passenger-only fast ferry from Valletta’s Grand Harbour to Mġarr in about 45 minutes. It is a good choice if you are not hiring a car or are spending time in Valletta first. The TD4 bus links the airport with the fast-ferry terminal. Check in 15 to 20 minutes before departure.
The last few kilometresFrom Mġarr to Xagħra
Xagħra is in the north of the island, a short drive from the harbour. Taxis wait outside the Mġarr ferry terminal, and ride-hailing apps such as Bolt also work on Gozo. By bus, take a service from Mġarr to Victoria (routes 301, 303 or 323 at the time of writing) and change there for Xagħra.
Useful links
Fares, routes and times checked in October 2026. Always check the operators’ websites before you travel.
