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Car rental in Malta is the smartest way to see a small but extraordinarily dense island. From one end of Malta to the other is just 27 kilometres, yet those 27 km hold more sights and quirks than many European capitals. A car turns the standard Valletta–Sliema–Mdina loop into a proper trip: Gozo, the southern bays of Marsaxlokk, megalithic temples, sunsets on the Dingli cliffs.
Prices here are among the lowest in Europe. From November to March an economy car starts at 7 euros a day. In July–August the same class costs 25–40 euros. Competition between rental companies is fierce, and the island's rental ecosystem has been fine-tuned over decades.
A couple from Manchester landed on a Tuesday in May, picked up the keys at MLA in five minutes and were on the ferry to Mgarr by lunchtime — global chains were still queuing for a shuttle.
Worth knowing in advance: Malta drives on the left, the streets are narrow, there isn't a single motorway, and local drivers are impulsive. It takes one or two days to adapt, and we'll be straight about it below.
This guide covers what really shapes the trip: seasonal prices, the Gozo ferry, the Valletta congestion charge, kerb-colour parking, insurance, deposits and how payment works.
Driving on the left
The main difference from continental Europe is left-hand traffic — a legacy of British rule. The wheel sits on the right, indicators and wipers swap sides, and roundabouts turn clockwise. Most drivers adapt within a day or two, especially if the first day is spent on quieter rural roads rather than rush hour in St Julian's.
There are no motorways on the island at all. The top speed is 80 km/h on rural roads, 50 in towns and 35 in some village centres. Long crossings always pass through built-up areas, and a trip across the country usually takes 40–60 minutes.
You get used to driving on the left faster than you'd think. The tricky part isn't the side — it's that the indicators are under the right hand. The first few times you'll switch on the wipers when you mean to turn. Normal.
Local drivers are impulsive: they rarely indicate, don't yield and squeeze into tight gaps. It isn't aggression in the harsh sense, just a local style you adapt to. Best tactic: defensive driving, keep more distance and don't take sudden manoeuvres personally.
The tightest spots are Sliema, St Julian's and the old streets of Mdina. Cars pass within centimetres, and even experienced drivers scrape a rim on the kerb. Which is why Super CDW gets taken more often here than anywhere else.
Knowing this in advance saves a couple of rookie mistakes — and one or two stones on the windscreen.
Toyota Yaris in Malta
Everything went well. The car is nice, no problems at all. We liked everything!
Fiat Grande Punto in Malta
It was really comfortable that our car was waiting us near airport and it didn’t take a lot of time to search it , also it was that easy to leave car. The worker who was explain everything was really polite and explained everything. It was a good experience.
Citroen C3 in Malta
I ordered a car at the front desk by writing my name, but no one showed up. I had to call and ask where the car was. Since I know the area, it was no problem for me, otherwise I would have had to search. The transfer went smoothly. I didn't get the car I ordered, but it was fine. The car was pretty closed and a little dirty. Other than that, there were no problems. Turning it in at the airport was no problem. I go to Malta every year and if I am offered a good deal again I will definitely come back. Sincerely, Vidovic Željko
Peugeot Partner in Malta
That was great!
Citroen C1 in Malta
In general everthing was smooth. I contact to the whatsapp included in the voucher and the response rate was generally good and relatively short. The car itself was ok, it looked a bit worn out (a few light dents and scratches on the outside and somewhat dirty inside), but nothing relevant and serious. In general, I would say that it was good value for money. Regarding the pick-up of the car, they come directly to the aiport from their premises. They were a bit delayed (around 1h or so) due to high demand and high traffic, which is understandable. Drop-off was very easy, they let us leave the car with the keys in the airport parking lot sand drop-off of the vehicle. I left a deposit during the pick-up process of 150€ and they returned it around 48 hours after the drop-off, so no problems on that side neither. Overall I wil say I am pretty satisfied, although I would recommend it specifically only for people looking for an affordable price without major luxuries.
Peugeot 208 in Malta
I got a Nissan Micra. It was brand new, just a bit shabby (but I guess that's normal for Malta). As soon as I drove out of the airport, the low tire pressure warning came on right away. I filled up at a gas station and the next day around noon the warning appeared again. I texted the number listed on the rental counter and received a message telling me where to check the pressure. I went to a friendly tire shop and they fixed the problem in 10 minutes (there was a nail in the tire). There were no problems for the rest of my stay. The car was returned quickly and with no problems. The car was hardly checked for any new damage. Only the fuel tank was checked. The deposit was returned within a week. Overall, everything was fine.
Citroen C1 in Malta
Everything went great, we are very happy with the price and quality. The car was in very good condition, I will recommend you to everyone
Hyundai i10 in Malta
It was a great positive experience renting a car. We were given a different make of car but with the same features. The car is in perfect working condition, clean. The pick up went perfectly, we were picked up at the Malta airport, the car was parked next to us in the parking lot. We had no problems with the car or the police. Although at first it was difficult to adjust to left hand traffic, by the next day I was used to it and was not stressed. We were able to travel freely all over the island and had a lot of great experiences. It would have been very different without the car. The car drop off was also seamless, we just left it in the parking lot as instructed. The deposit on the card was "unfrozen" after a few days. Thanks for the great honest service! Will use your services again next time!
Citroen C3 in Malta
everything was very good
Citroen C3 in Malta
all went great - car was new, very smooth collection and return :)
Citroen C1 in Malta
Everything was fine! They gave me c3 instead of c1. Everything was fine, thank you!
Citroen C3 in Malta
Everything was good. Thank you
Fiat Grande Punto in Malta
I wish I can give more then 5star to this company.They upgraded me for free to the model with low mileage,very clean and mostly new .The pick up and drop off was very easy and guy who gave us the car also recommended to us the best places to see and local restaurants to try in Malta and Gozo ,we managed to see a lot in 3 days .Highly recommended company who made our holiday unforgettable .
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CDW is included by Maltese law
Every rental on the island has to include third-party liability and basic CDW (collision damage waiver), and that cost is already built into the price you see when you book.
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Low or zero deposit, with several ways to pay
We offer rates with deposits between 0 and 250 euros, accept debit cards as well as credit, and cover most of the balance on the spot in cash where the supplier allows it.
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Real reviews on every car, not just on the company
After each rental we ask for feedback, so what you see is the experience on the specific car you're considering, not generic marketing for the supplier.
Gozo and the ferry
Gozo is the second island of the archipelago and, for most clients, the main reason to rent a car. The Gozo Channel ferry runs between Cirkewwa and Mgarr: 25 minutes, 24/7, every 30 minutes during the day.
Price and schedule
A "car plus driver" return ticket is 15.70 euros. Passengers don't pay extra. Foot passenger — 4.65 euros adult, 1.15 for children aged 3–12. Tickets are sold ONLY on Gozo, in Mgarr, on the way back. At Cirkewwa you board without a ticket.
People look for a booth in Cirkewwa and ask where to pay. The answer is nowhere — you follow the signs and drive straight onto the ferry. Payment happens on the way back, on Gozo.
Queues in summer
In July, August and on long weekends the car queue at Cirkewwa can run 3–4 hours both ways. Three tactics work: early sailings (07:00 or before), late ones (after 20:00), or Gozo on a weekday. Motorbikes skip most of the queue; foot passengers board separately.
A couple leaving the hotel at 6:30 was on Ramla l-Hamra beach by 9. They met the queue back in the evening — by 18:00 it was already thinning out.
Insurance on Gozo
CDW and Super CDW from your Maltese rental are valid on Gozo without exception. Keep the rental agreement in the car: the ferry doesn't check it, but Gozo patrols can.
One guest left the rental contract at the hotel and only realised it on the ferry. Keep it in the glove box. The cover is identical on both islands.
If anything happens on Gozo, the claim process runs exactly as it would in Mellieha or Sliema — same supplier, same paperwork.
Insurance and deposit
CDW, Super CDW and excess
Maltese law requires every rental to include third-party liability and basic CDW — a rule unusual within the EU. The basic excess sits at 500–1,500 euros, and it doesn't cover windscreen, wheel rims, tyres or undercarriage — the parts that suffer most on Malta's narrow streets.
Super CDW on Malta isn't a luxury — it's common sense. 8–15 euros a day at the desk, or 20–40% cheaper booked online. Excess drops to zero, windscreen and rims included.
Driving licences and the IDP
EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences are accepted directly, no IDP needed. Drivers from outside those regions should bring an International Driving Permit — police can ask at a stop, and some suppliers won't hand over the keys without one.
Every season the same scene plays out: a guest lands without an IDP, the licence is in non-Latin script, and the supplier asks for a paper that takes a week to get from home. Sort it before the trip.
Deposit and payment
Local suppliers hold 100–400 euros as a deposit; international chains 500–1,500. We have rates with zero deposit and the option to settle most of the balance in cash. Chains require a credit card in the main driver's name; most local suppliers and our partners accept debit cards too.
Simplest path: small online prepayment by card, then cash for the balance and the deposit at the desk. Local suppliers refund the deposit on the spot if there's no damage.
For drivers who prefer everything settled by card, the no-deposit rates remove the question entirely — what you book is what you pay.
Rates in Malta vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length in days.
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How expensive is renting a car in Malta: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes. Delivery across Malta not included.
Frequently asked questions
No. Every Maltese rental company forbids taking the car off the island, including the Valletta–Pozzallo ferry to Sicily. Insurance is voided the moment the car leaves Malta or Gozo. If you want to combine the islands, rent separately in Sicily on arrival.
15.70 euros return for the car and driver (vehicles up to 5.3 m). Passengers inside the car don't pay. Tickets are sold only on Gozo, in Mgarr, on the way back. At Cirkewwa you board with no ticket and no payment — it's the standard system, not a mistake.
Yes, but usually with an insurance surcharge of 5–15 euros a day. Over 75, several suppliers refuse or ask for a "fit-to-drive" doctor's letter. Mention your age at booking to avoid a surprise at the desk. We have suppliers who work with 70+ without extra paperwork.
With Super CDW or Full CDW you photograph the damage, notify the supplier within 24 hours, and the repair is covered. With basic CDW the rims are normally excluded — a replacement of 60–120 euros is taken from the deposit.
No. EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences are accepted on their own. The IDP is only required for licences from countries outside that list, or those issued in non-Latin script. A photo on the licence is mandatory; paper-only licences were phased out years ago.
Yes — most local Maltese suppliers and our partners accept debit cards or cash for the deposit. International chains still insist on a credit card in the main driver's name. When booking, choose cars marked "no credit card needed" — not every car on the lot allows it.
Airport rentals are usually 2–5 euros a day more because of the airport surcharge. If you're staying in Sliema or St Julian's and don't need a car for the first day or two, picking it up in town is cheaper. For a road trip from day one, the airport is normally worth the small premium.
Local Maltese suppliers refund cash deposits on the spot at drop-off if there's no damage. Credit-card holds clear in 7–30 working days, depending on the bank — that's the bank's process, not the supplier's. Keep the return inspection sheet as proof in any later dispute.
With basic CDW, no — those parts are typically excluded, and the cost comes out of the deposit. Super CDW or Full CDW usually covers windscreen, rims, tyres and undercarriage. On Malta this isn't a luxury — it's a sensible precaution given the narrow streets.
Yes. Maltese rules require a police report to activate any CDW or Super CDW — even for a scratch, no report means the repair comes out of your deposit. Call 112, don't move the car, photograph everything and wait for the patrol — they arrive quickly.
No. One-way rentals are not offered on Malta by any supplier — the car returns to the pickup point. The island is small enough that this rarely matters, but if your plans involve a non-standard return, raise it at booking and we'll see what we can arrange.
You don't pay a fine — you pay the charge itself: 0.82 euros per hour up to 6 euros a day, plus the rental's 15–30-euro admin fee on top. To avoid it entirely, drive in after 14:00, on a weekend, or park at Floriana and walk into Valletta — it's 10 minutes on foot.
3–7 euros a day, or 20–40 euros for the whole rental, depending on the supplier and seat class. Children under 10 or below 135 cm must travel in a seat or booster. Stock runs out in July and August — book the seat with the car, not at the desk.
Practically speaking, Malta has very few unsealed roads — the island is built up and the main sights are all on tarmac. The few dirt tracks (Fomm ir-Rih, some Gozo bays) are usually outside basic CDW cover. Safer to walk in from the nearest car park.
Most rentals run on 95 unleaded (around 1.45 euros per litre in 2026). Diesel is less common; it sits around 1.35 euros. The fuel type is always written in the contract and on the fuel cap. Many stations close by 20:00 — fill up during the day, especially before a Gozo trip.