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Flights to Malta
Unless you take the long way round by driving through Italy (it has been done, see how) and catching a ferry from Sicily then you will be flying by commercial airliner to Malta International Airport (Luqa).
If you are travelling from Europe then four airlines operate from Germany - German Wings (Stuttgart and Cologne), Air Berlin (Nurnburg), Air Malta (Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf & Hamburg) and Ryan Air (Bremen).
Italy is served by Alitalia and Meridiana whilst France has Air Malta and Spain has Ryan Air. Other carriers will exist but for brevity have been omitted - apologies to those concerned.
Getting to Gozo
At M.I.A we can arrange personal collection for you by taxi to take you to the ferry terminal
at Cirkewwa and a separate pick up from the Gozo side in Mgarr to take you to our house in Victoria. Please enquire in our
booking form for details and prices as arrangements must be made at the time of booking.
You may wish to arrange your own taxi from the airport to the ferry terminal and the cost will be about
€22.
Alternatively you may wish to hire a car at the airport where most of the international hire companies
are based such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Thrifty and Sixt Rent a Car. However there are also some local companies
based in Victoria such as Gozo Garage or Mayjo Rent-a-Car.
Public transport means buses, many of which are archaic Bedfords dating back to the 1950's and 60's. They
are an experience not to be forgotten and enjoyable if you are not under any time pressure and don't suffer
back problems. There is only one bus from the airport, number 8 to Valletta. However the last bus departs at 8pm.
Thereafter number 45 will take you to Cirkewwa, a meandering journey taking some 1 hour 15 minutes. Each journey costs
a bargain €0.47. At Mgarr Harbour, Gozo, bus number 25 will take you to Victoria in about 20 minutes.
The Gozo Channel ferry departs from Cirkewwa every 45 minutes from 7.30 am until 11.30pm (summer timetable) or 12pm (mid-season or winter timetable).
Timetable enquiries may be made by calling (00 356) 21 580435 (Malta) or (00 356) 21 561 622 (Gozo). The crossing takes about
25 minutes.
If you wish to make an entrance to Gozo, why not fly by helicopter from Luqa to Gozo heliport but reservations must be made within 24 hours of departure. Or between 1 April to 31 August (four
flights daily 9.30 am - 5.30pm) there is a seaplane between Valletta Sea Terminal, Malta and Mgarr Harbour, Gozo.
Getting around Gozo
All buses radiate to the entire island from the bus terminus in Main Gate Street, Victoria. Fares are fixed
at €0.47 to all villages and €0.82 to Dwerja. The main disadvantage is the rather early last bus from most villages
such as 6pm in Marsalforn or 5.30pm in Xlendi so don't be caught out like me! The bus routes are here.
Which leads me nicely on to car hire. Driving is mediterranean in style which means politely that driving
may be unpredictable and not necessarily comply with the highway code. That being said, you easily adapt and learn to drive
accordingly. There are several car hire companies in Victoria - Gozo Garage, Victoria Garage tel (00 356 21 55 6414)
(also motorcycle & bike hire) and AEL Car Rentals tel (00 356 21 566671).
Given Victoria's central location on the island which spans 9.5 x 4.5 miles, walking to most destinations
is achievable, though there are steep descents and therefore ascents. Cycles are for hire on Republic Street and Main Gate
Street but caution should be exercised (see above).
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