Christine Cassar
Planning a trip to Gozo while visiting Malta? Curious about public transport options? You’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, you’ll get my best tips and tricks on using buses to explore Gozo and how the service compares to other transport options. I’ll take you through the bus routes, schedules, tickets, and how to use the service once you arrive on Gozo Island, and everything in between.
Public transport on the main island of Malta is primarily focused on a system of bus routes, and it’s no different in Gozo. While many locals have cars or motorcycles to get around the various towns and villages, many depend on these buses. Taxi services and hire car rentals are also available in Gozo, but they’re not the cheapest option for travellers who’d like to stick to a budget.
Like Malta, Gozo’s towns and villages are well-connected to the local bus system, which operates daily. Even though buses don’t always pass regularly and rides can take time, it’s the most economical way to enjoy the various things to do in Gozo.
Buses in Gozo are run by the same company as the one operating in Malta. This means you can purchase single passes and the same bus cards used in Malta, pay cash / contactless, etc. More on that topic further down.
First things first. There are 3 ways to reach Gozo from Malta:
For each of the options listed, you can use the bus service, a taxi, or a rental car to get to ferry terminals or the tour departure spot. You can find further information about the two ferry service operators and alternative options to get to the sister island here: How to Get to Gozo from Malta.
With over 120+ routes and almost 2000 stops, you can get around the Maltese Islands easily. This includes journeys to Malta International Airport, Valletta, the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal, and, of course, Gozo.
Additionally, the transport system in Gozo is the most cost-effective option for travellers on a budget. Generally speaking, it’s also reliable; however, there are a couple of things to consider.
These are a few pros and cons of the bus service, to help you decide if getting around Gozo by bus is the right option for you:
| PROS | CONS |
| ✅ The cheapest way to travel | ❌ Journeys are longer due to several stops included + heavy traffic jams |
| ✅ Apart from single/return passes, various passes are available to help you save more money. | ❌ Can get crowded |
| ✅ Covers most towns and villages on Gozo Island | ❌ Not always punctual |
| ✅ User-friendly | |
| ✅ Many routes are connected to the Victoria (unofficial “capital” of Gozo) main terminus. |
Generally, buses run daily between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM, depending on the routes. Meanwhile, the night routes (N301) run between 00:15 AM and 1:30 AM.
Tip: Some handy tools for planning your days are Malta Public Transport’s online Journey Planner or app to access full schedules and timings (available on both the App Store & Google Play Store).
16 bus routes serve Gozo’s towns and villages. Simply put, you shouldn’t have any difficulties travelling from place to place.
Once you arrive on Gozo Island from the Gozo Channel ferry / Gozo Highspeed, moor at the picturesque Mġarr Harbour. The bus is handy since you can get one straight off the ferries. Simply head to the nearest bus stop from the ferry terminal – Vapur – and take the respective bus to your accommodation or the place you’d like to visit.
The routes you need to take note of from Mġarr Harbour are 301, 303, 322, and 323 since they take you to popular places like Victoria city centre, Ramla Bay, the Ġgantija Temples, Nadur, and Marsalforn.
Most routes pass through or terminate at the Victoria bus terminus. For starters, this makes it easy to switch between routes if you need to change at Victoria before reaching your final destination.
However, some routes have many stops along the way, which means journeys can take a fair bit of time. Getting to different places on the same part of the island also often means you have to take the bus back to Victoria first before being able to switch routes.
For travellers who want to stay out a little longer, the N301 route connects Victoria to the Mġarr Harbour. This is handy to catch a late ferry back to Malta.
| One-Way Ticket | The daytime fare for a single pass is €2.50, while the nighttime service costs €3. A single journey is valid for up to 2 hours. (Tip: Offer exact or small change to the driver. Otherwise, you can pay contactless with a VISA debit or credit card.) |
| Explore 7-Day Pass | Costing €25, this pass allows unlimited travel for seven consecutive days. |
| Explore Flex Card | Offers credit on a pay-as-you-go basis across Malta and Gozo. You can opt for the 24-hour package at €6 or the 4-day package at €21. |
| 12 single-day journeys | A cost-effective way to make use of 12 journeys for €19 |
| Tallinja Card | If you are staying for a week or longer and are planning to use the bus often, it’s a good idea to get the Tallinja card. |
Single passes can be purchased from the driver on board using the exact change or a contactless card.
Meanwhile, multi-day card passes can only be purchased from ticket booths or card dispensing machines available at the following info points and terminals:
If convenience and flexibility are your priorities, why not consider booking a day trip to Gozo instead? Here are some of my tried and tested recommendations:
Over the last few years, Yippee has sought to become one of the top operators in Gozo, offering exciting tours with a difference. Their tours are all-inclusive, so they also take care of transport from Malta to Gozo.
In a nutshell, this provider’s all-year-round and summer tours are a fantastic alternative for a memorable day on Gozo Island. If you’re up for an off-roading adventure with stunning views of the whole island, the quad bike tours are just up your street. The Tuk-tuk tours are also great for families with kids and groups of 6. Check them out here:
Operating in Malta and Gozo, iSee Malta’s distinct open-top buses help tourists tick off as many major attractions around the Maltese Islands.
In short, you can hop on the bus from different towns and villages (in Gozo in this case) included in the designated route and hop off when you arrive at a destination you want to explore.
The Gozo passes offer good value for money since you can see many places throughout the day. The departure points are located at Sliema Ferries or the Sirens Jetty in Buġibba.
There are two Gozo passes on offer:
Interested in ticking off attractions in Malta? The same company provider offers this Hop-On Hop-Off tour on the main island, which includes a harbour cruise pass.
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