Car hire in Malta gives you access to the whole island, not just the resorts. Malta is compact enough to cross from North to South in under an hour, but the gap between what you can see on foot or by taxi and what opens up behind the wheel of a hire car is considerable. Cheap car hire in Malta starts from just a few pounds a day outside the peak summer months.
The fortified capital Valletta, the medieval hilltop of Mdina, the rugged cliffs at Dingli, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the quieter lanes of Gozo are all within easy reach once you have a car at your disposal. Getcarhire.com searches across the leading suppliers operating at Malta International Airport (MLA), including Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Sixt, to give you a range of options on car hire in Malta at competitive prices.
Malta car hire at the airport is straightforward: the terminal is compact, all the major hire car desks are in the arrivals hall and the vehicle collection area is a short walk from the building. No hidden fees, no pressure. Compare car hire in Malta, pick the deal that suits you and get on the road.
Driving in Malta: What to Know Before You Go
Malta drives on the left, the roads are generally well surfaced, and the distances between places are short. Traffic around Valletta can be slow at peak times, and some of the older village lanes are narrow, but nothing that will trouble a confident driver. A few specifics worth knowing before you collect your car hire in Malta, because the rules differ from the UK in a couple of places:
Documents You Need
Your driving licence must be valid and held for at least one year. If your licence is not printed in English or the Roman alphabet, you will need an International Driving Permit alongside it. Bring your passport, your booking voucher, and the payment card in the name of the main driver when you pick up your car hire in Malta.
Speed Limits
80 km/h on dual carriageways, 50 km/h in built-up areas. Speed cameras are in use across the island, the limits are taken seriously and the fines on car hire in Malta are not trivial.
Seat Belts and Mobile Phones
Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers, so make sure everyone is buckled before you move off. Using a handheld mobile while driving is illegal; Malta has a hands-free system in place and the law is enforced.
Alcohol
The legal blood alcohol limit in Malta is 0.08%, equivalent to roughly one beer or a small glass of wine. If you are caught over the limit, you face a fine, points on your licence, or imprisonment. It is just not worth the risk.
Headlights, Tyres and Parking
Use headlights at night and in poor visibility. The minimum legal tread depth in Malta is 1.6mm, so give the tyres a quick look when you collect the car. Use designated parking spaces or public car parks, and in Valletta pay attention to Time Parking Zones marked with blue lines. Illegally parked vehicles are fined or towed, and recovering a towed car on holiday is exactly as time-consuming as it sounds. For the full rules of the road, the Malta Transport authority publishes current guidance.
Five Scenic Drives Worth Taking in Malta
The island is compact but there is real variety in what you can see from behind the wheel. These five routes cover the best of it, and our full 5 best scenic drives in Malta guide has the detailed turn-by-turn routes.
Valletta to Mdina: Capital to the Silent City
From the baroque streets of Valletta inland to the medieval hilltop of Mdina, the old walled capital. A short drive that crosses the whole character of the island, from harbour fortifications to silent limestone lanes, and a perfect first outing in your car hire in Malta.
The Dingli Cliffs Coastal Route
The highest point in Malta, where the land drops sheer into the Mediterranean. The coastal road along the cliffs at sunset is the single most dramatic drive on the island, and reason enough alone to arrange car hire in Malta.
Marsaxlokk and the Southeast
Down to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, where the brightly painted luzzu boats fill the harbour and the Sunday fish market is a Maltese institution. The southeast coast is quieter and rewards the unhurried drive that car hire in Malta makes possible.
The Three Cities and the Grand Harbour
Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, a maze of historic waterfront streets that most visitors never reach without car hire in Malta.
The Gozo Day Trip
Take your hire car on the Gozo Channel ferry from Cirkewwa (pronounced cheer-KEH-wah) in the North. The 25 minute crossing opens up Malta’s quieter sister island, with the citadel at Victoria and the cliffs at Dwejra. Our Malta road trip itinerary includes a full Gozo day plan.
Planning Your Malta Trip
Not sure how to fit everything in? We have put together a practical Malta Trip Planner to help you work out your itinerary, how many days you need, and which areas to base yourself in. If you prefer a ready-made route, our Malta road trip itinerary covers a suggested 3 to 5 day driving plan across the island, including the best stops, timing tips and a Gozo day trip. And if you are timing your visit around an event, our guide to Malta festivals covers the village feasts, fireworks and cultural dates worth planning a hire car around.
Why Use Getcarhire.com for Car Hire in Malta?
We search across the most reputable car hire companies operating at Malta Airport, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Sixt, to give you a range of options at competitive prices. What you see is what you pay: no hidden fees, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up on most bookings, unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance included on selected deals for car hire in Malta, 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance, and secure online booking with instant confirmation. For the cheapest car hire in Malta, book at the same time as your flights and avoid the July and August peak.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Hire in Malta
What is the minimum age to hire a car in Malta?
The minimum age for car hire in Malta is 21 with most suppliers. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may be subject to a young driver surcharge, which varies by supplier and vehicle category. Some suppliers set the minimum at 23 or 25 for larger or premium vehicles. Always check the rental conditions for your specific booking.
Can I hire a car in Malta if I am over 70?
Most suppliers of car hire in Malta do not impose an upper age limit, but some require drivers over 70 to provide a recent medical certificate confirming fitness to drive, or may restrict access to certain vehicle categories. Check the rental conditions for your chosen supplier at the time of booking.
Can I take a hire car from Malta to Gozo?
Yes, provided your hire car agreement permits it, which most do. You take your car hire in Malta onto the Gozo Channel ferry at Cirkewwa in the North of the island. The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. Check that your rental agreement specifically permits ferry crossings before you book, as a small number of suppliers exclude it.
Can I hire a car in Malta with no excess?
Yes. A number of suppliers offer zero excess car hire in Malta, or you can reduce your excess to zero by adding Full Coverage protection at the time of booking. It is worth comparing the cost of Full Coverage against the excess amount on your chosen vehicle before deciding. Getcarhire.com displays the excess amount clearly for each vehicle.
Is it worth hiring a car in Malta?
For most visitors, yes. Malta’s public transport covers the main routes between the larger towns but does not reach the quieter coastal areas, the inland villages or Gozo without significant time investment. A hire car lets you reach Marsaxlokk market on a Sunday morning, drive the Dingli Cliffs at sunset or take the Gozo ferry on your own schedule. The island is small enough that fuel costs are minimal, and there are no toll roads. Malta’s official tourism board has more on what to see.
Where do I pick up a hire car at Malta Airport?
All major suppliers at Malta Airport have desks in the arrivals hall of the terminal building, with the vehicle collection area a short walk away. Malta International Airport (MLA) is a single compact terminal, so the process is straightforward. If you are arriving on a late flight, check the operating hours for your specific supplier in advance, as desk hours vary.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Hire Car in Malta?
Malta is small, but a hire car turns it from a resort holiday into a proper island to explore. Sort your car before you fly, book early to beat the summer peak, and give yourself the freedom to reach the corners the buses never get to. Getcarhire.com compares cheap car hire in Malta from the leading suppliers at Malta International Airport, with no hidden fees and free cancellation on most bookings. Your hire car in Malta is ready when you are.
