Ferry From Gozo to Sicily

How to Travel from Gozo to Sicily via Malta

There is no direct ferry from Gozo to Sicily. To make the journey, you must first travel from Gozo to Malta, then connect with a Malta–Sicily ferry service.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, the Gozo Channel ferry to Ċirkewwa is the practical option. If you are travelling without a vehicle, the Gozo Highspeed ferry to Valletta is usually more convenient because it brings you much closer to the Malta–Sicily departure area.

The best route depends on whether you have a vehicle, your Sicily ferry departure time and how much transfer time you have in Malta.

Last Updated: August 2026

Which route should you take from Gozo to Sicily?

🚗 Travelling with a vehicle? ➡️ Take the Gozo Channel ferry from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa, then drive across Malta to the terminal for your Malta–Sicily ferry.

🧳 Travelling without a vehicle? ➡️ Take the Gozo Highspeed ferry from Mġarr to Valletta. This is normally the more convenient option because you arrive much closer to the Malta–Sicily ferry departure area.

🌅 Catching an early Sicily ferry? ➡️ Check both your Gozo crossing and Malta–Sicily departure times before travelling. Very early departures may require using the Gozo Channel or staying in Malta the night before.

Ferry from Gozo to Sicily via Malta showing Gozo Channel, Gozo Highspeed and Malta to Sicily ferry connections.Ferry From Gozo to Sicily via Malta

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✍️ Written by Albert and Benjamin Magro, Malta locals sharing practical advice based on living on and exploring the islands.

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There are two practical ways to begin the journey from Gozo to Sicily: the Gozo Channel ferry to Ċirkewwa or the Gozo Highspeed ferry to Valletta.

The sections below explain which route works best depending on whether you are travelling with a vehicle, how to continue across Malta, and where you connect with your Malta–Sicily ferry.

Gozo to Sicily via the Gozo Channel

Gozo Channel ferry sailing between Gozo and Malta.Gozo Channel ferry crossing Malta waters

If you are travelling from Gozo to Sicily with a car or other vehicle, take the Gozo Channel ferry from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo to Ċirkewwa in Malta. The Gozo Channel is the vehicle-ferry option between Gozo and Malta, carrying both vehicles and foot passengers.

After arriving at Ċirkewwa, you will need to travel across Malta to the departure terminal for your Malta–Sicily ferry. The exact terminal depends on which Sicily ferry operator you are using, so check this before starting your journey from Gozo.

If you are travelling without a vehicle, the Gozo Channel is still possible, but the Gozo Highspeed ferry to Valletta is normally the more convenient option for continuing towards the Malta–Sicily ferry terminals.

Things to Know About This Route

If you are travelling without a car, you can continue from Ċirkewwa by taxi or public bus. A taxi is usually the more convenient option if you are carrying heavy luggage or have a tight connection.

Bus routes 41 and 42 run between Ċirkewwa and Valletta, taking you to Valletta Bus Terminus. From there, you will still need to continue to the departure terminal for your Malta–Sicily ferry, so make sure you allow enough time for this additional transfer.

If your Malta–Sicily ferry leaves very early in the morning, check the Gozo Channel timetable and your onward transport in advance. Gozo Channel operates 24 hours a day, but overnight crossings are less frequent than during the busier parts of the day. 

For foot passengers, the Gozo Channel route is possible, but the Gozo Highspeed ferry to Valletta is normally more convenient because Ċirkewwa is much farther from the Malta–Sicily departure terminals.

If you also need to plan how to reach Mġarr Harbour before your ferry, see our guide to getting around Gozo.

Leave plenty of time between your Gozo crossing and your Sicily ferry. Your total connection time will depend on the ferry departure, traffic, your transport across Malta and the check-in requirements of your Malta–Sicily operator.

Gozo to Sicily via Gozo Highspeed

Gozo Highspeed passenger ferry approaching Valletta harbour.Gozo Highspeed ferry near Valletta

If you are travelling without a vehicle, the Gozo Highspeed ferry is normally the most convenient way to begin your journey from Gozo to Sicily because it takes you directly from Mġarr Harbour to Valletta.

The Gozo Highspeed departure point at Mġarr Harbour is next to the Gozo Channel ferry terminal, making it easy to find when you arrive at the harbour.

The ferry journey from Gozo to Valletta takes approximately 45 minutes.

Once you arrive in Valletta, you can continue to the departure terminal for your Malta–Sicily ferry by walking, taxi or other local transport, depending on which operator you are travelling with.

Because the Malta–Sicily services do not all use the same terminal, check your operator and departure location before leaving Gozo.

Things to Know About This Route

The Gozo Highspeed ferry does not operate throughout the entire night, so check the Gozo Highspeed ferry schedule carefully if your Malta–Sicily ferry leaves early in the morning. The current timetable includes a first Gozo to Valletta departure at around 05:45, although schedules can change.

If you need to reach Malta before the first Gozo Highspeed departure, the Gozo Channel ferry may be the more suitable option, as it operates throughout the night.

The Gozo Highspeed service is for passengers only, so you cannot take a car or other vehicle on this ferry.

If you are travelling with Virtu Ferries, bus route 130 stops in front of the Virtu Passenger Terminal in Marsa. For other Malta–Sicily services, check the departure terminal and the best onward transport before leaving Gozo.

The map below shows both ways to travel from Gozo towards Sicily: via the Gozo Channel to Ċirkewwa and via Gozo Highspeed to Valletta. It also shows the onward connections across Malta to the Malta–Sicily ferry departure points, helping you compare the complete journey at a glance.

Malta–Sicily Ferry Operators and Terminals

Once you reach Malta from Gozo, you need to connect with a separate ferry service to Sicily. There are currently two main options to consider, and the best one depends partly on where in Sicily you want to arrive.

Ferry Operator Departure in Malta Arrival in Sicily Approximate Crossing
Virtu Ferries Virtu Passenger Terminal, Marsa Pozzallo About 1 hr 45 min
Ragusa XPress Grand Harbour, near Valletta Waterfront Marina di Ragusa About 2 hours

Virtu Ferries is the option for Pozzallo, while Ragusa XPress takes you directly to Marina di Ragusa. This difference is important when planning the rest of your Sicily trip, so check which arrival port works best for where you want to go.

Ferry schedules can change depending on the date and season, so always check the current departure time and terminal before leaving Gozo.

Virtu Ferries catamaran sailing into Valletta Grand Harbour.Virtu Ferries catamaran entering Valletta harbour

How Much Connection Time Should You Allow?

When travelling from Gozo to Sicily, do not plan the Gozo ferry and Malta–Sicily ferry as if they are one connection. They are separate services, and you need enough time to cross from Gozo, travel to the correct terminal in Malta and complete check-in for your Sicily ferry.

Your total connection time will depend on which Gozo ferry you take, traffic across Malta, your Sicily ferry operator and its departure time. For this reason, we recommend allowing a generous buffer rather than relying on a fixed Gozo-to-terminal journey time.

Early Morning Departures

Some Malta–Sicily ferries leave very early in the morning. If your departure is before the first convenient Gozo Highspeed service, you may need to use the Gozo Channel overnight service or consider staying in Malta the night before.

Always check both ferry timetables before your travel day, together with your operator's latest check-in requirements.

Book Your Malta–Sicily Ferry

Once you have chosen the route that works best for your trip, you can check Malta–Sicily ferry availability and compare ticket options for your travel dates.

If you are travelling with a vehicle, make sure you select the correct passenger and vehicle details when booking.

Check Malta–Sicily Ferry Availability

Please note: This booking covers the Malta–Sicily ferry only. Your Gozo Channel or Gozo Highspeed ticket must be arranged separately.

Tours From Malta to Sicily

If you prefer an organised day trip instead of arranging the ferry and transport yourself, there are several Malta to Sicily tours available, including trips to Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Marzamemi, Modica and Ragusa.

If you are staying in Gozo, keep in mind that you must first travel to Malta before joining the tour, so very early departures can make this a long day. Check the meeting point and departure time carefully before booking.

For a full overview of the available options, see our guide to Malta to Sicily tours. You can also read our guide on how to tour Sicily if you want help deciding which areas and experiences suit your trip best.

Current tour options may include:

Historic town square and church in Taormina, Sicily.Taormina town square in eastern Sicily

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Albert and Benjamin Magro, local Malta travel writers

We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta’s towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.