Renting a Car in Malta

What to Know Before You Rent

Renting a car in Malta can give you more freedom to explore, but not every visitor needs one. Whether it is worth renting depends on where you are staying, the places you want to visit and how comfortable you are with driving and parking in Malta.

When Does Renting a Car in Malta Make Sense?

You don't need a car just because Malta is an island. Renting one makes most sense when you want the freedom to visit several places in one day, explore areas away from the main transport routes or avoid relying entirely on public transport.

A rental car may be particularly useful for families, visitors carrying beach equipment or luggage, and travellers planning to explore quieter villages, beaches and more remote parts of Malta. On the other hand, if most of your time will be spent around well-connected areas, you may find buses, ferries and taxis sufficient.

Updated August 2026

Exploring the coast of Malta

What Is Driving a Rental Car in Malta Like?

Malta is small, so a rental car can make it easier to combine several places in one day and change your plans without depending on timetables. The trade-off is that traffic, narrow roads and parking can make driving less convenient in some of the busier parts of the island.

If this is your first time driving here, our guide to driving in Malta covers road rules, left-side driving, parking, speed limits, and what visitors can expect behind the wheel.

On This Page

• Should You Rent a Car in Malta?
• What Car Should You Rent in Malta?
• What Do You Need to Rent a Car in Malta?
• Which Side of the Road Do You Drive On in Malta?
• Car Rental Insurance in Malta
• Deposits, Credit Cards and Excess
• Booking and Picking Up Your Rental Car
• Driving, Parking and Traffic in Malta
• Fuel and Road Charges in Malta
• Taking a Rental Car to Gozo
• Child Seats and Family Car Rental
• Other Practical Things to Know
• Renting a Car in Malta FAQs

Should You Rent a Car in Malta?

A rental car is worth considering if you want more flexibility, easier access to quieter areas and the option to combine several places in one day. It can be particularly convenient if you are travelling as a family, staying outside the main transport hubs or planning to explore beyond the busiest tourist areas.

For example, having a car can make it easier to combine places such as Mdina and Mellieħa with other stops on the same day. However, a car is not essential for every Malta holiday, especially if you are staying in a well-connected area and mainly plan to use buses, ferries or taxis.

What Car Should You Rent?

For most visitors, a small or compact car is the easiest choice in Malta. It is generally easier to manoeuvre through narrow streets and more convenient when looking for parking in busy towns and tourist areas.

You should still choose a vehicle that comfortably fits everyone travelling with you, together with your luggage, pushchairs or beach equipment. Families and larger groups may need more space, but avoid choosing a bigger car than you genuinely need, as this can make parking and narrow streets more awkward.

Woman drives open-top rental car

What Do You Need to Rent a Car in Malta?

Before booking, check the rental company's conditions carefully because age limits, licence requirements, payment rules and other conditions can vary between suppliers and vehicle categories. The requirements shown for one rental car should not be assumed to apply to every company in Malta.

Rental Age and Driving Licence Rules

The minimum age for renting a car in Malta depends on the rental company and the vehicle you choose. Some companies currently accept drivers from age 21, while others set the minimum at 23 or 25. Younger drivers may also have to pay an additional surcharge.

Rental companies also set their own rules for how long you must have held your driving licence. Some require at least one year, while others require two years or longer for particular vehicles. Always check the specific rental conditions for your chosen car before booking rather than assuming the same age and licence rules apply to every company.

Which Side of the Road Do You Drive On in Malta?

In Malta and Gozo, we drive on the left-hand side of the road, as in the UK. Rental cars are normally right-hand drive, so visitors coming from countries where they drive on the right may need a little time to adjust.

If this is unfamiliar to you, allow yourself some time to get comfortable with the car before heading into busier areas. Always follow posted road signs and speed limits, as limits can vary by road.

Busy roads weave through Malta

Car Rental Insurance in Malta

Don't choose a rental car based on price alone without checking what protection is included. The cover provided with the basic rental rate, the amount you could be liable for and the optional protection available can differ between rental companies and vehicles.

Pay particular attention to the excess or deductible. This is the amount you may remain responsible for if the rental car is damaged or stolen, subject to the rental conditions. Additional protection may reduce this liability, but check exactly what is and isn't covered before paying for it.

If you buy separate Full Coverage through a booking platform such as Discover Cars, it may not remove the security deposit the rental company requires when you collect the car. Read both the booking-platform coverage terms and the rental supplier's conditions so you understand how a claim would work.

Deposits, Credit Cards and Excess

Before choosing a rental car, check the security deposit and excess as carefully as the daily rental price. Amounts can vary widely between rental companies and vehicle categories, so a cheaper-looking car may come with conditions that don't suit you.

Also check which payment card you must present when you collect the car. Some suppliers require a physical credit card in the main driver's name, while others may accept certain debit cards. Make sure the card has enough available funds for any required deposit and that the name matches the main driver on the booking.

Remember that the security deposit and insurance excess are not the same thing. The deposit is an amount the rental company holds or charges as security, while the excess is the amount you may remain liable for under the rental agreement if something happens to the vehicle.

Booking and Picking Up Your Rental Car

Once you have decided that a rental car suits your trip, compare more than the headline price. Before you book, check the pick-up location, rental conditions, fuel policy, mileage allowance, deposit, excess, and accepted payment cards.

If you are collecting the car after a flight, also check the rental desk opening hours and what happens if your flight is delayed. If you are still organising your journey to the islands, our guide to getting to Malta covers the main ways of arriving. Keep your rental booking confirmation and make sure the main driver brings the documents and payment card required by the rental company.

If you want to see how we compare rental options ourselves and what we check before booking, read our Discover Cars Malta review.

Driving, Parking and Traffic in Malta

Road conditions vary across Malta. Main roads are generally straightforward to drive, but you will also encounter narrow village streets, uneven surfaces and roads where passing or parking requires more care. A smaller rental car can make these situations easier.

Be particularly alert for pedestrians crossing in busy towns, villages and residential areas, including places where there may not be a pedestrian crossing immediately nearby.

Parking is one of the main disadvantages of renting a car, particularly in busy towns, popular visitor areas and during peak times. Allow extra time to find a space and always check local signs and road markings before leaving the car.

Traffic can also build up considerably at certain times of day. If you are unfamiliar with Malta's roads, drive defensively, leave enough space and avoid rushing simply because other drivers appear to be in a hurry. A rental car gives you flexibility, but it will not always be the quickest option for every journey.

Parked cars line Valletta street

Fuel and Road Charges in Malta

You will find petrol stations around Malta and Gozo, so refuelling a rental car is generally straightforward. Check whether your rental car takes petrol or diesel before filling up.

Also check the fuel policy in your rental agreement. You may be expected to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had when you collected it, and failing to do so can result in additional charges.

Malta and Gozo have no conventional toll roads. However, Valletta has a Controlled Vehicular Access system where charges can apply depending on when you enter and how long the vehicle remains within the charging zone. If you plan to drive into Valletta, check how your rental company handles any CVA charge.

Taking a Rental Car to Gozo

You can take many rental cars from Malta across to the island of Gozo, but check your rental company's conditions before travelling. Some suppliers specifically allow their cars on the Gozo ferry, but don't assume every rental agreement has the same conditions.

The Gozo Channel ferry carries cars between Ċirkewwa in Malta and Mġarr in Gozo. The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes, and the service operates daily. Check the current ferry schedule before travelling.

If you only want a car while exploring Gozo, you can also travel without a vehicle and rent one there. This is an option if you don't want to drive throughout your stay in Malta but still want the flexibility of a car for exploring Gozo.

Gozo Channel ferry crosses sea

Child Seats and Family Car Rental

If you are renting a car with children, make sure you arrange the correct child seat before you collect the vehicle. Don't assume a suitable seat will automatically be included with the rental.

Malta requires children to use appropriate restraint systems, with the exact rules depending on factors such as the child's age, size and where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children under three must travel using an appropriate child restraint system.

You can check the full current requirements in Transport Malta's child car seat guidance. If you are hiring a child seat from the rental company, confirm its availability when booking rather than waiting until collection.

Other Practical Things to Know

If you are planning a visit to the Blue Lagoon on Comino, your rental car will only take you as far as your boat departure point. Comino is visited by passenger ferry or boat, so plan where you will leave the car before travelling across.

Speed cameras operate on a number of roads in Malta, so always follow the posted limits rather than relying on what other drivers are doing. You can see more practical information in our guide to speed cameras in Malta.

Weather can occasionally affect driving conditions, particularly during periods of rain or strong winds. Allow more time, reduce your speed when conditions require it and take extra care on unfamiliar roads. For seasonal conditions before your trip, see our Malta weather guide.

Renting a Car in Malta FAQs

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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.