VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Malta: an island country in the central Mediterranean, south of Sicily, with one international airport at Luqa and a short ferry link to Gozo.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in Malta?
It depends on where you stay. Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's are walkable, and buses and taxis cover short trips, but buses can be slow and crowded in summer. A rental car gives you freedom for beaches, temples, cliffs and the Gozo ferry. Roads, however, are narrow, steep and congested, and parking in the resorts is scarce, so rent for the days you go out rather than for the whole stay.
Because the island is small, you rarely need a big car; a compact car is easier on narrow streets and in tight parking. Distances are short: the airport to Valletta is about 6–8 km, to Sliema or St Julian's about 10–12 km and to Ċirkewwa for the Gozo ferry roughly 25 km, but traffic can double the time.
Where to Go: Car Rental by Airport and City
Pick the airport or city closest to where your trip starts. Each page lists pick-up options, drive times and local driving notes.
Airport Car Rental in Malta: Where to Pick Up
Malta has a single international airport, so the real choice is where to collect and where the car will be parked at night. Many resort hotels have little or no parking, so ask before you book.
| Pick-up area | From MLA | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta | ~6–8 km | The capital and the harbour |
| Sliema and St Julian's | ~10–12 km | Resorts and nightlife |
| Mdina | ~10–12 km | The centre and the west |
| Bugibba and St Paul's Bay | ~20 km | The north and the Gozo ferry |
| Ċirkewwa | ~25 km | The Gozo ferry |
How the hand-over works depends on the agency: some meet you in the arrivals hall or the car park, some use a nearby yard and a shuttle, and many deliver to a hotel. The search lets you choose with the "Specify location" option, and your voucher shows the manager's phone number and the meeting point. Many flights land late at night, so give the provider your flight number and confirm any out-of-hours fee.
No-Deposit Car Rental in Malta: How It Really Works
A deposit is the amount a rental company blocks on your card until you return the car undamaged. Many agencies block it on a credit card. With basic insurance the excess — the part of any damage you pay yourself — can be large, so the deposit is large too. "No deposit" does not mean "no insurance": it usually means you buy a higher level of cover, and the provider then has far less to protect.
What the Search Filters Mean
The booking search lets you filter by the terms that matter most:
- No deposit — nothing is blocked on your card. Usually tied to full insurance
- Low deposit — a small hold, common on economy cars
- No credit card — the provider accepts another payment method for the deposit and the rental; the exact method is on the car card
- Full insurance — the higher cover level that cuts the excess to zero or close to it
- Free cancellation and unlimited mileage — shown on the car card, so you can check before you book
What Full Coverage Usually Does Not Include
Even with full coverage, local agencies typically exclude tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage, lost keys and any damage on unpaved or off-road surfaces. Fines, tolls and parking charges are not insurance matters at all: the agency bills them to you after the rental. Read the exclusions on the car card, not only the headline.
Parking, Access Charges and Traffic Fines
The main island has no motorway tolls, so costs on the road are mostly parking, fuel and fines. Parking bays use different colours and rules, and enforcement is active in resorts and near Valletta; read the signs, and ask your hotel what applies. Valletta may have a vehicle access scheme with a charge for entering the city by car; rules change, so ask the agency whether it applies to your rental. Police and cameras issue fines, and a fine can reach the agency weeks after you have left; the agency will charge it to you, usually with a handling fee.
Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Malta
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least one year; minimum age is typically 21 (some agencies ask for 23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- Valid driving licence from your home country; depending on where it was issued, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be requested by the agency, so confirm what you need before you travel — rules for non-EU licences can change
- Passport and proof of entry as required
- The booking voucher, and a payment method that matches the offer
Driving in Malta: Rules and Road Conditions
Rules in Short
- Traffic drives on the left; seatbelts are compulsory, and children need a suitable child seat
- Speed limits are signed — typically 50 km/h in built-up areas and higher on main roads; cameras and police checks exist
- Strict drink-driving rules — the safest approach is zero alcohol before driving
- Do not use a handheld phone
- Parking bays in white, yellow and blue follow different rules; yellow markings generally mean no parking, so read the signs
Road Conditions
Main roads are paved, but traffic is dense and roads are narrow, with potholes, sudden stops and steep hills in the old towns. Local drivers can be fast and assertive, and buses and delivery vans block lanes. Parking is the main constraint, especially in Sliema, St Julian's and Valletta. At night, lighting is patchy on some rural roads. Heavy winter rain can flood low streets, and summer heat is intense.
Off-Road and Border Rules
- Insurance is not valid off-road, on rocky tracks or at beach edges, even with full coverage
- Do not drive onto cliff paths or unpaved coastal tracks
- A rental car stays on the islands: taking it on the Gozo ferry needs the agency's permission
- Rental cars cannot be taken to Sicily or other countries by sea
Which Car to Rent in Malta
Popular Road Trips by Car
When Is the Best Time to Rent a Car in Malta?
Malta has a Mediterranean climate. July to September is hot, busy and the dearest, with crowded beaches and tight parking. April to June and late September to October are milder and easier for driving and sightseeing. Winter is quiet with some rain and wind, and ferry sailings can be disrupted in rough seas.
Photograph the Car at Pick-Up
Check the body and interior with the agent present, film or photograph every scratch and make sure each one is written in the acceptance document. This is your best protection against a damage claim when you return the car. Do the same at return, including the fuel gauge and the odometer.
Local Agencies or International Chains?
Local agencies listed through comparison services often offer lower prices, flexible pick-up and a wider choice of no-deposit and no-credit-card terms. International brands are present at the main airports, but they usually charge more and require a credit card. For most travellers a well-reviewed local agency with a real-photo car card, clear insurance terms and free cancellation is good value. Compare the full-insurance total, not only the base rate.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the cheapest base rate and finding a large deposit at the desk — compare the all-in price with full coverage
- Forgetting to drive on the left and to look right at junctions
- Parking on yellow lines or in a bay marked for others
- Driving into Valletta or Mdina without checking the access rules
- Taking the car on the Gozo ferry without the agency's permission
- Not photographing the car at pick-up and return
- Ignoring fines — they are billed to you after the rental
- Driving off the tarmac: insurance does not apply