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 International Airport (MLA): at Luqa, in the south-east of the main island, a few kilometres from Valletta and about 20–30 minutes from most resorts.
Why Rent a Car at Malta Airport
Malta is only about 27 km long, so everything on the main island is within roughly 45 minutes of the airport. Buses are cheap but can be slow and crowded in summer, and taxis add up over several days. A car gives you freedom for beaches, temples, cliffs and the Gozo ferry, which public transport reaches only slowly.
Our advice: if you plan to stay in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's and mostly walk, rent only for the days you go out. The airport is the easiest place to start because you leave the congested centres behind at once; ask the agency about hotel delivery if you prefer.
Drive Times from MLA
Times are approximate and change a lot with the hour and the season; use a live navigation app for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta | ~6–8 km | 15–30 min |
| Sliema | ~10 km | 20–40 min |
| St Julian's | ~10–12 km | 20–40 min |
| Mdina | ~10–12 km | 20–30 min |
| Bugibba / St Paul's Bay | ~20 km | 30–45 min |
| Ċirkewwa (Gozo ferry) | ~25 km | about 35–50 min |
| Marsaxlokk | ~6 km | about 15 min |
Picking Up at MLA: Meeting Points and Late Arrivals
How the car is handed over depends on the agency: some meet you in the arrivals area, some at a nearby yard with a shuttle, and many will deliver to a hotel. Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and do not rely on a named counter unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number. Many flights land at night and the island is small, so confirm any out-of-hours fee before you book.
Late arrival? Many international flights land late at night. Give the provider your flight number, confirm the meeting point and any out-of-hours fee, and check that the phone number on your voucher answers messages.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (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 the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
What Affects the Price of a Rental at MLA
We do not quote a fixed price here, because rates for the same car change with dates and availability. Look at the live search for your exact days. The main factors:
- Season: July to September is the hottest and busiest period and the dearest; spring and autumn are milder and usually cheaper, and winter is quiet with some rain
- Car class: an automatic SUV or pick-up costs clearly more than a compact car
- Rental length: weekly and longer rentals usually lower the daily rate
- Insurance level: full coverage adds a daily amount but often removes the deposit
- Pick-up and return place: airport and out-of-hours pick-up, delivery and one-way returns can carry fees
When you compare, look at the total with full coverage, not the base rate alone.
Malta Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Fines, parking and any access charges are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Left-Hand Driving, Roundabouts and Fuel
Malta drives on the left, so the first roundabout out of the airport is often the hardest moment for visitors from the right-hand side. Take your time, keep to the left lane after each junction and use navigation with lane guidance. Roads around Luqa and the main arterial routes are wider than in the old towns, but potholes and sudden stops are common. Fuel stations can be fewer than you expect and some close early on Sundays, so refill before you head to the north or to the ferry, and return the car with the fuel level in the agreement.
Driving Near MLA: Roads and Habits
The main roads around the airport are busy at commuting hours and on summer evenings. Local drivers can be fast and assertive, and buses and delivery vans stop without warning. In the old towns, lanes are narrow and some are one-way; use navigation but trust the road signs where they conflict.
- Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK; look right when pulling out and take roundabouts clockwise
- Roads are narrow, steep and congested, and local driving can be fast and assertive; keep a safe gap and do not be hurried
- Speed limits are signed (typically 50 km/h in built-up areas and higher on main roads); speed cameras and police checks exist
- Strict drink-driving rules — the safest approach is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- Parking bays in white, yellow and blue have different rules; read the signs and ask your hotel, because fines and towing are real
- Do not take the car off the paved road, onto rocky tracks or to beach edges: insurance is not valid there
- The rental car must stay on the islands; taking it on the Gozo ferry needs the agency's permission
Best Day Trips from Malta Airport by Car
Car Rental at Other Malta Pick-Up Points
If your trip starts elsewhere, pick up closer to your first night and save a long drive after landing.