Everything you need to know before collecting your hire car at Malta International Airport (MLA). For live prices and availability, visit our car hire booking page.
Yes — Malta is one of Europe’s most affordable car hire destinations. Economy cars start from £4/day. The average across all 56 cars on our partner platform is £14/day — well below the European average. January is cheapest at around £9/day. Even in August (peak season), prices average only £23/day. All cars include unlimited mileage at no extra cost.
January is the cheapest month at around £9/day. Winter months (November through February) offer the best value at £9–12/day, with pleasant temperatures around 15–18°C. August is peak at £23/day due to summer holiday demand. Unlike many European destinations, Malta maintains relatively stable prices throughout the year.
Book 2–3 weeks ahead for the best rate at MLA. For July and August travel, book 4–6 weeks ahead as availability tightens. Malta is one of Europe’s busiest summer destinations and the 56 car hire companies serve high demand from British, Italian and German tourists.
Airport pick-up is generally the most convenient and competitively priced option. City pick-up in Valletta is available from £10/day but requires a transfer from the airport first. Unless you’re arriving into Valletta directly, picking up at MLA saves time and is often the same price or cheaper.
By Google rating: Enterprise Malta (4.8★, 391 reviews), Alamo (4.6★, 238 reviews), Drifter Cabs & Car Hire (4.5★, 1100 reviews), Malta Car Hire Low Deposit (4.4★), Aquarius Rent A Car (4.3★, 698 reviews) and Greenmotion (4.3★, 1000 reviews). International brands Hertz-Thrifty (2.8★) and Goldcar (permanently closed) score much lower.
All major car hire companies (Enterprise, Alamo, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Greenmotion, Budget, Sixt and others) have desks inside the MLA arrivals hall. The desks form a long counter in the arrivals area — you can see them as you exit customs. The return car park is a 2-minute walk from the departures terminal.
Booking online in advance is nearly always cheaper than walk-up rates at the desk. Pre-booked rates through comparison platforms are typically 20–40% lower than counter prices. Book early for the best rate and to guarantee availability, particularly for July and August travel.
Most companies at MLA require a credit card for the security deposit. However, 7 cars on our partner platform accept debit card (no credit card needed) — filter by “No credit card” when searching. Malta Car Hire Low Deposit (4.4★) specialises in low-deposit rentals and is highly rated.
You need a full driving licence, passport and a credit card. UK driving licences are accepted — no International Driving Permit is required. A digital voucher on your phone is sufficient — no printing needed. The minimum age at most companies is 21; some charge a young driver fee for under 25s.
Yes — a hire car is the best way to explore Malta. The island is only 27 km long and 14 km wide but has hundreds of historic villages, beaches and viewpoints that are difficult to reach by bus. With a hire car, you can visit Mdina, the Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk fishing village, Mellieha Bay and take the car ferry to Gozo. It’s affordable, convenient and gives you complete flexibility.
Yes — Malta drives on the left side of the road, the same as the UK. Road signs are in English (one of Malta’s two official languages). Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 80 km/h on main roads. There are no motorways, no toll roads, and no congestion charges on the island.
Yes — the car ferry from Cirkewwa (northern Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo) takes vehicles. Most hire car insurance policies cover the ferry crossing, but confirm with your rental company when collecting the car. The ferry takes about 25 minutes and runs every 45–60 minutes throughout the day.
A small economy car (Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10) is the best choice for Malta. Roads are narrow — especially in historic towns like Mdina, Birgu and Marsaxlokk — and parking is tight. A compact car is much easier to manoeuvre and park than an SUV. All 56 cars on our platform include unlimited mileage, so cost-per-km is not a factor.
MLA is 6 km south of Valletta — about 15–20 minutes by car. The airport is centrally located on the island: Valletta is northeast, Mdina is northwest (20 minutes), the Blue Grotto is south (10 minutes), and Mellieha Bay is northwest (35 minutes). The Cirkewwa ferry to Gozo is 45 minutes from the airport.