“The Gozo ferry” is not one service. The crossing from Ċirkewwa and the fast boats from Malta’s eastern coast solve different journeys. Choose the starting point before comparing sailing times.
Start with what you are carrying
Gozo Channel from Ċirkewwa takes foot passengers and vehicles to Mġarr. It runs around the clock, subject to weather and operational conditions. There is no reservation for a specific sailing: if you drive, allow for a possible queue.
Valletta–Gozo, Sliema–Gozo and Buġibba–Gozo are passenger-only fast-ferry options. They may save you the road trip north to Ċirkewwa, but their final departure and check-in requirements matter. The Sliema service calls at Buġibba on its way to Gozo.
Compare door to door, not boat to boat
A shorter crossing is not necessarily a shorter journey if you must first travel across Malta to reach its terminal. Check the FreeMalta ferry desk for the six routes and your return options. Then confirm the chosen sailing on the operator’s date-specific schedule.