Hi,

You should easily find a spot to park opposite or very nearby to your hotel. Parking is mainly a problem in Sliema and Valletta so I would recommend that when you go to these places then take the bus which is easy and cheap.

If you visit any of the other beaches then you may find a car parking attendant. Do not pay him any more than 50 cents. Also be careful where you park i.e not near any corners or you will get a fine or on any tow zones which are hard to know just exactly where they are. If in doubt ask a local. Always turn your mirrors in when parked and try not to park too near another vehicle.

Another good piece of advice is that the locals don't like being behind a tourist car and will overtake you no matter what the danger! Also don't presume that you have right of way on any junction or roundabout. It appears that the biggest vehicle has that right!

We have always hired a car and up to now (touch wood) have not received any fines.

Hope you have a nice holiday

and I thought the Italians were bad

Thanks for that, it was really parking which concerned me, were definatly get a bus to velletta i think besides those old buses look like an adventure inthemselves.

the buses are really cheap and an experience!!

If you got stuck the island is that small I bet you could get a taxi back to your hotel for less than the price of a car.

We like to get about when we're on holiday but I think a car would be too much hassle - I would always be worrying about parking etc - like yourself.

Hi PinkGlow,

If you decide to hire a car look up Sundrive Car Rentals, in Qwara. Their webpage is,

http://www.sundrive.com.mt

We have used them several times and have been pleased with their charges and service. As I've told others always pay the extra collision/damage waiver, which costs Lm2 or Lm3 extra a day but is well worth it for peace of mind, so that you don't finish up paying out an incredible excess if you do have an incident!

Trev

We found the local drivers were dreadful, a lot of very experienced drivers I know (I am not a driver) say they would never drive in Malta, the buses are very cheap but can be very dirty as quite often do not have any doors and windows, there an experience,
Hope you enjoy your holiday be it on foot, bus, or car.
pojo

I love driving in Malta

Always get a 4x4 (to get to the dive sites )

just beaware that they drive like Michael
but tend to go in the shade
some cars are so old they are museum pieces but they are in front of you

we used the buses, very bouncy and very ancient, but great fun.....
the locals looked to manic behind the wheel!

hi there if you do stay at the luna can you please post when you get back as iv booked 2 weeks there in august....oh and by the way hahaha iv also hired a car....i have been to malta 4 times before so i know what im in for but i love it...adds to the charm.....but never stayed at the luna,,,soo plz let me know....................thanx.cheryl

I enjoyed driving in Malta but stayed away from Valetta, we didn't have any problems anywhere else and took the car over to Gozo on the ferry. What I liked most was being able to access the other side of the island, ancient sites and tiny bays, lovely. We couldn't get a car or jeep one year as it was election time and they were all hired out to the locals to drive around in, we ended up with their ancient minibus which was great because we took another family out with us who were only there for the weekend and showed them the best the island has to offer. There used to only be one set of traffic lights on the island, are there more now?

no, still only one set of traffic lights here in Gozo ! Its about the only place in Gozo you can predict what a local driver will do !

there is a saying in malta about driving,

"he who beeps loudest on the horn, has right of way"

I have been to Malta many times and hired a car with my ex boyfriend. He had no problem driving in Malta and I really enjoyed navigating. I know the island very well and am really tempted to hire a car when we go in May but the thought of driving myself terrifies me but I really want to do it. Does anyone have any tips or hints about Maltese driving....I get so confused at their roundabouts....they seem to get in totally different lanes for the exit they want to take. Would I be right in saying that the main driving skills in Malta seem to be mindreading other road uses and constant use of the horn!

Hi Jo,

Fear not! If you can drive in the UK with the kind of nutters we have on the road here then you'll have absolutely no problem in Malta. Most Maltese drive reasonably well when you're amongst them on the road and in any case their speed limits are quite low which coupled with the state of the roads and speed cameras, means that they don't really drive that fast.

I'm certainly not the best driver in the world but I enjoy driving there. Just be aware that they do odd things like undertaking in places where you wouldn't think they would ie have your wits about you - and you'll be fine!

Trev

These refer to Gozo rather than Malta

1. driving too slowly !
2. stopping for a chat with the driver coming in the opposite direction and 3. blocking the road(generally accepted as long as no more than one minute)
4. when turning right, veering to the left first (as many peoples first driving experience is driving rotivators with a big wheel base - you think I'm joking, but you wait !) - could explain what you said about roundabouts !
5. If after 10pm at night, nearly every driver is way over the alcohol limit
6. no use of indicators unless by mistake, and then could be left on for days
7. often one headlight not working
8. no use of horn except to say hi to someone
9. when parking in the street, parking on the side of the road closest to where you want to be rather than on the same side as everyone else, creating a slalom course

Hi Jo'

Those points from Mark are also very valid for drivers in Malta Yes you are quite right about them being in the wrong lanes at roundabouts but so long as you expect them to be then you should be okay. Also do not expect them all to stop and give way at the roudabouts. Some drivers going onto the roundabout are still of the opinion that they have right of way.
Another thing to be wary of will be the fact that you will have a car hire number plate on your vehicle. I have noticed that a lot of Maltese do not like to be driving behind any vehicle that has such a number plate and they will overtake at all costs. This includes bus drivers

Thank you all so much for your brilliant tips, I'll print them off and take them with me. It would be brilliant to drive in Gozo as probably a bit quieter but don't know if I'll have the nerve to drive onto the ferry (sorry I'm such a wimp!
m&n you are write about the numberplates, every hire car has a plate identifying it as such and the Maltese treat these drivers with disdain.... as told to me by my Maltese friend. Her drivings great, but her boyfriends is scary. I'm definitely going to do it.... will let you know how I get on..
Any more thoughts, just let me know, cheers Jo

Hi there, (oops, emotions not working so pretend that I am waving) Where are the traffic lights on Gozo, I can't seem to recall any. Bearing in mind that this is the person that went the wrong way down one way streets in Gozo, the locals found it most amusing and didn't show any anger, it was as if it was expected of a 'woman' driver! I don't like driving in Uk but i don't mind at all in Malta and Gozo. Go for it :-)

Hi Charliegirl

the only set of traffic lights in Gozo are on the road from the harbour to Victoria, near Xewkija, and just before the main football ground.

The most important thing youu should watch out for is WARDENS! they are ready to pounce on you to fine you! They are NOT police. They have a green uniform.