What to Expect Driving and Renting a Car in Malta

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There are so many good things to see in Malta, especially if you want to scuba dive like we did last winter.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace, visit hidden coves, and get to dive sites that are otherwise hard to access.

It can also be quite affordable.

If it’s your first time driving in Malta, there are a few things to know that can make or break the experience especially when it comes to rental car insurance.

Let’s get started.

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Where to Rent a Car in Malta

You’ll land at Valletta Airport, which is also where you’ll pick up your car. There are several companies available, and you can compare them in advance. I always recommend Discover Cars as a booking platform. Their site is easy to use, they include all taxes and fees upfront, and you can add full insurance coverage at a decent price.

I use and compare prices for car rentals, with Discovercars.com. It is a giant rental and comparison site on the market and it has a lot of perks that make sense if you travel often.

Once you head to Discover Cars, you’ll find an easy search engine to filter by location, dates and pick up location.

Tip: Always check a few different pick up locations when booking a rental car.

When Renting a Car in Malta Doesn’t Make Sense

That said, you don’t always need a car. If you’re only in Malta for a few days and plan to stay mostly in Valletta or nearby, then renting a car might be more hassle than it’s worth.

Valletta is compact, walkable, and well-connected by bus and ferry. Parking in the city is limited and expensive, and the roads are often clogged, even in the off-season.

If you’re just planning one or two trips outside the city—maybe to Mdina or Marsaxlokk—you’re honestly better off grabbing a taxi or a Bolt. The cost will be about the same as renting for a few days, and you won’t have to worry about navigating traffic, finding parking, or stressing over scratches.

Save the rental for when you really want to explore the rest of the island or hop over to Gozo.

General Tips for Renting a Car in Malta

If you do decide to rent a car, here are a few tips I’ve picked up that will make your life easier:

1. Use DiscoverCars to compare options.

I always recommend DiscoverCars because it lets you filter for exactly what you want—automatic, compact, low deposit, top-rated providers, and more. It’s one of the few platforms that lists both international names (like Sixt or Hertz) and local companies, so you can compare pricing and policies in one place.

2. Don’t just book the cheapest deal.

I know, those $5-a-day offers look tempting. But trust me—sometimes that low price hides a world of headaches. Older cars, weird hidden fees, massive deposits, or poor customer service can turn that “deal” into a regret real fast.

3. Filter by providers rated 8+.

This is my go-to rule. Providers with higher ratings are far less likely to cancel your booking last-minute, give you a car in poor condition, or nickel and dime you when you return it. I always check recent reviews too, just to see how people were treated in the last few months.

4. Consider your payment method and deposit.

Some rental companies allow prepayment online, which I prefer. Others require a credit card in the driver’s name and may block a hefty deposit. If you’re under 25, or don’t have a credit card, make sure you’re booking with a company that accommodates your situation. I’ve added more detail on this in the next section, since this can make or break your trip.

5. Check your insurance options early.

I’ll say this again and again: get full coverage. Either through DiscoverCars, your credit card, or a third-party policy. It’s worth every cent. Our own scratch fiasco taught us that the hard way. I’ve used them in 4 countries so far and this was the first I made this mistake.

Why You Should Always Get Full Coverage

We made a huge mistake last time and skipped the full coverage for no good reason, other than the fact that we were being careless. We had rented through Discover Cars, but decided not to check the insurance box. Our logic was: we’ll be careful, what could go wrong?

Well. We were careful. In fact, we were proud of ourselves for how careful we were. Not a scratch during five days of driving, tight parking, and narrow alleyways.

Then came the ferry.

We were parked and waiting for the boat to depart when another driver attempted to squeeze in beside us. He ended up hitting the right side of the car. Not once, but twice. While we were sitting inside it.

We jumped out, spoke to him, and he immediately took responsibility. He was kind and apologetic, gave us all his details, and told us not to worry. It wasn’t our fault.

We contacted the rental company and were told that since he admitted responsibility, it would all be fine but we needed to file a police report.

So we spent the day before New Year’s Eve at a police station, reporting the incident. We followed up multiple times to see how things would proceed.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter.

Because we had no full coverage, the car rental company charged us a hefty repair fee. Even though we were not at fault, even though we filed the report, even though we did everything right.

The only reason we didn’t lose a thousand euros is because the other driver was an incredibly decent person and transferred us the full amount of the repair costs voluntarily.

Lesson learned: get the full coverage.

Always read the fine print! Discover Cars offers a Full Coverage option when booking, which protects your deductible and includes:

Damage or theft
Towing and breakdown assistance
Lost keys and related expenses
Cost: Usually around €5–€10 per day, depending on the car.
The deposit: Even with full coverage, the rental company will place a hold on your credit card — often between €900–€1000. You can also filter by companies that have very low deposits though!
How it works: If damage occurs, the company deducts the amount from your deposit. Then you file a claim with Discover Cars to get reimbursed.

What Else to Expect When Driving in Malta

Malta drives on the left side of the road, which may take some getting used to.
The roads are often narrow, especially in the older areas and small towns.
Traffic in peak season is known to be hectic, but even in winter, drivers can be aggressive and space is tight.
There are a lot of roundabouts. A lot.
Signage is decent, but not always consistent.
Parking can be a challenge in popular areas. Be ready to circle the block a few times.
Google Maps works fine for most places, but bring a bit of patience along with your GPS.

If you’re used to driving in places like Italy or Greece, you’ll probably be fine. But if you’re a nervous driver or unsure about the local driving habits, it might be better to stay central and use taxis or the ferry.