Car Hire Malta International Airport (MLA)

If you are driving in Malta for the first time, make sure you familiarise yourself with the Malta driving rules before picking up your car. Malta is a small island and so traffic can get busy at peak times. Some key road rules in Malta include driving on the left, as in the UK and overtaking on the right. Dipped headlights must be always used. While hands-free mobile phone devices are allowed, they must be integrated with the car's controls and the driver must not touch the mobile device. It is forbidden to use the car horn in a built-up area between 11pm and 6am unless in danger.

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Malta?

The minimum age to rent a car with Avis in Malta is 21. Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.

There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, licence for at least 1 year. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return. When you book, you’ll be told if there are any maximum age restrictions for the vehicle you request. If you’re not sure, please check your booking confirmation email – or call the reservations team. 

What documents do I need to hire a car in Malta?

To hire a car in Malta, you just need to bring your:

• Driving licence
• The credit card used to make your booking (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
• Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred card),
• Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence) taken in the last 10 years.

Can I pick up my rental car in Malta and return it to another location?

One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car from Malta Airport and then return it to another Avis office in Malta. Many of our Avis locations offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.

Is it worth hiring a car at Malta Airport?

Malta Airport is the only international airport in the country and the gateway to the island making it the ideal place to begin your hire car journey on Malta so you can save time and can head straight to your destination.

Renting a car at Malta International Airport gives you the freedom of independent travel as well as the opportunity to plan a Maltese road trip.

The Avis team at Malta Airport are experts on Malta and the surrounding area and can offer advice on the best routes to take and make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

What is parking like in Malta?

Parking in Malta includes a range of options including central car parks and on-street parking, which is chargeable. Parking in major centres like Valletta can be difficult at peak times and so the best option is to find parking on the edge of town.

You can discover more details of zones and parking options from the island’s government.

From the Avis car park at Malta Airport to the centre of the island’s capital Valletta is a 8.8km drive of around 20-minute via Triq Giuseppe. Head northeast from the airport and take Route 6 following signs to the centre of the city.

With every street offering a glimpse of its historic past, Valletta is like a museum. Grandmaster’s Palace in Palace Square is the Office of the President, and its staterooms and Armoury are open to the public.

If you’re an art lover, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Archaeology have plenty to offer, with a regular programme of art, sculpture and ceramic exhibitions.

Those in search of gastronomy will find plenty of choice with a fine selection of cafes and restaurants serving both Italian and Mediterranean inspired cuisine, including fresh fish, seafood and pasta dishes.

Just a short drive from Valletta (via Triq Dicembru 13) is Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This is an extraordinary series of underground burial chambers cut into solid rock that have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino make up the Maltese archipelago and between them offer the complete package: beach life, culture and history. From the monuments and palaces of Valletta to the dive sites of Camino, Malta offers much to explore.

Gozo

By hire car, the island of Gozo can be reached in just under an hour and a half via the Cirkewwa-Mgarr route, which includes a short ferry crossing. More rugged and rural than Malta, Gozo is ideal for those looking for rest and relaxation. Several scuba diving sites are here too, as well as a range of historical landmarks and forts. Visit Ggantija, Malta’s best preserved prehistoric temple during your visit. For some fine examples of medieval fortified towns, head to Gozo’s Medina and Cittadella. The latter has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.

Bugibba, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay

Those in search of laid-back beach life will find it in abundance in Buggiba, one of Malta’s most popular resorts – just a 30-minute drive from Malta International Airport. Stretching along St Paul’s Bay, it offers plenty of nightlife options, including a cinema and selection of watersports. You’ll find a wide range of restaurants and cafes in Bugibba offering both national and international cuisine. The neighbouring resort of Qawra boasts similar attractions, and both have several diving centres.