Valletta car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Valletta
The best car rental companies in Valletta are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €25/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 8%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Valletta
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Mayjo Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €150Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Mayjo Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Valletta
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €25 | Fiat Panda | 4 |
| Compact | €29 | VW Polo | 4 |
| Midsize | €36 | Toyota Corolla | 5 |
| SUV | €45 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | VW Touran | 7 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Valletta
Airport — Malta International Airport (MLA)
Malta's only airport sits near Luqa, about 20 minutes south of Valletta; nearly every rental company has an on-site or shuttle-connected counter here.
Downtown — Valletta / Floriana area
Local desks near the Valletta bus terminus and Floriana suit visitors basing themselves in the capital who want a car mainly for island day trips.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~8% of base rate | MLA airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border restriction (Gozo) | Usually not permitted — hire separately on Gozo | Taking the car across on the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry |
| Excess reduction / CDW top-up | €8–15/day | Lowering the standard deposit-linked excess |
| Refundable deposit | €200–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Valletta
- Malta is one of the few countries in the EU where you drive on the LEFT side of the road — a legacy of British rule, and the single most important thing for visiting drivers to remember.
- There is no motorway vignette or toll system in Malta — all roads are free to drive.
- Valletta's historic core is dense, walled, and largely pedestrianized, with narrow, steep streets and very limited parking — most visitors park just outside the gates or in the Park & Ride near Floriana.
- Malta International Airport (MLA) is the country's only airport, roughly 20 minutes' drive from Valletta.
- The islands are small and roads can be congested, especially around Sliema, St Julian's, and the Valletta approaches during rush hour.
- To reach the sister island of Gozo, most rental cars cannot cross on the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry — visitors typically rent a separate car on Gozo itself.
- Roundabouts are common and, combined with left-hand driving, take some adjustment for visitors used to driving on the right.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Valletta
Do you need a car in Valletta?
Not for the compact, walkable old city itself, but a car is very useful for exploring the rest of Malta — beaches, Mdina, and the south coast — since public transport can be slow.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malta?
The left, one of the few EU countries where this is the case. Take extra care at roundabouts if you're used to right-hand driving.
Is there a toll or vignette in Malta?
No — Malta has no motorway tolls or vignette system, so there are no extra road fees beyond fuel and parking.
Can I take a rental car to Gozo?
Usually not with a Malta-based rental — most companies restrict cars from the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry. Rent a separate car on Gozo if you're island-hopping.
Is parking difficult in Valletta?
Yes, the walled old town has very limited on-street parking. Most visitors use the Park & Ride facilities near Floriana just outside the city gates.
How far is Malta International Airport from Valletta?
About 20 minutes by car, making airport pickup the most convenient option for most visitors.
What is the cheapest car type in Valletta?
Economy cars like a Fiat Panda start around €25/day, well suited to Malta's narrow streets and small parking spaces.
