Ferry or Dgħajsa?
Ferry terminal in Cospicua (Bormla)
Crossing from Valletta to the Three Cities
In most cities a boat ride across a historic harbour can be expensive. In the Grand Harbour it is not. If you are in Valletta and you want to explore Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua or Kalkara, the ferry and the dgħajsa (Maltese for gondola) are the fastest and most relaxed ways of transport. And they are way cheaper than a Bolt.
Passenger coming off the dgħajsa at Birgu waterfront
| Option | One-Way Cost (2026) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta Ferry | €1.50 (Day) €3.50 (Night after 19:30) Free with Resident Card |
7 Minutes Modern catamaran. Fixed schedule. Includes free Barrakka Lift ticket. |
| Dgħajsa (Gondola) | €3.00 (Per person, cash only) |
5 Minutes Small wooden boat. Leaves on demand. Authentic harbour experience. |
The ferry and the gondola depart from the exact same spot at the Valletta waterfront. However, their destinations in the Three Cities are different. The gondola drops passengers off in Birgu (at the roundabout near St. Lawrence Church), while the catamaran ferry continues about 300 metres further inland to the Cospicua ferry point.
Map of the Grand Harbour
Insider Tip
"The Cospicua ferry point is next to the Greek restaurant 'Mykonos' — one of my favourites for a quick lunch or a coffee while waiting for the next ferry"
The ferry is a large, modern catamaran that takes approx. 7 minutes to cross. While the lower deck is air-conditioned, heading straight to the upper deck is highly recommended. The 40 outdoor seats offer an unobstructed view of the Senglea and Birgu waterfronts.
The ferry runs on a strict timetable. In winter (1 Nov - 31 May) the last boat from Valletta leaves at 19:15. During the summer months (1 June - 31 Oct) the service is extended until midnight (00:00) which is great for late dinners. Note that a night tariff applies for trips after 19:30.
Why take the dgħajsa/gondola?
Every now and then I take a traditional wooden dgħajsa even though the ferry is free with the Tallinja Resident Card. But being so close to the water surface is a different experience and definitely worth €3. Especially the kids love it.
Gondolas arriving at Birgu waterfront
Landing place in Birgu (Vittoriosa)
Front row view on the way to Valletta
The gondolas do not follow a fixed schedule. The boatmen simply leave once a few passengers step in. While they officially operate until midnight during the summer, the gondolas run on demand. If the winter winds pick up or the crowds thin out, the boatmen often finish before dark.
Barrakka Lift
You’ll get a free ticket for the Barrakka Lift in Valletta only if you take the ferry. So don’t throw away your physical ticket. Without the ticket the lift costs €1.
Author: Bjorn
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