Rodavia connects you with rental suppliers across Malta, handling the search while you deal directly with the company that hands you the keys.
Rodavia is a booking service, not a fleet operator. When you search for a vehicle, you're comparing offers from local car rental companies across Malta. Once you choose, we pass your booking to the supplier and send you a voucher with their contact details, terms and pickup instructions.
The contract you sign at the counter is with that rental company. They manage the deposit, fuel policy and any extras. Our role stops at connecting you; the supplier takes it from there. This model gives you access to a wider choice of vehicle hire malta options than walking into a single counter.
Most suppliers operate from Malta International Airport at Luqa, though you'll find desks in Valletta, Sliema and St Paul's Bay as well. Check the voucher for exact pickup coordinates and opening hours.
The phrase "no deposit" means two different things depending on the supplier's setup. Some waive the hold entirely because the insurance package covers potential damage without freezing funds on your card. Others still require a small authorization but accept debit cards instead of credit cards.
When you filter by no deposit, the search returns vehicles where the supplier either doesn't block funds or accepts debit-card authorization. Read the voucher: it will state whether a hold applies, how much and which card types work. A debit-card hold typically clears within three to seven business days after you return the car.
Keep in mind that left-hand traffic and narrow streets in Mdina or the Three Cities can surprise drivers used to wider lanes. Full coverage makes sense if you're not confident threading through village cores.
The island measures roughly twenty-seven kilometres end to end, so you won't rack up huge mileage. Still, the right category depends on your itinerary and parking plans.
| Category | Transmission | Fuel | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / Economy | Manual or auto | Petrol | Sliema blue zones, Valletta one-ways |
| Compact | Manual or auto | Petrol | Airport to Gozo ferry, village drives |
| SUV / crossover | Automatic | Petrol / diesel | Groups, luggage, rough tracks to beaches |
| Seven-seater | Manual or auto | Diesel | Family trips, touring with equipment |
Automatic gearboxes cost a bit more but make roundabout chains less tiring. If your voucher allows taking the car to Gozo, check the ferry schedule from Cirkewwa; the crossing takes twenty-five minutes and ferries leave every forty-five minutes in high season.
Car rental companies malta range from international franchises to independent local outfits. The big names often have desks inside the arrivals hall; smaller suppliers meet you outside or run shuttle vans to off-airport lots.
Familiar brands with standardized fleets and global loyalty schemes. Usually inside the terminal, longer queues in summer.
Maltese-owned companies with flexible policies and personal service. Meet-and-greet or short shuttle rides.
Brands operating across Mediterranean islands. Mix of fleet size and local knowledge.
Some suppliers deliver to accommodation in Sliema, St Julian's or Bugibba for a surcharge stated in the voucher.
Rodavia's search pulls offers from all these types. You see each supplier's name, included mileage and insurance level before you book. The voucher then gives you their direct phone number in case your flight lands early or you need to adjust pickup time.
When you confirm a reservation, you pay a booking advance online. That amount goes toward the total rental cost; at the counter you settle any balance, extras and the deposit if one applies. The voucher breaks down what you've already paid and what remains.
We accept most payment methods for the advance: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and other options depending on the supplier. The rental company at pickup will state which cards they take for the on-site balance and deposit. Read the voucher section on accepted cards to avoid surprises.
If you need to cancel, each supplier sets their own refund window. Free cancellation deadlines range from twenty-four hours to several days before pickup. Check the terms attached to your booking confirmation.
Left-hand traffic is the legacy of British rule, so if you learned to drive on the right you'll spend the first few roundabouts recalibrating. Speed limits sit at fifty in built-up areas and climb to eighty on the few dual carriageways. Enforcement is strict; fixed cameras operate on the main Marsa-Coast Road and near schools.
Valletta's narrow one-way streets ban most through traffic during the day. Park in the ditch below the bastions and walk up, or use the park-and-ride at the bus terminus. Sliema and St Julian's have blue-zone metered bays; carry coins or use the parking app.
Fuel stations under the Enemed brand are the most common. Petrol comes in unleaded 95 and 98 octane; diesel pumps are clearly marked. Most suppliers hand you the car with a full tank and expect it back full. The voucher will confirm the fuel policy.
Watch for festa street closures in summer. Villages celebrate their patron saints with processions that block roads for hours. Google Maps sometimes misses these; ask locals or check the parish schedule if you're driving on a weekend in June through September.
Malta International Airport sits between Luqa and Gudja, fifteen to twenty minutes from Valletta and Sliema depending on traffic. Most rentals start and end here because it's the only commercial airport on the island. Suppliers cluster their desks in the arrivals hall or operate from lots a five-minute shuttle away.
One-way rentals to other towns are less common but possible with some companies. Returning a car in Bugibba after picking it up at the airport usually incurs a relocation fee stated in the booking terms. If you want delivery to a hotel, confirm availability during the search; not every supplier offers that service.
Gozo poses a special case. The ferry from Cirkewwa accepts cars, but your voucher must explicitly permit crossing. Some insurance policies exclude Gozo or charge extra. Double-check before you board.
Yes. Filter the search by no-deposit or debit-card options. The voucher will confirm which card types the supplier accepts for any authorization hold and final payment at the counter.
EU and UK licences work without extra permits. Licences from other countries often require an international driving permit alongside the original. Check the voucher's document checklist before you fly.
When a supplier waives the deposit entirely, you won't see any hold on your card. If a small authorization still applies, it will be clearly stated in the voucher with the amount and expected release timeframe after return.
Only if the voucher explicitly permits it. Some suppliers allow Gozo crossings at no extra charge; others exclude the sister island or add a surcharge. Read the geographic restrictions in your booking terms.
The rental company applies their late-return policy, which may include a grace period or charge an extra day. Returning early doesn't usually trigger a refund unless you negotiated flex terms. Call the supplier's number on the voucher to discuss timing changes.
The voucher lists mandatory fees like airport surcharges or registration. Optional extras such as GPS, child seats or additional driver coverage appear at the counter. Decline what you don't need; nothing is automatic unless stated in the original booking.