Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi Me again,

Anybody driven over to Malta this time of year, if so any info on better routes, ferries etc.

Hi Rachy,
I've driven over at this time and also in Dec during the bad UK snows. Never had any problems and the routes would depend on your preferences.

Personally, I prefer to do the 'whole hog' and drive Calais-Mont Blanc - toe of Italy, then across on the Messina ferry, drive down Sicily, then hop on the catamarran to Malta. Lots of roadworks at the bottom of Italy in the mountains and finding the harbour for crossing to Sicily are the only problems but nothing major.

Using other routes are just as good, but mean longer sailings on car ferries, up to 33hrs. Genova, etc. This is easier for people who don't like long drives. You need to take plenty of food, etc for this as the Italian ferries are a nightmare for catering. 2 choices in restaurant, take it or leave it!!

Thanks Bob - I knew I could rely on you, suspected you might have done it,as I know you have driven over a few times.

I might get Jim to e-mail you - I don't do map reading etc. - I'm a girlie, girlies shop

R X

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I don't do map reading etc. - I'm a girlie, girlies shop

Try shopping for a European Sat Nav then...
Or, if you're out here on holidays before the drive, I have 2 already programmed for the route so you could borrow one of those.

Seriously, apart from getting into and out of harbour areas, most of the driving is on motorways (Tolls) which aren't as busy as the UK. It's the last 100 miles or so in Italy, when going via Sicily, that's the worst due to the roadworks, but it's just a case of planning your route times so you don't end up doing it late at night.

Get Jim to e-mail me and I can give him more precise routes that he can look up on Google maps to see which suit you best.

Hi bob. Could I also ask you for the routes. My other half is driving over here in the new year and we are starting to look in to how and where this can happen.

Could you please pm me,

Many thanks

Hi Bob,

We do have SN, but I will get him to e-mail you - thanks, much better to get info from someone who's done it.

Thank God I don't have to shop for an SN, shoes are much nicer

Hope everyone is well there - have enjoyed seeing pics of the RIB, much nicer way to travel round the island.

R X

Sarah C, have sent you a PM with my e-mail address, etc

Rachy, Suzy knows some good places in Malta to buy shoes, handbags and Italian designer clothes at decent prices.

I just buy boat stuff, and the RIB practically doubles the size of the island for sightseeing, letting us get to loads of beaches, swimming places that other folks can't reach by land.

Thanks bob. I can't see any message using my iPad so will check on proper computer later. Lol

I thought it would be worth adding the map below - maybe others aren't as easily confused as me, but when I turned up early in the morning looking for a ferry that hadn't arrived yet, I wasn't sure where to go!

The entrance from the main road is marked, and then I parked up next to a Virtu Ferries booth on the right hand side. Hung around for about 1/2 hour until it opened, at which point he told me I was in the wrong place and should carry on around the corner - I'm sure that gate was locked when we first arrived!

Anyway we drove round the corner to where I've marked gate, and it was open, so we drove through and parked up on the left hand side (there are signs). We then walked over to the checkin which was painless, and then not too long later we boarded (from the side of the ship which was different).

Anyway I hope the map helps. The ferry is awesome, I'd paid extra for the upstairs seats which wasn't really worth the money but it gave a great view of the captain standing outside manoeuvring the boat from the outside controls - you don't see that on the stranraer to belfast ferry

If you arrive early and park properly where SRG did, don't be surprised if the Maltese just drive on past and start making 3 more lanes in front of the gate.

Thanks SRG - good to be prepared.

@ Bob - only three!

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@ Bob - only three!

It's only a single lane to get through the gate, and they can only drive 100yards before having to stop and get out of the car to walk to the check in!!

I'm posting the 'Google' routes seperately on the motoring forum shortly, as it's too long winded for here.

Hi All,

Sorry to jump on with this but i found It cheaper to do the Livorno - Valletta crossing. The reason I say this is that...

1. Tolls are expensive through Italy.
2. Petrol / Diesel is also quite Expensive
3. The Ferry Crossing is quite long but ... you leave Livorno at 9/10pm on a Saturday evening so really straight to bed then, then next day you read or watch a few DVDs... then you dock in Palermo and have a few hours to look around... back on the Boat and the next morning you arrive in Valletta at around 6:30 - 7:00 am

A very easy and relaxing crossing... you have to pay for the ferry to Sicilly from Italy and the catamarran anyway so why not just relax...

Julian

Ps. If anyone is travelling down in a Van and has any space can they message me or email as i have some bits i need to bring down and would help with some of the costs...

Another tip for the crossing: Don't forget to take all the water you think you will require on board ship, even if you need two or three trips to and from the car once on board; also your own tea/coffee making facility. On board ship a 0.5 litre bottle of water costs €1.50 which can be quite expensive if you like a cuppa or ten. There are plenty of supermarkets en-route, and a good Leclerc in Pisa where you can stock your hamper. Food isn't brilliant on the boat and way overpriced.

We also found that we had to buy an Italian adapter (3 pins in line) for use in the cabin, ordinary EU ones don't work.

The Livorno – Palermo – Valletta route was changed on 22/10/2011 to Genoa – Palermo – Valletta. However I understand that after the 17/12/2011 sailing the shipping line, GNV, has decided to limit the Palermo – Valletta leg to cargo transport only, so effectively there is no passenger through route from Genoa to Valletta. I don’t know if this is only temporary, or if the Livorno route is to be re-instated.

You can of course still take the ferry to Palermo and then drive across Sicily to Pozzallo and pick up the catamaran to Valletta.