Malta - British Expat Forum

I have calculated this route for viewing on Google Maps, as used by me in the past, based on driving from the UK via Dover-Calais. It can be used as a guide to the better routes for the journey down to Malta. Travel times shown are the minimum, expect to take longer accounting for fuel/food stops.

The majority of the route is toll Motorways but these are not as busy as in the UK. Traffic can get heavy around the major cities, especially during rush hour.

Do not make the mistake of programming a Sat Nav / Google to go directly from Calais to Messina...it will take you through Switzerland, or off the major routes. Best to programme your Sat Nav in stages for France...Calais - Reims – Troyes – Dijon – Chamonix, etc.. .switching to the next town on approach to the preceding one. (EG – approx 10 miles before Reims, set the Sat Nav for Troyes, and so on.)

Finally, never rely solely on a Sat Nav. They aren’t always correct!! Carry a good, large scale, European Road Atlas as a back up.

Remember that tiredness kills. Drive within your personal skills and physical limits and always take a break when needed. Better to be late in this world, than early in the next!!

Input the following on Google Maps –Get Directions
(for Calais to Mont Blanc tunnel)

A. Calais – B. Mont Blanc, Courmayeur, Italy

1. A6 - 905 km, 9 hours 10 mins
2. A16 and A6 - 908 km, 9 hours 21 mins
3. A26 - 899 km, 9 hours 25 mins

I prefer to use the A26 route(3), via Reims – Troyes – Dijon – heading towards Lyon, but not actually going that far, then heading east to the Mont Blanc tunnel.
(Note- Best to stop overnight on the French side of the tunnel if driving right down to the toe of Italy.)

Hotels are abundant at les Houches or Chamonix, Mont Blanc, which is nice little town for stopping overnight, but off the main road by approx 10-15 minutes.

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(for taking the longer ferry crossing)

A. Mont Blanc, Courmayeur, Italy – B. Genova, Italy

1. A5 and A26 - 290 km, 3 hours 0 mins

Normally an evening sailing from Genova, overnight to Palermo, Sicily followed by stay in Palermo for loading unloading, then evening/overnight sailing to Valletta, Malta arriving early morning. Total crossing time from Genova-Valletta can be 32hrs+.
(Note this is not a daily route, so needs to be pre-booked)

Input the following on Google Maps –Get Directions
(for driving to the toe of Italy)

A. Mont Blanc, Courmayeur, Italy – B. Messina, Italy

1. A1 and A3 - 1,491 km, 14 hours 53 mins

On the Italian mainland, head forVilla San Giovanni, to get one of the ferries across to Messina.
There are major roadworks ongoing in the mountains for approx 100 km on the final approach to the toe of Italy. Expect to make slower progress at this stage.
(Note- When getting close to the harbour at Villa San Giovanni , the direction signs disappear so expect to get lost/confused!!)

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(for driving down Sicily)

A. Messina, Italy - B. Pozzallo, Italy
1. A18 - 213 km, 2 hours 38 mins

There is a Virtu Ferries office in Pozzallo town, approx 1 mile from the ferry terminal where tickets can be purchased for the evening catamaran sailing to Valletta.
(Note - You will need to take your V5 (car log book) with you, and your passport. Make sure you get everything back before leaving the office!!)

Happy motoring