A lineup of modern compact hire cars parked along the coast in Qawra Malta

Cheap Car Hire in Qawra Malta

Qawra sits on Malta's northern coast in the St Paul's Bay locality. Skip the slow summer buses and unlock the whole island with your own hire car.

Compare Car Hire Deals

Search & Compare Car Hire Deals

Free cancellation on most vehicles

Why Hire a Car in Qawra

Qawra is a popular seaside resort on Malta's northern coast, set within the St Paul's Bay locality alongside Bugibba and Salina Bay. While the immediate shore is made up of rocky lidos like Qawra Point, the best sandy beaches are a short drive away.

To reach the finest stretches of sand, plan ahead with our guide to the best beaches near Qawra, covering Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Mellieħa Bay.

Tallinja bus: cheap, but runs on a slow hub-and-spoke network through Valletta and is frequently packed in summer.
Taxis: handy for a short hop along the strip, but expensive for a full day of sightseeing.
Car hire: complete independence to design your own day trips across the island on your own schedule.

Because Malta is a former British colony, motorists drive on the left and every road sign is printed in English, which makes the roads refreshingly familiar for UK visitors. To build an itinerary, start with our ideas for day trips from Qawra by car.

Malta Airport Pickup & Local Firms

Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa is roughly 20 km from Qawra, a 30 to 45-minute drive depending on traffic. You can collect your vehicle the moment you land by arranging your Malta Airport car hire before your flight.

Most international chains and several local firms work out of the Park East car park, a three-minute walk from the arrivals hall, while providers such as CityGo run a 24/7 desk to meet late budget-airline arrivals.

Supplier	Base	Key feature	Pickup
Josef Car Hire	St Paul's Bay	Strict zero-deposit, insurance included	Hotel delivery
Freeways Auto Rentals	Qawra	Family-run 50+ years, zero-deposit with full cover	Airport delivery
CityGo Rentals	Malta Airport (Park East)	24/7 desk, no shuttle needed	Airport desk
Car Rentals Ltd	Qawra	Open 24/7, cash accepted	Qawra office

Choosing an established local independent like Josef Car Hire (est. 1980) or Freeways Auto Rentals (est. 1973) lets you sidestep a large credit-card hold by taking their comprehensive zero-deposit cover directly.

Insurance, Excess & Deposits

When you hire a car in Malta, the base rate includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection, but leaves you liable for a substantial excess. That deductible is typically €1,000 to €1,500 for an economy hatchback, rising to €1,700 to €2,000-plus for an SUV.

To cover the excess, firms place a pre-authorised hold on a credit card. Carry only a debit card and you will usually be required to buy the desk's zero-excess cover. It is worth reading up on the rules for driving on the left in Malta before you collect the keys.

Policy type	Cost	Excess	Key exclusions
Basic CDW (included)	In base rate	1,000 to 2,000 euros	Tyres, glass, undercarriage, roof
Desk Super CDW	15 to 30 euros per day	Zero bodywork	Often tyres, glass, interior
Standalone excess policy	3 to 6 pounds per day	Zero (reimbursed)	Mechanical breakdown, recovery

The minimum hire age is 21, and drivers aged 21 to 24 normally pay a young-driver surcharge of €7 to €18 per day. To see the true total including cover, always compare car hire deals before you book.

Seasonal Pricing & Booking

Fuel is one of the most predictable parts of a Maltese hire budget because prices are fixed by the government: unleaded 95 sits at about €1.34 a litre and diesel at around €1.21, among the cheapest in the EU.

Low season (Jan–Mar): economy cars from roughly €10–€17 per day.
Shoulder season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct): around €18–€35 per day.
Peak season (Jul–Aug): about €29–€58 per day for a manual, with automatics commanding a 30–50% premium.

Booking tip: the Maltese fleet is mostly manual, so if you want an automatic, reserve it 5 to 7 weeks ahead for July and August. Automatics carry a 30–50% premium and are the first category to sell out in peak season.

Because Malta drives on the left, visitors from right-hand-drive countries often find shifting gears with the left hand awkward. Booking an automatic early removes that distraction on the island's narrow, historic streets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does car hire cost in Qawra?

Rates vary sharply by season. In winter, budget models can cost as little as €10 to €17 per day, while peak July and August rates run from €29 to €58 per day. Automatics generally cost 30% to 50% more and sell out first.

How far is Qawra from Malta Airport (MLA)?

Malta International Airport is about 20 km south of Qawra. The drive usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic through the central junctions.

Do I drive on the left in Malta?

Yes. Motorists in Malta drive on the left-hand side of the road, just as in the United Kingdom, and all national road signs are displayed in English.

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Drivers with a valid UK or EU/EEA photocard licence do not need an IDP. Visitors from the US, Canada or Australia can drive for up to 12 months on a Latin-script licence, but an IDP is often requested at the desk, so it is wise to carry one.

What deposit and excess should I expect?

Expect an excess of €1,000 to €2,000 depending on the vehicle, held as a credit-card pre-authorisation. Buying Super CDW reduces that excess to zero and shrinks the deposit to around €100 to €150.

Can I take a hire car to Gozo on the ferry?

Yes — almost all firms allow their cars on the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa. The return fare for a car and driver is about €15.70, paid only on the return leg from Gozo. Just confirm your contract has no ferry-exclusion clause.

Ready to compare car hire deals in Qawra?

Check live prices and availability from local and international suppliers.

Compare car hire deals