Comino is the small island between Malta and Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon is its best-known bay. No bridge, no road: you get there by boat. There are two real ways to go: a ferry from the north of Malta, at Ċirkewwa or Marfa, or a boat trip from Sliema, St Julian's or Bugibba.
The ferry fares and timetables below were read on the operators' own websites on 9 October 2026. They can change, so check before you go.
- Ferry price: €13 to €15 return per adult, €6.50 to €7 per child.
- How often: a boat every 30 minutes with Comino Ferries Co-Op, every hour with Ebsons.
- Times: first boats at 8:30 from Marfa and at 8:40 from Ċirkewwa. Last boat back from the Blue Lagoon listed at 17:00, and at 18:00 in summer with Ebsons.
- Crossing: about 20 minutes.
- Boat trip: €40 per adult by speedboat from Sliema or St Julian's, €35 on a cruise from Bugibba.
- Blue Lagoon pass: free, booked separately, needed to step on land.
Ferry or boat trip: the short answer
The ferry is cheaper and you choose how long you stay, but it leaves from the far north of the island. A boat trip costs more and has fixed times, but it leaves from the main resort towns.
| Compare | Ferry | Boat trip |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Ċirkewwa and Marfa, at the northern tip of Malta | Sliema, St Julian's and Bugibba |
| Crossing time | About 20 minutes | Speedboat: a 45-minute ride along the east coast. Day cruise from Bugibba: about 7 hours in all |
| What you get | The crossing, with a look at the caves. You come back on any scheduled boat | A return trip with a set time at the lagoon, with sea caves on the way |
| Adult price | €13 to €15 return | €40 by speedboat, €35 on a cruise |
| Who it suits | You are staying in the north, or want a full day on Comino on a small budget | You are staying near Sliema, St Julian's or Bugibba and want to leave from there |
View a larger map · © OpenStreetMap
The Comino ferry from Ċirkewwa and Marfa: price and timetable
Ċirkewwa (often written Cirkewwa) and Marfa are two quays at the northern tip of Malta, near Mellieħa. Two companies publish fares and a timetable for small passenger ferries to the Blue Lagoon. The crossing takes about 20 minutes.
| On 9 October 2026 | Comino Ferries Co-Op | Ebsons Comino Ferries |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Marfa and Ċirkewwa | Ċirkewwa, from the jetty below the kiosk |
| First boat | 8:30 from Marfa, 8:40 from Ċirkewwa | 9:30 |
| How often | Every 30 minutes | Every hour |
| Last boat out to Comino | 16:00 from Marfa, 16:40 then 17:00 from Ċirkewwa | 17:30 |
| Last boat back from the Blue Lagoon | 17:00. Before that: a boat back every hour from 9:30 to 15:30, then 16:00 and 16:30 | 17:00, and 18:00 in summer only. Before that: 12:15 and 14:00 |
| Adult price, return | €15 | €13, online price |
| Child price, return | €7 under 10 | €6.50 aged 5 to 11, free under 5 |
| Included in the price | A trip to the caves | A tour of the caves on the way back, if the sea allows |
| Ticket | Bought online: valid for 3 months, no date or time to choose, from either quay | Come back on any scheduled boat |
| Operator's timetable | Comino Ferries Co-Op timetable | Ebsons Comino Ferries timetable |
You do not book a return time: you stay as long as you like and take a scheduled boat back. Watch the last departures: the Ebsons one (17:30) has no boat back listed outside summer, and the Co-Op one from Ċirkewwa (17:00) leaves at the time of its last boat back. Ask for the time of the last boat back when you buy your ticket.
The Co-Op also lists boats leaving Santa Marija Bay, another bay on Comino: 9:35, 11:35, 14:35 and 15:35. For the same price, its ticket can go on from the Blue Lagoon to Gozo, with a boat every hour from 11:00 to 16:00. The way back from Gozo to Malta is paid separately: the ferries and their fares are in our guide on how to get to Gozo from Malta.
Where to board at Ċirkewwa and Marfa
- Ebsons, at Ċirkewwa: the boat leaves from the jetty just below the kiosk. Go down the stairs and turn left. The operator asks you to be there 10 minutes before departure.
- Comino Ferries Co-Op, at Ċirkewwa and Marfa: the same ticket works from both quays. We did not find the exact location of the quays on the operator's website: if in doubt, call it on (+356) 7979 7900.
- The large terminal at Ċirkewwa: it belongs to Gozo Channel. The large car ferry at Ċirkewwa goes to Gozo: it does not stop at Comino, so do not board it for the Blue Lagoon.
What changes with the season
The two operators' timetables carry no date, and no separate winter timetable is shown. The times in this guide are those shown on 9 October 2026.
- In summer: the Co-Op may add crossings, and Ebsons lists earlier or later boats depending on demand, including the 18:00 boat back. Both write "summer" without giving dates.
- In winter: the Co-Op wrote on its blog on 12 January 2026 that it runs all year, every day, from Ċirkewwa and Marfa. Ebsons says its boats run "daily, depending on demand".
- In bad weather: crossings are cancelled, and the Co-Op says so at the top of its timetable page. The trip to the caves also depends on the state of the sea.
Either way, check the operator's site that morning, above all outside summer.
Getting to Ċirkewwa and Marfa: bus, car, taxi, airport
By bus
Buses run to the Ċirkewwa terminus, the one for the Gozo ferry: routes 41 and 42 (Valletta), X300 (Valletta, via Mater Dei and Pembroke), 222 (Sliema and St Julian's), 221 (Bugibba), 101 (Golden Bay and Għadira) and TD1 (airport). Routes 222, X300 and TD1 also stop at "Marfa", the stop next to the terminus.
On 9 October 2026, a ticket bought from the driver, in cash or by contactless card, costs €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer (mid-June to mid-October). It is valid for 2 hours, changes included, and children under 4 travel free. Journey times from each town are further down in this guide. Times for your date are on the Malta Public Transport website.
By car
Ċirkewwa is at the end of the road, after Mellieħa and Għadira beach. From the Armier roundabout, one lane is reserved for cars heading for the Gozo ferry: stay out of it. The Comino ferries carry passengers only and Comino has no roads, so your car stays in Malta. We found no car park mentioned on the two operators' websites: park where the signs allow it, never in the Gozo ferry queue.
By taxi or ride app
White taxis can pick up passengers anywhere except at bus stops, according to Visit Malta, the official tourism site. It advises agreeing on the fare before you get in. The Bolt, eCabs and Uber apps also offer rides in Malta. For Ebsons, ask to be dropped at the Ċirkewwa kiosk: the jetty is just below it.
From Malta airport
The Airport Direct bus TD1 links the airport and Ċirkewwa every hour, with a stop at Marfa: €3.50 on 9 October 2026, paid on board in cash or by contactless card, no booking. Allow 1 hour to 1 hour 30 on the timetable. It leaves from the airport bus terminal, signposted as you leave arrivals. By taxi, fares from the airport are fixed for each locality, according to Visit Malta: ask for the Ċirkewwa fare at the taxi desk before you set off.
A boat trip is not a ferry
A speedboat trip to the Blue Lagoon is not a ferry. It is a return trip with a set time at the lagoon: you leave at a fixed hour, you swim during the stop, and you come back at the time fixed when you book.
What you gain is the starting point: the boats leave from Sliema, St Julian's and Bugibba, so you skip the long bus ride north. The speedboats are seasonal (in 2026 they stop at the end of October) and do not take pregnant women or people with heart or back problems.
Booking sites sometimes call a once-a-day boat from Sliema or Bugibba a ferry. With a morning departure and an afternoon return, it is a day trip too. All our trips are on the Comino boat trips page. The times below are from the 2026 season and prices can change.
How to get to Comino from each town
From Sliema to Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Boat trip: the Blue Lagoon speedboat trip from Sliema leaves from the seafront (Ix-Xatt, near the Sliema Ferries bus stops) at 9:00, 11:30 and 13:30 every day, plus 18:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Allow 4 to 4.5 hours in total (3 hours in the evening), €40 per adult and €30 per child under 10. The Gozo and Comino day trip from Sliema (10:00 to 16:30, €60 per adult, €40 per child under 10) ends the day in St Julian's.
Ferry: there is no shuttle ferry from Sliema. Take bus 222 to Ċirkewwa (about 1 hour 15 minutes on the timetable), then the ferry. Or take the fast ferry to Gozo via Bugibba (about 1 hour 15 minutes), then a small boat from Mġarr.
From St Julian's to the Blue Lagoon
Boat trip: the Blue Lagoon speedboat trip from St Julian's leaves from St George's Bay at 9:30, 12:00 and 14:00 every day, plus 18:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Allow 3.5 to 4 hours in total (2.5 hours in the evening). The Gozo and Comino day trip from St Julian's runs from 10:30 to 16:30. Prices are the same as from Sliema.
Ferry: bus 222 also stops in St Julian's (Balluta, Spinola): a little over an hour to Ċirkewwa on the timetable.
From Bugibba and St Paul's Bay to Comino
Boat trip: full-day cruises on larger boats leave from Bugibba Jetty. The Comino cruise lasts about 7 hours, with about 4.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon according to the operator: €35 per adult, €20 per child aged 4 to 10. See the Comino boat trips page.
Ferry: no shuttle ferry here either. Bus 221 reaches Ċirkewwa in about 45 minutes on the timetable. The fast ferry also links Bugibba to Gozo in about 30 minutes, with small boats on from Mġarr.
From Valletta to the Blue Lagoon
None of our boat trips leaves from Valletta. Three options:
- Cross to Sliema with the harbour ferry, which lands on The Strand, and take the speedboat from the same seafront.
- Take a bus to Ċirkewwa (about 1 hour 15 minutes with the X300 on the morning timetable, longer with the 41 or 42), then the ferry.
- Take the fast ferry to Mġarr in Gozo (about 45 minutes, all year), then a small boat to the Blue Lagoon.
From Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa and Marfa to Comino
You are next door to the ferries: by bus, Ċirkewwa is about 20 minutes from the centre of Mellieħa and 10 from Mellieħa Bay (Għadira). If you would rather be collected, the half-day Blue Lagoon cruise on our Comino page (€35 per adult, mid-April to mid-October) leaves from Marfa with a pick-up from your accommodation. Check that your area is covered.
From Gozo to Comino
Small ferries leave from Mġarr Harbour. The Ebsons stand is under a blue umbrella in front of the ferry terminal: boats about every hour from 8:00 to 17:30, a crossing of 15 to 20 minutes, €10 return per adult (€13 with the caves tour). Boats back to Mġarr are listed until 17:00, and at 18:00 in summer only. For the island itself, see our Gozo tours. To reach Mġarr from Malta, read our guide on how to get to Gozo by ferry or fast ferry.
Blue Lagoon pass: the three-line reminder
- Since 1 May 2025, anyone who steps on land at the Blue Lagoon needs a free QR code for a time slot, booked on blcomino.com, the official Malta Tourism Authority site.
- Three slots a day: morning, afternoon and evening. The code is scanned before you land and swapped for a wristband. Children under 5 with a parent do not need one.
- It is not a boat ticket: according to the official site, you choose and pay for the boat separately. Our speedboat trips do not include the pass: you book it yourself.
Slot times, exceptions and what happens on the day are in our guide to the Blue Lagoon in Malta: the place and its free pass.
FAQ: getting to Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Is there a ferry from Sliema to Comino?
No shuttle ferry runs between Sliema and Comino. Take a boat trip from the Sliema seafront, or bus 222 to Ċirkewwa and the ferry from there.
Is there a ferry from Valletta to Comino?
No: the two ferry operators leave from Ċirkewwa, Marfa and Mġarr in Gozo, not from Valletta. From Valletta, cross the harbour to Sliema for a speedboat trip, or take bus X300 to Ċirkewwa, or take the fast ferry to Gozo and a small boat from there.
How much is the ferry to Comino?
On 9 October 2026: €15 return per adult with Comino Ferries Co-Op, €13 with Ebsons from Ċirkewwa, and €10 with Ebsons from Mġarr in Gozo. Children: €7 under 10 with the Co-Op, €6.50 aged 5 to 11 with Ebsons. Both say booking online is cheaper than paying on the spot.
Do I need to book the Comino ferry in advance?
No. Ebsons also sells tickets on the spot, and the Co-Op's online ticket is valid for 3 months, with no date or time to choose; both advertise a lower price online. What you do book ahead is the free Blue Lagoon pass.
How long is the ferry crossing to Comino?
About 20 minutes according to both operators; Visit Gozo, the Gozo tourism site, writes about 35 minutes from Ċirkewwa. With Ebsons, the caves tour is on the way back, on the boats marked in the timetable, and it is dropped when the sea is rough.
What time is the last ferry back from Comino?
On 9 October 2026, the last boat back listed from the Blue Lagoon is at 17:00 with both operators, and at 18:00 in summer with Ebsons. The timetables carry no date: ask for the time of the last boat when you buy your ticket.
Does the Comino ferry run in winter?
Yes, according to the operators: the Co-Op writes that it runs all year, every day, and Ebsons says "daily, depending on demand". Their timetables carry no date and crossings stop in bad weather: check the operator's site that morning.
Does the ferry ticket include the Blue Lagoon pass?
No, according to the official pass site: the QR code is booked separately, and without it you cannot step on land at the Blue Lagoon. Pick a slot that covers your trip out and your trip back. Ebsons asks you to have your QR code ready before boarding; if an operator tells you its ticket is enough, book the pass anyway: it is free.
Can I take a pushchair, a wheelchair or a dog on the Comino ferry?
We found nothing about dogs or pushchairs on the two operators' websites: ask before you go. The Co-Op may charge €5 per bulky item (bicycle, inflated mattress, camping equipment), but not for a wheelchair or a similar necessary item. Ebsons asks passengers with reduced mobility or special requirements to contact it before booking.
Can I see Gozo and Comino on the same day?
Yes. The day trips from Sliema and St Julian's give you two hours in Gozo, then the Blue Lagoon. By ferry, Comino Ferries Co-Op sells a ticket from Malta to Comino and on to Gozo for the price of a return. The Gozo ferry back is paid separately: our guide on how to get to Gozo gives the fares.
Comino boat tours & Blue Lagoon Malta boat trips
From Sliema, St Julian's and Bugibba
See the boat trips →