A great alternative to hiring a car… and much more flexible than public transport.
If you’re planning your holiday in Malta, you may be wondering how best to get around. The good news is there are lots of options on the table – including taking the bus, jumping in a taxi or hiring a car.
But, as of late 2018, there is also a new car sharing system on the island that helps get you from A to B in a cost-effective way while giving you complete convenience and plenty of flexibility. Here’s what we think of it!
First off, can I just say how much I like the fact that GoTo’s fleet of cars is electric? Eco friendly options are all the rage on the island, and knowing that you can get around in your own car without the air-pollution concern is fantastic.
I chose to pick up my GoTo car from the airport, just a short walk from the main Arrivals terminal, making it an ideal alternative to grabbing a cab. If you are thinking of using GoTo from the airport when you arrive, bear in mind that you will need to download the app (available on Android and iOS) in advance and enter a number of details, including your age and a picture of the driving license. This will then be checked by the GoTo team and you will be given the go ahead to drive.
With all that sorted, you can then use the app to find the nearest car in your area – just like I found one at the airport. Once I located it, I reserved the car (for 15 minutes) and walked over to it. I then used my phone to unlock the car (pretty cool!) and could jump in, ready to start my journey.
I have to say that the cars themselves are great – and easy to identify thanks to the GoTo branding. Aside from the fact that they are electric, they are easy to drive and small enough to make sense on the Maltese roads.
Once in the car, all you have to do is confirm that everything is OK in the vehicle itself and where you would like to go, and you’re off. Among the features of the service, I liked how well the air-conditioning worked (which is handy in the Maltese heat), and that everything was taken care of for me – including the fact that the cars are charged (no need to worry about petrol or filling up), with no maintenance or insurance worries to consider.
When driving, I then used the built-in navigation to help find my way to my destination, which was helpful too. I started by choosing the town I wanted to go to (Sliema, in this case) and then chose a dedicated GoTo parking space within it. I navigated my way to Sliema with ease (using a route I hadn’t actually tried before but which was very quick and easy to take) and chose a parking spot on Dingli Street. The fact that I had a parking space waiting for me – in the busy town of Sliema! – was very welcome.
After that, I simply grabbed my belongings, gave the car a look-over to make sure there was no damage, and locked the vehicle – again using the handy app. All-in-all, I found the experience pleasant and easy… and the whole trip cost under €7.
Best bits
1. I liked the convenience of having a car waiting for me
2. I loved the fact that it was electric and eco-friendly
3. I found the app easy-to-use
4. It was particularly handy to find a parking space waiting for me
So, if you’re looking for a transport alternative that keeps you in the driving seat while in Malta, then I’d definitely recommend considering GoTo. Find out more here.