Getting around Malta is simple, budget-friendly, and often quite scenic. Buses run frequently, ferries offer beautiful views, and taxis, especially compared to most of Europe, are relatively affordable. Thanks to the island’s small size, most journeys take no longer than 45 minutes.
That said, traffic can be an issue on weekdays during morning (7–10 a.m.) and evening (4–6 p.m.) rush hours. In summer, weekday traffic tends to ease up, but weekends can get congested, particularly in the North, as both locals and tourists head to the beaches.
Malta’s Bus System
Malta has a well-connected and budget-friendly public bus network operated by Malta Public Transport. Valletta serves as the main hub, with most routes starting or ending at the city’s central bus terminal. From there, buses connect to the main towns, tourist areas, and beaches across both Malta and Gozo, making it possible to get around without a car.
Most buses have air-conditioning (though it doesn’t always work) and free Wi-Fi. Services are frequent on major routes, especially during peak hours, but timings may vary depending on traffic and the season.
Before you start your journey, it’s helpful to download the Tallinja App. It offers route planning, real-time bus arrival updates, and notifications about delays or service changes. You can also track buses on a live map and save your favourite routes for easy access.
You can buy bus tickets through the app, directly from the driver; either with cash (exact change is best) or by card (tap-on system), or through Tallinja ticket machines. Each ticket is valid for two hours, and you can make unlimited transfers within that time.
Ticket Prices:
- Single Journey (Winter): €2.00
- Single Journey (Summer): €2.50
- Direct Bus (TD) Journey: €3.00
- Night Service Journey: €3.00
- Children younger than 4 years travel for free.
⚠️ Important: There’s a €50 fine for passengers who fail to present a valid ticket or forget to validate their card or ticket when boarding.
Discount Cards for Frequent Travel:
If you plan to use public transport more often, you can also buy Tallinja cards for discounted prices. These are the available options:
12 Single Day Journeys Card
A shareable option for occasional users, offering 12 discounted journeys.
- Validity: 6 month
- Price: €19 (per ticket: €1.58)
- Note that night and direct tickets incur additional charges.
Explore Card
Provides unlimited travel for 7 days on all public transport services.
- Validity: 7 days from activation
- Price: Adult: €25, Child (under 10): €7
- Includes unlimited travel on Day Trips, Night Trips, Special Service Trips, and Tallinja Direct Trips
Malta Airport Bus Routes
When you arrive at Malta International Airport, you’ll find bus stops just outside the arrivals area. Tallinja Direct (TD) buses run from the airport to key destinations with fewer stops than regular routes.
Here are the main direct routes currently in service:
- TD1 — Ċirkewwa, Mellieħa, Buġibba & Rabat
This route links the airport with destinations in the north. The bus stops in Rabat, St. Paul’s Bay, Buġibba, Qawra, Xemxija, Mellieħa, and Ċirkewwa (where the Gozo ferry departs).
- TD2 — St. Julian’s, San Ġwann & Pembroke
Runs between the airport and the St. Julian’s area. The bus stops in San Ġwann, Prembroke, and St. Julians (Spinola Bay & Paceville).
- TD3 — St. Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Msida & Floriana
Connects the airport directly with Sliema, Gżira, Msida and Floriana via St. Julian’s.
- TD4 — Valletta & Gozo Fast Ferry
Heads between the airport and Valletta, stopping near the Lascaris ferry terminal if you plan to continue to Gozo.
These direct services operate regularly throughout the day. You don’t need to book ahead; just hop on at the airport bus stop and pay onboard if you’re not using a travel card.
Ferries in Malta
Ferries are a scenic and efficient way to travel between key points—especially across harbours, to Gozo or Comino.
- The Valletta Ferry Service connects Valletta to Sliema and Valletta to the Three Cities. The trip takes just 5–10 minutes and a single fare costs €2.50.
- To reach Gozo, take the Gozo Channel Ferry from Cirkewwa (in Northern Malta) to Mgarr Harbour. The journey takes about 25 minutes, with round-trip tickets for foot passengers costing around €4.65. If you’re bringing a car, the standard fare for a vehicle and driver is €15.70 round-trip.
- Alternatively, the Gozo Fast Ferry connects Valletta to Gozo in just 45 minutes, offering a quick and scenic alternative to the traditional ferry. Note: this service is for passengers only, with no vehicle transport available. It’s also quite weather-dependent, and cancellations during rough conditions are not unusual, so be sure to check the operator’s website for updates before you travel.
- To reach Comino, you can take a Co-Op Ferry from Marfa (near Ċirkewwa) to Comino for €15 return, but be aware that in Summer (May – September), Comino gets very crowded, the beaches are small, and I highly recommend booking a boat tour instead—check out this blog post for my tried-and-tested suggestions.
- Ferry tickets are available online, but it’s not necessary; you can easily buy them on-site, with both cash and card accepted.
Taxis & Ride hailing apps in Malta
Taxis in Malta are easy to use, but ride-hailing apps are by far the most convenient and cost-effective option. The most popular apps are Bolt, Uber, and eCabs, with Bolt generally offering the best prices and fastest service.
All apps allow you to book rides instantly or in advance, and you can track your driver in real-time. Payments can be made via app or cash, making it a smooth experience for visitors.
Renting a Car in Malta
Renting a car can give you flexibility, especially if you want to explore less accessible areas. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hours (7–10 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.) and on summer weekends near the beaches.
- Parking at popular spots and tourist attractions is often limited and can be frustrating.
- In Malta, we drive on the left-hand side of the road, which may take some adjustment if you’re used to driving on the right.
If you’re comfortable with the driving conditions, car rental can be useful but for most visitors, buses, ferries, and ride-hailing apps are more practical.
Happy Travels! x
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