Malta is a sun-soaked Mediterranean archipelago between Sicily and North Africa, renowned for its ancient fortified cities, crystal-clear waters, and 7,000 years of history. This UNESCO World Heritage jewel blends baroque architecture, prehistoric temples, and vibrant coastal life into one of Europe's most captivating destinations.
- Public
- Comprehensive bus network covers all of Malta and Gozo (separate network) but buses run infrequently outside main routes and can be 20-30 minutes late
- Taxi
- White metered taxis reliable and widely available; Bolt and eCabs apps offer competitive pricing and advance booking
- Rental
- Car useful for exploring rural Malta and Gozo at own pace; driving on the left on often narrow roads requires care
- Walking
- Valletta, Mdina, and Sliema seafront are very walkable; coastal areas connected by pleasant promenades
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- TD4 bus to Valletta - €2.50, 12-20 minutes, every 30 minutes 5:15am-12:45am
- Shuttle
- Taxi to Valletta - €17-30 fixed fare, 15 minutes
- Bus
- Shared shuttle - €9-10, 50 minutes (multiple stops)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Comprehensive public bus network operated by Malta Public Transport covering entire island
Hours: 5:30am-11pm most routes, night buses until 4am on main corridors
- Fares
- Single journey summer
- €2 (June-October)
- Single journey winter
- €1.50 (November-May)
- 7 day unlimited
- €21
- 12 single tickets
- €15
- Night service
- €3
- Payment
- Cash on board or Tallinja Card (rechargeable)
- Tips
- Download Tallinja app for real-time tracking
- Buses can be late, allow extra time
- Main hub at Valletta City Gate
- Express routes X1, X2, X3, X4 serve major tourist areas
- Tell driver your stop, don't assume they'll announce
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, ferry, car_rental
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- White taxis
- Description
- Metered taxis, most reliable option
- Base fare
- €3.50
- Per km
- €1.50
- Waiting time
- €18/hour
- Airport surcharge
- €2
- Black cabs
- Description
- Unmarked taxis, negotiate fare before departure
- Note
- Often more expensive, agree price upfront
- Apps
- Bolt (most popular, cheaper than taxis), eCabs (local app with fixed fares), Cool (local alternative)
- App Names
- Bolt (most popular, cheaper than taxis), eCabs (local app with fixed fares), Cool (local alternative)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Same public bus network covers entire Malta island and Gozo (separate network on Gozo)
Main Routes
- Valletta mdina
- Routes 51, 52, 53 - 30 minutes
- Valletta golden bay
- Route 225 - 45 minutes
- Valletta marsaxlokk
- Route 85 - 30 minutes
- Valletta bugibba
- Route X1 express - 35 minutes
Flights
No domestic flights (island too small)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Malta International Airport (Luqa Airport)
From centre: 8 km to Valletta
Options: TD4 bus to Valletta - €2.50, 12-20 minutes, every 30 minutes 5:15am-12:45am; Taxi to Valletta - €17-30 fixed fare, 15 minutes; Shared shuttle - €9-10, 50 minutes (multiple stops); Private transfer - €25-40 pre-booked; Rental car - Multiple agencies in arrivals hall
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Tallinja app for real-time bus tracking — buses show scheduled times but actual arrival can vary significantly
Book Bolt or eCabs via app rather than hailing street taxis to avoid overcharging; Bolt is generally cheapest
The Valletta-Sliema ferry (€1.50) is the quickest and most scenic way to cross between the two; runs every 30 min until midnight
Avoid driving in Valletta — the city has pedestrian zones, very limited parking, and one-way confusing streets; use buses or ferry instead
Car hire strongly recommended for Gozo day trips as the island's bus network is limited; hire on arrival at the Gozo ferry terminal