Transportation in Malta

Just 93 km from the southern coast of Sicily is the paradise island of Malta. Located in a seven island archipelago in the Mediterranean, this island republic has taken the beachside holidaymakers' world by storm. It is easily accessible by air from most European capitals, and a number of cruise operators have added Malta onto their itineraries in the region. The islands also form a great base for sailing trips too. Another way to get here is by a ferry service from one of many Mediterranean ports.

With most European capitals being a short flight away, Malta is well connected.

Our comprehensive Malta Transportation Guide below will tell you all you need to know about travelling in and around Malta. Use our Malta Destination Guide or check out our Malta tour options for good ways of exploring this beautiful archipelago.

Malta Transportation Guide

Getting to Malta

By Air

The republic's national airline, called Air Malta, has good connections to most major cities in North Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Malta International Airport is located at Luga south of Malta and is 7 km (4.5 miles) from Valletta in a south-westerly direction. From the tourist area of St Julian's it would be 13 km or 8 miles and from the Mellieha resort about 22 km or 13.5 miles.

Though the airport itself is compact, it has all modern amenities at par with international standards- car hire, currency exchange, airline booking desks and information centres.

To reach the airport from Valletta, you could board Bus 8, which departs at 20 minute intervals starting at 6 am and going until 9 pm. You could even drive to the airport in 30 to 45 minutes from any part of the island.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Malta.

By Sea

If you choose the sea route to enter the country, a convenient route is via Italy or Sicily. Catamaran and ferry services run through the week to Malta's capital, Valletta. Larger shipping corporations also have connections to bigger ports along the Mediterranean.

Cruises generally pull in at Valletta's Grand Harbour. The Valletta Waterfront, or the Lascaris Wharf, is being expanded at the moment. Facilities are being enhanced and services like duty free stores added to make it a full-fledged cruise ship terminal.

If you are approaching Malta via Sicily, then you could take the high-speed ferries from Sicily. You have two options- Virtu Ferries and Grimaldi Ferries. Grimaldi has services from Malta to Salerno and Genoa in Italy and to Tunis in Tunisia.

By Road

Driving across Europe to reach Malta is not a very convenient option. Though there are car ferries from some Italian ports, the cost and inconvenience far outweighs the mobility benefit. You could take low cost flights and rent cars once in Malta; this combination would work out much cheaper.

Roads into Valletta are very well signposted since the city is the transport hub of Malta. Once you get into Valletta, you may need to ask for authorised car parks for visitors. The streets here are steep and narrow and more suitable for pedestrian use.

Getting Around Malta

By Bus

Malta has a long-serving fleet of buses dating back to the 1950s. They are operated by the ATP or Malta's Public Transport Association. You may want to take pictures of the classic buses, although some new vehicles have joined the fleet too. A good way to pick up the timetable is to either check their website or pick up a paper map and timetable from the ATP kiosk at the main bus station just outside the City Gate.

The country's main bus terminus is located outside the City Gate at Valletta. Buses carry the route number at the front on a sign and are easy to spot thanks to their bright orange colour. Many buses do a circular route from Valletta on various routes, but there are others that link one way well. Resorts like the Three Cities, Mdina, Sliema and Marsaxlokk, as well as most major beaches, are served by express services. Buses out of Valletta pass through the suburban town of Floriana. If you are trying to catch a bus from a town or a village outside the city, head to the main town square; that's where the main terminus is usually found.

Using public transport and getting to Gozo from the main island of Malta is simple. Take a bus to Cirkewwa, then get on the ferry to Gozo and end up in the capital of Gozo, Victoria, by taking another bus.

Victoria's bus terminus is located at Main Gate Street and buses on this island are grey in colour. Look out for the red band with the bus route number at the front. All buses here work on a circular route, starting and ending at Victoria. There is a popular service to Mgarr (Route 25) and the frequency has been aligned with the ferry service's timings.

By CT Cabs in Valletta

To explore the island the eco-friendly way, get into one of the CT cabs. These electric vehicles run on battery power and in and around Valletta. If you spot one and want to hop on, simply hail it down like you would a taxi. Fares cost 1 Euro regardless of where you're travelling to. You can also book a seat 15 minutes before you want to catch one. The CT cabs operate between 7 am and 11 pm all days of the week.

By Car

All vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Malta, and national or international driving licenses are required to drive here. Stick to the speed limit of 50 km/h in built up parts of the island and 80 km/h in open areas. Do take comprehensive insurance if you intend to do some driving.

Renting a car is very reasonable in Valletta but you must recognise that driving around here is not without challenges. Poor traffic discipline, congested roads and parking problems are huge deterrents. You could, however, hire cars from Avis and Europcar. Air Malta passengers are eligible for special discounts.

By Open Top Double Decker Bus

A fun way to see the island's main attractions and sights is by the Open Top Bus service. Get on and off at sights you'd like to see more of, or do the circuit without hopping off to get a feel of the island quickly. The commentary available on board via the headphones provided to you comes in a choice of 8 languages.

By Tourist Train

For something a little different, hop on the trackless train tour run by Melita Trains. This tour takes in Mdina, Mtarfa, Rabat and the surrounding areas, lasts 25 to 30 minutes and covers a distance of 8 km. The starting point for the tour is the Domus Romana at Rabat outside Mdina. This easy and comfortable sightseeing option runs many times a day and the ‘train' never goes over 25 km/h, making it a leisurely way to explore the place.

By Taxi

White taxis can be hailed from anywhere on the island, but fix on the fare before you get in. The services from the airport have fixed rates to different parts of the island. The only spot you can't have a taxi pull over is at a bus stop, so take care not to stand at one when you are hailing a taxi.

You'll find white taxis in Valletta relatively expensive- much like Western Europe in terms of fares. They rarely have a meter, so it is crucial that you agree on a price before you board them. If you need a taxi, go for M Mobility Malta. E-mail: info@mmobilitymalta.com  tel: (+356) 79717179

Malta-Gozo Seaplane Service

If ferry crossings aren't your thing, then Harbour Air's scheduled seaplane services between Gozo and Malta are just what you need. Flights leave from the Sea Passenger terminal at Valletta and arrive at the Mgarr Harbour in Gozo a quick 20 minutes later.

By Water Taxi in Grand Harbour

If you'd like to see more of the coastline from afar, you can hire a Water Taxi operated by A & S Water Taxis. Catch one from the Grand Harbour and you could even go as far as the historic Vittoriosa or Senglea on the traditional boat called the ‘dghajsa'.

By Ferry

There are ferry services between the main island of Malta and Gozo and Comino. Comino is a quiet little island with just one hotel and absolutely no traffic, which makes it a tranquil hideaway. The ferry from Cirkewwa can get you to Comino or you could book a transfer with the hotel. The hotel on Comino closes between November and March, so take care that you do not plan to visit at this time since you won't be able to stay there.