Practical Travel Guide
Getting Around Malta
Buses, ferries, taxis and car rental — how to move across the islands with confidence
Malta is compact, but it rewards travellers who understand their transport options. The main island measures just 27 kilometres from north to south, and a mix of public buses, taxis, ferries and car rental gives you complete flexibility across Malta, Gozo and Comino.
This guide covers the five ways most UK visitors travel in Malta: the Tallinja bus network, licensed taxis, the Gozo ferry, car rental, and water taxis around the Grand Harbour and Sliema.
The Tallinja Card & Bus Network
The Tallinja bus network is the backbone of public transport in Malta. Operated by Malta Public Transport, it covers virtually every corner of Malta and Gozo with regular services connecting the airport, Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's, Mellieħa, Mdina, Bugibba and the ferry terminal at Ċirkewwa.
Single journeys cost €2.00 in summer and €1.50 in winter when paid in cash on the bus. Better value comes from the Tallinja Card, a rechargeable travel card that reduces single journeys to €1.50 year-round and enables unlimited 7-day travel passes for €21.
Short-stay visitors should consider the Explore Card at €21 for 7 days of unlimited travel on all Tallinja buses including Gozo. It's sold at the airport information desk, Valletta terminus and most major hotels. Children under four travel free, and most buses are fully accessible.
Useful to know
- X1, X2, X3 and X4 are express routes connecting the airport to major resorts.
- Night bus routes (N prefix) run Thursday to Saturday from St Julian's and Paceville.
- Download the official Tallinja app for live timetables and route planning.
Taxis in Malta
Malta has three types of licensed taxi. White taxis operate on a metered or fixed-fare basis and are found at official ranks at the airport, the Valletta bus terminus, the Gozo ferry terminal and major hotels. Airport taxis use fixed zonal fares displayed at the arrivals hall — typically €20 to Sliema/St Julian's, €25 to Valletta and €35 to Mellieħa.
Black cabs are pre-booked private hire vehicles, generally cheaper than white taxis for fixed routes. You book them through your hotel or directly by phone. Apps such as Bolt and eCabs operate across Malta and offer transparent pricing with card payment, making them the most convenient option for most UK visitors.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the fare is appreciated. Always confirm the price before departure if the driver is not using a meter or app.
The Gozo Ferry
The Gozo Channel ferry runs between Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta and Mġarr on Gozo. The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes and operates 24 hours a day, with departures every 45 minutes during the day and hourly through the night.
Return fares are collected on the Gozo-to-Malta leg only: €4.65 per foot passenger and €15.70 for a car with driver. You can board without pre-booking, although summer weekends can see waits of 45 minutes or more for vehicles.
A faster alternative is the Gozo Fast Ferry, which runs directly from Valletta's Grand Harbour to Mġarr in around 45 minutes. It's ideal for foot passengers based in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's, with return fares starting from €7.50.
Car Rental in Malta
Malta drives on the left, the same as the UK, which makes car rental an easy option for British visitors. All major international brands operate from Malta International Airport — Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt and Enterprise — alongside strong local operators such as Goldcar and Firefly.
Expect to pay £25–£45 per day for a compact car in summer and £15–£25 in winter. A UK driving licence is valid for the length of your stay, and the minimum rental age is typically 21. Parking is free at most hotels but can be challenging in Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's; paid public car parks (around €1.50 per hour) are usually the easiest option.
A hire car is particularly useful if you plan to explore Gozo, Marsaxlokk, the southern temples or the quieter beaches on the west coast. For purely city-based stays in Sliema, St Julian's or Valletta, buses and taxis will cover almost all requirements.
Water Taxis & Harbour Ferries
Malta's water taxis are one of the most enjoyable and underused ways to travel. The traditional dgħajsa — brightly painted wooden boats — still operates across the Grand Harbour between Valletta, Birgu (Vittoriosa) and Senglea, offering a short scenic crossing for around €2–€3 per person.
The regular Valletta–Sliema ferry is the most useful harbour service for most visitors. It departs every 30 minutes from Marsamxett Harbour and takes seven minutes, costing €1.50 one-way. It's significantly faster and more pleasant than the road route between the two cities.
A Valletta–Three Cities ferry also runs every 30 minutes from the Valletta Waterfront to Birgu, again around €1.50 one-way, making it the easiest way to combine a morning in the capital with an afternoon exploring the fortified Three Cities.
Plan the Rest of Your Malta Trip
Combine the right transport with the right destinations and the right flights from the UK.