Transportation

The main gateway is Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa. Airport buses (routes X1–X4) connect the airport with Valletta, Sliema, Buġibba and the ferry terminal. Fixed-fare white taxis can be booked at the arrivals desk, and Bolt and eCabs offer app rides. Car rental desks are also available at the terminal.

There is no rail or metro in Malta, so public transport means buses. The Tallinja bus network, centred on Valletta, covers the whole island and reaches most towns and beaches. You can pay with a Tallinja card or in cash on board, though buses can be crowded and run late in summer.

The Tallinja card is the public transport card for Malta's buses, offering cheaper fares than paying cash on board. For visitors there is also the Explore card, a set of prepaid trips valid for a number of days. You can still pay by cash on the bus, but a card is more convenient and better value.

White taxis operate from the airport and ranks and can be pre-booked at fixed fares, which helps avoid disputes. In practice most visitors use ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and eCabs, which are widely available, show the price upfront and are usually cheaper and more transparent than hailing a taxi.

The islands are small, so buses cover most trips within Malta. To reach Gozo, take the car and passenger ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr, which runs frequently. Across the Grand Harbour area, the Valletta–Sliema and Valletta–Three Cities passenger ferries are a quick, scenic way to hop between the main towns.

Malta has no scheduled domestic flights, as the country is tiny and easily crossed by road. The link between Malta and Gozo is made by ferry, with only limited helicopter or small-aircraft services rather than regular flights. For getting around, buses, ferries and taxis are all you need.

Remember that Malta drives on the left. Roads through the narrow lanes of old towns can be tight, and buses get crowded and slow in summer, so allow extra time. Ride-hailing apps are handy when buses are packed, and combining buses, harbour ferries and the Gozo ferry covers most trips comfortably.