Malta – the small pearl of the Mediterranean. If you are looking where to travel for a short break or a longer holiday, you can definitely have a great time in Malta. Don’t miss these stunning beaches, crystal Mediterranean waters, old towns full of history, and party centers. So open the internet and buy your ticket to Malta! And meanwhile, we will guide you on how to get around Malta and what you need to know for the transport on the island. 

Malta quick information

Map of Malta

Malta is a European archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of the island of Malta, Gozo, and Comino and is the tenth smallest country in area and the fourth-most densely populated country in the world. Malta has long historical influence from different conquerors and nations over time. From the Arabs through Sicily to Britain – all left a significant mark on the language and the country. In 1964 Malta became independent from British rule and began its self-development. Since 2004 it is in the European Union, so it is easy for us Europeans to get there only with an ID card. 

Note: We would like to remind you to check the requirements for traveling to Malta during the Coronavirus. As you know, the situation is dynamic, and it changes every day. So, for more precise information before traveling to Malta, visit the website of Malta airport or the Ministry for Health.

The language

The official languages are Maltese and English. Maltese is influenced by Arabic, English, and Italian language and is an interesting mix. But of course, English is the most spoken language here (because of many foreigners on the island as well). Italian is also widely spoken with so many Italians living here.

“Money heist”

Not actually, although Malta is not a cheap country (…I am just watching the “Money heist” series at the moment. You know that series?) Prepare some Euro – how much it depends on your own (we recommend about a minimum of 50 EUR daily for food, gifts, tickets, attractions…). Still, Malta is a tourist country, and some goods and services are overpriced. But if you run out of money, there are change bureaus at Malta International Airport open 24 hours a day. International cards are accepted, and foreign currency can easily be exchanged as well. Banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and exchange bureaus can be found all over the islands. If you want to get money with lower taxes, better use the ATMs of the official banks here – Bank of Valletta, HSBC, APS.

Best time to visit Malta

It depends on what season of the year suits you best and what you are searching for. Malta is a Mediterranean country, and the sea strongly influences the climate. During the summer it is hot, dry and very sunny with cooling sea breezes sometimes. Spring and autumn are cooler, and winters are mild. The high season can last until mid-to-late October. You can swim in the sea till the ‘winter’ months (people swim in the sea even in November and April, but I think it is not the right temperature for me). April, May, and June are the right options for good weather and beating the high tourist season (July – September with temperatures 30+ C). So, you need only a ticket, and you are ready for sunny days, beautiful views, and leisure walks through the old cities. Of course, you can come during the high season for your summer holiday. You will have a great time on the beach, exploring the island, or partying all night in the party center Paceville.

Planning a trip to Malta 

Traveling to Malta by plane

Malta is just a few hours away from most mainland European cities. It has excellent intercontinental connections, and it is very easily accessible. Many European carriers have seasonal flights to Malta, but there aren’t a lot of airlines that fly to Malta during the whole year. Ryanair, WizzAir, Air Malta, Easyjet, and Lufthansa are the biggest companies serving the island the whole year. But for example, travelers from the United States need to connect to Malta from a bigger European airport.

When I first time flew to Malta, it was from Sofia Airport in November 2019. Of course, the cheapest tickets were these of WizzAir, which has direct flights between both countries. Only about 1.45 and you get the sunny island. (You could check the Wizzair site or the website of Malta Airport. There is a schedule for all flights to Malta from different countries during the year.) But just to remind you – book early in advance for cheaper options or wait for ticket sales.

Traveling to Malta by cruise ship

Yes, it is an excellent option if you love sailing. Malta is in the Mediterranean, so many cruise ships stop at Malta, mainly around the Valletta Waterfront Cruise Terminal. The island is often used as a departure point for ships heading out to the Mediterranean Sea.

How to get around Malta

Our first trip

When we were in Malta for the first time, we landed at Luqa Airport in the afternoon and went to the bus station in front of the airport. There were many people there, and we couldn’t get the first bus. So, we waited about half an hour for the next one. Meanwhile, the weather got colder, it began to blow, and the sky got darker…the storm was coming. When we took the bus, it was already raining heavily, it was dark, and we stopped at the wrong bus station. From there to our accommodation we walked for about 20 minutes. We got very wet because the umbrellas didn’t save us from the heavy rain. It was not a good start for a vacation (but all other days, the weather was pretty warm and sunny and perfect for walks to look around).

So, because of our rainy accident in Malta, we recommend you check the weather forecast first and decide which transport is the best for the season and you.

Here are some tips about traveling on the island – which one suits you best and you will choose for getting around?

Rent a car – if you are a brave explorer

We haven’t used this option because driving is on the left, and we find it a bit challenging to drive on this side of the road. However, it is a good option if you want to get to the remoter beaches of the island. International driving licenses are legal in Malta. Leading global brands and local car hires are with daily rates of €15 – €30. 

But be careful – the Maltese are not good drivers, and many tourists also have problems with driving on the left. Traffic accidents are not rare here (I would say the people here accept the traffic signs as recommended and not obligatory). You could also expect heavy traffic on the roads around Valletta, Sliema, and St. Julian’s, especially during rush hours. Also, if you rent a car, finding a parking place in these tourist spots can be difficult. While car parks are available, it isn’t easy to find parking in the high season.

Public transport – cheap and convenient

Public transport is the way I usually travel around Malta. Buses are relatively efficient in serving the major tourist areas and places of interest around the island. The central bus station is located in front of the city gates of Malta’s capital Valletta. Other main bus points are located at the airport, Bugibba, Sliema, Cirkewwa (Malta terminal for the ferry to Gozo), and Gozo’s capital Victoria.

Reaching the airport in Malta by bus is very straightforward, thanks to six express lines designated X1, X1A, X1B, X2, X3, and X4. The central bus station is Valletta, and you could get a bus to every point of the island. You can buy tickets at Malta Public Transport sales offices or directly from the driver on all buses. During the pandemic, prepare the exact amount because bus drivers are not allowed to return a change. The ticket is 1.50 EUR (in summer 2.00 EUR) valid for 2 hours.

There are also travel cards specially designed for visitors – the ExplorePlusMeep card, the Explore cards, and the 12 Single Day Journey card.

You could also use hop-on/hop-off buses with different routes around the island. Their routes cover all the significant sites on Malta and Gozo. Below you can see the old Maltese buses now operating as part of the classic vintage tours from the capital Valletta to St. Julian’s.

But we skip them and just use the public bus for getting around Malta (or walk if it’s a short distance)

Taxi – not our first choice

We think it is not a good idea. Official Maltese taxis are white with a taxi sign on the car roof. But they are too expensive. We recommend you to ask and agree on a fare before you enter the taxi. So, better choose another option. For example, a ride with a taxi from the Airport to Gzira is about 20 EUR, with Bolt it costs around 12 EUR.

Bolt – a better “taxi” option

Bolt is really a good option for traveling, especially if you are more people and could split the ride. You choose your destination, and in few minutes, the driver comes. The cars are usually new, and the ride doesn’t cost a lot – you see how much it is when you choose your destination and the kind of car you prefer. (Recommended – you will see that most people here use this kind of transportation). 

Similar to Bolt is eCabs. 

Another option is Cool, offering passengers the chance to share their ride with fellow travelers heading in the same direction or private rides, starting from as low as €4.45.

So, just download their apps and start your trip.

Other options to travel around Malta

For getting around the island, you could also use:

– A bike

Cycling on Maltese roads can be challenging and annoying because the streets are often narrow, there’s lots of traffic, and drivers show little tolerance for cyclists. You could rent it at some points in public places or special shops. The landscapes offer sea or country views, but you won’t see many people using a bike in Malta. It is more popular for tourists in Gozo.

You can rent bikes from Eco Bikes, The Cyclist Bike Shop, Gozo Adventures. In addition, you could use the convenient pick-up/drop-off service for bicycles around the main tourist destinations in Malta – Nextbike.

– E-scooters

Since 2019 there are many restrictions and regulations on this driving option. Still, it is convenient and used in tourist spots as Gzira, Sliema, St. Julians.

– Ferry/water taxi between Malta, Gozo, and Comino

There are different options for traveling from Malta and Gozo to Comino – you could check them in our post related to Blue Lagoon and Comino.

Between Malta and Gozo, you can use the Gozo ferry with a standard price of 4.65 EUR and a crossing time of about 25 min.

Between Valletta and the Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, and Valletta and Sliema – the Valletta ferry has a standard price of 1.50 EUR and a crossing time of about 15 minutes.

Between Valletta and Gozo, use Gozo Fast ferry with a standard price of 9.99 EUR and crossing time of 45 min. We recommend buying the tickets online and not at the last minute – it will be cheaper.

Where to stay In Malta

The options are numerous and varied. On Booking, you could see plenty of hotels of different categories. There are farmhouses and villas mainly in Gozo. In addition, there are self-catering apartments, guesthouses, and hostels. During the high season, June to September, accommodation prices could be significantly higher. So, we recommend you to book in advance – 3-6 months if you can. For example, a night in a 4-5 stars hotel is about 100-200 EUR per night; the cheaper hotels are from 40-50 EUR. (First time in Malta, we stayed in an apartment booked on Airbnb in Pieta (170 EUR for 4 nights, but we booked it a week before the trip in November).

Below you can check the best beaches in Malta…maybe you would like to book accommodation near one of them?

The Best Booking Resources

Below are our favorite companies to use when traveling. When you plan your next trip, we recommend using them. They offer the best deals, customer service, and values. When booking a flight, hotel, tour, train, or meeting people, they are always our starting websites.

Skyscanner – Skyscanner is one of our favorite flight search engines. They always offer good deals.

Momondo – This is another favorite search engine. Check both when planning your trips.

Airbnb – We love using Airbnb. It is a great accommodation alternative for connecting with people who rent their homes. And there are plenty of options with reasonable prices, especially in the big cities. Most times, we use them to find the apartments that suit us the best.

Booking.com – The best booking site that provides the cheapest rates. We always check them to find affordable rates out there.

Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site, with lots of options to choose from.

World Nomads – They have excellent customer service, competitive prices, and great coverage.

Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B with all options of bus, train, plane, and boat routes and their costs.

Have any travel questions or tips about Malta? Share them in the comments below!

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