How to get around Malta?

Hello, we’re keeping the momentum going with another practical article! This time, we’ll give you all the information on how to get around Malta. To make the most of the main island and the Maltese archipelago—including Comino and Gozo—there are several ways to travel. To give you a taste of Malta’s unmissable sights, here are a few highlights: paradisiacal beaches, picturesque villages, crystal-clear waters, hiking along cliffs as far as the eye can see, and a variety of water activities. Believe me, there’s plenty to keep you busy! Even though the Maltese archipelago covers just 316 km² and has a well-developed road and transport network, be prepared to walk if you want to reach some of the more remote spots. Naturally, it’s much easier if you rent a car.

But that’s exactly why this article is here—to share the best tips and advice based on the Maltese itinerary you’ve chosen. Plus, it will be tailored to your interests, the length of your stay, and your budget for your Malta vacation.

I know planning transportation isn’t the most enjoyable part, but we’ll try to make it as simple as possible!

We agree that many travelers stay on Malta’s main island during their visit. That’s why we’ll start by looking at all the transportation options on Malta, a rapidly growing island. Even though Malta is a fairly small island, it’s important to plan ahead so you don’t miss any of the attractions you want to see! With buses, cars, scooters, and bicycles, there are plenty of ways to explore the island!

If you’re visiting Malta without a car, the bus is your best option. It’s clearly the main mode of transportation there. As you might expect, everything departs from Valletta, the capital. The bus network, however, covers the island well, including the main towns (Sliema, St. Julian’s, Mdina, and Mellieha) and the must-see attractions. As I mentioned, this is a developing area, so the buses are modern and air-conditioned, which is no luxury given the climate in Malta, especially in the summer. To help you find your way around, especially if you are staying in Valletta, most bus routes depart from the central bus station in the capital.

Another advantage of taking the bus is that it’s inexpensive. You should budget €2 for a summer journey and €1.50 for the rest of the year. The ticket is valid for two hours, and you can make connections. I find that this gives you plenty of time and is very convenient. If you are staying in the archipelago for several days or weeks, there are more attractive offers, such as the Tallinja Card Explore. It costs €21 for seven days. Honestly, if you’re going to be moving around a lot, it’s definitely worth it. Once you’ve purchased it, you won’t have to worry about anything else. One more tip: I recommend downloading the Tallinja app, which lets you check timetables and see how busy the ferries are in real time. This way, you can avoid rush hour, especially around Valletta.

Honestly, the bus is convenient in many ways, but it has some disadvantages, especially in July and August. They are often packed, especially when heading to popular tourist destinations. Sometimes, buses won’t even stop because they are full. You’ll need to be patient and expect unexpected delays. However, this is mainly the case in the summer. The rest of the year, buses run less frequently, but it’s quieter, and the schedules are more reliable. Also, for destinations in more isolated areas, especially in the west and south of the island, buses are much less frequent and may drop you off farther away. In those cases, you might want to finish your journey on foot.

In short, it’s entirely possible to get around Malta by bus alone. For greater convenience, however, I recommend staying on the east coast in Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian’s; or further north in St. Paul’s Bay or Mellieha. This is also a good option if you want to stick to classic attractions and not stray too far from popular destinations. If you meet these conditions, you can count on the bus system!

There’s no better way to discover the island of Malta at your own pace! I personally used Discover Cars. It’s a great car rental comparison site that offered me some excellent deals. I picked up the car at Luqa Airport and dropped it off before my return flight.

By the way, if you’re planning on visiting the main island, I recommend renting a small car. There are quite a few narrow roads and streets that Maltese drivers speed down. You’ll be more comfortable in a small car in these cases, and it’s more than enough. To make things easier, I also recommend getting an automatic because they drive on the left, which is the opposite of what we’re used to.

It’s confusing at first and takes a little while to get used to, but I won’t lie. I thought the roundabouts would be the hardest part. But actually, they weren’t difficult at all. The signs are clear, and there are always cars, so you just have to follow them. The most confusing thing, I’d say, is choosing the right lane on quiet roads. There’s no one to follow, and you naturally want to drive on the right. But don’t worry; you’ll get used to it quickly.
One more tip: parking is only allowed in white spaces designated for tourists. Parking in yellow or blue spaces will get you a fine. That would be a shame!

Renting a car also has many advantages. You can visit more remote places, such as the Dingli Cliffs, Popeye Village, and Mistra Bay.

In terms of price, I agree that it’s not as cheap as taking the bus. However, compared to other European destinations, renting a car in Malta is affordable! For example, it cost around €250 to rent a small car for 12 days. Gas is also cheaper than in France and other countries. Overall, I think it’s very reasonable. Ultimately, it’s up to you! For me, it was a great solution!

If a car doesn’t interest you and you’re looking for a more practical way to get around, why not rent a scooter or a quad bike? It’s different and fun, and it adds a touch of adventure! Plus, you’ll avoid traffic jams and find parking more easily.

Scooters are better suited to Malta, while quads are better for Gozo. I went on a guided quad bike tour in Gozo, and it was great! Scooters allow you to weave through even the narrowest streets. Quads are more robust and perfect for dirt roads and enjoying the scenery in Gozo, where there is less traffic.

Note that whether you want to rent a scooter or a quad, you will need to show a valid driver’s license. You may be asked for a motorcycle license for some of the more powerful scooters.

Renting a scooter is a little cheaper than renting a small car. Generally, expect to pay between €25 and €45 per day. Even on two wheels, you must drive on the left. But don’t worry; you’ll get used to it quickly.

One more thing: Maltese people have their own way of driving. For example, they rarely use their turn signals, and when they do, they leave them on for a long time. So, it’s best not to rely on them!

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to explore Malta, consider cycling! I agree that it allows you to enjoy the scenery at a good pace while being independent.

However, Malta isn’t necessarily designed for bikes. For example, there are no bike lanes in the city or on the coastal roads.

The streets in town are narrow and not designed for bikes. Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable riding there. On the coastal roads, people drive faster, though they rarely exceed 80 km/h since it’s an island. In this case, too, I wouldn’t feel comfortable.

On the other hand, it must be nice to bike along the seafront promenades in Mellieha, Saint Paul’s Bay, and Sliema. I also saw quite a few cyclists in Gozo. It must be said that everything is quieter in Gozo. Although there are still no bike lanes, there are fewer cars, which makes cycling much more feasible and comfortable.

However, given the hills, only electric bikes are available. Renting a bike is much cheaper than renting a scooter, quad bike, or car. It usually costs around €10 to €15 per day.

I recommend cycling for leisurely rides. However, if you’re tempted to try it, remember to avoid the hottest times of day, especially in the summer, as it can quickly become difficult!

Let’s agree that, although Malta is a small island, you can’t do everything on foot. However, for some towns, walking is definitely the best way to get around. This is certainly true of Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities. They are small, the streets are narrow, and you can really soak up the atmosphere of each town. In fact, I love doing this, especially in Mdina. The buildings have high walls, and it’s quiet — hence its name, the Silent City.

Apart from the towns, there are more natural and coastal areas to explore, such as the Dingli Cliffs and the Ghadira Nature Reserve. Now is the perfect time to go for beautiful walks along the cliffs. However, there are hardly any pavements, so you have to walk along the road, even though there isn’t much traffic. I recommend planning your routes carefully! Personally, there were some places where I had to walk the last part of the journey, and it was really nice. I could take my time and enjoy the atmosphere.

In short, walking is almost essential for enjoying Malta’s towns and more isolated areas. I think walking should be seen as a complementary means of transport. For me, it was an addition to the car, but it could also be an addition to the bus, scooter, quad bike, and so on.

As in other places, Malta has traditional taxis, which are often more expensive than ride-hailing services. This is why many travellers prefer to use apps such as Bolt, Uber and eCabs. For context, Uber only recently arrived in Malta, while eCabs is a local app that works well on the island.

Personally, I’ve mostly seen Bolt on the island and even in Gozo. They can easily take you to all the must-see places, even the most isolated ones. In any case, download one of these apps to compare prices for the same route. Bear in mind that prices on these apps vary depending on demand at the time you want to travel.

From what I’ve seen though, it’s really cheap and very helpful! Depending on the season and demand, you can use a private hire vehicle for several trips, which is more comfortable than travelling by bus.

In conclusion, if you want to save time and travel comfortably on certain journeys, private hire vehicles are a good way to get around Malta.

We arrive at the ‘luzzu’ gondolas, which are as much a part of the Maltese landscape as the cliffs themselves. These small, colourful boats can be found between Valletta and the Three Cities. For the record, they were originally used for fishing. Now, however, they are used as water taxis for crossing between Valletta and the Three Cities, or simply for cruising along the capital’s harbour.

I took the ferry between the capital and the Three Cities. It was quick and easy, and I was able to take some beautiful photos. However, I only saw the traditional gondolas at the last minute and would have loved to take a ride on one. I should also mention that it was windy and the sea was rough on the day I was there. In my opinion, it was quite a bumpy ride!

However, I think it’s an experience that can only be had in Malta! Moreover, these boats are driven by locals who perpetuate the Maltese tradition. The price depends on the luzzu you take, but it can be up to €6 per person for the crossing.

If you want to get off the beaten track and enjoy an authentic experience, I’d recommend going for a luzzu. If you go to Grand Harbour at the end of the day, the colours of the boats will stand out even more against the sunset!

This section should be of interest to anyone who wants to visit Gozo and Comino, the other two main islands in the archipelago. Although they are separate islands, they are not far apart. You will see that it is easy and affordable to get there!

Let’s start with Gozo, Malta’s sister island. To get there, there are several options. Here are the first two:

• By ferry from Cirkewwa: this is clearly the simplest and fastest way! To give you an idea, Cirkewwa is at the very north of the island of Malta, just opposite Gozo. The port isn’t very large, so you won’t have any trouble spotting the ferry that departs for Gozo. Plus, it’s well signposted. This ferry accepts passengers and vehicles: cars, motorcycles, bicycles. You’ll have to take this one if you have a vehicle. In terms of timing, the crossing is quite short. In just 25 minutes, you’ll arrive at the port of Mgarr in Gozo. As for payment, it’s €4.65 per passenger (round trip) and €15.70 for a car plus driver. You cannot book tickets online or in advance. But given how often it runs, you’ll always find space (except perhaps in summer, but you can simply wait for the next one). And so you won’t be caught off guard: payment is made on the return trip, from Gozo. Personally, at the time I didn’t know this, so I wasn’t entirely comfortable on the outbound trip. But once I found out, I was able to enjoy my journey more peacefully, haha.
• By ferry from Valletta: this fast ferry has only existed for four years, but it’s very convenient. The capital remains the island’s epicenter, and most travelers stay in or around the city itself. This also means there are fewer people on the other ferry. However, this one only accepts foot passengers. The crossing takes a bit longer: 45 minutes. It costs a little more: €7.50 one way per adult.

So, those are the two main options, but there are others. Here they are:

• On a guided tour: several operators offer pre-arranged trips to Gozo. They take care of everything! Often, they pick you up directly at or near your accommodation. They then take you to Gozo, or even to Comino, for a tour of the island and its highlights. The result: no hassle, you just have to sit back and, above all, enjoy!
• By water taxi: from Valletta and Sliema, especially in summer, you’ll find water taxis that make regular round trips between the two islands. It’s a great option, as it allows you not to depend on ferry schedules and to enjoy a more intimate journey.

For more information, know that we’ve written a comprehensive article on the subject: how to get to Gozo.

As Comino is situated between Gozo and Malta, you can easily get there from both islands.

From Malta, by ferry: head north of the island to Ċirkewwa or Marfa Bay. Right next to the large ferry for Gozo, there is a dock on the right for all departures to Comino. These are smaller vessels, but just as frequent.

For Comino, in addition to excursions, you can explore the island via:

• Ferry from Malta: you can take ferries from the very north of Malta, from Ċirkewwa or Marfa Bay. Departures are quite frequent, especially in the high season, every 30 to 45 minutes. Once on board, it takes 25 minutes to arrive at Comino, since you are dropped off at the north of the island, at the famous Blue Lagoon. You should budget between €10 and €15 for a round trip.
• Ferry from Gozo: if you’re coming from Gozo to Comino, the crossing is much shorter! It lasts just 15 minutes. There are three operators making the crossing, two of which offer the option to visit the caves as well. Depending on what you choose to do, it will cost between €6 and €12 for a round trip. Whatever you choose, you disembark directly at the Blue Lagoon.
• Boat trip to the Blue Lagoon: this is what I chose to do and I highly recommend it! I did it as a half-day trip, opting for a Comino + Gozo combo. It was a way to combine transportation and exploration, visiting several of Comino’s unmissable spots: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, and more!

Well, you now know everything about how to get around Malta. It may not seem like it, but there are quite a few means of transportation! Moreover, as I mentioned above, transport options are continuously developing across the archipelago, especially on the main island of Malta.

I recommend keeping in mind that your travel should adapt to your itinerary in Malta and to your preferences.

See you soon for more tips on Malta!

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to explore the beautiful Maltese archipelago and share all the beauty of its islands with you. A little piece of paradise not to be missed!

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