How much does it cost to travel to Malta? Activities, accommodation, meals and transportation.

Hello again! I’m back with another article on organising your trip to Malta. This time, we’re getting down to business as several of you have asked: how much does it cost to travel to Malta? This is an important question when planning your holiday in Malta. In any case, I can assure you that you’ll have a great time once you’re there: sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, fortified towns with golden stone buildings, historical and cultural sites, and much more! I invite you to check out our article on things to do in Malta. You’ll find all the must-see attractions of the Maltese archipelago.

In terms of budget, it all depends on the type of holiday you want. But I can already tell you that Malta is an affordable destination. That’s a good start! You also need to consider the length of your holiday and whether you plan to visit the neighbouring islands of Gozo and Comino, which I highly recommend.

Don’t worry — the aim is to make things easier for you and give you an idea of your budget for a trip to Malta. I’ll provide average cost ranges based on the length of your stay. These won’t be exact budgets down to the last euro. However, I can provide more information on all the essential costs, such as the price of the ferry between Malta and Gozo. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the time of year. In high season, for instance, accommodation prices can be double those in the low season.

I may be repeating myself, but Malta really is one of Europe’s most accessible destinations! If you book at the right time, you can visit without breaking the bank. Flights to Malta aren’t very expensive if you book in advance. What’s more, there are direct flights from major French cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes and Toulouse.

Direct flights are also available from Switzerland and Belgium. For such a short distance, it’s nicer to fly without a stopover. In terms of price, a return ticket, if booked in advance, costs between €40 and €100 in the low season. During the summer or school holidays, expect to pay between €150 and €250, especially if travelling on a Saturday or Sunday. Of course, the earlier you book, the better the prices will be.

However, as these flights are operated by the low-cost airline Ryanair, you usually have to pay extra for both cabin and checked baggage. Let’s just say it’s part of the deal! EasyJet also offers direct flights to Luqa Airport in Malta.

I recommend comparing flights from both airlines to get the best deals. For more information on the best times to visit Malta without breaking the bank, check out our dedicated article.

Once you arrive in Malta, there are several ways to get around the island and the wider archipelago. Firstly, you can rent a car for complete freedom and independence. That’s what I did using the Discover Cars car rental comparison site. I simply entered my criteria and dates, and that was it!

By the way, I’d recommend renting a small car to get around Malta. It’s more than enough, and it’s easier to drive as some of the roads are narrow. If you can, get an automatic car as you have to drive on the left. To give you an idea of prices, we paid around €200 for 12 days and a small automatic car. Compared to other countries, Malta is more affordable. It will also enable you to see everything, including the most unspoilt spots. You can even go to Gozo! I can tell you that it’s even more convenient on Gozo, as there are more wild spots that are difficult to access.

If you don’t want to rent a car, there is a well-developed bus network on the main island. What’s more, journeys cost between €1.50 and €2 in high season. If you plan on making lots of trips, I recommend getting a day or week pass (Tallinja Card). This allows you to travel as much as you want without paying each time, and it’s often cheaper. A week-long card costs €21, which I think is worth it!

If you prefer a more comfortable journey, you can take a taxi or use the Bolt app. Bolt is generally cheaper than a taxi, but as with all apps, the price depends on how busy they are. To visit the other islands in the archipelago, you will need to take a ferry.

To reach Gozo, there are two ferry services departing from Malta. The first departs from Ċirkewwa and you can take your rental car with you. A one-way ticket for one passenger costs €4.65, while a one-way ticket for a vehicle costs around €15. I took this ferry to get to Gozo. It was really easy and quick! Another ferry leaves from Valletta, which may be more convenient depending on where you are staying in Malta. However, this ferry only takes passengers, not vehicles. Expect to pay between €15 and €16 per person for a return ticket. We have also written a full article with all the information you need about getting to Gozo.

For information on the best times to travel on a budget, read our article on the best time to visit Malta.

We arrive at Malta’s little sister island, which is half the size. Needless to say, it’s easy to explore. There are several ways to get around Gozo. The most economical option is undoubtedly the bus. The network is fairly well developed and connects the main villages and tourist attractions, such as Ramla Bay, Dwejra Bay and Xlendi Bay. Everything is centred in the capital, Victoria. To give you an idea of the prices, tickets cost €2 in summer and slightly less in the low season. This makes it feasible and practical for visiting the island, although you will need a little patience as the frequency isn’t always ideal.

For more freedom and independence, you can rent a scooter or a car. This is the best way to visit more isolated areas such as Mgarr ix-Xini and Wied il-Għasri. As I mentioned, I rented a car from Malta Airport so that I could drive around the main island at my own pace, take the ferry and explore Gozo with complete freedom. You can expect to pay between €30 and €50 for a small rental car and slightly less for a scooter. However, I don’t think a scooter would be ideal for some of the roads. Some are bumpy, poorly paved or even dirt tracks.

If you want to travel off-road, you can rent a quad bike. They’re very popular on the island, and it’s easy to see why. You can literally go anywhere, even San Blas Bay. Just so you know, it’s a small cove with a very steep descent that you can either walk down (if you’re feeling brave) or ride down on a quad bike!

And if you prefer to be guided, the best option is still organized excursions—by jeep, quad, or tuk-tuk—which let you discover Gozo’s must-see spots! Personally, I tried a guided quad biking tour in Gozo, and I recommend it 100%. It was absolutely fantastic!

I almost forgot: even though I had a rental car, what I often did for the hidden, off-the-beaten-path spots was park in the nearest village and finish on foot. That way you can take your time and appreciate the island from every angle.

In short, as you’ve seen, even though Gozo is quite wild, isolated, and small, you’ve got plenty of ways to get around!

To get to Comino and discover its famous Blue Lagoon, assume you need to go by sea. Generally, there are small shuttle boats between Ċirkewwa and Comino. In high season (summer), departures are every 30 minutes. Expect to pay around €15 for a round trip. The crossing takes only about 15 minutes! Of course, the landing point is inevitably the Blue Lagoon.

Alternatively, you can opt for fully organized excursions that combine Comino and Gozo on a full-day tour or a half-day tour. I took a cruise around both islands: I really enjoyed it, and came away with memories of the different shades of blue in my mind! As you might expect, it’s more expensive: count between €30 and €70, depending on what’s included. The advantage is that you can visit beautiful spots while enjoying several swim stops, snorkeling, and even an aperitif!

One last tip: if you’re there in high season, I recommend going early in the morning to avoid tourists and the crowds, as the Blue Lagoon attracts quite a lot of people!

For everything you need to know about getting around Malta, I recommend reading our article on the subject!

Having covered transportation, let’s move on to accommodation, which often accounts for a large part of the travel budget. Once again, I find that Malta offers affordable and luxurious options. Budget travellers can opt for hostels or hotel rooms costing between €30 and €40 per night in the low season. Mid-range hotels offer rooms starting at €50 per night, including breakfast, which is well worth it! If you’re looking for something more luxurious, with a pool and spa, prices start at €200–250 per night.

Bear in mind that prices vary depending on the season. In summer or during school holidays, prices can easily double. Bear this in mind when choosing your dates! If you can travel in April or May or September or October, you’ll save money while still enjoying the best of the Mediterranean climate.

To find the best accommodation in Malta, I recommend reading our dedicated article.

Rest assured that Malta is a destination where you can enjoy a balance of free and paid activities. Even the paid activities remain affordable.

The good news is that in Malta, there are plenty of things you can discover without spending a penny! You can stroll through Valletta’s famous narrow streets, wander around Mdina’s streets and fortifications, enjoy panoramic views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and visit beaches such as Golden Bay, Mellieħa Bay, Paradise Bay and Anchor Bay. In short, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, historic monuments and moments of relaxation without worrying about your budget!

As I mentioned, even paid activities are accessible! For all cultural visits/museums (such as the Grand Master’s Palace, Fort St. Angelo, the megalithic temples in Gozo), adult tickets range from €10 to €15.

For water activities:

• Boat excursion to the Blue Lagoon: expect between €30 and €70
• Introductory scuba dive: from €50; for a full session, around €65
• Guided snorkeling trip: approximately €35 on average

Of course, if you prefer private outings, the budget will be different. But if you’re in a group, it can work out well. For example: a private guided boat trip is about €400, but it all depends on the route and duration.

To go on a guided quad tour in Malta or Gozo:

• Single rider: around €100–120
• Rider + passenger: €190
• Two passengers: just over €200

I’d say it’s the priciest outing, but trust me, it’s worth every cent! I’d recommend doing it in Gozo instead, as the island is smaller, has fewer cars, and you’ll get much more out of it!

If you’re looking to treat yourself, there are plenty of Italian restaurants, as well as Maltese, Indian, Mediterranean and Turkish options. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or just a snack, you can try the famous pastizzi or ftira, which cost between €2 and €5. It’s also a great opportunity to try some specialities!

A main course and a drink at a good Italian restaurant will cost between €15 and €20. However, the portions are very generous — I struggled to finish mine every time! If you want to eat in a restaurant with a nice sea view, expect to pay between €25 and €35 per person, especially if you order fish or seafood. Honestly, given the setting and quality of the food, I think it’s worth it (at least for the restaurants I went to!). If you really want a more upmarket restaurant, you can expect to pay upwards of €50.

If you’re planning on doing some shopping, there are several small supermarkets, such as Lidl, Greens and Tower Supermarket. Prices are similar to those in France, except for pasta! Whether you prefer eating out, cooking, or both, there’s something for every budget!

For a long weekend of 3 days, Malta is truly affordable. To give you an idea based on your budget and the type of stay you want:

• Low budgets: between €300 and €450 (budget accommodation, simple meals like snacks or grocery shopping, few paid activities).
• Mid-range budgets: between €450 and €650 (more comfortable lodging with breakfast included, a few nice restaurants, one or two paid outings).
• Generous budgets: between €700 and €1,000 (luxury hotels, paid and private activities).

Honestly, it’s a lovely destination for a change of scenery and spending 3 days without breaking the bank!

To give you a more concrete idea, here’s a budget breakdown for a one-week trip to Malta, aimed at budget travelers:

• Round-trip flight (from France): around €80–€200, depending on the season and if you book in advance
• Car rental (7 days): around €250 in total
• Fuel: expect around €80–€100 for a full week
• Accommodation: you can find affordable lodging around €45–€70 per night, so about €360–€600 for the week
• Food: between restaurants, snacks, and supermarkets, plan about €20–€35 per day
• Island transfers (bus, ferry, fast ferry): €40–€60 for visiting Gozo, Comino, and other spots
• Activities: with a few excursions or visits (e.g., snorkeling, museums, forts), around €100–€150

Total budget for budget travelers: around €700–€1,000 per person for one week.

For a mid-range budget (more comfortable accommodations, a few extra activities), you’d be looking at around €1,000–€1,600. And for a more high-end holiday (resort hotels, fine dining, private excursions), you quickly climb to €1,600–€2,200.

Using the one-week baseline, for a 10-day stay in Malta, here are the estimates:

• Low budgets: around €1,000–€1,300 on average (affordable accommodations, public transport, a few activities)
• Mid-range budgets: between €1,400 and €1,800 (comfortable lodging with good value, more restaurants, a few excursions)
• Generous budgets: between €2,000 and €2,800 (high-end hotels, varied activities, car rental, etc.)

Personally, I spent 12 days in Malta and I can tell you that with 10 days, you’ll be able to fully enjoy Malta—including Gozo and Comino—without feeling rushed!

This time, I’m simply going to double the one-week ranges; here’s what it looks like per person:

• For low budgets: between €1,400 and €1,800 (limiting extras, with simple accommodations and a few activities)
• For mid-range budgets: between €1,800 and €2,500 (choosing mid-range lodging, some great restaurant picks, and more activities/excursions)
• For high budgets: between €2,500 and €3,500 (with high-end hotels, restaurants with stunning settings, and private or guided excursions)

Of course, these are rough estimates and everything depends on the season you travel in. Remember, that’s important to factor into your budget! Other elements that can sway the total include car rental and the paid activities you choose. But at least you’ll have a clearer picture!

We’re coming to the end of this article on the budget you need to plan for a trip to Malta. Even though these are just ranges and estimates, I hope it has given you a clearer idea of what to expect! In any case, keep in mind that the season you travel in can really impact your budget.

And most importantly, as soon as you know your dates, I recommend making your reservations. I know sometimes we procrastinate or decide at the last minute, but it can really pay off to book in advance!

To further help you organize your stay, our article on itineraries in Malta is a great resource for choosing the perfect length of stay.

See you soon for more tips on your trip to 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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