Malta Transport Guide: Buses, Bolt, Ferries and Car Hire

Malta is small (27 km × 14 km) but congested — traffic is a real issue, especially around Sliema–St. Julian's–Valletta. You have four main transport options: public buses (Tallinja), Bolt/eCabs, car or scooter hire, and ferries. Each has its place.

Public Buses — Tallinja

Malta has an extensive bus network. All routes converge at Valletta Bus Terminal. Pros: cheap. Cons: slow, crowded in summer, Valletta as a hub adds travel time.

Prices: Tallinja Card — €2/journey. Day ticket: €4.50. Weekly pass: €21. Single ticket without card: €2.50. Cards available at the airport and Valletta Bus Terminal.

Useful routes:

• X1/X2 — airport ↔ Valletta (express, around 30 min)
• 12/13 — Valletta ↔ Sliema (20 min)
• 222 — Valletta ↔ Bugibba/Qawra
• 221 — Valletta ↔ Mellieħa ↔ Cirkewwa (Gozo ferry)
• 81 — Valletta ↔ Marsaxlokk (45 min)
• 52 — Valletta ↔ Mdina/Rabat

Tallinja App: Available on iOS/Android. Buy tickets in-app with a card. Live timetable tracking.

Bolt and eCabs — Malta's Best Ride Options

Bolt is the king of tourist transport in Malta. Convenient, affordable, safe. Works like Uber — order in the app, price known upfront. Important: Uber does not operate in Malta. Bolt and eCabs do.

Typical Bolt prices: Sliema → Valletta: €5–8. Sliema → Mdina: €12–16. Valletta → airport: €8–12. Sliema → Mellieħa: €18–25. Prices rise in the evenings and on weekends (surge pricing).

eCabs (local Maltese app) — similar prices, good backup when Bolt has long wait times. Malta Taxi (white taxis) — more expensive, always ask the price upfront.

Ferries — Between Islands and Across the Harbour

Malta → Gozo Ferry (Cirkewwa → Mġarr)

Gozo Channel operates 24 hours (every 45 min by day, less frequent at night). Price: €4.65 return for foot passengers (charged on return journey). Car + driver: around €15–20. In summer, car queues can be 1–2 hours long — travel as a foot passenger and leave the car on Malta.

Sliema → Valletta Ferry

5 minutes on the water instead of 20 minutes in traffic by bus. Around €1.50 one way (or included in the weekly Tallinja card). Runs 7am–6pm. The view of Grand Harbour from the water is not to be missed.

Valletta → Three Cities Ferry (Birgu)

Same operator, 5 minutes. The best way to reach Birgu and the Three Cities.

Car and Scooter Hire

Malta drives on the left — steering wheel on the right. Needs concentration for the first few hours. Roads are narrow, parking in city centres is difficult.

Prices: Small hatchback: €25–45/day. Scooter (50cc): €20–35/day. Quad: €40–60/day.
Parking: Valletta — near impossible, use bus/Bolt. Sliema/St. Julian's — paid, €1–2/hour.

Getting from the Airport

• Bus X1/X2: €2 to Valletta Bus Terminal (around 30 min). Cheapest.
• Bolt: €8–12 to Sliema/Valletta. Most convenient with luggage.
• Malta Taxi (official): €15–20 to Valletta. Fixed price, ask before getting in.

Practical Tips

• Google Maps works well in Malta — bus and car routing both reliable
• Install Bolt before you travel — register at home, add your card
• Tallinja Card: buy at the airport or Valletta Bus Terminal
• Peak traffic: 7:30–9am and 4:30–6:30pm — avoid or allow extra time