How to get around Malta, the small island that delivers big experiences

31.08.2024 - 13:02 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 28, 2024 • 7 min read

A history-soaked archipelago set at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is easy to explore, and there's plenty to see and do. Malta and Gozo are the two main islands, with good public transport systems, while tiny Comino can only be explored on foot.

Take advantage of a convenient network of buses and ferries, set out on journeys of discovery in a well-priced rental car, or ride an e-bike or electric scooter along the spectacular waterfront esplanades of St Julian’s and Sliema. Here's our guide to the best ways to get around Malta.

Both Malta and its sister island of Gozo are compact and bus services operated by Malta Public Transport are a convenient way to explore. On Malta, routes begin from the bus station in Valletta, just south of the City Gate, while on Gozo, the town of Victoria is the central focus. Tiny Comino is usually visited on organized day trips by ferry from Gozo or Malta and it's small enough to walk around. 

The frequency of buses ranges from every ten minutes to hourly services on less busy routes. However, the lack of punctuality can be a challenge, and afternoon and evening buses often run late. Buses are best used for focused day trips to places such as Mdina and Marsaxlokk.

Because most routes originate in the central hubs of Valletta and Victoria, using buses to visit several destinations in a single day can be problematic. Check Malta Public Transport's online journey planner or the Tallinja App for bus schedules and timings. 

Another option for bus travel in Malta is catching a vintage bus from the Valletta Bus Station to popular destinations including Rabat and Mdina, and the popular Sunday morning seafood market at Marsaxlokk. Most of the lovingly restored buses date back to the 1950s and 1960s – see Vintage Bus Tours for details of departures.

Single tickets including a two-hour transfer window cost €2.50 and can be bought on board buses. There’s also the option of a 12-journey card for €21, which can be used concurrently by couples or families. Offering unlimited bus travel for seven days, Explore Cards cost €25, while ExploreFlex rechargeable stored-value cards come in several variations and include discounted travel on buses and travel to Gozo on the passenger ferry.

Another variation is an ExplorePlus card for €72 incorporating seven days of travel on all buses, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour for one day, a harbor cruise, and a return journey on the passenger ferry linking Valletta and Gozo. For long-term stays in Malta, it’s worth signing up for a stored-value Tallinja Card . There is a registration fee, but it offers the best discounts on buses and Valletta ferry services, and also integrates with the Tallinja App. 

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