Transportation in Malta
Transportation in Malta is very convenient as there is an extensive bus network. Interestingly, there are no trains at all on Malta, which is rare. Yet, there’s a ferry connection and more. Learn all you need to know about transportation in Malta in this guide.
Since 1931, there is no railway on Malta at all. Back then, there was an operating railway line between Mdina and Valletta, which was abandoned at the same time. Yet, there are still some remains of the railway left between the two cities. While there are talks about a new surface railway line in Malta nowadays, nothing has been constructed yet.
Buses on Malta
Public transportation on Malta is provided by buses on both bigger islands (including Gozo). The bus lines connect all cities with each other and are also a good means of transportation for tourists as they also stop at interesting sights. Most bus lines stop or originate in Valletta (on Malta) or Ir-Rabat (on Gozo), but there are also a few smaller lines, which connect other cities with each other.
Buses are the best way to navigate around Malta
Basically, you can reach every point on (one) island in around two hours at most, regardless of where you are taking the bus. The lines 119, 201, X1, X1B, X2, X3 all stop at the airport. Regardless of the island and bus line (airport buses included) tickets come with a fixed price of 1.50 Euro (in Winter) or 2 Euro (in Summer). During the night, buses cost 3 Euro. In addition, you can buy a booklet with 12 rides for only 15 Euro or buy a so-called tallinja card, which includes bus travel and other means of transportation.
- Journey Planner for buses on Malta
- Bus cards and tickets for travel on Malta
- Bus Map for Malta and Gozo
Taxis on Malta
The taxi system on Malta is relatively complicated. There are only about 250 taxis on the whole island and prices are not fixed. There are taximeters, but those are rarely used. So you should defintely negotiate the price before boarding.
Taxis are relatively expensive on Malta
Some taxis are more expensive than others (usually white is more expensive than black) and the comfort levels vary heavily as well. There are fixed prices from the airport to several cities, but that’s about it. All in all, I’d rather recommend taking a bus than a taxi as it’s way cheaper and not so much slower due to the good network.
Other means of transportation on Malta
You may rent a car when visiting Malta as there is a lot to see in the countryside. Other than that, there are also sightseeing buses of several companies, which can take you around the island. If you are travelling between Gozo and Malta, there is a ferry service, which operates between 20 (in Winter) and 35 times (in Summer) a day and is well connected with the bus schedule / network.
The public ferry is a better option than private boats
The prices for the ferry are very low and only slightly above the one for buses. If you are taking a car, prices are higher though. There are also different kinds of watertaxis and ferries, which take you from Valletta or other places to Gozo directly. Yet, those services (including sightseeing boats) are way more expensive.
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Good travel tips for one of my most favourite places but I don’t agree with you about the bus service – it is awful!
Hey Andrew, interesting perspective. What makes you think that it is so bad? I’ve been to tons of places all around the world and found the bus services in Malta to be among the better ones (it’s not Singapore or Munich, but …)
In my experience, buses that don’t turn up, buses that drive past a line of people because they are full, buses that are taken out of service without explanation, buses that are crowded, uncomfortable and expensive.
I have visited Mdina twice recently and on both occasions the scheduled bus didn’t turn up for the return journey to Mellieha Bay. A simply dreadful service.
On the positive side I adore just about everything else about Malta and Gozo!
Thanks for stopping by!