Malta Transport & Getting Around

Transport & Getting Around

Malta International Airport is located about 8km southeast of Valletta, between the villages of Gudja and Luga. Air Malta is the national airline operating flights to and from most major European, North African and Middle Eastern airports. Budget airlines, Ryanair, EasyJet and Germanwings also provide low-cost flights to many European destinations. There are no other operational airports on the islands, however the main harbours of Malta and Gozo are used to land HarbourAir sea-plane services which generally fly three times a day between the two major islands.

Access to Malta is also available by ferry from either Sicilian or Italian ports. Fast ferries take about 90 minutes from Pozzallo and three hours from Catania in Sicily, depending on the weather conditions. Large shipping companies also offer cheaper transportation from Sicily and Italy, but they generally take between 12 and 24 hours to reach Malta. Many cruise ships dock at Malta’s main harbours, bringing an influx of visitors for a day or two. Regular ferry services connect the three main islands with a service between Malta and Gozo every 45 minutes and less regular services from both islands to Comino.

Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road similar to the UK and Australia. Malta is one of a handful of countries in Europe with left-hand driving and is surrounded by countries where vehicles drive on the right. The combination of confused tourists, the poor state of many roads, traffic congestion in peak periods, and average to poor driving skills of many locals can create a stressful and demanding driving experience for visitors. Car rental is reasonably cheap and easily accessible at the airport and in Valletta, with vehicles available through Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Thrifty. Ensure you have the appropriate international licence documentation from your country of origin if you plan to drive in Malta.

Bicycles are an affordable and fun option for seeing Malta, and are available for rent throughout the islands.

Taxis in Malta are generally expensive, although many tourists find the black taxis more affordable than the white ones. Expect to pay around €12 for short trips and €30 or more to get across the main island. Buses are a more affordable and interesting public transport option on Malta and Gozo. Old buses covered in eye-catching decorations and religious icons travel all over the islands with the longest trips costing no more than €1.50. Make sure you have small change for the driver as you may be refused a fare if you only have large bills.