From the airport to the city centre Malta
There are two options for getting to Valletta from Luqa airport, 8 km to the south. By bus, route X4 takes you to Malta's central bus station, located at the entrance to the city. It's not a dedicated shuttle, but it's quicker than another bus. Allow 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic jams. Numerous cabs await you at the airport, with all routes between the airport and the island's towns and villages displayed. You can expect to pay between €15 and €20 per journey.
Arrival by boat Malta
Valletta can be reached by boat on private cruises that call at Valletta's Grand Port. The waterfront is just a few minutes from the capital.
Public transport Malta
Malta Public Transport (https://www.publictransport.com.mt) manages the 80 bus routes serving all the Maltese islands, including 15 on Gozo. These buses run from 5.30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and 8 buses also run from midnight to 4 a.m. (list available on the website). The frequency of service varies according to the line, from half an hour to almost an hour. There's a reception desk at the airport where you can get a map of the buses and the various passes available for your stay. To avoid queues, we advise you to pick up these passes there rather than at Valletta's main station. Single fares: €1.50 in winter, €2 in summer. Pass cards: €21 for the Explore card (unlimited travel for 7 days) and €15 for a 12-trip card. Note that a ticket is valid for all journeys, whether you use only two stations or cross the island. For information on actual traffic, bus waiting times and possible routes, you can download an application from the following link: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/tallinja-smartphone-app.
There are three types of ferry to take you around Malta. The first, Valleta Ferry Services (www.vallettaferryservices.com), takes you from Valletta to Sliema and St Julian's on one side and to the Three Cities on the other. Ferries run from 7 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. in winter and from 8.45 a.m. to midnight in summer for the Valletta-Sliema run, with an average turnaround time of 15 minutes to half an hour (€2.80 round trip). Timetables are slightly different for the Three Cities: from 9 a.m. to midnight in summer and until 6.15 p.m. in winter. The second ferry, Gozo Channel (https://www.gozochannel.com), takes you from Cirkewwa (Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo), day and night, departing every 45 minutes (€4.65 round-trip, payable only on return). The third, Comino Ferries Services (http://www.cominoferries.com), takes you from Cirkewwa (Malta) to the island of Comino. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Fare: €12 return.
Bike, scooters & co Malta
Cycling and cycle tourism are not yet widespread in Malta, although this is changing somewhat. Cycling is still considered a somewhat dangerous vehicle in view of local driving habits, and not always easy to navigate in steep towns like Valletta. However, it can be enjoyed on a ride along the fairly flat waterfronts of Sliema or St Julian's. Allow around €15 a day for an all-inclusive rental. As for scooters, they've barely made an appearance on the Sliema waterfront or on Republic Street for the time being. Two brands in particular stand out in Sliema: Bold (in green) and Bird (in black).
With a driver Malta
The official cabs in Malta are white cabs. You can easily find them at the airport, at the ferry terminals and at the entrance to Valletta, before the main gate. Their prices are also posted at these strategic points (nearly 100 destinations). This will give you a good basis for estimating the price of a ride. However, make sure you agree with the driver on the price of the trip before you get on. Be careful, if you come from the airport by cab, there is a good chance that he will stop at the entrance to the city because the streets are not always accessible. Agree with him on the closest point to your hotel. Since 2011, Malta has also had Uber-like companies, with Ecabs (https://www.ecabs.com.mt/this-is-ecabs/) being the first, Bolt for which you have to install an app and create an account, and Hi Cabs, since 2019 (https://www.hicabs.com.mt).
By car Malta
Beware, in Malta you drive on the left and the roundabouts are clockwise. A local joke says: "The Maltese does not drive on the right or on the left but in the shade", so watch out for drivers. The speed limit is 80 km/h on the road and 50 km/h in town, with many exceptions. Traffic is often dense because it is the country in Europe with the highest number of vehicles per capita. You should also be careful in case of heavy rain as many Maltese roads are flooded, making driving particularly dangerous. When parking, watch out for prohibited areas with the Tow Zone sign. In Valletta, only cars with a vignette marked with a V are allowed to park. It is best to park in the surrounding area. The parking problem will be recurrent in tourist areas such as Sliema or St Julian's.
Accessibility Malta
In Valletta, people with reduced mobility can only move around the main streets. However, all the waterfronts are accessible. Since July 2011, public transport has also been accessible.
Tourist traps Malta
It's when you take a cab that you need to pay the most attention. The easiest way is to agree on the price before you get in. City-to-city journeys are often advertised (at the entrance to Valletta, where you can book a cab from a kiosk) or at the airport. It's more a case of getting a taxi within a city, which is sometimes a matter of guesswork.
