Arrival & Transport

Malta International Airport (MLA)

Malta's only airport, Luqa (MLA), is located in the southeast of the island, just 8 km from Valletta. It is small, easy to navigate, and efficient — it rarely takes more than 30 minutes from landing to the taxi stand.

Flights from Germany

Malta is excellently connected from Germany. Flight time: only 2.5 hours from Germany. The main connections:

• Ryanair: Most connections — from Berlin, Frankfurt-Hahn, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Memmingen, and other cities. Prices from 20€ one-way (early booking).
• Malta Air: Ryanair subsidiary based in Malta. Similar routes and prices.
• Eurowings: From Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, and Hamburg. Good prices in the off-season.
• Lufthansa: From Frankfurt and Munich. Slightly more expensive, but reliable and with lounges.
• Air Malta / KM Malta Airlines: The Maltese national airline was replaced by KM Malta Airlines in 2024. Flights from several German cities.

Prices: In the off-season (November–March), there are round-trip flights from 50–80€. In the high season (July/August), more like 150–250€. Tip: Ryanair and Malta Air offer the cheapest rates if booked 2–3 months in advance.

From the Airport to the Hotel

• Bus: Lines X1, X2, X3, X4, and X7 run from the airport to the main tourist destinations (Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, Bugibba, Ċirkewwa). Travel time 25–60 minutes, cost 1.50–2.00€. Express buses (TD lines) run more frequently.
• Taxi: Official white taxis at the airport stand. Fixed prices: Valletta 15€, Sliema 20€, St. Julian's 22€, Mellieħa 32€. No bargaining — prices are regulated.
• Transfer Service: Bolt and eCabs (Malta's ride-hailing apps) are cheaper than taxis: Airport–Sliema about 12–16€. Download the app beforehand!

Buses — The Best Means of Transport

Malta's bus network (Malta Public Transport) is surprisingly good and covers the entire island. All lines start or end at the central bus station in front of the City Gate in Valletta. The buses are modern, air-conditioned, and — mostly — punctual. There is a separate network on Gozo (300 lines).

The Explore Card is the clear recommendation for tourists: 21€ for 7 days of unlimited rides on Malta and Gozo. Available at machines at the bus station, at the airport, and online. The Tallinja app shows real-time arrival times.

Ferries

• Gozo Ferry: From Ċirkewwa (North Malta) to Mġarr (Gozo). Every 45 minutes, 25-minute crossing. 4.65€ round trip (payment only on the return). Pedestrians, cars, buses.
• Sliema–Valletta Ferry: Every 30 minutes, 10-minute crossing. 1.50€ per trip. More beautiful than the bus!
• Three Cities Ferry: From Valletta to Vittoriosa (Birgu). 2.80€ one-way. Spectacular 10-minute crossing.
• Comino Boats: From Ċirkewwa or Mġarr to the Blue Lagoon. 10–13€ round trip.

Rental Cars

A rental car offers maximum flexibility but comes with challenges in Malta: left-hand traffic (a British legacy), aggressive drivers, narrow roads, and chronic parking shortages in tourist areas. Still, it's worth it for the remote corners (south coast, northwest beaches). Prices: from 20€/day in the off-season, 35–50€/day in summer. Providers at the airport: Europcar, Hertz, Goldcar, and numerous local rental companies. Comprehensive insurance is mandatory — the roads leave their marks.

Malta's traffic can be chaotic — navigate confidently with these tips:

• Bolt & eCabs instead of Taxi: The ride-hailing apps are 20–40% cheaper than regular taxis and show the price in advance. Download both apps beforehand. eCabs is the Maltese market leader.
• Ignore the Bus Schedule: The Tallinja app shows the actual arrival time, not the theoretical schedule. During rush hour (7–9 am, 4–6 pm), there can be significant delays — especially on the main routes to Valletta.
• Ferry instead of Bus to Valletta: From Sliema or Vittoriosa, the ferry is faster, more beautiful, and less stressful than the bus.
• No Rental Car in Valletta: The old town is largely car-free, and parking in the surrounding area is expensive and difficult. For Valletta and the Three Cities: Bus or ferry.
• Explore Gozo by Bus: The bus network on Gozo is sufficient for the main stops. For remote beaches and hikes: Rental car or quad (from 35€/day).
• Hop-on-Hop-off as an Alternative: The red buses run two routes (North and South) and are a convenient, albeit more expensive alternative (20–25€/day) for an overview on the first day.