Public Transport – The Zero-Cost Solution to Exploring Malta
The public bus network in Malta is excellent. It is mostly free of charge for Tallinja Card holders. You can reach all sights and places of interest by public electric and diesel buses. They run daily and are supplemented by a shuttle service. Use the hop-on hop-off double-deckers and vintage old-timers for a romantic sightseeing tour!
Short answer for quick readers
- Contactless payment is possible in addition to cash payment
- Free for holders of the Tallinja Card
- Barrier-free access to all buses
- Free Internet on all buses
- Free app with real-time display of arrival times
- Explore the island with hop-on, hop-off double-decker buses
- Vintage bus tour to selected cities
Malta’s public transport – star-shaped, compact and efficient
The bus network of the Maltese islands is characterised by its star-shaped structure, also known as ‘hub and spoke’ architecture. Influenced by the British colonial era, it efficiently connects the islands today. In simple terms, the hub and spoke system connects the two cities (spoke) of St Julian’s and Birkirkara via the central hub bus station in Valletta.
Faster to your destination by star-shaped routes? Advantages and disadvantages of Malta’s transport system
The star-shaped bus system has its centre on the main island in Valletta and on Gozo in Victoria. From there, the buses connect the islands of Malta and Gozo in a radial pattern in all directions. But don’t worry, the outward and return journey is guaranteed with a spoke architecture.
Advantages and disadvantages of a star-shaped transport system:
User-friendly
Comprehensible and easy to navigate
Efficiency
Direct connections to many places saves you having to change trains and saves you time
Reliable
The cancellation of a line has hardly any influence on the entire system when changing routes
Expandable bus routes
New bus routes or special routes can be added without any problems
Connection to the capital
Always connected to the capital cities of Valletta and Victoria
Dependence
Central junctions are critical weak points for the entire bus transport system
Travelling time
Flexibility
The areas close to the city centre benefit compared to all other localities
Overview of bus routes and their destinations
You can recognise the fleet of over 460 environmentally friendly diesel and electric buses by their green and white colours.
- The lines 1 – 300 cover Malta
- Take bus numbers 301 – 330 to the neighbouring island of Gozo.
- There are additional bus routes for night journeys, festivals, direct buses, express buses to the airport, shuttle services and the premium service called Tallinja On Demand
There is no direct bus connection between Malta and Gozo. For the crossing between Malta and Gozo, use one of the ferries from Valletta or ÄŠirkewwa.
At what times do the buses run in Malta?
The buses run from 5.30 am to 11 pm. In addition, night buses (N line number) run on selected routes until around 2 am. During festivals and special public holidays, night buses often run until the early hours of the morning. The operating times vary depending on the route and time of year.
How reliable is the public transport timetable information?
The timetable information on the displays and on the Tallinja app is reliable. Due to one of the highest vehicle densities in the world, the written timetables between 7 am and 9 pm are often inaccurate. You can play it safe by using the free Tallinja app.
Tallinja Line X-Shuttle – The Sprinter to the airport
With the 4 X-bus lines you can reach the airport quickly and conveniently! These lines connect the urban centres with Malta International Airport and only stop at a few stations – ideal for travellers on a tight schedule. The 4 X-airport routes:
- X1: ÄŠirkewwa – Airport – ÄŠirkewwa
- X3: Bugibba – Airport – Bugibba
- X2: St. Julian’s – Airport – St. Julian’s
- X4: Valletta – Airport – Valletta
TD2 & TD3 – The exceptions to the X-rule
TD buses are paid direct buses from A to B. These ‘Tallinja Direct Routes’ include the TD2 and TD3, which connect the airport with St Julian’s. The last bus leaves the airport at 0.30 am, the first bus starts at 5.30 am. The ‘Tallinja Direct Routes’ cost EUR 3.00 and are discounted to EUR 1.50 for Tallinja Card holders. For Explore Short Stay, Traveller and ExplorePlus holders, travel on the TD bus routes is free.
Cruise Terminal and Malta Airport Transfer
The Malta Airport Transfer is the airport’s official shuttle service. It takes guests from the airport or cruise terminal to the hotel. The cost per person varies between 4 and 10 EUR depending on the distance travelled. The Malta Transfer is booked via the online payment system of the Tallinja App. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up time.
Malta’s Call Bus: Tallinja On Demand Service
In addition, the call bus (Tallinja On Demand Service) departs from all bus stops in the following cities at your request:
- Balzan
- Birkirkara
- Gzira
- Mater Dei Hospital
- Mrieħel
- Msida
- Pembroke
- San Gwan
- Sliema
- St. Julian’s
- Swatar
- Swieqi
- Ta’ Xbiex
Hop-On-and-Hop-Off Bus – round trip and sightseeing by double-decker bus
The small archipelago of Malta has numerous places of interest, so a hop-on hop-off bus tour is a good idea early on. Whether it’s the narrow streets of Mdina or Fort St. Elmo – a tour with the hop-on hop-off double-decker is a wonderful way to discover the island with many of its architectural and cultural treasures.
Regardless of the fact that you can hop on at the stops, the Gozo discovery tour starts from Victoria. Valletta is the start of the adventures of the flexible South Route and North Route. The hop-on, hop-off option offers you plenty of flexibility and comfort. However, as with the public transport bus, the buses are full during peak times and there may not be a seat and audio guide available for every guest.
Discover Malta flexibly: the hop-on, hop-off experience
The small archipelago of Malta has numerous sights, so a trip on a hop-on hop-off double-decker is a great way to start your journey.
What makes hop-on, hop-off tours so popular?
With just one ticket for the North, South or Green Gozo route, you can visit between 20 and 40 sights on Malta and Gozo with the famous double-decker buses, depending on the route. Hop on and off whenever you like. This gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. The buses run every 30 to 60 minutes, and the roofless upper deck provides fresh air and unforgettable panoramic views. The lower deck is air-conditioned.
Over 40 sights and an audio guide included
During the journey, you will learn exciting information about the highlights – thanks to a free audio guide in up to 13 languages. Headphones and free internet are included in the ticket price. You will find additional information on our website if you use the free Wi-Fi on your smartphone or tablet.
Practical stops directly at the highlights
The buses do not stop at regular bus stops, but in the vicinity or at the attractions. Some hotels offer their guests shuttle services to the stops on the routes – perfect for getting started straight away.
Flexible tickets and great combination offers
Whether 24 or 48-hour tickets – many providers combine the journeys with admission tickets for sights or boat trips. Give the bus driver a friendly wave at the waiting area so that he stops and your exploration adventure or time in history begins!
What are the most popular hop-on, hop-off tours?
The red Hop-On Malta South Tour travels between Valletta, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, Ghar Dalam Cave, Blue Grotto and Sliema. The hop-on hop-off stops of the blue north tour in Malta include the Aviation Museum, the church Rotunda of Mosta, Mdina and Rabat, Golden Bay to Spinola Bay. A green hop-on hop-off Gozo tour goes to Mgarr harbour, Dwejra, Marsalforn, Ä gantija Temples and Ramla Bay. The three providers with their own buses offer the following services:
- Blue, red and green Gozo routes
- Audio-supported information in various languages
- Multilingual website
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair-friendly access
- Transport from certain hotels to the bus terminals
- Night rides
- Pick-up service from the hotel
How much does a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Malta cost?
A day ticket is available from 25 euros. Children under the age of 5 travel free of charge.
How long are the tours with a hop-on hop-off bus?
Depending on the traffic situation, time of day and season, a tour takes between 3 and 7 hours without getting off.
Time travel through Malta: experience the vintage bus tour
The restored vintage buses from the 1950s and 1960s are real gems. With bright colours, large windows and nostalgic design, they invite you to discover Malta in an extraordinary way. Whether with family or friends, this tour offers breathtaking views of the sights and an unforgettable experience – nostalgia on wheels
What is a Malta Vintage Bus?
A Malta Vintage bus is a restored vintage bus from the 1950s and 1960s. Recognisable by the curved front end, a wide radiator grille with round headlights and raised bonnet, as well as the large, curved windscreen, these will take you to Malta’s sights in a colourful design. Experience Malta in a vehicle that tells stories. The Vintage Bus Tour combines romance, adventure and history – a must for anyone who wants to discover the island in an extraordinary way.
Which trip into the past do you book with a vintage bus?
- Valletta – Sliema Ferries
- Valletta – St. Julian’s
- Valletta Sightseeing
- Valletta – Mdina und Rabat
- Valletta – Marsaxlokk
How much does a journey on the Vintage Bus cost?
A journey costs from EUR 7.50. Children under the age of 5 travel free of charge.
Our Tallinja practical test: How to get from A to B
- Let’s search for a journey from Mellieha to Valletta via the website or, better, via the Tallinja app. We use the app and discover the choices of ‘Bus’ and ‘On Demand’. However, ‘On Demand’ is ‘out of zone’ in Mellieha.
- Thanks to activated location services on the smartphone, we can see a map with the bus stops in our vicinity after clicking on ‘Bus’.
- We select the Adenau station in Mellieha. The arrival of 8 buses in the next 30 minutes is displayed immediately. The arrival times decrease every minute. Click on the grey heart and save the stop.
- The next bus is the 42 with the display ‘Ċirkewwa 1 – Valletta’.
- By clicking, we can see the entire route on the map as well as all the stops with possible arrival times for the following stops up to Valletta. Click on the heart to save this route for quick retrieval in the app.
- Now we confirm ‘show buses on the map in real time’ and follow the bus in real time on its way to our stop.
All prices & public transport offers at a glance
In October 2022, Malta made history by becoming the second country in Europe to offer free bus services. This free offer can be used with a Tallinja Card. The public transport pricing system is simple for those who pay. There are no double charges for return journeys or transfers if the last time you board a bus is within 2 hours of the first validation of the single ticket.
Fares for the use of public transport:
- Summer timetable Single ticket 2.50 EUR
- Winter timetable Single ticket 2,00 EUR
- Night tariff from 10 p.m. Single ticket 3.00 EUR
- TD Bus ticket 3,00 EUR, with Tallinja Card 1,50 EUR
- 12 Single Day Journeys 19,00 EUR, independent of time and TD-Bus
- Explore Flex Card from EUR 6.00, can be connected to the Tallinja app for topping up
- Explore Card are feel-good packages with different durations and services
Details of the Explore Flex Card
- Unlimited duration
- From 6 euros and can be topped up with credit via the Tallinja app
- Explore cards for occasional users and tourists. They offer flexibility and save costs.
- When purchased for EUR 34, it offers six days of unlimited travel by bus and two journeys on the Malta-Gozo high-speed ferry.
Details about the Explore Card
- Unlimited travel for agreed days
- Direct connections like TD and no night fare surcharge
- Discount on admission fees such as a visit to the National Aquarium on presentation of the card
- The card may not be shared with other persons
- The children’s rate applies up to the age of 10
- From the first bus journey, the time of the agreed days begins to run
Where do you buy public transport tickets?
Single tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver – in cash or contactless at the ticket scanner. The Explore Flex, ExplorePlus and Meep Card cards are available in selected Public Transport shops:
- Arrivals hall at Malta International Airport from 8:00 to 22:00
- In Valletta at the bus terminal (near Bay A1) from 6:00 to 17:30
- At Valletta bus station (next to Bay A1)
- Bugibba Bus Terminal from 8:30 to 13:30 and 14:00 to 20:00
- Sliema Ferries (Valletta Ferry Terminal Sales Office) 8:30 to 14:00 and 14:30 to 20:00
- At Public Transport ticket machines at popular tourist hotspots
You can pay at the ticket machine by credit card and debit card. Validated tickets are valid for 2 hours on all routes in Gozo and Malta. The last booking at the bus terminal is valid. You do not need to leave the bus at your station or terminus after changing and before the 2 hours.
World of Malta insider tip: How ticket inspection works on public transport
The inspectors enter the bus and check all tickets and Tallinja Cards with readers. Anyone who cannot show a valid ticket or has not validated their Tallinja Card when boarding the bus will be fined EUR 50. This offence cannot be corrected later or the fine reduced if a valid ticket or Tallinja Card is presented to Publik Transport,
How much does the Tallinja Card cost?
The registration fee for adults Tallinja Card for Malta and Gozo is a one-off fee of EUR 25 plus EUR 3.85 postage. The registration fee for children is reduced to EUR 5.
World of Malta insider tip: Tallinja Card and Valletta Ferry Services
Holders of a valid personalised Tallinja Card can use the Valletta Ferry Services free of charge. The ferry commutes between Valletta and The Three Cities (Cospicua) and between Valletta and Sliema Ferries.
The functions of the free Tallinja app
Public Transport offers the Tallinja app for free download via the Apple and Android app stores. This app offers you a variety of interesting functions for a comfortable journey.
- Locate and plan your stop, destinations and bus connection.
- Real-time information on arrival times, changes, special buses or disruptions
- Explore Flex Card holders are shown offers
- Order Shuttle Bus On Demand
- Several buses can be tracked
- Save favourite routes, stops and places
- Enter your home address and workplace to quickly find your daily commute.
- Activate notification of certain routes in the event of faults
- Online real-time charging for TD Bus or on-demand use
- Feedback form and contact customer support
- Find your own location
World of Malta insider tip: The Tallinja app is more reliable than Google Maps
The technology of the Tallinja app uses Google Maps as the interface for displaying routes and bus stops. The real-time tracking of Public Transport is integrated there. Google Maps uses the official Public Transport timetables. According to our tests, only the free Tallinja app works reliably in real time.
How are the Public Transport buses equipped?
The bus manufacturers King Long and Yutong equip the barrier-free electric and diesel vehicles with air conditioning and darkened sun protection windows and have
- Electronic information boards for the next stop
- Audio announcements in English
- Wheelchair space
- Pushchair area
- Luggage racks at the front
- Wi-Fi for free
- USB ports for charging smartphones and other devices
The buses have special seating for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, elderly people and people with small children. The Tallinja On Demand Service and shuttle service operates with the Mercedes Sprinter, which can accommodate a wheelchair or pushchair thanks to its electric, double-wing sliding door.
Can pushchairs, wheelchairs, bicycles and scooters be taken along?
There are reserved spaces on the bus for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and wheelchairs are accepted if they can board the bus without assistance. The maximum dimensions of wheelchairs weighing up to 300 kg are limited to 120 cm in length and 70 cm in width and a turning radius of 120 cm for motorised wheelchairs
The bus driver can authorise the transport of the folded, certified scooter. He usually does this when the bus is almost empty. It is advisable to buy a scooter bag, as this acts like a rucksack or bag. In our experience, this always allows access to the bus. Bicycles are not permitted unless they are foldable.
Are animals allowed on the bus?
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are permitted on board. All other animals that pose no danger or nuisance to other passengers may be transported in suitable containers.
Have you lost or forgotten something on the Public Transport bus?
If you lose your property, contact the control centre immediately on +356 21222000. In our experience, the bus drivers are informed directly by the customer service and they will look for the lost items at the next stop. After 48 hours, the unclaimed property will be forwarded to the police, where it can be collected by the owner. This does not apply to perishable goods.
Your quick connection and contact details for Malta Public Transport
Malta Public Transport
Valletta Street,
Luqa LQA 1780
- Phone: +356 21222000
- Email: [email protected]
- Questions about the WiFi: [email protected]
Would you like to make a complaint or give positive feedback?
The Service Centre is interested in your experience and offers you three ways to contact them:
- Phone: +356 212220000
- Email: [email protected]
FAQ - Do you have questions about travelling by bus in Malta? We give you the answers!
When do the buses run on Christmas and New Year's Eve?
In our experience, Public Transport publishes the timetables for Christmas and New Year’s Eve every year under their Public Transport News between 17 December and 20 December.
Are there special buses to events such as the Isle of MT, Farsons Beer Festival or the International Fireworks Festival?
For all major festivals, such as Earth Garden Festival, Valletta and Nadur Carnival, sporting events or the fantastic Isle of MTV Malta. The special services are part of the free public transport initiative, which promotes the use of public transport.
When does the summer and winter timetable start?
There is no fixed date for the changeover from the summer to the winter timetable. The change often takes place on the last Monday of September. The summer timetable starts in the second week of June.
What does the WiFi on the bus cost?
Malta Public Transport offers free Wi-Fi to all passengers. The Tallinja WiFi service is based on the 4G mobile connection and unfortunately not on the 5G network, which has been available nationwide since 2021.
Is it possible to travel by bus to Comino and Gozo?
Is the bus ticket on public transport free of charge?
Is there a hop-on hop-off Valletta bus?
No. The name ‘Hop-On-Hop-Off Valletta’ probably originated because the red and blue bus routes start in Valletta. A small electric train, the Malta Fun Train, runs the sightseeing train tour in Valletta.
Are there monthly, subscription or training tickets for bus transport?
Until the introduction of free local transport, the Tallinja Card could be used with a monthly subscription. Students receive a discount on the cost of registering for the Tallinja Card during special offer weeks.
Conclusion: Explore Malta with Tallinja Card and sustainably by bus!
Public transport in Malta is an efficient and well-developed network. With the star-shaped network plan centred on Valletta and Victoria, you can reach all important destinations on the island.
The fares are clearly structured. A Tallinja Card offers special benefits for regular users. Innovative services such as the On Demand Sprinter and real-time information via app enhance Malta’s public transport system – a reliable and cost-effective way to explore the archipelago. Passenger information is available at every stop, on the Tallinja app and online. The traffic on Malta is massively relieved by bus transport.
The Hop-On-and-Hop-Off bus offers an interactive exploration of the sights and cities of almost 7,500 years of history. With the Vinotage, you can travel through Malta as it was 100 years ago. For tourists and locals alike, public transport, hop-on hop-off and the Vintage Bus are a practical and cost-effective alternative to car hire.
