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Looking for the best Malta airport transfer to your place of stay or want to book a Malta airport taxi before you land?
You’ve come to the right place.
Today I’ll show you the options, what you can expect in terms of cost and where you can get the best rates for a hassle-free transfer to and from Malta International Airport.
The best provider I’ve used for low-cost Malta airport transfers is Welcome Pickups. Why I recommend them:
You can check prices and pre-book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups here:
Although it can cost a little more, there are several benefits to booking your Malta airport taxi in advance:
The cost of your Malta airport transfers will depend on three things:
Private taxis are more expensive, but for some, it’s worth not having to stop at several hotels and having to wait at the airport for all passengers to have been collected for a shuttle bus journey.
The table below gives you a rough idea of the differences in travel time between each of those transport methods and the estimated cost for each to a few of the popular transfer destinations in Malta.
If you decide to go for a shuttle bus, I usually recommend booking a transfer to and from the airport in advance with Suntransfers.
Malta Airport Transfer rates and times to different locations |
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Transfer to | Taxi – Journey time | Shuttle – Journey time | Taxi (1-4 pax) – Price | Shuttle – Price (for 2) |
Valletta | 20 mins. | 50 mins. | €27-30 | €9-10 |
Buġibba | 30-45 mins. | 1h | €36 | €9-10 |
Qawra | 30-45 mins. | 1h 10 mins. | €36-42 | €9-10 |
Mellieħa | 30-45 mins. | 1h 10 mins. | €39 | €10-11 |
Sliema | 20-30 mins. | 50-55 mins. | €27 | €9-10 |
St. Julian’s | 20-30 mins. | 50-55 mins. | €25-34 | €10-11 |
Gozo (Ċirkewwa ferry terminal) | 45-60 mins. | n/a | €38 | n/a |
Malta Airport Transfer rates and times to different locations |
||
Transfer to | Taxi – Journey time | Taxi (1-4 pax) – Price |
Valletta | 20 mins. | €27-30 |
Buġibba | 30-45 mins. | €36 |
Qawra | 30-45 mins. | €36-42 |
Mellieħa | 30-45 mins. | €39 |
Sliema | 20-30 mins. | €27 |
St. Julian’s | 20-30 mins. | €25-34 |
Gozo (Ċirkewwa ferry terminal) | 45-60 mins. | €38 |
Getting from Malta Airport to Valletta takes around 20 minutes by car under normal traffic circumstances. You can easily opt for a direct bus route from the airport since most bus routes start and terminate at the capital city. However, with taxis, you can actually get to Valletta city centre while buses stop outside the city’s gate. If you’re travelling with more than just a backpack, a taxi will be more practical.
Getting to Sliema and St. Julian’s (neighbouring towns) takes around 20-25 minutes by car but can take up to around 40-45 minutes by public transport and up to 60 minutes with a shuttle bus.
A taxi transfer will usually be the quickest and costs around €25.
More info here:
Getting from Malta airport to Mellieħa can take 30-50 minutes with a private transfer, depending on any traffic congestion.
Being a destination that’s pretty far away from the airport and will have several stops along the way using one of the shuttle buses, I’d recommend using a private taxi transfer.
Transfers to and from St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra back to Malta Airport usually take around 30-40 minutes, again, depending on the time of day and how busy the roads are.
Being a popular destination for tourists, expect shuttle buses to be pretty busy and pricey considering it’s shared transport. Private taxis usually work out close to the same, if not cheaper than a shared bus.
More info here:
Note that there is no airport in Gozo, and Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport in Malta. If you’ve chosen to stay in Gozo, getting from Malta airport to Gozo may take a little while.
Because of the distance, expect a transfer time of around 1.5-2 hours total, depending on which of the two Gozo ferries you choose.
Generally speaking, the fast ferry option from Valletta is a little quicker and a little cheaper, but overall, there isn’t much difference.
The main Gozo ferry departs from Ċirkewwa in the North of Malta
Two operators (that have merged into one service called Gozo Highspeed) run the Gozo fast ferry services from the capital, Valletta, to Gozo. These are the times if you decide to take this option:
TIP 1: The Gozo fast ferries use smaller vessels, which can 1) cause a bit of a bumpy ride and 2) mean cancellations due to bad weather happen more frequently. If you get seasick easily, go for the main ferry. If you’re travelling to Malta during the winter months, the main ferry is much less likely to face cancelled crossings.
There are two ways to get a Malta airport taxi transfer to Gozo, using either of the two Gozo ferry types.
Main ferry option:
Total cost for two adults: Around €65 / £57 / $71
Fast ferry option:
Total cost for two adults: Around €57 / £50 / $62
Airport shuttles are an economical option compared to booking a private Malta airport transfer, but there are a few downsides:
If you decide to take this option, I can recommend booking with Suntransfers.
Using public transport (route buses) is by far the cheapest option (just a few Euro per person to most popular locations around Malta), but it is also the slowest and least comfortable option. Especially if you’re travelling with more than just hand luggage, it’s not the most convenient transfer from Malta airport. Plus, you won’t be dropped off at the hotel or resort door and will need to walk with your luggage.
If you’d like to travel by bus anyway, you can find the bus stop located right across the road from the terminal building.
A taxi from Malta International Airport to Valletta typically costs € 27-30 and takes around 20 minutes.
Yes, you can get a taxi at Malta airport once you arrive, but it’s not the cheapest nor the most practical option. Booking your Malta airport transfer in advance costs less money and time.
Yes, there is an Uber in Malta, and you can also use similar operators like Bolt and eCabs. You can download their apps in advance and book rides as well, indicating all the details of the ride, including the drop-off location.
Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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Just returned from a Christmas break in Malta. Booked pick up transfer to and from the hotel. Thanks Ed for the recommendation of any.cab. A great service, on time, immaculate vehicle, friendly driver. Easy online booking with Paypal. Would use again without hesitation.
Happy to hear that Niccola!:)
Hi Ed,
You rock on the ground transportation suggestion for Any Cab. Just booked my transport from/ to MLA. Rather than renting a car (might do this in 2020 if I can locate lessons in the U.S. for driving on the ‘other side’ of the road 😉 ), for places I’m staying on the main island, I will also use Any Cab for these trips.
Your other suggestions on your web page are very much appreciated!
Namaste,
Flo
Happy to hear that Flo, I hope you have a great trip! 🙂
Greetings,
What is the luggage policy in public transportation? Can a person use them if he has a small back pack and a carry on luggage?
Hi Sam, bus routes that stop at the airport typically have a luggage storage space on board, so you should be fine. On regular buses it might be a little trickier although you can still carry smaller size luggage as you described anyway.
Would you recommend using the public bus service to get from airport to where you are staying? I have heard the bus service is very good?
Thanks.
Lynne
Hi Lynne, it really depends on where you’re staying. Public transport is OK but with long routes it’s definitely not the most efficient option if you’re staying further away than Valletta. If you’re on a tight budget, there’s nothing cheaper out there other than walking it though. 😉
Very helpful, thank you Ed! Just returned from Malta and booked my transfers to your site with a private taxi. That turned out to be very affordable and made getting to the hotel and back to the airport an easy process. Thanks for the tips and keep it up!
Welcome John, happy to hear!