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There are a bunch of travelling options available if you want to cover the 20 kilometres from Malta International Airport to Buġibba and Qawra.
Taxis can be pre-booked before you head to Malta (I usually recommend Welcome Pickups), and the same goes for car rentals and a shuttle bus operated by the airline company. A fourth option is public transport, which is ridiculously cheap at €2 per person.
Everyone’s pretty keen to get to their holiday destination as fast as possible after they land and I’m here to help you prepare for that.
This article outlines all possible transport options in detail, so you can find the best Malta airport transfer to Buġibba and Qawra.
The quickest and most hassle-free way to travel from Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra is by taxi. A 30- to 35-minute trip will get you to your holiday destination and you’ll also get the chance to obtain some golden information from your taxi driver about those must-see places around Malta and Gozo.
There are two options to consider when taking a taxi:
Tip: You could go out of the airport and hail a taxi on your own, but you might end up paying significantly more.
A regular taxi can usually carry up to three persons and three pieces of luggage. If you’re travelling in a bigger group, you’d need a second taxi if you don’t pre-book one. Otherwise, with Welcome Pickups, you can just select a larger car, which will end up costing you less in total.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel in Malta and Gozo, look no further. The public transport operates frequent buses from Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra for just €2 euro per person (in winter it’s even less!).
There are two major downsides, however:
The Malta Public Transport operates a direct bus from Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra. This is convenient, as it has extra space for your luggage. Follow the steps below to catch the X3 direct bus:
Step 1: After your plane lands at Malta International Airport, go through immigration and walk into the Arrivals area of the airport.
Step 2: In this area, you can find a Malta Public Transport booth selling bus tickets. They also have multi-day passes which are worth it if you are planning to travel by bus a lot.
Tip: There are several other outlets within the airport from where you can buy your bus tickets. These include WHSmith outlet within the Arrivals hall, Agenda Bookshop within the Departures hall and a dispensing machine in the outer corridor. Tickets can also be bought on the bus.
Bus ticket prices:
Tip: You can find the X3 bus schedule here. The bus passes by every hour between 5.30 am and midnight.
Step 4: Get on the bus when it arrives.
Tip: Download the Malta Public Transport app on your phone (Android or iOS ) and check when the next bus is due. You can also use the app to find the stop closest to where you’re staying.
Step 5: The next stop is your holiday residence in the Buġibba and Qawra area. Enjoy!
If you can drive and feel confident to do so when abroad, you should consider the practicality of getting from Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra with a self-drive. Car hire is easy in Malta and with prices starting from around d€15-30 per day (depending on the time of year).
With your own four wheels, it’s easy to go on a discovery trip around the islands, starting in Buġibba and Qawra, which are very well connected.
From Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra it’s a 30 to 35-minute drive (depending on traffic) that covers 20 km.
Heads up: Just keep in mind that in Malta, you’ll need to drive your right-hand driven car on the right side of the road, like in the UK and Japan.
Here are two easy options for renting a car:
On your last day, you can leave the rented car’s keys at the airport, in a specially made deposit box.
You have a few options to drive from Malta Airport to Buġibba and Qawra. The shortest route takes about 30 minutes and goes through Luqa, Marsa, Msida, San Gwann, and Naxxar, to finally reach the coastline towns. You’ll find road signs all the way and the roads are in good condition.
Heads up: Parking in Buġibba and Qawra is not an easy task, especially in summer. You should either park on the outskirts of Buġibba and Qawra or, if you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, try and find a place that offers private parking.
Check out my two guidebooks full of local knowledge and my best recommendations for your trip, and up-to-date for 2023!
Malta & Gozo guide book
Valletta: An Insider’s Guide to Malta’s Capital
Take the hassle out of planning your trip to Malta and be an informed traveller!
The Malta Airport company operates a shuttle bus service to all localities in Malta. The shuttle bus is shared with other travellers, so expect multiple drop-offs during your drive.
At €12-15 for two adults plus luggage, the service is cheaper than a taxi, but you should also consider the added travel time with stops at various hotels and places of stay. You also have to wait until everyone has gotten on the bus.
To book the shuttle bus transfer, you can do so in advance through Suntransfers for a hassle-free transfer and welcome at the airport.
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