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To get from Malta International Airport to Mellieħa you’ll need to cover around 23.5 km.
To do so, you can choose from the following options: rent a car, book a taxi, hop onto a public bus or use a shared shuttle bus.
Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, while a taxi is efficient and hassle-free (- I usually recommend Welcome Pickups). A cheaper solution is the public bus at around €2 per person, but it will take you a long time to reach your place of stay, and we know you’re impatient to start your holiday.
This article outlines all possible transport options in detail, so you can find out the best way to get a transfer from Malta airport to Mellieħa.
A taxi ride from Malta Airport to Mellieħa takes around 40 minutes, depending on traffic. This is way quicker than catching a public bus, and much more comfortable. You might also get some expert advice on your itinerary from your taxi driver, who generally knows a thing or two about the best places in Malta and Gozo.
Choose from these two taxi options:
Tip: If y ou choose to take this route it’s best to use the prepaid ticket rather than trying to hail a cab by yourself as you could be charged way more.
A regular taxi normally carries up to three persons, and three pieces of luggage. If you’re travelling with a bigger group you’d need to hail multiple taxis if you level it until arrival, while a pre-booked transfer allows you to select a larger vehicle and avoid hassle and additional cost.
There’s no transport cheaper than public transport buses to take you from Malta Airport to Mellieħa. The trip costs €2 per adult (this is the summer price – in winter it’s even less). However, don’t expect lightning speed, as public transport is slow (especially during rush hour) and there will be some waiting time until the next bus arrives.
There are two options when it comes to using public transport. The first option is to use the normal route buses (with one ticket you can ride as many buses as you want for a period of two hours). The second, and in my opinion, better option, is to jump on the X1 bus, which is a direct bus travelling between the airport and Mellieħa. In both cases, expect the trip to take over one hour.
Follow these steps to catch the X1 bus to Mellieħa:
Step 1: You’ve landed in Malta, great! After clearing immigration, you’ll end up in the arrivals area (known as the Arrivals hall).
Step 2: Look for the Malta Public Transport desk. They sell single tickets or Multi-day passes.
Tip: You can also buy your tickets on the bus or from other places inside the airport, such as the WHSmith outlet in the Arrivals hall, Agenda bookshop in the Departures hall or from dispensing machines in the outer corridor as you’re heading out of the airport.
Tip: A little bit of cash takes you a long way in Malta.
Bus ticket prices:
Step 3: Walk out of the Airport to the X1 bus bay across the road and wait for the bus. The X1 bus passes by every hour between 6am and midnight.
Tip: Check out your route here. The Malta Public Transport app is available for Android and iOS. This lets you check when the next bus is due, giving you also route information and a list of stops.
Step 4: Board the bus when it arrives.
Step 5: Reach your destination and start your holiday!
If you enjoy driving, why not rent a car to get from Malta Airport to Mellieħa? It’s a very practical solution, as it will be easy to go around the island and see all the interesting places in Malta and Gozo.
Rental car prices vary, depending mostly on the type of car you prefer and for how long you need it. A medium sized car would cost around €7 for one day.
The drive from Malta Airport to Mellieħa takes some 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Heads up: Like the UK and Japan, cars in Malta are right-hand drive and you should keep on the right side of the road.
Here are two car rental options to consider:
Once your holiday is over, you can leave the car keys in a deposit box at the airport.
To get from Malta Airport to Mellieħa you’ll need to cross the island lengthwise, passing through a number of towns. But don’t worry, it’s very straightforward. The roads are pretty good and signs visible.
From the airport, head to Luqa first. Continue towards Qormi, from where you can get to Żebbuġ. Drive along the outskirts of Rabat, following the signs towards Mġarr, then straight up to Mellieħa.
Heads up: Parking in Mellieħa is only a headache during the summer months (from June to August), since many locals and tourists will visit Mellieħa Bay. But there are ample empty spaces around the town – just be prepared to walk a bit extra.
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!
Cheaper than taxis and faster than public transport, the shuttle bus is a shared service operated by Malta Airport offering trips to and from specific locations, such as hotels. The Shuttle Bus will stop at various places along the route, depending on how many passengers are aboard and their destinations.
With Mellieħa being the farthest on the map, expect many of these stops. You might also have to wait at the airport until all passengers have boarded the Shuttle Bus.
From Malta airport to Mellieħa the shuttle bus ticket costs around €12-15 for 2 adults and luggage, which is pretty cheap.
You can book the shuttle bus through Suntransfers. That way you’ll have a hassle-free transfer with someone welcoming you at the airport after you land.
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