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St. Julian’s is a seaside town, well known for its nightlife and diving in Malta. Given the large number of restaurants, bars and clubs in the area, it is very popular with tourists.
There’s just a short distance of 10.5 km between Malta International Airport and St. Julian’s, and you can cover this distance by taxi (most convenient, around €26 per trip – I usually recommend Welcome Pickups), public transport (cheapest, €2 per person), rented car (from €15-30 per day plus fuel cost) or use a shared shuttle bus (€12 for two adults plus luggage).
This article will help you find the best transport option for you. Read on to find out the best way to get a Malta airport transfer to St. Julian’s.
A taxi is usually the quickest way to get from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s. The trip takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxi drivers always have good tips to share, so don’t be shy to ask them to help you with your itinerary.
There are two taxi options to consider:
Tip: Don’t go directly to the taxis waiting outside the airport, as you might end up paying more than the standard fare.
Tip: A regular taxi fits up to three persons and three pieces of luggage. So if you are more than 3 or have a lot of luggage, for option 1, you would need to hire an extra taxi, while for option 2 you can select a bigger car (which, in this case, will be the cheaper option).
Public buses are Malta’s cheapest travel method. For just a couple of euros per head, you can hop on a bus from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s. The catch is the waiting and travel time, more so if you’re on your way back to the airport and during rush hour. Apart from route buses, you could also use a direct bus. This takes you to your destination in St. Julian’s in under an hour, with extra space for your luggage.
Here’s how to use public transport in Malta:
Step 1: After landing at Malta International Airport, clear immigration and walk into the Arrivals lounge (called the Arrivals Hall).
Step 2: The Malta Public Transport booth is easy to spot. Buy a bus ticket to your destination from the desk (it’s also worth considering multi-day passes).
Tip: Tickets can also be bought on the bus or from WHSmith outlet within the Arrivals Hall, Agenda bookshop within the Check-in Hall, and from a dispensing machine in the outer corridor as you head outside of the Airport.
Tip: Having some cash (or exact change) handy makes your life a lot easier.
One-way public transport ticket prices:
A multiday pass costs €12 for the week and lets you travel anywhere on the island.
Step 3: Walk out of the Airport and find the public bus bay across the road.
Tip: Look for the X2 bus which passes every hour between 6 am and midnight. This will take you straight to your destination.
Tip: Download the Malta Public Transport app (Android or Android) and check when the next bus is due. The app gives you also route info and a list of stops.
Step 4: Board the bus! If you didn’t get a ticket from the Airport, you can pay the driver to get the tickets on the bus.
Step 5: Relax and enjoy the ride to your destination!
Renting a car to drive from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s yourself is practical and convenient. Getting from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s takes just between 16 and 25 minutes, depending on traffic. From St. Julian’s it is then quite easy to visit interesting places in Malta or Gozo. Car rental prices vary according to the type of car you rent and for how long you keep it, as well as the season. For example, a medium-sized car would usually cost around €15-30 per day.
Heads up: In Malta, you drive on the left-hand side of the road, like in the UK and Japan. Cars are also right-hand drives.
You can rent your car from the Airport. Choose one of the following options:
Put the car keys in a deposit box at the Airport on the day of your departure from Malta.
There’s no hassle to get from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s. Roads are good and road signs are easy to follow as you navigate through a handful of villages towards your holiday destination.
After heading to Luqa, proceed to Marsa and follow the signs to Ħamrun, Msida, Kappara, and then to St. Julian’s.
Heads up: St. Julian’s can be a nightmare to park. Parking on the outskirts of St. Julian’s is usually less busy. If you’re still planning your holiday, try finding a place that offers private parking – even if you need to pay something extra, it may be worthwhile doing so.
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 shuttle bus is a shared method of transport that offers an alternative to taxis. You can ask to be dropped off or picked up from specific locations, such as hotels. For a one-way trip from Malta airport to St. Julian’s, you pay around €12-15 for two adults plus luggage.
Sharing the shuttle bus with other travellers means that travel time is much longer than taking a private taxi, given that the shuttle bus stops several times along the way to drop off or pick up other travellers. The shuttle will also only leave the airport once every passenger has gotten on the bus, which adds to your waiting time.
You can book the shuttle bus in advance for a hassle-free transfer and welcome at the airport through Suntransfers.com.
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