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St. Paul’s Bay is located 18.5 kilometres away from Malta International Airport, and you have a number of options to cover this distance.
You could rent a car from the airport (€15-30/day+) or take a taxi (around €36 – I usually recommend Welcome Pickups); in both cases, you’ll reach your destination in about half an hour. You can also use public transport, a trip that takes well over an hour but is very cheap (€2). Or you could consider using the shuttle bus, a service operated by the airport (€12).
This article outlines all possible transport options to get a airport transfer to St. Paul’s bay to help you decide on your method of travel.
A 30-minute taxi ride will get you from Malta Airport to St. Paul’s Bay safe and sound. This is the most convenient way to travel to your holiday destination, since you don’t need to think about anything – hail the taxi, get in, and you’re on your way. And there’s another major plus point here – ask your taxi driver for some insights about special places to visit in Malta and Gozo. Taxi drivers are usually quite savvy and love to share their local knowledge.
Book your taxi before taking the flight to Malta. You can do so online with Welcome Pickups. I use them myself and recommend them without hesitation, in fact, I’ve partnered with them to make booking online easier.
Prices start from around €36, but this slight difference gives you lots of benefits in return: you’ll be able to choose your car and you’ll find a driver waiting for you when you land, no matter what time it is.
Something to consider is the fact that a regular taxi carries up to three passengers and three large pieces of luggage.
Malta Public Transport is the cheapest way to travel around the islands. The service is frequent, with buses every hour going from Malta Airport to St. Paul’s Bay, and the cost is unbelievably low – just €2 euro per person (€1.50 in winter).
Not everything about public buses is perfect though. When using public transport, you could end up waiting a long time for the next bus – sometimes only to find it full. That could really ruin your holiday, more so if you are on your way back to the airport.
Another downside to using public transport is the lengthy travel time. Buses are slow, especially during rush hour.
There’s a direct bus, called the X3, which goes from Malta Airport to St. Paul’s Bay directly. If using public transport, I suggest using this bus, as it is more convenient and has extra space for your luggage. Here are the steps for catching the X3 direct bus:
Step 1: Go through immigration at the Malta International Airport. You’ll find yourself in the arrivals area of the airport (called the Arrivals hall).
Step 2: Look for the Malta Public Transport desk. They offer advice and sell bus tickets, both for a single trip or multi-day passes.
Tip: Several other outlets at the airport sell bus tickets. These include WHSmith (Arrivals), Agenda Bookshop (Departures), and a dispensing machine in the outer corridor. Tickets can also be bought on the bus.
Bus ticket prices:
Step 3: With the tickets, head out of the airport. The X3 bus bay is just across the road. Wait for the next bus.
Tip: The X3 bus schedule can be found X3. The bus passes every hour between 5.30 am and midnight.
Step 4: Hop on the bus when it arrives and settle back for the trip.
Tip: Download the Malta Public Transport app on your phone (Android or Apple) to check when the next X3 bus is due. The app shows you also where to stop.
Step 5: Get off the bus and to your holiday residence in St. Paul’s Bay!
Self-driving is one of the best options to get from Malta Airport to St. Paul’s Bay, an 18.5 km trip that should take you around 30 minutes. You can rent a car directly from the airport or book it in advance when you are booking your holiday in Malta. Prices start from €15 per day for a small car.
St. Paul’s Bay is very well connected with the rest of the island, which means you’ll find it easy to explore Malta and Gozo.
Heads up: In Malta, cars are driven on the right side of the road, like in the UK and Japan.
Here’s how you can rent a car in Malta:
The rented car’s keys can be deposited at the airport on your last day before you jump back on your return flight.
With normal traffic, it will take you about 30 minutes to drive from Malta Airport to St. Paul’s Bay. You will need to drive through Luqa first, then through Marsa, Msida, San Ġwann, and Naxxar, to finally reach your destination. Road signs are available all the way and the roads are safe.
Heads up: Be prepared for some parking headaches in St. Paul’s Bay, more so in summer. If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, I would suggest trying to find a place with 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 final option is the shuttle bus, a shared transport operated by the Malta International Airport company, servicing all localities in Malta. Expect multiple drop-offs during your drive, since you’ll be sharing the Shuttle Bus with other travellers.
You can book this service for just €12-15 for two adults plus luggage. Although cheaper than a taxi, consider the additional travel time plus having to wait at the airport until all travellers are on the bus.
The easiest thing to do for a hassle-free transfer and welcome at the airport is to book a shuttle in advance, with Suntransfers, for example.
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