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There are several ways of getting from Malta airport to Valletta when visiting Malta, and in this guide, I’ll help you figure out which airport transfer option is best for you.
Valletta is around 10km away from Malta International Airport, and driving there by car takes around 20 minutes.
These are four ways to get from Malta Airport to Valletta:
Here’s a quick comparison of airport transfer options in terms of time vs cost vs effort for a single trip.
Journey time | Cost (single) | Effort 1-3 | Provider | |
Taxi transfer | 20 mins. | €27-30 | 1 | Welcome Pickups |
Shuttle bus | 30-60 mins. | €9-10 | 2 | Suntransfers |
Public transport | 30 mins. | €2.50 (daytime fare) | 3 | |
Car rental | 20 mins. | €15-35/day* | 3 |
*Excluding parking fees
As you can see, public transport is the cheapest option for an airport transfer (just €2.50 for a one-way ticket), though takes longer and is a lot less practical if you’re travelling with luggage. The good thing about your destination is that it’s straightforward getting to the Valletta main bus terminal. You won’t have to worry about which bus stop to get off on. However, you will need to walk to the Valletta city centre, which is not convenient if you’re carrying luggage (prefer a taxi in this case).
Taking a private airport transfer is by far the most convenient option if you can afford it. You get picked up and helped with carrying luggage, and you’ll have a comfortable and quick trip from Malta Airport to Valletta.
By far, the most convenient, albeit priciest, way of getting from Malta’s International Airport to Valletta is booking an airport transfer. At around €27-30 (fixed rates), you’ll have peace of mind that transport will be smooth. You’ll also have a taxi driver waiting for you as you enter the Arrivals terminal (also referred to as Welcomers’ Hall).
A plus is that local taxi drivers are often pretty savvy and can be very helpful to source some tips with local knowledge.
When it comes to taxis, there are three options you can choose from:
TIP: If you’re travelling with more than three people, it’s good to know that you can easily select a larger vehicle at the online booking stage. That saves you both hassle and cost for your private transfer by taxi.
A shuttle bus airport transfer is also an option to get to Valletta and will cost you around €9-10. It might be more economical than taking a taxi, but you will waste some time because the driver will drop off the passengers one by one (expect a 50-minute journey).
Plus, you’ll need to wait until all passengers have arrived, and it’s shared transport at the end of the day.
Should you still prefer this option, this is how these shuttle buses work:
I usually recommend Suntransfers for the most reliable service and best rates.
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Public transportation is the cheapest option when it comes to airport transfer to Valletta, but it is less comfortable, less smooth and slower than taking a taxi.
Malta Airport is serviced by a few bus routes that reach various popular destinations across Malta without needing to change buses.
It’s only a 25-30 minute ride to reach the Valletta main bus terminal.
These are the directions you need to find your way onto the bus:
Valletta’s City Gate is a 5-minute walk away from the main bus station, and everything is easy to reach on foot; however, no buses enter the centre of the capital (except route 133, operating exclusively inside Valletta). That makes getting there with luggage less practical, especially in the heat of summer.
TIP: It’s good to know that buses servicing the airport have allocated space on board for you to be able to store large luggage, usually at the rear of the bus.
The three easiest options to pay your bus fare are:
Renting a car is the final transfer option to get from Malta Airport to Valletta. If you need the flexibility of a car and you’re not a nervous driver, it’s doable but not very practical. It does require a bit of effort to drive on Malta’s roads, so let me take you through the steps.
N.B. Parking within Valletta is notoriously tricky and limited, while a paid access system is also applied. If you decide to rent a car, you’ll need to use public or private parking options just outside the city’s main entrance and make your way on foot to your nearby accommodation. Distances are short, but they make a difference, especially in summer.
The paid access system is called ‘CVA’ and registers license plates entering and exiting the city. Access is charged between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays, timed stay within the city is measured until 6 p.m. In the case of rental cars, the agency will receive any charges and bill you for them. Good to know: The first 30 minutes after entry is free, which can come in handy to drop off luggage and passengers at your place of stay, after which you can exit the city to park your car.
Valletta is around 10 kilometres away from Malta airport.
Booking a taxi airport transfer from Malta Airport to Valletta costs around €27-30 with Welcome Pickups, and there are no hidden fees.
Yes, taxis are easy to get at Malta Airport. I recommend you pre-book your airport transfer by taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups to make your private transfer to your hotel even smoother, as this will save you from queueing at the taxi stand or hailing a taxi outside and ending up paying more.
By car or private taxi, a transfer from Malta airport to Valletta takes around 20 minutes. You’ll pass through the nearby towns of Marsa, Ħamrun and Floriana on your way.
Taking public transport (bus: X4) for your transfer is by far the cheapest way to get from Malta airport to Valletta, at just €2 per person for a single trip.
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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