How to get around Malta?

How to get around Malta?

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Useful information for Malta

This page will give you essential information about how to get around Malta, learning more on:

  • ^ Transportation: the different means of transportation available depending on your budget.
  • ^ Safety: an overview about safety in Malta and the main risks incurred.
  • ^ Accommodation: several options on where to sleep in Malta.
  • ^ Food: some Maltese dishes and some tips to save money on food.
  • ^ Local life cost: price examples for different type of costs.

Thousands inhabitants

Most expensive country ranking


Transportation in Malta

How to move in Malta?

Going around Malta on a low budget

 

To save money during your trip to Malta, the best way is probably to take public transports. For example, you will find bus fares in Malta on the official public transport website. Tickets are valid for durations of 2 hours and for any destination in Malta or Gozo. If you plan to travel a lot by public transports, I advise you to opt for a Tallinja card which will allow you to benefit from reduced rates. You can choose the most suitable offer depending on your itinerary and the length of your stay. For example, the “Explore Plus” card offers 7 days of unlimited travel, and includes transportation to the airport and beaches.

With more than 2,000 bus stops across the islands, you’re sure to get to most destinations. In addition, with this card, you will benefit from a round trip boat trip between the islands of Malta and Comino. This card is available online on their website, or you can find it at the airport, at bus stations and in some shops or bookstores.

You can also organize your public transport trips in Malta on the official public transport website.

Malta public transport map How to get around

Malta public transportation map

If you want to save even more money, and avoid sometimes full buses during rush hour, another option to get around is to hitchhike. Malta is considered a safe country and almost everyone speaks English. However, be aware that this means of transportation will likely waste a lot of your time.

Otherwise, if you want to explore the island by exercising at the same time, you could bring or rent a bike. There are indeed several places in Malta to rent bikes for a few hours or several days.

If you want to travel by sea, you can use the taxis boats that run frequently between Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities. Tickets are the same price as buses, and they allow you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Port for example.

Going around Malta on a higher budget

If you prefer to be more independent and go faster to your destinations, rent a car. The best option is to pick it up directly at the airport, having booked it online in advance. Since Malta is a small island, you will not consume a lot of fuel. In addition, the prices for car rental in Malta are rather affordable compared to the prices charged in other major cities of the world. You will find examples of costs in the section Local life cost. Personally, for this type of island destination, I usually get around by rental car. This allows me to save time traveling between points of interest and to visit more at my own pace.

Taxis can also be an alternative for short trips, but fares are obviously much more expensive. 

How to get around in Malta with rental cars

Going directly to Mgarr Ix Xini thanks to my rental car.

What you should know about driving in Malta

^ Drive on the Left
Although Malta has been independent since 1964, the island nation continues to uphold the British tradition of driving on the left side of the road. If you’re accustomed to driving on the right, be extra alert.

^ How fast can you drive?
If the speed limit isn’t clearly marked, then follow the limits set by the Malta traffic regulations: 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside of built-up areas. Note that there are no motorways on Malta. Be also careful on the road because the Maltese do not always respect speed limits and priorities.

^ Be careful parking
If you want to park your car in Valletta for example, check the markings on the ground. The yellow lines signify the prohibition to park. Green indicates that the area is reserved for residents. The blue lines indicate that anyone can park there between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The blue lines indicate that anyone can park there between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. by paying at the parking meter or by putting a parking disc (normally present in your rental car). Otherwise, you can always park on the streets with white lines.

Transportation from Malta airport (MLA) to Valletta

When traveling from Malta International Airport (MLA) to downtown Valletta, you have two different transfer options: take the bus or a taxi. Taking a taxi from Malta Airport is the most convenient option, your trip will only take about fifteen minutes, you won’t wait for departure and i will cost you around 15 euros. Otherwise, taking the X4 bus is the cheapest option since a one-way ticket costs only € 2. This journey should only last about twenty minutes. The bus runs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., so if you arrive outside these hours, you will need to take a taxi. Fortunately, there is no surcharge on night taxis in Malta.

You can also book in advance a cheap private transfer here.

Alternatively, as mentioned before, you can also simply collect your rental car upon arrival at the airport.

Excursions from Valletta

If you don’t want to use any of the transportation options presented above, you can also use excursion services. From Valletta, you have plenty of excursions possibilities to reach the most famous attraction of Malta, Gozo and Comino islands. You can have a look to the ideas just below:

If you want to try other fun means of transport in Malta, please check the propositions below:


Safety in Malta

How safe is Malta?

Although Malta is considered a safe country to travel, there are certain risks to watch out for. For example, like in many capitals, keep your belongings safe from pickpockets in crowded areas. Most of the risks are in fact seasonal and linked to nature.

^ Bird hunting is practiced in spring and autumn. The dates change every year and are determined by the government before the season. You will find the exact dates and times of the hunt in the local news. In Malta, hunting areas are rarely well identified and can overlap with camping areas, country paths or other public spaces. Although not frequent, incidents involving the public have occurred before. So be aware of this when you visit rural areas and natural places during the hunting seasons.

^ Rough sea: There are a few days in winter in Malta where the waves crash heavily on the beaches and can even reach the nearby walking paths. Some tourists underestimate the strength of the sea and tend to get too close to the seaside. Therefore, every year, certain accidents occur involving tourists.

^ Cliff diving: Jumping off cliffs can be very dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Make sure the sea is deep enough to avoid hitting the bottom or a rock. Finally, for more security, stick to areas where diving is allowed, they are most of the time well marked.

Jumping in the sea at Xlendi Bay - How to get around Malta

Be very careful of the rocks when you jump into the water!

How to prevent risks?

Accidents can always happen during our travels. In Malta, for example, the rocky seashores can be slippery, and the roads dangerous for those who are not used to driving on the left side. So I advise you to be properly insured for your trip. In the event of a problem, citizens of European Union countries may present their European health insurance card in order to be reimbursed for their medical interventions. For non-EU / EEA citizens, they will be billed in full in hospitals and clinics. If you have a premium credit card (“Gold”, …), don’t forget to check the conditions of the travel insurance oftenly included.

For your nautical activities in particular, always check the weather forecast on www.maltaweather.com and ask locals for advice.

To get more up-to-date information about potential risks in Malta, you can check this reliable website from the UK government: Gov.uk, this reliable site will also provide you with information on the latest entry conditions in Malta (visas, Covid-19 conditions, etc.)

Finally, in case of emergency, Dial 112 for the police, ambulance or in case of fire.


Accommodation in Malta

Where to sleep in Malta?

You can find all types of accommodation in Malta, small campsites or hostels but also luxury hotels. Depending on the island you visit, the offer will vary, you will probably find less accommodation solutions on Gozo and Comino islands.

At the end, your accommodation choice will be made depending on your budget and your need for comfort.

Hostels, Airbnb and hotels

 

Malta can be an economical destination with a wide choice of hotels, hostels and Airbnb accommodation. However, during the summer, between July and August, prices increase considerably. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a room that fits your budget, if you book in advance through convenient and reliable websites such as:

  • ^ Hotels.com, for a good choice of hotels and the benefit of a free night every 10 booking done
  • ^ Hostelworld, to find an hostel in Malta
  • ^ Airbnb to find a private accommodation with good prices in general. 

Go camping in Malta

 

In Malta, you can only camp in designated camping areas such as Mellieha or Ghajn Tuffieha campsites. For example, on the L-Ahrax peninsula, located in the north of Malta and part of Mellieha, you can camp in beautiful, unspoiled and peaceful landscapes.

There are also campsites on the north coast of Gozo near the Ghasri valley which also offer beautiful views of the cliffs.
Unlike Malta and Gozo, the island of Comino has only one hotel. Most tourists come to the island for a day trip and therefore do not sleep on Comino. However, another option to spend the night there, without spending a fortune is camping. Since there are no grocery store on the island of Comino, consider bringing your own food supplies and possibly your gas stove.

It is best to camp in the spring or fall because the summers can be very hot and the winter months are very windy. As there are few facilities in the campsites of Malta, Gozo and especially Comino, do not forget to prepare well in advance and bring everything you need.

Gozitan farmhouses

 

If you’re looking for a local and authentic experience in Gozo, a good option is to stay in one of these rustic farmhouses. Some of these farms, located in the countryside, date back 400 years. However, most of these rental properties are in fact very well equipped, with kitchens, swimming pool, outdoor terrace, barbecue… and Wi-Fi connection. They can accommodate from 2 to 16 people, and are therefore perfect for families or groups of friends. Their costs are around 800 euros per week for two people in high season or from 70 euros per night for two people in low season.

The following websites specialise in these kinds of properties:


Food in Malta

What to eat in Malta?

Maltese cuisine is a mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, with its own local touch of course. Maltese particularly like home cooking, which is why meals often become feasts.

Rabbit stew or tal-fenek is a national dish of Malta. The most popular snack is pastizzi (less than € 1 each), it is a little treat filled with ricotta or pea puree.

Since Malta is surrounded by the sea, fresh fish is of course served in most restaurants. One of the most popular fish species is the lampuka, which is especially served in a pie called torta tal-lampuki. Grilled swordfish, sea bream, or sea bass, are also fish that you can taste there.

For something sweet, date cakes or imqaret are probably the most popular dessert. With their sweet date-based garnish, these rectangular pastries are generally sold in street markets.

You can also quench your thirst with a local beer such as “Cisk Lager” or with Kinnie, the favorite soft drink of Maltese, which is an equivalent of Coca-Cola.

How to get around Malta food

Maltese plate in the restaurant

How to save money on food in Malta?

The best way to save money on food is of course to cook it yourself, so either you opt for accommodation with a kitchen or you bring your kitchen equipment to prepare your food outside. In fact, you don’t need much to cook outside: a camping stove, a pan and cutlery. You will buy your gas bottle locally in Malta since you cannot transport this kind of thing on the plane.

Malta is unable to supply a lot locally, so a lot of food has to be imported. Therefore, the price of food is relatively expensive in Malta. Not all grocery stores offer the same prices, for the cheapest, check out the big discount supermarket chains like Lidl for example.

For information, small shops (like grocery stores) open early in the morning (around 6 am) and generally close between noon and 4 pm to take a nap and avoid the hot weather.


Life cost in Malta

How much does it cost to travel in Malta? 

Examples of costs in Malta

 

Malta is fairly an expensive country, but not as much as the Western European countries like Germany, France or the United Kingdom for example. Malta is ranked 26th in the ranking of the most expensive countries in the world.

First, you will find some examples of costs in Malta based on my experience and especially on the reliable website numbeo.com.

I will give the prices in local currency, which is Euros (sign: € code: EUR). For the exchange rate with your currency:

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You will find below prices (on 2021 basis) for costs you may encounter during your trip:

In my Malta travel guide ebook or in paper, you will find complete estimations costs for a trip in Malta depending of the duration of your stay and the type of comfort you want. For instance, the estimation cost for 1 week in Malta, sleeping at the hotel and renting a car.

How to pay in Malta?

Malta has been part of the euro zone since 2008, so the currency is the Euro. For cash withdrawal, ATMs are available everywhere in cities. The credit card is also accepted almost everywhere, however, make sure you have a little change on you for small daily expenses such as the purchase of snacks or drinks.

The 2 main banks in Malta are HSBC and Bank of Valletta. You can also find currency exchange offices in most touristic areas.

Regarding tipping, rules are quite the same as in continental Europe, it is not compulsory but appreciated. However, in restaurants where service is not included in the bill, leave 10% for good service.


Time for departure?

If you’ve read this guide so far, you may be very keen to explore Malta. It may be one of the best choices you will make this month or even this year as traveling to Malta is likely to be a great vacation memory.

If so, please let me help you in more detail with my Malta travel guide ebook or paper format. I’m sure this ebook will simplify your trip organisation and will be very useful directly on your phone. Throughout your trip, you will have the following additional benefits:

  • ^ Additional amazing sites (25 in total) to visit with more tips for each spot (time needed to visit, photography advice, best moment of the day to visit, level of physical difficulty to reach the place…),
Sample of the ebook malta travel guide - what to do chapter
  • ^ Advised itineraries and full budget estimations depending on different type of confort,
Sample of the ebook Malta travel guide- advised itineraries chapter
  • ^ A map to download on your mobile , with all the best places to visit, so you can just use it as a GPS, online or offline during your trip.
Map of Malta
  • ^ More informations on the country such as its history, local words useful to know, things not to do…
Sample of the ebook Iceland travel guide - facts, history and more

If you want to check the quality and value of this Malta travel guide ebook or printed on demand, check out now the free trial version 🤩.

Malta travel guide -where2travel 2022

Malta travel guide ebook or paper

Click on the image to see the trial version 😉

In addition to what you have already seen for free on Where2travel.com, this Malta travel guide ebook or paper has the following additional interests:

  • ^Additional sites to visit: 10 more beautiful places (or 25 in total!) are described in detail, with many photos,
  • ^More tips and advice for each location: the time needed for the visit, photography advice, the best time of day to visit, the level of difficulty to reach the place, the useful equipment to bring …
  • ^Recommended itineraries and complete budget estimates for different duration and different types of comfort,
  • ^An interactive map to download on your mobile, with 25 must-see sites in Iceland. You can also easily use this map as a GPS, offline or connected to the local network during your trip,
  • ^More information about the country like a summary of its history, a few useful words to know, things not to do …

Malta travel guide
ebook or paper

Click on the image to see the trial version 😉

Malta travel guide -where2travel 2022

In addition to what you have already seen for free on Where2travel.com, this Malta travel guide ebook or paper has the following additional interests:

  • ^Additional sites to visit: 10 more beautiful places (or 25 in total!) are described in detail, with many photos,
  • ^More tips and advice for each location: the time needed for the visit, photography advice, the best time of day to visit, the level of difficulty to reach the place, the useful equipment to bring …
  • ^Recommended itineraries and complete budget estimates for different duration and different types of comfort,
  • ^An interactive map to download on your mobile, with 25 must-see sites in Malta. You can also easily use this map as a GPS, offline or connected to the local network during your trip,
  • ^More information about the country like a summary of its history, a few useful words to know, things not to do …

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