Getting around Malta
Malta has no trains or metro. Most people travel by bus, ferry, ride-hailing apps or car.
- Buses are run by Malta Public Transport and are called tallinja. They cover Malta and Gozo, including the airport.
- Ferries connect Valletta with Sliema and the Three Cities, and Malta with Gozo.
- Bolt, Uber and eCabs are cheap and popular, especially at night.
Use the tallinja app or Google Maps to plan your trip and see live bus times.
Free bus travel for residents
Since October 2022, bus travel is free for residents who have a personalised tallinja card.
- Free travel covers day and night buses, some special services, the Valletta ferries and the Barrakka Lift in Valletta.
- Not free: the tallinja Direct express routes (TD), which take a fare from your card.
- Always tap your card on the machine next to the driver. A green light means it worked. If you do not tap, you can get a €50 fine.
Important: free travel will change for many non-EU residents from January 2027. See below.
Personalised tallinja card types
| Card | Who it is for | Card fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Residents aged 17 and over | €25 |
| Student | Ages 11 to 16, or 17 to 59 in a full-time course of more than 3 months | €25 |
| Child | Ages 4 to 10 (children under 4 travel free without a card) | €5 |
| Gozo Resident | People whose main home is in Gozo | €25 |
| Concession | People aged 60+ with a Kartanzjan card, and people with an EU Disability Card or CRPD ID card | €5 |
How to apply:
- Register on the Malta Public Transport website (publictransport.com.mt) with your email and mobile number.
- Upload a photo and a copy of your ID (for most expats, your e-Residence card).
- Pay the card fee and postage. The card usually arrives within 2 weeks.
You can also apply on paper at a MaltaPost post office, for a small extra fee.
Cards and tickets for tourists and visitors
Visitors and people without a personalised card pay for each trip, or buy a travel card:
| Ticket or card | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single ticket (cash or contactless card on the bus) | One trip, valid for 2 hours with changes | €2.00 in winter, €2.50 in summer, €3 at night |
| 12 Single Day Journeys | 12 trips, can be shared, valid 6 months | €19 |
| Explore Flex 4 Days | Unlimited buses for 4 days, incl. night buses and the airport | from €21 |
| Explore Flex 7 Days | Unlimited buses for 7 days | €27 |
| Explore Child 7 Day | Unlimited buses for children aged 4 to 10 | €7 |
Explore Flex add-ons: you can add a Gozo fast ferry return, a harbour cruise, a Comino trip or the hop-on hop-off bus. Prices are on the Malta Public Transport website.
Explore cards cannot be shared. All cards work on buses in both Malta and Gozo. Prices are for 2026 and can change.
What changes in 2027
In the Budget for 2027 (presented on 26 October 2026), the government announced that free public transport will continue only for:
- Maltese citizens
- EU citizens living in Malta
- Long-term residents (a special status you can apply for, usually after 5 years of legal stay, with conditions)
Who will have to pay from January 2027: most other non-EU residents (third-country nationals), for example people on a Single Permit (including Key Employee Initiative), Nomad permit holders, and people on residence programmes such as the MPRP.
What we know so far:
- The new rules are expected to start in January 2027.
- The new fares and the exact rules have not been published yet. Reports mention a monthly pass of about €33, but this is not yet confirmed.
- The position of EEA and Swiss citizens and British citizens covered by the Brexit agreement still needs to be confirmed in the final rules.
- The Budget also changes other things for non-EU residents, such as higher work permit fees and free childcare for new applicants.
We will update this guide as soon as the official rules and fares are published. If you are a non-EU resident, plan for a bus pass in your 2027 budget. Try our Cost of Living Calculator.
Ferries
- Valletta ferries: short crossings from Valletta to Sliema and to the Three Cities (Birgu). Free with a personalised tallinja card.
- Gozo Channel ferry: from Ċirkewwa (north Malta) to Mġarr (Gozo), about 25 minutes. Foot passengers and cars pay only on the way back from Gozo.
- Fast ferry: from Valletta to Mġarr (Gozo) in about 45 minutes. Book online, especially in summer.
- Sicily: a fast ferry from Valletta to Pozzallo takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. See Trips to Sicily.
Taxis, cars and other options
- Ride-hailing apps: Bolt, Uber and eCabs are the easiest way to get a taxi. Prices are shown before you book.
- White taxis: you can find them at the airport, the ports and in Valletta. Agree the price before you start, or use the fixed airport fares.
- Driving: traffic is heavy at rush hour and parking is hard in busy areas. See Driving License.
- Cycling and scooters: possible, but roads can be busy and narrow. Rental e-scooters are no longer available in Malta.
Not sure which area to live in? Living near a main bus route, or in a central area like Sliema, Gżira, Msida or Valletta, makes life without a car much easier. Check rents with our Rent Price Checker.