All the ways from Malta International Airport (MLA) to your hotel. Compare cost, time and comfort — book the right option for your trip.
Prebook Airport Transfer →Six ways from MLA to your hotel. Prices are indicative — check current rates before booking.
| Option | Cost | Time | Wait | Comfort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Bus | €2 | 30-60 min | Up to 30 min | Basic | Budget solo travellers, light luggage, daytime |
| Bolt | €10-25 | 20-40 min | 3-10 min | Good | 1-3 people, short journeys, any time |
| Fixed Airport Taxi | €15-45 | 20-40 min | 0-5 min | Good | No app needed, no advance booking |
| Prebook Transfer | €20-50 | 20-40 min | None (driver waits) | Excellent | Families, groups, late arrivals, VIP |
| Hotel Shuttle | €0-15 | Varies | Fixed schedule | Good | Guests of hotels that offer it |
| Rental Car | €15+/day | 25-40 min | 10-30 min pickup | Full control | Multi-day trips exploring Malta/Gozo |
The Malta airport taxi zoned pricing system is transparent — pay at the kiosk in Arrivals, receipt shows the price. Approximate rates:
| Destination | Zone | Approx Fare | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valletta | Central | ~€15-18 | 15-20 min |
| Sliema / St Julians | Central-North | ~€20-25 | 25-35 min |
| Buġibba / Qawra / St Paul's Bay | North | ~€25-30 | 30-40 min |
| Mellieħa | Far North | ~€30-35 | 35-45 min |
| Ċirkewwa (Gozo ferry) | Far North | ~€40-45 | 45-55 min |
| Mdina / Rabat | Central-West | ~€20 | 20-25 min |
| Marsaskala / Marsaxlokk | South-East | ~€15-20 | 15-25 min |
| Golden Bay / Manikata | North-West | ~€30 | 30-40 min |
| Birgu / Vittoriosa (Three Cities) | Central | ~€15-18 | 15-20 min |
Rates approximate. Fixed taxi zone pricing may include supplements for late-night (22:00-06:00) or extra luggage. Always confirm price at the kiosk before boarding.
Malta Public Transport operates four airport express routes plus regular local buses. Choose based on where you're staying:
Also worth knowing: Malta Public Transport runs a separate Airport Direct service and a set of tallinja Direct express routes alongside the numbered X services. The network was revised in mid-2026, so check the journey planner for your date rather than relying on a route number you read somewhere.
Fares: Approximately €2 single (summer higher), buy from driver with contactless card or cash. Or get a 7-day Tallinja Explore card (~€21) if you plan to use buses a lot during your stay. See fares and tickets.
Frequency: Roughly every 15-30 minutes during daytime, less frequent evenings. Check publictransport.com.mt for current schedules.
Last buses: Roughly 22:00-23:00 depending on route. If arriving late, use Bolt or prebook a transfer.
Gozo is two legs, not one: the airport to Ċirkewwa on Malta's northern tip, then the Gozo Channel ferry across to Mġarr. Budget around 90 minutes door to door — roughly an hour to the terminal plus a 25-minute crossing, and ferries run about every 45 minutes.
| How | Rough cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bus + ferry | ~€10 total | Cheapest by far. Around €2 for the bus, plus the foot-passenger ferry fare. Slow, and awkward with big cases. |
| Taxi to Ċirkewwa + walk-on ferry | ~€35–45 | Faster and easier with luggage, but you still carry your bags onto the ferry and need onward transport in Gozo. |
| Direct transfer to your Gozo hotel | ~€60–80 | One vehicle the whole way, ferry included, driver meets you at arrivals. The least effort, and worth it for families or late landings. |
Ferry fares are charged on the return leg from Gozo, not on the way over — so a one-way crossing to Gozo costs nothing at the Ċirkewwa end. Check current fares with Gozo Channel before you travel.
Prebook your Malta airport transfer — fixed price, driver meets you at Arrivals, flight tracking included.
Book Airport Transfer →Approximately €20-25 with the fixed-zone airport taxi. Pay at the kiosk in Arrivals — you'll get a receipt with the price. Bolt is usually cheaper (~€12-18) but requires the app. Prebook transfers via Booking.com typically €20-30 with a driver waiting for you by name.
Yes — Uber operates in Malta, though a number of older travel guides still say otherwise. Bolt arrived earlier and has more drivers, and the Maltese operator eCabs is the third main option. Uber is card-only and, unlike Bolt and eCabs, does not currently let you book a ride in advance in Malta. Prices across the three are broadly similar, so it is worth checking two apps before confirming.
Airport express buses (X1-X4) have proper luggage racks and are fine with 1-2 suitcases per person. Regular local buses have very limited luggage space — avoid with big cases. If you have 3+ big suitcases or awkward items, take a taxi.
Reputable prebook services (including Booking.com Taxis) track your flight number and adjust pickup time automatically. Always give the correct flight number when booking. If you're worried, check the confirmation for the operator's contact number.
Two-leg journey: MLA to Ċirkewwa (Malta's northern port), then Gozo Channel ferry to Mġarr (25-min crossing, every 45 min). Options: bus X1 all the way to Ċirkewwa (~€2, ~55 min) then ferry (~€5 return foot passenger); taxi to Ċirkewwa (~€40-45) then ferry; or prebook a direct MLA-to-Gozo-hotel transfer (some operators include the ferry).
Not expected but appreciated for good service. Round up the fare or add €1-2 for a short journey, 5-10% for longer journeys or exceptional help with luggage. Fixed-price airport taxi drivers don't expect tips.
Yes. Small, modern, well-lit airport with good taxi/bus infrastructure and 24-hour operation. Standard precautions apply — watch your bags, use official taxis from the kiosk. Very low crime for a European capital airport.
Bolt drivers typically stop at the departures level (drop-off zone above arrivals) or on the road outside Arrivals. Check the app for exact meeting instructions — the driver will call or message. Give yourself 5-10 minutes from ordering to being at the pickup spot.
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