Travelling Around Malta Using Malta Public Transport (MPT) : Complete Bus Guide for Visitors

Public buses are the main way to get around Malta if you do not drive. There is no metro or tram system here, so most locals and visitors rely on Malta Public Transport. The bus network covers almost the whole island, including Gozo. You can reach beaches, towns, tourist spots and even remote areas by bus.

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Buses in Malta are cheap and wide-reaching, which makes them a good option for visitors. The main routes are well connected and run often, especially around Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Mdina, Buġibba and the airport. That said, buses can be slow at times due to traffic. They can also get busy, especially during peak hours and in popular tourist areas. It helps to plan ahead and allow extra time.

This guide is for anyone planning to use public transport while visiting Malta. It is based on our week-long stay in Malta, during which we used the bus system extensively to get around. Everything in this article comes from real use, not theory, so you know what to expect before you step on a bus.

What Is Malta Public Transport?

Malta Public Transport is the public bus service that runs across Malta and Gozo. It is the main form of public transport on the islands and is used by both locals and visitors. The buses cover almost everywhere, from busy towns to beaches and smaller villages. During our stay, we used it daily and found it easy to rely on.

Most visitors use the bus system because it is affordable and reaches places where taxis would cost a lot. Travel cards work across both Malta and Gozo, which makes things simple if you are moving around a lot. With no trains or metro, buses are the backbone of getting around the islands.

 

How the Bus Network Works in Malta

Valletta is the main hub for the bus network. Many routes start or end here, so it often acts as a change point when travelling across the island. Other important hubs include Buġibba, the airport, Ċirkewwa for the Gozo ferry and Victoria in Gozo. Once you understand this hub system, planning trips becomes much easier.

Some routes are direct and work very well, especially on main tourist corridors. Others are longer and stop often, which can add time to your journey. On several of our journeys, we had to change buses. The wait time between buses was usually around 5 to 15 minutes. We did not find this inconvenient and actually welcomed the short breaks as a chance to stretch our legs.

Traffic is the main reason buses can be slow, particularly during rush hours and in busy areas. From our experience, buses are frequent and reliable on main routes, but it is still best to allow extra time and not rush.

Bus Tickets in Malta

Buying a bus ticket in Malta is straightforward. You can pay directly on the bus with cash, a contactless card, or your phone. A single ticket costs €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer for day routes. Night routes, special services and Tallinja Direct routes cost €3.

A ticket is valid for two hours, so you can transfer to another bus within that time without paying again. This makes it easy to reach destinations that need more than one bus. When you board, you must validate your ticket by showing it to the driver or tapping it on the reader.

Random ticket checks are carried out on buses, and if you do not have a valid ticket, the fine is €50. 

Overall, single tickets are cheap, convenient and perfect for occasional trips across Malta. However, if you plan to stay longer and use the bus service extensively, a travel card is a better option. This is what we did during our week in Malta & it made getting around much easier and more cost-effective. Travel cards are explained in the next section.
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Travel Cards in Malta: Which One Should You Choose?

Travel cards are a great option if you plan to use buses often. They save money compared to single tickets and are easy to use across Malta and Gozo. They work on day routes, night routes, special services, and some Tallinja Direct routes, making them perfect for visitors who want to explore multiple towns, beaches or attractions.

The 12 Single Day Journeys Card is ideal for short stays or groups. It includes 12 journeys with free transfers within two hours of each trip and can be shared between travellers. It is valid for six months from the first use and costs €19. For longer stays, the Explore Adult Card offers unlimited travel for seven days across all day and night routes, plus select special services, Airport Direct and other Tallinja Direct routes. It is non-shareable and costs €25.

Children between 4 and 10 can use the Explore Child Card, which also provides seven days of unlimited travel for €7. Children under four travel free. This makes it a great choice for families who want to get around the islands easily and affordably.

For more flexibility, the Explore Flex Travel Card lets you choose between bus-only or sightseeing bundles. The Unlimited 4-Days and 7-Days cost €21 and €27 and are the best options to use all services, including the Airport Direct. Other options include the Gozo Highspeed ferry, harbour cruises or both. You can buy it from sales offices, ticket machines or add it to the Tallinja app for easy top-ups. These travel cards are perfect if you want to combine bus travel with sightseeing, giving you a complete way to explore Malta and Gozo.

Whatever travel card you choose to buy, when you board the bus, always validate the card by tapping it on the reader.

For full details on fares, travel card types and ticket rules, you can check Malta Public Transport's website.

Where to Buy Tickets and Travel Cards

If you are arriving by plane, the easiest place to buy bus tickets or travel cards is at Malta International Airport. There is a Malta Public Transport sales office inside the Welcomers’ Hall in the arrivals area. This is very handy after a flight, especially if you plan to use the bus straight away. Staff can explain the options and help you choose the right card for your stay.

There are also Malta Public Transport sales offices at key locations across the island. You will find them at Valletta Bus Terminal, Buġibba Bus Terminal, and Sliema Ferries. These offices sell tickets and travel cards and can help with route questions. Opening hours vary by location, but most are open daily from morning to early evening, making them easy to access during sightseeing hours.

Card dispensing machines are another useful option and are available 24/7. These machines let you buy or top up travel cards at major spots such as the airport, Valletta Bus Terminal, Buġibba, Sliema Ferries, and Victoria in Gozo. These are especially helpful outside office hours or when you want to avoid queues.

You can also buy and manage tickets and travel cards using the tallinja app. The app makes it easy to purchase offers, view transactions and keep track of your card. It is most useful once you are already travelling, as it also helps with journey planning, live bus tracking and service updates. 

The tallinja App: Your Travel Companion in Malta

In addition to managing your travel card, the tallinja app helps with planning your journeys around Malta. You can search for routes, compare options, and see which bus to take. It also shows walking directions to bus stops, which is very helpful in busy towns or unfamiliar areas. We used it often to plan our day and work out the best way to get from one place to another.

One of the most useful features is real-time bus tracking and service alerts. You can see where your bus is, check arrival times, and get updates if there are delays or route changes. This is important in Malta, where traffic can affect timings, especially during busy hours. Having this information made waiting easier and helped us adjust plans when needed.

Airport Bus Services in Malta

Malta Public Transport runs a dedicated Airport Direct bus service, which is the quickest way to travel between the airport and key areas. These buses make fewer stops than regular routes, so journeys are faster and more direct. 

There are four routes. TD1 runs to Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa every hour. TD2 goes to St Julian’s and Pembroke every 30 minutes. TD3 serves St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira and Msida every 30 minutes. TD4 connects the airport with Valletta and the Gozo fast ferry, also every 30 minutes. We used the airport bus when arriving in Malta and again when leaving and it was super convenient both times.

Airport Direct buses are set up with travellers in mind. There is good luggage space, free Wi-Fi and USB charging points, which makes a big difference after a flight. If Airport Direct does not suit your plans, there are also regular bus routes from the airport. These can be useful if you are travelling to smaller towns or are not in a rush. 

 

Main Bus Terminals in Malta and Gozo

Malta’s main bus terminals matter because they make getting around much easier for visitors. This is where many routes start and end, so changing buses is simple and well organised. Terminals are laid out with clear zones and bays, which helps you find the right bus without stress. Most also have ticket machines, sales offices, real-time screens, and shaded waiting areas, which is very helpful when you are travelling in a new place.

Valletta Bus Terminal is the main hub on the island and the busiest one you are likely to use. It sits right by the city gate and is split into zones for south, north, and central routes. From here, you can reach places like Sliema, Mellieħa, Marsaxlokk, Mdina and the airport.  

Buġibba Bus Terminal is another key stop, especially for visitors staying in the north. It serves popular areas such as St Paul’s Bay, Golden Bay, Sliema, Valletta, and the airport and has good facilities plus nearby shops and cafés.

Ċirkewwa Bus Terminal is important if you are heading to Gozo, as it sits next to the ferry terminal. It connects northern Malta with Valletta, Buġibba, Sliema, and many beach areas, as well as direct routes into Gozo. 

Once in Gozo, Victoria Bus Terminal is the main hub. All main routes spread out from here to places like Marsalforn, Xlendi, Dwejra and Għarb, making it the easiest place to change buses and explore the island.

For information on routes and timetables, visit www.publictransport.com.mt

Practical Information for Bus Travel in Malta

Small bags and suitcases are fine on Malta buses as long as they do not block aisles or exits. Large or bulky luggage may be refused, especially at busy times, and this is up to the driver. Space is limited during peak hours, so travelling light makes things easier. If you are travelling with children, kids benefit from reduced fares, and pushchairs are allowed when space permits, but they may need to be folded on crowded buses.

Malta buses are designed to be accessible for everyone. All buses have low floors and ramps for wheelchair users, and drivers can assist when needed. There is priority seating near the front for those who need it, including parents with young children. Audio and visual stop announcements help you follow your journey, which is useful if you are new to the area or travelling with kids.

All Malta Public Transport buses offer free Wi-Fi. To connect, choose the “Tallinja Wi-Fi” network on your phone and accept the terms. It works best for browsing, messages and checking travel info, including routes and live updates. Speeds can vary, and it may be slower when many people are connected, so it is best used for light use rather than streaming.

Tips for Using Buses in Malta

• Travel early or late if you can. Buses are busiest between 7.30-9.30 am and 3.30-6.30 pm. Mid-morning and early afternoon are much easier.
• Allow extra time. Traffic can be heavy, especially around Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s. Journeys often take longer than planned.
• Weekends are different. Sundays and public holidays have fewer services. Popular routes to beaches and tourist areas fill up fast.
• Do not rely on one route only. Always check a second option. If one bus is full or delayed, having a backup saves time. We did this for all our journeys and never had to wait for long at the bus stops.
• Expect full buses in summer. July and August are very busy. You may need to wait for the next bus, especially at peak times.
• Check the last bus time. Services reduce late in the evening. Missing the last bus can mean a long wait or a taxi.
• Have small change or a travel card ready. Paying on the bus can slow things down and drivers may not always have change.
• Watch the stops. Some stops are request stops. Press the button early so the driver knows you want to get off.
• Buses are not always the best option. For tight schedules, late nights or short stays, taxis or ride-hailing apps can be quicker and less stressful.
• Be patient and flexible. Buses work well in Malta, but plans do change. A relaxed mindset helps a lot.

Is Malta Public Transport Worth Using?

Malta Public Transport is a good option for most visitors. It is affordable and easy to use, especially if you plan to stay for more than a few days. Buses cover most parts of the island, including towns, beaches and major attractions. You do not need to worry about parking or narrow roads. Services run from early morning until late evening and the Airport Direct routes make airport travel simple. Once you get used to the system, it works well for slow travel and flexible plans. 

We used the buses throughout our stay and found them reliable for day-to-day travel. For longer stays, travel cards make it even better value and take away the hassle of buying tickets each time.

The major downside, we would say, is the traffic. Buses can be slow during peak hours and in busy areas. When we visited, there were some diversions due to construction work being undertaken in the city and this added to the overall journey time. Buses can also get very crowded in summer and you may need to wait for the next one. If you are on a tight schedule or travelling late at night, buses may not always be the best choice.

Our Experience Using Buses in Malta

We used the Explore Flex Travel Card and started using the bus straight from the airport. Our flight landed late in the evening, but a bus was leaving within five minutes of us exiting the terminal. Our hotel in Sliema was also just a five-minute walk from the Sliema Ferries bus stop. It felt easy and stress free from the start. No taxis. No waiting around.

We then used the bus for the whole week. We travelled to Valletta, Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Marsaxlokk, Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua and a few other places and then finally back to the airport. The Tallinja app helped us plan routes and change buses without long waits. 

A few buses were full at peak times, but most journeys were fine. We loved the convenience. It was nice not having to drive this time and just enjoy getting around Malta.

Overall, we had a very positive experience using Malta Public Transport. It was reliable, easy to use and suited our plans well. For visitors who do not want the hassle of driving, the buses are a solid option.

For the latest fares, travel cards, routes, and updates, it is best to check the Malta Public Transport website directly. It has all the official and up-to-date information you will need to plan your journeys.