Malta (MT)

Malta is a small EU island nation in the central Mediterranean — the smallest EU member state by area — celebrated for its extraordinary concentration of history (the Knights of St John, ancient megalithic temples older than Stonehenge), warm climate of 300+ sunshine days per year, English as a co-official language making it uniquely accessible for anglophone expats, a thriving iGaming and fintech sector, and a strategic location halfway between Europe and North Africa.

Capital: Valletta

Region: Europe

Language: Maltese

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 62)

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Malta.

Public Transport Overview

Malta's public transport system consists entirely of buses — there are no trams, metro, or trains anywhere on the island. The bus network is operated by Malta Public Transport (Tallinja) and covers the main island comprehensively, with limited services to the south and Gozo (via the Ċirkewwa ferry). Buses are white with green and yellow branding. Services run from approximately 05:30 to 23:00 (with some night routes). The network has improved significantly since 2011 but remains unreliable due to chronic traffic congestion — particularly in central Malta. Journey times are often 2–3x longer than the theoretical route due to gridlock. Plan generously.

Main operators:

Malta Public Transport (Tallinja) — operates all island bus servicesGozo Channel (ferry between Ċirkewwa, Malta and Mġarr, Gozo — 25 minutes, operates 24/7 frequently)Captain Morgan — private ferry and harbour cruise operator between Sliema/Valletta waterfrontValletta Ferry Services — Valletta to Sliema passenger ferry across the Grand Harbour

🎫 Transit Passes

Tallinja Card €0 (free card) — loaded with rides

All Malta Public Transport bus routes on the main island

💡 The Tallinja smartcard gives discounted fares: registered card holders (requires Maltese ID number) pay €0.75/ride (vs €2 cash fare adults in winter / €2.50 in summer — seasonal cash pricing). Highly recommended for anyone staying more than 2 weeks. Register online at transport.gov.mt. Card costs €0 but requires registration. Annual passes also available for residents.

Personalised Tallinja Card (Resident unlimited) €25 one-off registration fee (then €0.75/ride via card; registered residents may access free/unlimited plans — confirm at transport.gov.mt)

All Malta Public Transport bus routes

💡 Requires Maltese residency and ID card. The €130/year annual pass product has changed — check transport.gov.mt for current resident fare plans.

Gozo Day Pass €3/day (Gozo bus pass)

All bus routes on Gozo island

💡 Gozo has a separate bus network. Day pass available on the island. Combined with ferry ticket for a day trip from Malta.

Taxi & Rideshare

Official taxis in Malta are white and metered. Licensed taxis can be found at ranks in Valletta, the airport, and major hotels. Fares are reasonable: Valletta to Sliema approximately €10–12; airport to Valletta approximately €15–20. Pre-booked taxi services: eCabs (ecabs.com.mt) is the main app-based taxi service — widely used and recommended over street taxis for transparency and competitive pricing. Bolt also operates in Malta and is often cheaper than traditional taxis.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Bolt is available throughout Malta and competes directly with eCabs. Uber does not operate in Malta. eCabs and Bolt are the recommended options for comfortable, app-based rides. For groups, eCabs offers minivan options. WhatsApp-based informal taxi sharing exists in some communities.

Cycling

Cycling in Malta is challenging and not recommended as a primary transport mode. The terrain is hilly (particularly in the centre and south), the summer heat is severe, and road infrastructure is extremely poor for cyclists — there are almost no dedicated cycle lanes and drivers are not accustomed to sharing the road. An e-bike can help with hills. Some flat coastal areas (Sliema promenade, Marsaskala promenade) are pleasant for leisure cycling. Lime e-scooters and e-bikes are available in some coastal areas. Cycling in Malta is a niche activity, not a daily transport solution.

Intercity Trains

There are no trains in Malta. The country has had no rail network since the Malta Railway closed in 1931. Inter-town travel is exclusively by road — bus, taxi, or private car. This is a significant limitation and a key contributor to Malta's extreme traffic congestion.

Driving

IMPORTANT: Malta drives on the LEFT — inherited from British colonial rule. Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on dual carriageways (Malta has no motorways). This catches many EU expats off-guard. Roads are generally narrow, poorly maintained (potholes are endemic), and extremely congested — Malta has the worst traffic congestion per capita in the EU. Peak hours (07:00–09:00 and 16:30–18:30) are severe in the central Malta corridor (Swieqi–Birkirkara–Msida–Valletta). A car is near-essential for daily life outside Valletta/Sliema, but factor in limited parking and chronic congestion. Roads are signed in English and Maltese. Roundabouts are common.

Airports

Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport, located in Luqa — approximately 5 km south of Valletta. It handles 8+ million passengers annually and is a major hub for budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air) with direct connections to most European cities. Airport bus (Route X4): runs regularly to Valletta and Sliema. Taxi/eCabs: €15–20 to Valletta, €18–25 to Sliema/St Julian's. Journey time to Valletta by car: approximately 15–25 minutes (variable with traffic).