Landing at Malta Airport, you've got five ways into Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's – and the difference between them is mostly money versus hassle. The quickest, least stressful option is a private transfer: a fixed fare, a driver waiting, door to door. The cheapest is the official Airport Direct express bus at about €3. Here's every option compared, with real prices and times, so you can decide before you land. Once you're in, our getting around Malta guide covers the buses, ferries and car hire, and the Malta highlights guide takes it from there.
- 01Cheapest: Airport Direct, Malta Public Transport's official express bus, at ~€3 per person (~€3.50 on the TD1 route) – no booking needed.
- 02Easiest: a pre-booked private transfer – fixed fare, meet-and-greet, door-to-door, ~€17 to Valletta and ~€20 to Sliema or St Julian's.
- 03Taxis use fixed fares too (~€17 Valletta, ~€20 Sliema/St Julian's) – settle it at the official counter in Arrivals, not an off-the-cuff quote at the kerb.
- 04Valletta is about 15 minutes by car; Sliema and St Julian's about 20.
- 05Only hire a car if you actually plan to drive the island – for a city-only stay it's more hassle than it's worth.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Price | Time → Valletta | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Direct (express bus) | ~30 min | Cheapest official link | |
| Public bus (Tallinja) | ~€2 pp | varies, with stops | Flexible budget travel |
| Taxi (fixed fare) | ~€17 per car | ~15 min | Walk-up, immediate |
| Private transfer | ~€17 per car | ~15 min | Door-to-door, luggage, groups |
| Car hire | from ~€25/day | – | Driving the whole island |
Buses are priced per person (pp); taxi and private-transfer fares are per vehicle. For Sliema or St Julian's, allow about 20 minutes and ~€20 by taxi or transfer.
Private transfer: the easy, fixed-fare option
If you're arriving with luggage, kids or a late flight, this is the one to book. A private transfer means a driver meets you, the fare is fixed before you travel – around €17 to Valletta and €20 to Sliema or St Julian's – and you go straight to your door with no stops. Drivers speak English, support is 24/7, and you can either prepay at the official airport taxi counter or book the transfer ahead so it's waiting when you land.
It's the priciest option for a solo traveller, but split between a couple or a family it's barely more than the bus – and a lot less faff at the end of a travel day.
Airport Direct: the cheapest official link
Airport Direct is Malta Public Transport's official express service, and at about €3 per person (€3.50 on the TD1 route) it's the cheapest proper airport link on this list. It leaves from the airport bus terminal, clearly signposted from arrivals, and the coaches have luggage space, USB charging and free Wi-Fi. There's no pre-booking – you pay cash or contactless as you board.
Public buses: cheap, but slower
Beyond Airport Direct, regular Tallinja bus routes also link the airport with towns across the island for around €2 a journey. They're the cheapest way to travel if you're flexible on timing, but they're route-specific and slower, often with a change. Use the Tallinja app or journey planner for live schedules – routes and times shift seasonally, so it's the current source of truth rather than any printed timetable.
Taxi: walk up and go
Want to leave the moment you land? The taxi rank is just outside the terminal, and the official taxi counter is in the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor.
Sort the fixed fare at the counter first – about €17 to Valletta, €20 to Sliema or St Julian's – so there are no surprises. It's the fastest no-planning option, with no timetable to think about.
Car hire: only if you'll drive
The rental desks are at the airport, so picking up a car on arrival is easy – but it's only the right call if you plan to drive around the island. If you do, compare cars before you fly for the best rate. For a stay based in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's, skip it: parking is tight and expensive in the cities, and a transfer or the bus is simpler for getting in from the airport.
Which should you pick?
It comes down to budget versus convenience. Pennywise and travelling light? Airport Direct. Want it handled, especially with bags or a family? A private transfer. Need to leave right now? The taxi rank. And a hire car only if driving the island is part of the plan.
Featured image: TerryDOtt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
