12 single day journeys malta

Malta Island
Gozo Island
Valletta Malta
Mdina Malta
Village Feasts 2024
Things To Do
Beaches In Malta & Gozo
Tours In Malta
Events On The Island
Malta UNESCO Sites
Christmas In Malta
Getting To Malta
Getting Around Malta
Where To Stay
Weather In Malta
Photos Of Malta
What's New!

Malta Transport Tallinja Card

Planning To Travel To Sicily? Book Your Ferry Tickets Now!

Get Around The Island Cheap And Easy

The Malta Public Transport Tallinja card is a very efficient well organised system of transportation visit any location on the island. We provide you with basic information to help you get started and understand the system.

As from Saturday 1st October 2022, the Malta Public Transport will be free for all people residing in Malta, with the exception of having a Tallinja card. The Tallinja card will be used to scan on the bus once boarding. No card top up will be needed.

Disclaimer: On our website, you will find affiliate links from which we receive a small commission.

All the buses on the island are low floor types. They have easy access for people with mobility impairments. Seats designed for persons with impairments, pregnant women and easy for the elderly, also for your children.

See all the routes and times to all villages and to every interchange.

table of contents - tallinja cards malta

Tallinja Top Up
Tallinja Card Balance Check
Tallinja App Download
Cards For Tourists
Bus Ticket Information
Personalised Tallinja Card

Adult Tallinja Card

Child tallinja card, student tallinja card, gozo resident tallinja card.

Concession Tallinja Card

how to top up your tallinja card

There are several ways how to top up your Tallinja card.

Using the Malta Public Transport official website . After entering their website, first you must enter you card number (found on the back of your card) and select what your method to top up. The last thing is to enter your card details.
Using the Tallinja App.
Going to a representative office anywhere on the island.

how to check your tallinja card balance

There are several ways how to check your Tallinja card balance.

Using the Malta Public Transport official website. All you have to do is enter you card number (found on the back of your card) and your balance will appear on screen.

how to download the tallinja app

Using you mobile phone click one of the following links.

Use this link if you are using an Android phone .
Use this link if you are using an Apple (IOS) phone .

You can download the public transport in Malta tallinja app (Android / Apple) which gives you the following features:

You can see which of the buses are on each bus stop so you can determine at what time a particular bus will arrive on a bus stop from where you which to catch it. This will help you plan your journey and do not stay too much on the bus stop.
Places of interest are marked on the map.
You can save your favourite bus stops for quick reference.
You can top up your balance of the card directly from this application.
Check your remaining balance.
Service updates with latest changes to routes etc.
Log into your tallinja account to see your transaction history.
You can go into the journey planner and check how long it will take you to arrive from one location to another.

how to get the tallinja cards

From Malta Public Transport website. One can order them and can be delivered to their country in order to use them immediately when you arrive in Malta. Shipping fees apply.
Malta International Airport from arrivals lounge.
Valletta Cruise Port - Valletta Waterfront
From sales and information offices of the Public Transport or from a number of partner resellers across the islands. For locations click here
All cards can be used immediately when purchased

The Best Tourist Cards For Malta

While bus tickets can be purchased from our drivers on all buses, we also offer two cards specifically designed for visitors:

how to use the cards

At all of Malta Public Transport Sales and Information offices and other outlets.
Once the cards are purchased, they can be used immediately.
Once you get on the bus, you must swipe the card on the machine.
When you go on the boat or a free entrance in any building, you must show them the card.

Valletta Card

Price: €19.00
Validity: 24 Hours

the valletta card includes

Public Transport to and from Valletta, two trips by ferry to the capital city from Sliema and Cospicua.
The 133 route that circles Valletta.
Free access to Upper Barrakka lift when using the ferry from Cospicua.
Free entrance to any of the three points of interest : The Palace State Rooms, The Palace Armoury, The National Museum of Archaeology and Malta 5D.

Explore Plus Meep Tallinja Card

Price: €39.00
Validity: 7 consecutive days of unlimited travel

the ExplorePlusMeep Card includes

Unlimited 7 day travel on the Malta Public Transport. This includes Tallinja Direct and Night Routes.
2 free trips on the Valletta ferry .
2 free trips on the Tallinja bike in Valletta and surrounding areas.
A discount on the Ioscoot. This is an electric motorbike that shares service between St. Julian's and Valletta.
Several options of Sightseeing around Malta: 1 full-day travel on CitySightseeing buses (Excluding Gozo) or 1 round trip to Comino during summer or 1 Best of Gozo & Comino trip during winter on Captain Morgan Cruises.
Receive a discount on Malta 5D of €2 for adults.

Explore Card

A 7-Day Explore card provides unlimited travel for seven consecutive days only from the time you first swipe the card on the bus. The Explore Card is both for adults and children.

Prices: Adult €21 and Children €15

The Explore Card Includes

Unlimited 7 day travel on the Malta Public Transport. This includes also Night Routes.
Free 30 minutes on the Tallinja bike in Valletta and surrounding areas.
A discount on the Ioscoot. This is an electric motorbike that shares service between St. Julian's and Valletta.
Free Tallinja Direct Plus on-demand trips.

Explore Flex

With Explore Flex, you can pay for transport at a reduced price even more flexible than with other travel cards. This is the only non-personalised card with top-up and pay-as-you-go transport, it offers discounted rates on public bus transport, Valletta Ferry Services and many other transport options.

This card will reduce the hassle of carrying cash and making sure you have the exact change to purchase your transport ticket. Once bought, it can be used immediately. This can be re-topped by using the Tallinja App.

This card can be used on the available transport options: Tallinja Buses, Valletta Ferry Services and Tallinja Bike.

You can buy this card at Malta Public Transport sales offices at the Valletta bus terminal, Malta International Airport arrivals hall, or from card-dispensing machines everywhere on the island.

12 Single Day Journey Card

Validity: 1 year - You have 12 single day journeys to be used in one year.

how to use the 12 Single Day Journey card

You have either 12 single day journeys or 6 single night journeys. You can also combine them both.
This journey card can also be shared and is valid for a year from first time of swiping on a bus.

Offers flexibility with reduced fares for 12 journeys.

a simple example of how to use the card

One Person will swipe the card and will be valid for 2 hours. After 2 hours he will swipe it again for another 2 hours. Up till here he would have used 2 journeys from 12.

Two Person will swipe the card twice and will be valid for 2 hours. After 2 hours they will swipe it again twice for another 2 hours. Up till here they would have used 4 journeys from 12.

If you change the bus during a journey of 2 hours you will still have to swipe on the bus but no journey or money will be deducted from the card.

One card can only be used by a group of 12 persons at one time going on a bus for one trip of 2 hours. For the next trip a new card will have to be purchased.

This card is not adequate for tourists but only for those persons who use the bus occasionally

Bus Tickets Information

Two cash tickets can be purchased from all buses.

The Winter/Summer ticket & the Night Service ticket

Summer Ticket:

€2.00 - Duration 2 hours
Between Mid-June and Mid-October
Operates between 05:30 till 23:00

Winter Ticket:

€1.50 - Duration 2 hours
Between Mid-October to Mid-June

Night Ticket:

4 main routes
Operates every Friday, Saturday nights and public holidays and feast days.

Personalised Tallinja Cards

There are five different personalized cards which will have your personal photo and your name written on them.

Basic Conditions:

One has to register for these cards through the Malta Public Transport website .

Minimum amounts and card fees apply. The credit will not expire.

To register for the Tallinja cards you will need one of the following documents:

Maltese Identity card
Residence Card
Other ID Document

- Tallinja App - Android | Apple

When boarding the bus make sure the barcode at the bottom of the card is touching the reader and the amount will automatically be deducted.

No credit can be transferred to another customer

Card is updated every 24 hours after use

When you spend the maximum limit on your card for the day, week or month, you will not pay for any fare until the next period starts.

The fees of the following cards do no include night and special service. In regards to these there are other fees which will be deducted from your card.

75c every 2 hours - 1 Journey
Maximum Card Limit of €26 every month.
Age 17 to 59 years (both included)

Yellow Card
75c every 2 hours
50c every 24 hours
€2.00 every 7 days
Age 4 to 10 years (both included)
Children up to the age of 4 travel for free and there is no need for a card.

75c every 2 hours.
Maximum €21 for 1 month.
€55 for 3 months.
Age 11 to 16 years (both included)
This card can also be used for students attending a full time course with a recognised educational institute for at least three months.

Violet Card
Maximum €10 for 1 month (Gozo Only)
Maximum €26 for 1 month (Malta & Gozo)
Night service is not included.
This card applies for residents who have a Gozitan address on their ID Cards.

Concession Tallinja card

25c every 2 hours
Maximum 50c every 24 hours
Maximum €2.00 every 7 days
This card is for people kartanzjan holders, Maltese 60+ Identity card holders, EU disability card marked with "MT" holders or special ID cards issued by the national Commission for Persons with Disability (CRPD).

Malta Info Guide provides you with the best Maltese information for traveling in Malta.

Enjoy this page? Share It On Social Media!

Want to rent a car in malta.

We have used Discover Cars every time we rented a car. We highly recommend them due to their good service and good prices.

Get The Best Rates On Your Car Rental Now!

need to book a hotel for your malta visit?

Using Booking.com, enter your travel dates and number of occupants then rates will be available for hotels and apartments during your visit to Malta

Book Your Hotel In Malta on Booking.com for the Best Rates!

our new travel site

We've just unveiled a fresh London-focused website. Click here to explore it!

Rent Your Car Now with Discover Cars. Click Here!

getting Around malta

Tallinja Cards
Routes by Locality
Beach Bus Routes
Hotel Bus Routes
School Bus Routes
Night Bus Routes
Airport Transfers
Discover Car Hire
Malta Public Transport
Speed Cameras Malta
Petrol Service Stations
Driving In Malta

Recent Articles

Activities In Malta January 2024 | Festivals, Events & Attractions

Jan 04, 24 02:59 PM

Fun Events & Activities in Malta October 2023 | Malta Info Guide

Oct 10, 23 12:42 PM

4 Days In Malta Itinerary | How to Make the Most of Your Holiday

Jun 10, 23 09:46 AM

Isle of MTV Malta Festival 2023

May 05, 23 02:55 PM

Top 9 Malta Summer Music Festivals | Book Your Tickets Now

Mar 29, 23 02:38 PM

find us on social media

All Content and Photos are Original © MaltaInfoGuide

Don't miss out! Have You Booked Your Accommodation Yet?

Plan ahead and reserve your accommodation early to avoid missing out!

Unlock a world of accommodation choices on Booking.com

Fares and Tickets

To travel on buses in Malta and Gozo you can either:

Use cash or contactless cards to buy fixed price single tickets from the driver (this is the most expensive option, and the only ticket available from the driver).
Save money by buying a 12 Single Journeys Card from an MPT kiosk, dispensing machine or other outlet.
Buy a 7-day Explore Card for unlimited bus travel, except on the limited stop TD routes.
Buy a 7-day ExplorePlus Meep Card which includes the TD routes and some tourist extras.
Use a stored-value non-personalised Explore Flex card giving discounts on bus fares and the local Valletta ferries.
Apply online for a personalised tallinja card, which gives free travel on most buses (aimed at local residents but may also benefit regular or long-term visitors).

These options are all explained below:

Two-hour single tickets from driver

The only ticket available from the bus driver is the two-hour single ticket which costs €2.00. However, Tallinja Direct routes (prefixed TD , also route X300) are faster limited-stop services which have a single fare of €3.00. On Night buses (routes prefixed by N ) the single fare is also €3.00.

Contactless Visa, Mastercard and Maestro credit or debit cards (also smartphones and smartwatches) can be used to pay for tickets, whilst those using cash must pay with the exact fare as no change is given. There are no discounts for children except that children travel free up to their fourth birthday.

Passengers may change buses within the two hour period to get to their destination as part of a one-way journey. Scan the ticket on the reader when boarding the second bus. The ticket does not allow you to make a return trip, even if wholly within the two hour period. Of course, penalty fares are payable if you travel without a valid ticket.

Card for 12 single two-hour tickets

This card gives 12 single tickets for €15, making €1.25 per journey. It has to be purchased in advance (see below for outlets) in the form of a non-personalised tallinja card and the passenger swipes the card on the card reader on entering the bus. It can only be used by one person (note that the rules have changed - you can no longer swipe it twice if there are two of you).

On TD (Tallinja Direct) services (including X300) and on Night buses (routes prefixed by N ) you have to pay double (€2.50), so two journeys will be taken off the card. The card is valid for six months from first use.

Explore Card (7 days)

The Explore Card gives seven days of unlimited bus travel on all routes in Malta and Gozo except the limited stop TD (Tallinja Direct) routes and the Tallinja On Demand (formerly TD Plus) prebookable minibuses. It costs €21 (children aged 4-10 pay €15). You buy it in advance (see below for outlets) and swipe the card on each bus journey. It is valid for seven days (actually 168 hours) from the time the card is first validated on the bus. It is not transferable to other people.

ExplorePlus Meep Card (7 days with extras)

The ExplorePlus Meep Card also gives unlimited bus travel for seven days (168 hours from first validation), but unlike the regular Explore Card it is also valid on the limited stop TD (Tallinja Direct) routes, also the Tallinja On Demand prebookable minibuses, plus there are additional sightseeing options as listed below. It costs €39; there is no child reduction.

The sightseeing extras are as follows:

Two one-way trips on the ferries operated by Valletta Ferry Services (Sliema - Valletta and/or the Three Cities route between Valletta and Cospicua).
A full-day's travel on the hop-on, hop-off open top buses operated by CitySightseeing Malta visiting Malta's landmarks (excludes Gozo), OR one round trip to Comino by boat, operated by Captain Morgan Cruises (in Winter this is the Best of Gozo and Comino trip) OR a harbour cruise on Captain Morgan Cruises.
Two free trips on Tallinja Bike, the electric bike-sharing service in Valletta and surrounding areas.
A discount of €2 on Malta 5D shows (shows are every 30 minutes 1000-1630 on Mon-Sat at 7 Old Bakery Street, 5 mins walk from Valletta Bus Station).

If you are not interested in the sightseeing extras but just want bus travel you could of course buy the regular Explore Card and pay individual fares when you use TD services (€3 per journey), but if you intend to make more than five trips on TD services during the seven days then the ExplorePlus Meep Card is better value.

Explore Flex Card

The Explore Flex card is a stored value non-personalised card giving discounts on bus fares and the local ferries operated by Valletta Ferry Services. It can be linked to the Tallinja app, allowing you to check your credit and top up your card. Initial cost is €6, which is your credit to use immediately. The link above lists the fares you pay compared to normal fares.

Where to buy

You can buy the 12 Single Journeys Card and Explore cards from Malta Public Transport kiosks and card dispensing machines . Kiosks are located at Valletta bus station, Malta International Airport, and the Gozo bus terminus at Victoria bus station. They are also available from various other outlets which includes shops, lotto offices, and some hotels.

Tallinja Cards

From 1st October 2022, holders of a personalised tallinja card travel free on all daytime and night buses, apart from TD routes. The card can only be applied for online. For new cards there is a €15 registration fee plus €2.87 postage within Malta. Allow two weeks for delivery. Non-residents can apply for a card giving a foreign address; there is a €8 postage charge to addresses outside Malta. Have a scan of your passport and a passport-sized photo ready before applying online.

Tallinja cards are stored-value cards and credit will be required on the card to use it for TD routes, Tallinja On Demand services, and the local ferry services. You can also use your credit to pay for trips operated by Vintage Bus City Tours.

Passengers must tap in with their card when entering the bus, using the card reader. Personalised Tallinja cards have a photo and can only be used by the registered user. Whilst primarily aimed at residents, frequent or long-term visitors would obviously benefit from obtaining a card.

Tallinja is a personalised stored-value card which basically allows the named cardholder to make each single journey (within two hours) for €0.75, or €2.50 for a night journey and €1.50 for a journey on Tallinja Direct services. A child version (ages 4 to 10) is available giving a single fare of €0.25. For new cards there is a €15 registration fee, and a minimum top-up amount of €20 (€10 for child cards).

Malta Tourism
Malta Hotels
Malta Bed and Breakfast
Malta Vacation Rentals
Flights to Malta
Malta Restaurants
Things to Do in Malta
Malta Travel Forum
Malta Photos
All Malta Hotels
Malta Hotel Deals
Last Minute Hotels in Malta
Things to Do
Restaurants
Vacation Rentals
Travel Stories
Rental Cars
Add a Place
Travel Forum
Travelers' Choice
Help Center

Bus card- 12 single journeys - Malta Forum

Europe
Malta

Bus card- 12 single journeys

United States Forums
Europe Forums
Canada Forums
Asia Forums
Central America Forums
Africa Forums
Caribbean Forums
Mexico Forums
South Pacific Forums
South America Forums
Middle East Forums
Honeymoons and Romance
Business Travel
Train Travel
Traveling With Disabilities
Tripadvisor Support
Solo Travel
Bargain Travel
Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
Europe forums
Malta forum

If it can be shared it's rather good value for money!

Yes it can be shared - if three adults travel together then the driver will knock 3 journeys off the card. However you will need to tell the driver that that is what you need him to do.

Phil-the-Bus

All you need to do is tap your card on the reader once for each person. Wait for the beep and green light between taps.

From the value for money comment I suspect you thought it would allow two or three people to travel on 12 journeys together?

That's not the case, at PTB and TM have covered - it's the equivalent of 12 tickets, so one person on 12 trips, two on 6 trips or whatever....

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

Quad Bike Hire 8:09 am
Airport transfer to Gozo 5:20 am
Jelly Fish 2:40 am
Cruise dock at Valletta for 8 hours (2-10pm) - what to do 1:59 am
Gozo trip yesterday
One free day-- Gozo or ?? yesterday
Water Taxi Tour of Valletta Harbor? yesterday
Which War Museum??? yesterday
Festivals yesterday
St Paul’s to Valletta yesterday
ferries Apr 28, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Apr 28, 2024
Hotels Apr 27, 2024
Marsaxlokk Apr 27, 2024
Island Residence Club at Radisson reviews 4 replies
Prices of food and drinks in Malta 9 replies
Public Buses from Luqa airport to Sliema 21 replies
Half Board 4 replies
When is it warm enough to go swimming in the sea? 8 replies
November weather 4 replies
The Ambassador, Malta 13 replies
Cost of eating drinking etc etc 16 replies
Beer and restaurant prices 39 replies
Malta Airport to St Julians by public transport 5 replies

Malta Hotels and Places to Stay

Where should I stay while in Malta ?
What are the must sees in Valletta ?
Travelling around Malta using Public Transport
Can you give me some info regarding car hire and Rules of the Road ?
FAQ - How can I get from Malta Airport to my hotel
How to visit Comino without the crowds
How do I take a day trip to Gozo ?
Where can I hire a wheelchair in Malta ?
Where can I find a few basic words and phrases in Maltese ?
What is there to do in Malta on Christmas Day ?
How easy is it to visit Sicily from Malta ?

Review System
Entertainment

Which Malta Bus Ticket is Right For You

Travelling between locations can sometimes be a hassle depending on which country you visit. Luckily, the small islands of Malta are easy to get to with their public transport. Malta’s bus service is the most convenient and cheapest way to get around the country – here are some of the options to suit the way you like to travel.

There are five ticket options to use the Malta bus: purchasing a single ticket or taking advantage of any of the four bus cards available to visitors. Each has its own advantages so I’ll break them down. I recommend watching my video explaining all the options below and then reading below for additional details.

Single Bus Ticket

The most common, universal way of using the bus is simply buying a ticket from A to B. No matter how far you go, the price per ticket stays the same, great if you’re going to the other side of the island. Buses are relatively cheap compared to other European countries so you’re transport budget doesn’t need to be big. Currently, non-summer prices for a ticket are €1.50, €2 in peak summer time. There are frequent night services that run from most from places such as Tas-Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba and Mellieña. These are ‘NXX’ buses and cost €3 throughout the whole year.

There are no other type of bus tickets, just the single trip ticket priced for adults, concessions, students and children. So why get the single bus ticket? Well, the good part is you get unlimited bus use within 2 hours. Each ticket has a QR code and validity time so you know exactly when it’s valid until. Whether you’re making an interchange or city hopping, you can cover distance with this one price. This includes buses to and from the airport . You can buy these at the airport desk, but it’s easy enough to purchase straight from the driver. If you plan to make infrequent trips to different places in Malta, then this works well.

Routes & Timetables

The explorer bus card will likely be the most popular option for those wanting to visit far and wide, travelling plenty during the day and into the night. The explorer bus card gives you unlimited bus rides in Malta, including Gozo island. It’s valid for 7 days and can be purchased for €21 or €15 for a child . Jump on any bus including Night services with a tap of the Explorer card. You can purchase one from any customer information desk at any bus terminal, payable either by card or cash. You can also purchase them from certain retailers, the full list of each town listed here for you. It’s valid from the first time you use it on the bus, though I’d recommend buying it on the day you plan to travel since it’s readily available. Availability is from when you activate it on your first trip.

Read: What’s in my Luggage? Malta Edition

Explorer plus.

The explorer plus card holds all the benefits of the Explorer card (unlimited bus travel including Gozo and night services), but includes a few admissions that may be appealing to you. It’s a flat €39 per person but includes 2 ferry rides in Valletta and either one admission for the hop-on, hop-off bus tour (usually €20 if I can recollect) or a boat trip to Comino. If you’re interested in doing any of these, then the Explorer Plus card is better value for money as tickets for any of these are more expensive.

Read: How Western Rise Elevated my Travel Wear

12 single day journey.

All of those are great, but if you’re planning to go as a group, it can still get pricey. An alternative you can consider are the 12 Single Day Journey cards. Essentially, you’ll get 12 single tickets on this card, consuming one ticket for each trip you take. It works the same as a normal single ticket, but you tap the card on the machine like the other options. You’ll see how many you have left on the machine after you tap, but it’s simple enough.

Most likely the 2 hour time limit also applies, but I’m not sure as I never used it again within the 2 hours in my group of 3. It may recognise it if you tap again, but double check with the driver. So why get the 12 single day card if it follows the same principles as a normal ticket? The good thing is that you can share this card with your group, using up the tickets on this one card instead of needing to manage separate tickets. You’ll save the time getting on and off as one person can just tap for everyone. You’ll also save €3 (the pass costs €15) compared to buying 12 single tickets separately. This is great if there are a few of you and you don’t plan on travelling often.

MALTA BUS ONE TECH TRAVELLER TALLINJA CARD

Example : if you’re a group of 2, this covers round-trips to 6 destinations (12÷2=6). If you’re a group of 3, this covers 4 destinations (12÷3=4) and so forth. It’s convenient and saves a little money. If you use up all the tickets, you can simply buy another one. The card is valid for 12 months from the first time of use, though bear in mind night services use up 2 tickets, as they cost €3 each way.

You can buy a personalised tallinja card here if you’re planning to stay longer, both for visitors and Maltese residents. This cuts admission prices significantly so check if this works better for you. There are a few admin hurdles to get through but offers good benefits for the long-term, including free travel aged 14-20 years old in 2019. See the travel scheme information and conditions .

Malta Bus Tickets

Luxury Escapes

Pullman Bali Legian Beach Review

The Trans Resort Bali Review

Pullman Bali Legian Beach Experience: Tropical Paradise

The Trans Resort Bali Experience: Hidden Oasis

Grand Hyatt Jeju Review

Norway northern lights in the lofoten islands.

EVENES AIRPORT THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS ONE TECH TRAVELLER TANGSTAD

Evenes Airport Scenic Bus Ride in The Lofoten Islands

Mesmerising Snowfall Exploration in Tangstad Norway

LOFOTEN ISLANDS NORWAY ONE TECH TRAVELLER HERO

Packing my Bags for The Lofoten Islands, Norway

Train Journey to The Scottish Highlands

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Getting Around in Malta: A Guide to Transportation Options

Introduction

Malta, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, is a traveler’s paradise. To make the most of your visit to this archipelago in the Mediterranean, it’s essential to understand the various transportation options available. From renting a car and mastering the art of driving on the left to exploring the quaint streets and harbors of Valletta, Gozo, and beyond, this guide will help you navigate Malta with ease.

Getting Around in Malta: A Guide to Transportation Options #malta #bus #car #boat #transportation #travel #vacation #trip #holiday

Driving on the Left

Narrow roads, maltese drivers, rental cars and valetta, malta without a car, ride-sharing services, 7-day explore card, 12 single-day journeys (€15), bus system layout, hop-on hop-off buses – malta, hop-on hop-off buses – gozo, guided tours, horse-drawn carriages, ferries to sliema and the three cities, ferry to sicily, cruise terminal, barrakka lift (elevator), harbor cruise, bus station, getting to gozo and comino.

Most of the distances on the island are pretty short unless you are in the southeast corner of the main island around rush hour when it is evident that there are far too many cars for the small area and you should be prepared to wait in traffic. This will be true whether you are in a rental car , Uber , public bus, or tour bus. If you want to optimize your time sightseeing and minimize your time in traffic, try to not be in that area trying to get somewhere at the end of the work day (5-6 pm). I have seen it take 10-15 minutes just to get from one bus stop to the next at that time of day.

Renting a Car

One of the most convenient ways to explore Malta is by renting a car . This allows you the freedom to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems. This can be especially true if you are staying near Valetta but want to easily access the western or northern parts of the island.

Malta follows the British tradition of driving on the left side of the road. If you’re not accustomed to this, take some time to acclimate before hitting the road. I prefer driving on the left on a trip when I have a co-pilot who can help with navigation and can when need be, yell “Keep left, keep left!”

Malta’s charm lies in its narrow, winding streets. While they add to the picturesque scenery, they can be challenging to navigate, especially in crowded areas. Opt for a smaller vehicle to make maneuvering through these roads more manageable. Malta is seldom flat so if you are not good at driving a car with a standard (stick) transmission you may want to pay extra for an automatic transmission.

Locals are generally friendly, but driving styles can be assertive. Exercise caution, especially in urban areas and when navigating tight turns. I found that the locals I met were the worst critics of the other Maltese drivers. Having driven in numerous countries I did not think they stood out from other drivers in other countries in the Mediterranian area.

If you have a rental car , don’t expect to be driving around in the city of Valetta. This is an old medieval walled city and was frankly just not built for cars. If you are staying in the city you might be able to drive to your hotel or apartment or you might not, depending on its location.

There is a congestion charge to drive inside Valetta except on evenings and weekends. The initial 30 minutes of access are complimentary. Access exceeding 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes is priced at €0.82. For access surpassing 60 minutes, the cost is €0.82 per hour, with a maximum charge capped at €6.52.

Your best option to visit the City if you choose to rent a car would be to park in one of the large parking lots in Floriana €4 just outside the city walls and walk into the city.

Do you need a car in Malta? No. Malta is not hard to get around without a car. The bus system is extensive and ride-sharing is available. The best place to stay in Malta without a car is close to the city of Valetta. You can either stay in the city or just outside in Floriana or across the harbor in Sliema where you can easily access the city by ferry.

I stayed in Floriana in the comfortable Tritoni Valletta Boutique Hotel which is a short walk from the main gate of Valetta and the Valetta bus station. In Sliema, The Londoner Hotel Sliema is a stone’s throw from the Sliema Ferry and is right on the waterfront.

The best place to stay in Gozo without a car is the city of Victoria which is the main city on the island and the center of the bus routes. I can recommend The Duke Boutique Hotel which is about 2 blocks from the main bus station. It is also just down the hill from the Citadella.

Before my recent trip to Malta, I read several blogs that told me that there was no Uber on Malta. Almost the first thing I saw when I got out of baggage claim at the main airport was a billboard proclaiming its availability on the island. Ride-hailing services like Uber , GoTaxi, and Bolt are available in Malta. They provide a convenient option for those who prefer not to drive.

You can compare prices among the different apps, but many of the drivers are driving for multiple services so I did not see a big difference in prices.

One Uber driver on Gozo told me that he was intentionally not taking me on the route that the app was telling him to take. The app was trying to take him on a narrow dirt route along a cliff that he found was not particularly safe. Hopefully, your ride-sharing driver will be equally aware.

Gozo Bus Routes

Malta’s public bus system is an economical and efficient way to get around. I traveled by bus almost exclusively on my most recent trip to Malta, just taking Ubers to and from the airport. Malta buses have wi-fi.

Bus fares are affordable, making this a budget-friendly option for travelers. For most buses, a bus ticket costs €2 during the daytime and €3 during the night.

That cost is €3 for the TD (Tallinja Direct) routes which make fewer stops and quite often will be faster than the other buses on a similar route.

You can purchase a Tallinja bus pass for unlimited travel for 7 days as I did on my trip. It’s a cost-effective choice for those planning to explore multiple locations. The cost is €21 for Adults and €15 for children.

The easiest place to purchase a bus pass is at the main bus station on Gozo in Victoria or on Malta in Valetta, but they can also be purchased in the airport arrival lounge at other locations in Malta.

Caution: I very confidently bought a bus pass and was told on the very first bus that I went to board that I could not use it. The 7-day Explore Card will not work on a TD (Tallinja Direct) bus route. Some resources I saw in line mention a more expensive bus pass that will cover TD routes but the Malta public transportation site no longer seems to sell such a pass.

You can buy a group of 12 journeys by bus at a discounted price of €1.25 per ride if you buy the 12 Single Day Journeys pass. This pass does work on the TD buses but each TD bus route is charged as 2 of your 12 journies for an effective cost of €2.5.

On the main island of Malta, the main Valetta bus station is the central hub, but there are hubs like the University and the airport. On Gozo, the main hub is the bus station in Victoria

Download apps like Tallinja to track real-time bus arrivals and plan your routes effectively. I used a combination of the Tallinja app and the Google Maps App. I can’t say that I found either of them very good at predicting when the next bus would arrive. The bus stop signs were also not useful for that purpose. I did have a couple of occasions where I was in the right place at the right time but the bus didn’t stop anyway. But, this is likely the complaint of bus riders in many countries.

If you don’t want to drive and you mostly plan on spending your time at the typical tourist spots then the Hop-on Hop-off buses in Malta may be a good alternative for you. You can reach these same sites by public bus but you will need to spend more effort on navigation and you will likely need to make more bus connections.

All of these buses are your usual double-decker buses where the top deck is open to the sky and better for a day with nicer weather.

The tours include an audio guide while on board and can be purchased with an optional boat tour . The buses have wi-fi.

North Route departure times from Stop N1: 08:00, 09:00. 10:00. 11:00, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30

South Route departure times from Stop S10: 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 13:05, 14:05

Northern Route:

1 Bugibba ( Topaz Hotel / Pebbles Resort ) (St Paul’s Bay)
2 Bugibba ( Pebbles Resort ) (St Paul’s Bay)
3 Bugibba Jetty (Seatrips Outlet)
4 Bugibba Centre (Opposite HSBC)
5 Bugibba ( Santana Hotel ) (St Paul’s Bay)
6 Malta National Aquarium (St Paul’s Bay)
7 Qawra Palace Hotel (Bus stop opp Hotel) (St Paul’s Bay)
8 Qawra Seafront (Opposite CitySightSeeing Outlet)
9 Bellavista Hotel (St Paul’s Bay)
10 ITS Roundabout ( Radisson & Corinthia Hotels Roundabout) (St. Julianʼs)
11 St.George’s Bay (CitySightseeing route stage)
12 Westin Dragonara (St. Julianʼs)
13 Hilton Roundabout (St. Julianʼs)
14 Spinola Bay
15 Balluta Bay (Opposite Balluta church)
16 Sliema Seafront (Opposite Preluna Hotel )
17 Sliema Ferries
18 Opposite Bayview Hotel (Gżira) (CitySightseeing outlet)
19 Valletta City Centre
20 Valletta Waterfront Terminus (Change for South route)
21 Farsons Brewery Experience
22 San Anton Gardens
23 Mosta church
24 Ta’ Qali – Aviation Museum
25 Valetta Glass
26 Mdina Glass
27 Ta’ Qali Crafts Village
28 Mdina Main Gate
30 Golden Bay

Southern Route

10 ITS Roundabout ( Radisson & Corinthia Hotels Roundabout)
11 St.George’s Bay (CitySightseeing outlet)
12 Westin Dragonara
13 Hilton Roundabout (St Julian’s)
20 Valletta – Malta Experience/Fort St Elmo
21 Valletta Waterfront Terminus
22 Vittoriosa Waterfront
23 Esplora Science centre (Kalkara)
24 Marsaxlokk fishing village
25 Ghar Dalam Cave
26 Blue Grotto
27 Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples

Gozo also has hop-on, hop-off buses with 2 different routes but a smaller number of stops on this smaller island. The service runs from 9:45 am to 5:30 pm (the last bus departs).

Blue Route:

10 Victoria to Marsalforn
11 Marsalforn
12 Ggantija Temples

Purple Route:

3 Savina Creativity
4 Victoria to Dwejra
5 Ta’Dbiegi
7 Ta’Pinu
8 Fontana Cottage

St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta

A more expensive but more enjoyable way to see the sites is on a guided tour. There are many guided tour options on Malta from group tours, walking tours, and food tours, to custom tours that just go to where you want. The right guide can also make an experience better.

Getting around Valletta

Valletta, Malta’s capital, is a treasure trove of history and charm. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Valletta is best explored on foot. Wander through its narrow alleys, discover hidden cafes, and immerse yourself in its history. Getting a walking tour or a food tour is also a great way to explore the city. I should caution you that Valetta is built on hills. Combine that with cobblestones and it is not a great city for people with mobility issues. I particularly enjoyed having a guide at the Valetta Co-Cathedral.

Experience the romance of Valletta by opting for a horse-drawn carriage ride, offering a unique and leisurely way to see the city.

Take a ferry for a scenic and quick trip between Valletta and neighboring areas like Sliema and the Three Cities. It will still be a walk up the hill from the ferry terminal to the main square of Valeta but the ferry is cheap and quick and provides a nice view of the city’s fortifications.

For a day trip, consider a ferry ride to Sicily, offering a taste of Italian culture and history.

If arriving by cruise, the terminal is well-connected, making it easy to explore Valletta and beyond.

On the southern side of the city of Valetta, facing the Three Cities you can take an elevator from the Valletta boasts a lift connecting the Grand Harbour to the city center, providing stunning views and convenient access. The elevator is at the Upper Barrakka and provides easy access to the water taxis, the fast Gozo ferry, and the cruise port. It cost a single euro.

One thing that I would highly recommend when you are in Valetta is a harbor cruise . The best place to see Valetta and its impressive fortifications is from the water. This was the first thing that I did when I got to the island and it was a great introduction to the city of Valetta and the surrounding harbors including the Three Cities.

Valletta’s central bus station is a hub for exploring the rest of Malta. It is located just outside the main city gate.

Regular ferry services connect Malta and Gozo. The service is inexpensive and quick. Passengers on the ferry from the northern tip of Malta to Gozo will pay only €4.65 round trip. If you take a car, the cost for a car and driver is €15.70. The boats leave every 45 minutes and the voyage takes 30 minutes. There is Wi-Fi and some food service on board the ferry.

There is also a high-speed ferry from Valetta to Gozo that takes 45 minutes and costs €7.50.

Several sightseeing tours of Gozo and Comino use a private boat but a number of the tours just use the standard public ferry. Make sure you read the details of whatever tour you take and the reviews before you purchase the tour.

author by the main gate of Valetta

Whether you choose to rent a car , rely on public transportation, or explore on foot, Malta’s diverse transportation options cater to every traveler’s preferences. By understanding the nuances of each mode, you can make the most of your time exploring the wonderful country of Malta.

by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

Name (must be a real name) (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Tags: article , malta

Guides / Resources

Getting Started Traveling
Guide to Round The World (RTW) Tickets
27 Websites for Booking Hotels and Alternate Accommodations
First Time Cruise Tips – Planning a Cruise
How to Start an Airbnb – Tips from an Airbnb Superhost
Travel Resources – What I Pack
Map of San Francisco by Neighborhood and What to See by Neighborhood
Guide to the Monterey Peninsula
Missions of California Map – All 21 California Missions from South to North

How To Save Money Booking Your Travel Online

World Regions

BloggerBridge
California Travel
Episode Map
Inside Chris's Head Blog
My CafePress Store
My Etsy Store
The Bible Study Podcast
Tourism Marketing Consulting
Privacy Policy
Amateur Traveler Media Kit
Working with Amateur Traveler
Pitch me a Podcast Episode
Guest Post Guidelines
Travel with Amateur Traveler group
The Amateur Traveler Manifesto
find me on BloggerBridge.com

New & Now
Plan Your Visit
Things To Do
Where To Stay
Restaurant Directory

Public transport is a fantastic way to get round Malta. You'll find getting around the island easy on the brightly-coloured buses – especially if you know all the tips and tricks to make the most of them.

Get going straight away

Malta Public Transport

You can start your public transport journey as soon as you get to Malta, once you’re in the Arrivals Lounge. Here, the Malta Public Transport sales office acts as your one-stop-shop for any travel card you could need or advice on how to get around. And, if you still haven’t downloaded the Tallinja app, this could be the perfect opportunity, as the office provides free Wi-Fi to customers.

Download the app

For starters, did you know that there’s a brilliant (and free!) Tallinja app to help you get to know what public transport options are available to you? Downloadable to your smartphone and available through both the App Store and the Google Play Store, this app provides all sorts of helpful information, will show you the closest bus stop, and will even let you know real-time bus arrival times. Plus, if you’re still not sure how to get from A to B, this handy tool will also help you figure out the best route.

Choose a travel card

Speaking of travel cards, you’re likely to find these great value if you’re staying for more than a few days. In fact, the Explore Card will give you seven days of travel for just €21. Although cash tickets on board the bus are only €1.50 in winter and €2 in summer, prepaid travel cards ensure a quicker boarding time, and give you more for your money. If you’re planning a shorter visit, the 12 Single Day Journey tickets at €15 also offer great value.

If you’re hopping on and off buses but still wondering what the TD routes stand for, here’s some more insight for you – they go direct. So, instead of taking you to Valletta to change route at the terminal there, you can go direct between locations like St Julian’s and Sliema, or the Airport and Bugibba.

For all your travel needs

Finally, if the Explore Card doesn’t seem like a good enough deal, you can even do one better by upgrading to ExplorePlus – which will give you seven days of unlimited travel on all Malta Public Transport buses (including TD routes), plus two trips on the Valletta ferry and sightseeing options including a day on the hop-on, hop-off City sightseeing buses or a trip to Comino by boat (including lunch) on Captain Morgan Cruises. That’s sea-and-land travel at its best!

For more information about getting around Malta on Public Transport, or to plan your next journey, visit www.publictransport.com.mt

Get in touch

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies.

Sign Up and save all your favourite restaurants, attractions, events, articles and experiences for a later date and access them from any device.

Loading Search Results

Public Transport in Malta

The Malta Public Transport website: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/

These are the ticket options available:

For students staying for 1 or 2 weeks we would recommend that you buy the 7-Day Explore Card. This allows for unlimited travel and unlimited use of buses for 7 days, and allows you to visit all of local sites of interest, in any part of Malta and Gozo. You can hop on or off at any time and as many times as you want. This card is valid to use for both Day Services and Night Services. The card can be bought from Sales & Information Offices and Terminals of the Malta Public Transport, such as the airport and the Valletta Bus Terminus, but also at outlets in St Julian’s near to the school. Gateway’s staff members can guide you on the nearest outlet/s from where to buy the card.

Price for the 7-Day Explorer Card: Adult €21 / Child (up to 10 years old) €15

If you won’t be using the public transport regularly you can also opt for the 12 Single Journeys. The 12 Journey Card is another easy and cost-effective way of getting around Malta and Gozo. Perfect for those using the bus every now and then, this card can be shared between different persons and is valid for one year. You can also use this card on Night Services. You can use it for 12 Single Journey Tickets on Day Services or 6 Single Journey Tickets on Night Services, or a combination of both. This card expires within twelve months from first use.

Price for the 12 Single Day Journeys: €15

For more information about the 7-Day Explorer Card & the 12 Single Journeys Card please visit the website:

https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/bus-card-and-ticketing

Or if you wish to order any of the above cards online: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/order-explore-card

See below for other options for long term students staying for 3 weeks or more (Tallinja Card).

For Long Term Students staying for 12 weeks or more (3 months or more) we would recommend the personalised Student Tallinja Card .

Your personalised Tallinja transport card

The tallinja card is an intelligent bus card designed to make it easy for you to use the bus. The card is personalised with your photo and name and can easily be topped up with credit:

over the phone,
at any of the Malta Public Transport sales outlets
or at any MaltaPost post office.

Your credit will not expire .

When using your tallinja card you will benefit from cheaper fares than when you pay on the bus. Every time you board the bus simply touch the reader on the bus with your tallinja card. A fare for every journey will be deducted automatically from your available credit. It’s that easy and much quicker!

You can easily register for this card online before you travel to Malta. We would recommend that you register for your card at least two weeks prior to your arrival date in Malta, as the card is usually delivered within two weeks of registration. This way, you can make sure that the card is readily available and that you have it in hand by the time you arrive in Malta (so that you will not need to wait for it to arrive when you are already here). You can simply insert the school’s address (Gateway School of English) in the appropriate field in the online application form and the card will be delivered directly to the school before your arrival or during your first few days here.

A registration fee applies for all cards, together with registered postage charges and a minimum top-up to activate the card (reduced to €10 in the case of Child and Concession Cards). This amount of top-up credit will be available for use immediately upon receiving the card, and your credit will not expire .

Registering for your tallinja card

Registering for your tallinja card is very easy and can be done online in just a few minutes. You will be required to provide your email address or mobile phone number, which the Malta Public Transport can use to communicate with you. Please remember that the card is usually delivered within two weeks of registration.

Online registration can be done here: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/student

Guide for registering online:

Make sure that you enter your passport number and a valid e-mail address.

Long term students staying for a minimum of 3 months can apply for the student card (which has cheaper student rates) by ticking the box at the bottom of the registration page:

Go to Step 2 below.

Note : If you are not attending a course for a minimum of 3 months (so if you are staying for less than 3 months and you have not ticked the box above), you will be redirected to Step 3 (see Step 3 below).

If you have ticked this box:

You will need to choose the educational institution at which you are following your English course. Therefore, choose ‘Other’ from the drop down menu and then enter the name of the institution: Gateway School of English GSE

You will also need to upload proof of attendance on a full time course (minimum of 3 months) from a recognised educational institution. The proof of attendance is your Letter of Acceptance , which we sent you by email when you booked your course with us. If you have any questions or you cannot find your Letter of Acceptance please send us an email on [email protected] and we will send it to you.

You can then continue with the registration (see Step 3 below).

In Step 3 you will have to provide the delivery address. ALWAYS insert the address of the school as follows:

Enter house name/number: Gateway School of English no.1

Enter Street: Bosfru Street

Select Locality: San Gwann

Enter Postcode: SGN 1953

Then upload a passport photo and a copy of your passport or ID card.

Proceed with the payment. The card will be delivered within two weeks of your registration.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us: [email protected]

Malta Tourism
Malta Hotels
Bed and Breakfast Malta
Malta Holiday Rentals
Flights to Malta
Malta Restaurants
Malta Attractions
Malta Travel Forum
Malta Photos
All Malta Hotels
Malta Hotel Deals
Last Minute Hotels in Malta
Things to Do
Restaurants
Holiday Rentals
Travel Stories
Add a Place
Travel Forum
Travellers' Choice
Help Centre

Tallinja 12 single day journey card - Malta Forum

Europe
Malta

Tallinja 12 single day journey card

United Kingdom Forums
United States Forums
Europe Forums
Canada Forums
Asia Forums
Central America Forums
Africa Forums
Caribbean Forums
Mexico Forums
South Pacific Forums
South America Forums
Middle East Forums
Honeymoons and Romance
Business Travel
Train Travel
Traveling With Disabilities
Tripadvisor Support
Solo Travel
Bargain Travel
Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
Europe forums
Malta forum

5 replies to this topic

They changed it recently so those cards can no longer be shared.

There was another thread about it.

If you’re two or more people you’ll need a card each.

One of the previous threads was here;

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g190320-i895-k14194169-Bus_Travel_and_tallinja_card-Island_of_Malta.html#115811538

Malta's public transport system is a bottomless pit for the absorption of public funds. It lacks any logic in the transport planning process. The island is mired in total transport chaos. If you can afford a cab, don't get on a bus.

Can I use this type of card for TD buses too?

Trudy - yes you can use the 12-journey card to travel on the TD buses, but as these routes are more expensive the driver will knock 2 trips off the card rather than one.

Quad Bike Hire 13:09
Airport transfer to Gozo 10:20
Jelly Fish 07:40
Cruise dock at Valletta for 8 hours (2-10pm) - what to do 06:59
Gozo trip yesterday
One free day-- Gozo or ?? yesterday
Water Taxi Tour of Valletta Harbor? yesterday
Which War Museum??? yesterday
Festivals yesterday
St Paul’s to Valletta yesterday
ferries 28 April 2024
Doubletree by Hilton 28 April 2024
Hotels 27 April 2024
Marsaxlokk 27 April 2024
Where is the best place to stay in Malta? 4 replies
Prices of food and drinks in Malta 9 replies
Mercury Direct Misleading Prices 8 replies
Cost of food/drink. 8 replies
Malta weather worries for our first visit in March/April 3 replies
Chevron Holidays pricing 24 replies
Wanted: Quiet resort! 2 replies
Seabank Hotel 23 replies
Best place to stay for a couples holiday in June 6 replies
Cost of eating drinking etc etc 16 replies

Malta Hotels and Places to Stay

Where should I stay while in Malta ?
What are the must sees in Valletta ?
Travelling around Malta using Public Transport
Can you give me some info regarding car hire and Rules of the Road ?
FAQ - How can I get from Malta Airport to my hotel
How to visit Comino without the crowds
How do I take a day trip to Gozo ?
Where can I hire a wheelchair in Malta ?
Where can I find a few basic words and phrases in Maltese ?
What is there to do in Malta on Christmas Day ?
How easy is it to visit Sicily from Malta ?

English in Malta, by the English in Malta, for the English in Malta

Buses in malta.

Taking the bus in Malta can be quite overwhelming. Between delays and the amount of bus lines serving the island, it is easy to feel lost! Here is a guide to help you get a grasp of Public transport in Malta .

The main lines

Tallinja is Malta’s public transport network.

The island is very well connected via bus routes. Buses on the main lines run approximately every 15 minutes, with those on the minor lines running every 30 or 60 minutes. It is easy to reach the different towns if you know which buses to take and if you plan your route in advance.

Major bus stations

There are many hubs from which you can take a bus with ease.

Valletta bus stop at the entrance to the city. Most lines leave from there and connect to all parts of the island.
Kullegg bus station in Msida. Also very big, with many lines connecting you to almost everywhere on the island.
San Giljan bus stop in Saint Julian’s is also one of the main bus stations, especially if you want to get to the north of the island.
Sliema Ferries bus stop This is a good alternative and a frequent stopover for the main lines that serve Malta.

From Saint Julian’s to Valletta

The main lines serve the towns of Swieqi, Saint Julian’s, Sliema and Valletta.

Valletta – Swieqi/Saint Julian’s : Bus 13, 13A, 14, 16
Valletta – Sliema : Bus 13, 13A, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22

NB: To get to Valletta from Sliema Ferry and vice versa, you can take the ferry instead of the bus. It is a 5-minute journey and costs the same as a regular bus ticket.

Other areas

There are several dozen other lines that take you to other areas of Malta. Even though you can find them all on the Tallinja website, we have listed the main ones for you here:

South and South East : All lines from 70 to 90.
Toward Central and West : All lines from 50 to 69
North : All lines from 40 to 50, line 101

Lines to and from Malta Airport

Bus lines to and from the airport are usually denoted with the letter “X”. They operate every half hour or every hour.

From and to the north of the island : X1 and X3
From and to South : X4
From and to Valletta : X4, 71.72,73
From and to Saint Julian’s : X2, TD2

Direct lines

Tallinja Direct lines , called “TD”, are specific, faster lines. They don’t have as many stops as regular routes.

The TD2 and TD13 are found toward Saint Julian’s and/or Bugibba in the north, the TD10 towards Marsaxlokk in the south, and the TD14 towards Rabat in the centre.

Night buses

Night buses run from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., or 3 a.m. depending on the line. They serve the main towns of the island and start with an “N”: N11, N13, N91 …

The TD Plus Malta Service

This brand-new service offers direct booking of your seat on a M alta Public Transport minibus. You just need to choose your pick-up and drop-off points between Valletta and Pembroke (including the cities of Saint Julian’s, Sliema, Swieqi, Msida etc.), as well as the time you want to travel.

The service operates from 05:30 a.m. to midnight daily. It is available to book on the Tallinja application.

For the moment, trips are €2, but this may increase once the service is properly in place.

Cards and tickets

You must purchase/show your ticket or scan your card each time you hop on the bus. Depending on your travel needs, you can either purchase single tickets or opt for a card.

Single Tickets

Single tickets cost €1,5 from mid-October to May, and €2 from June to October. They are valid for 2 hours and must be purchased directly from the driver, using cash.

Temporary cards

If you are only in Malta for a short period of time, you can buy a Tallinja public transport card. They are sold at all Tallinja outlets, and in some grocery stores and shops.

The Explore Card

This allows you to have unlimited travel for 7 consecutive days. You can use every Malta and Gozo bus lines except TD and TD Plus. The price is €21 for adults and €15 for children.

Have a look on the Explore Card page to find a complete list of resellers.

The 12-Day Journey Card

You get 12 single trips for the price of €15. This is the ideal solution for those who only take the bus occasionally. It includes 12 day-trips, or 6 night-trips / TD lines. This card is valid for 1 year.

Have a look on the 12-Day Journey Card page to find a complete list of resellers.

The Explore Plus Meep Card

This includes a free scenic bus tour with audio guide or even a boat trip to Comino, in addition to 7 days of unlimited travel across the entire Tallinja network (including TD lines). 2 trips on the Valletta ferry are also included.

You can buy this card at any Tallinja booth.

Permanent cards

If you are staying in Malta for a while, it is best to choose a personalized and permanent card. It is non-transferable and allows you to pay less for your bus trips.

There is no subscription system per se. It is a card that you can top up with credit, and is scanned each time you board the bus. The price of the trip is directly deducted from your card balance.

NB: You can set up a recurring transfer of funds, so you don’t have to worry about having to top up your card manually.

This card is for adults aged between 17 and 59. 2 hours of travel time costs 0.75 euros for regular lines, and €1.5 for TD and night buses.

Once you reach €26 spent in journeys during the month, any subsequent trips (regular day lines) will be free until the end of that month. In short, the maximum amount possible that can be spent in a month is €26.

The child card

This card is for children aged 4 to 10 (children under 4 don’t need a card and travel for free). 2 hours of travel time costs €0.25. Travel is free for the rest of the day after €0.50 has been spent, and the rest of the week is free after €2 spent. (Excluding TD and night bus)

The Student Card

This card is for students aged between 11 and 16, and for all students doing a recognized educational training of more than 3 months in Malta (language schools are not included in “educational training”). 2 hours of travel time costs €0.75 for regular lines, and €1.5 for TD and night buses.

Once you spend at least €21 in journeys within the month, any subsequent trips (regular day lines) will be free until the end of the month. In short, the maximum amount that can be spent in a month is €21.

For 55 €, you will benefit from 3 months of unlimited transport on the Tallinja network (classic day lines). This option is called “Student Pass”.

NB: Students between the ages of 14 and 19 may use the public transport for free in Malta. Regardless, they must still have a Tallinja card.

Card for Gozo Residents

This card is for all those who officially reside in Gozo. 2 hours of travel costs €0.75 for conventional lines, and €1.5 for TD and night buses.

Once you reach €26 spent on journeys within during the month, any subsequent trips (regular day lines) will be free until the end of the month. In short, the maximum amount that can be spent in a month is €26.

If you only use the bus in Gozo, your trips will be free after the first €10 spent in the month (excluding TD and night bus).

The Discounted Rate Card

This card is for seniors aged 60 and over, and people with reduced mobility who have a European disability card. 2 hours of travel costs €0.25. Travel is free for the rest of the day after €0.50 has been spent, and the rest of the week is free after €2 spent. (except TD and night bus)

NB: Since January 1, 2020, seniors over 75 years of age benefit from free public transport in Malta, although they must still present their Tallinja card.

Ordering the Tallinja card

You will need to order your card from the Tallinja website by providing your details and uploading a standard photo and your ID. Persons with disabilities will also need to upload a photo of their disability card.

Obtaining the card will cost you €10, and you will need to make an initial top-up of 20 euros to activate it. It will be sent to you by post within one to several weeks, depending on the type of card requested.

Buses in Malta – Good practices and rules to know

Signal the driver.

If you wish to take the bus, you will need to signal the driver to stop . Otherwise, it is very simple…the bus will not stop! Also, when you are on the bus and want to stop, press the STOP button well in advance and not at the last second. Depending on the mood of the driver, you may need to exit one stop further, and nothing can be done about it.

The reliability of buses

Never rely on official bus schedules. Buses will either be late, or too early, or simply not turn up! To properly plan your trips, look at the progress of your bus in the real-time section of the Tallinja app .

Packed Buses

During peak hours (every morning and evening, as well as Friday and Saturday nights) and in the summer, the buses fill up very quickly. Expect to have to wait for a 2nd or even a 3rd bus to arrive before you can get on.

Allow for time

Distances may not be huge in Malta, but journey times are long! Therefore, allow for enough time to get to your destination.

Reckless driving

Drivers sometimes think they are on a racetrack! Be careful when you are standing up on the bus, as it may make sudden movements and can brake at any time. On the other hand, drivers have expert knowledge of Maltese roads and manage to drive their vehicles down some extremely narrow roads.

The friendliness of the drivers

Do not expect a “Hello” from the drivers, who are rarely in a good mood. Being on the road all day in Malta must be very tiring, and they are only human, after all.

This sentence is THE sentence you will hear most often when on a bus. A rule of thumb while riding on Maltese buses: Move as far as possible to the back of the bus to allow other users to enter from the front, even if it means being pushed tight against other passengers.

If you prefer taking taxis rather than relying on public transport, have a look at our page on Taxis in Malta .

Opportunities

20+ Malta Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

If there’s one European destination that I dream most about returning to, it’s Malta.

This glorious sun-drenched movie set is filled with historic monuments, mouthwatering food, and a unique culture you won’t find anywhere else in the world. It is (in my mind) one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Europe, especially for overseas visitors.

… but you have to do it properly!

First time visitors to Malta often fall into the same traps and make the same mistakes, so I’m here today to list them all out to ensure you have all the Malta travel tips you need to have the trip of a lifetime.

So, keep scrolling for all my most important Malta must-knows (from basics to weirdly specific tips on saving money).

Save this list of Malta Travel Tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Understand that Malta is an archipelago

We’ll start with the most basic of basics: for those new to this wonderland of a country, Malta is an archipelago floating blissfully between Sicily and the Northern Coast of Africa, with its three inhabited islands being Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Depending on how much time they have, most first time visitors will stick to Malta, although visits to Gozo and Comino are popular picks as well thanks to the ease of travel between islands.

So, just know that if you do plan on covering the country of Malta properly, prepare for a few breezy boat rides.

2. Plan your trip for a minimum of four days

Now, onto the next big question: how long should you spend in Malta?

Well, if you want to break my heart, do Malta in a weekend.

But if you want to make me a proud travel mom, plan your trip for at least four days.

Malta may be a tiny country when compared to some others, but it’s packed with impressive sights, so I would recommend coming for a minimum of four days if you want to get a good feel for the main must-dos and possibly venture out to Gozo and Comino as well.

Malta travel inspiration at its finest - let these mindblowing photos show you all the amazing things to do and things to see in Malta.

3. Spend more than just a day in Gozo

Now, onto another important Malta travel planning tip: if you plan to Gozo, I implore you to go for more than just a day!

A lot of people, myself included, do Gozo as a day trip, but I would personally stay at least a night there if possible, because that island is absolutely magical and has plenty of sights to fill two days or more.

… When I eventually get back there some day, I might even base myself in Gozo for the trip to explore it further. Yes, it’s that lovely.

Visiting Malta and looking for the best things to see, do and experience in Malta? Check out this gorgeous photo diary packed with inspiration for how to spend 4 days in Malta. Take this as the ultimate itinerary inspiration for your next Malta visit!

4. Learn some basic Maltese, although English is widely spoken

Now some good news for English speakers: English happens to be one of the official languages of Malta so you’ll have zero trouble getting by with English. Most locals (especially in tourist areas) do speak it well.

But as usual, I do think it’s nice to learn at least a few basics in the local language whenever you can, plus in Maltese it’s pretty simple, so here are a few phrases to commit to memory:

Grazzi: Thank You
Bonju: Good morning
Bonswa: Good evening
Waranofs in-har it-tajjeb: Good afternoon (maybe avoid greeting people in the afternoon)

5. Prices are highest in Valletta, so consider staying in other areas

Another money-saving tip for Malta is to consider staying outside of the capital (Valletta) which is where prices will be highest.

Since Malta is so compact, staying somewhere outside Valletta is barely any bother, plus it can also be quieter and less crowded, depending on where you go.

Some options still close to Valletta include…

The Three Cities – Located just across the water from Valletta, so you can just hop on a fun 10 minute ferry to get across
Sliema – Great views of Valletta and lots of fun bars/restaurants (although getting increasingly pricey)

6. Consider visiting in the Spring or Fall

In terms of the best time to go, Malta is commonly known as a beachy ‘tan like a walrus on the beach’ type of place, hence huge crowds in the summer time.

BUT honestly, if you’re like me and want to visit Malta more for its cultural and historical sights, then going in the Spring is definitely a better idea. Summer temperatures in Malta make sightseeing a daunting task, and if you’d rather not be a slippery sweat stick during your trip, then look to avoid July and August.

My very first trip to Malta was in April , and the temperatures were absolutely perfect. I’ve heard Fall can be a good time to visit as well, although conditions tend to be a bit rainier.

7. In the summer, explore early in the morning to avoid crowds/heat

That said, if you do visit Malta in the summer, one tip I have is to get up really early to explore just after sunrise because this is when you’ll get the least crowds and more tolerable temperatures.

Especially in Valletta, there’s not many places with shade so it gets hot and sticky frighteningly quick.

Then, you can spend the hot afternoons taking a dip in the sea or hiding somewhere with air conditioning. Oh the possibilities!

8. Look out for festas and festivals

If you need some help deciding when to visit Malta, it may be worth looking into their festival calendar.

Malta has tons of amazing festivals and festas (religious celebrations) throughout the year, during which the streets are really beautifully decorated and lively.

Visit Malta during one of these special events and you’re likely to encounter fireworks, bands, and processions. Luckily, with over 60 festas on the calendar each year, odds are good that you may run into one.

If not, there are also tons of other fun events throughout the year. During my trips, I’ve experienced a wine festival, a Freedom Day Regatta, and fireworks! Are you seeing why I’m so obsessed with this country now?

9. Read up on Maltese history before your trip

Another important Malta tip I have for you is to do a bit of research before your trip about the country’s history.

As I mentioned in the introduction, Malta has a really unique culture that you won’t find elsewhere in the world. A large factor in this is the country’s turbulent and lengthy history, which helps contextualize a lot of the sights you’ll see, so learning a bit in advance can be really helpful.

For instance, did you know that there are some temples on this island that predate the Pyramids of Giza by 1000 years?

Or that up until 1964, it was consistently under the rule of different groups? The reason Malta is unlike any place in the world is because the country we see today was formed under the combined influence of the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the French and the English.

… so yes, Malta is as interesting as it is pretty – be sure to read up on it to make the most of your trip!

10. Beware of multiple names for streets and places

Now, one of the byproducts of Malta’s historic turbulence is that place names can be a bit confusing… in the sense that there’s often many of them.

Over the past 400 years alone, Malta has been ruled by four different groups with four different languages, hence why these days many names are floating around for various Maltese streets, squares and places.

As an example, the photo below is of Republic Square (Pjazza Repubblika), formerly/sometimes still known as Victoria Square, Piazza Regina, Place de l’Egalité, Piazza della Città and Piazza dei Cavallieri.

So yes, just keep that in mind when getting directions/navigating! There are often multiple names referring to the same place.

11. Malta is remarkably British

Another byproduct of Malta’s history (that shocks many first time visitors) is that Malta is fairly British in a lot of ways.

Not only do they drive on the left side of the road as we mentioned earlier, there are also red phone booths all over Valletta, their beer is served in pints… and they use the Type G outlets like in the UK, so bring an adapter if coming from Europe.

Currency-wise though, they do use the Euro here. Just to add to the confusion.

12. Consider hiring private transfers to get around

Malta is a tiny country with a relatively large population and also many tourists. This means a ton of traffic and general chaos on the roads.

… which is unfortunate, because if you want to have optimal flexibility to see the top sights, especially if you want to explore Gozo, having a car is quite essential.

So what should you do if you don’t want the fuss of renting a car and driving yourself?

While in most places, I would just opt for public transport (which we’ll discuss below), I’d say with Malta, private tours offer another great option because they can be surprisingly affordable compared to other touristy European destinations.

For instance, you can book this tour from Malta to Gozo for the day which includes transport and lunch for about 80 euros, which is not bad at all.

So, if I were to plan my own trip to Malta today, I would probably not rent a car and instead book little day trips out like this one to cover more remote destinations.

13. Bus travel in Malta is very affordable, though it has its downsides

That said, if you’re on a budget, the good news is bus travel in Malta is very affordable as well.

At full price, a ticket one way is 2 euro, but it can be much much cheaper if you buy a special pass.

So why did I recommend booking private transfers then? Well, unfortunately, bus travel in Malta (especially in the summer) isn’t the greatest. Not only can buses be really crowded, they’re also notoriously unreliable in terms of punctuality.

But hey, sometimes embracing the chaos is part of the fun, so if you plan to take buses around Malta, here is a summary of ways to save money on your bus journeys.

The best bus pass options for tourists in Malta are…

12 Single Day Journeys (€15) card: Saves you almost half price on each journey, ideal if you won’t take many trips
7-Day Explore Card: Offers unlimited journeys for €21, ideal for a longer stay
Explore Plus Meep: Offers unlimited travel as well as two ferry trips. I couldn’t find the price for this on their website so it’s unclear if this is still something they offer, but be sure to ask!

NOTE: These passes are much better for tourists than paying the (similarly named) Explore Flex Card which is more for people who commute throughout the year since you only save 15-50 cents per journey and the card itself is 6 EUR.

14. Make sure to try plenty of Maltese food

Alright. Are you ready? I’m about to share THE most important Malta travel tips I have with you…

Because we’re now going to talk about Maltese food!

The food in Malta is simply incredible. A few must tries include…

Pastizzi: A magical pastry with crispy phyllo dough and usually a ricotta or pea filling
Imqaret: A date-filled pastry best enjoyed with a scoop of creamy Maltese ice cream
Stuffat tal-Fenek: A stewed rabbit dish that is unbelievably comforting and tender
Bigilla: A creamy bean dip
Bragioli: beef rolls stuffed with egg, bacon, bread crumbs, and braised in wine

And lastly, seafood. Eat as much seafood as possible when you’re in Malta. It’s so fresh and so delicious, especially when you go to the fishing villages like Marsaxlokk.

… I’m honestly just drooling while writing this. When can I book my flight?

15. Keep an eye out for Malta’s amazing churches

When you’re not busy swimming in a sea of Pastizzi , another thing to while exploring Malta is to look out for churches.

Malta has hundreds of churches, almost one for every day of the year.

The best part? They’re absolutely beautiful, so if you happen to pass one while exploring be sure to duck in and take a look.

Obviously the most famous one is the St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, but you’ll easily find hundreds of others as you walk around, so be sure to take a peek inside if you get a chance.

16. Bring coverings to enter churches

One thing to be mindful of though is that your shoulders and knees should be covered when you’re entering churches in Malta, so be sure to bring a lightweight scarf with you to cover up if you’re visiting in the summer.

17. Be careful when going out for a swim

Alright, now for a Malta safety tip…

Swimming in Malta is a fun activity that many visitors look forward to, but often they don’t realize a lot of the swimming areas in Malta are quite rocky, and depending on the weather conditions can be a bit rough for swimming, with the occasional threat via Mother Nature too, like jellyfish.

So, definitely do your research before you head out to swim.!

There’s actually a great website for this called WhichBeach that lists out all the beaches in Malta and summarizes the weather conditions and even recommends beaches for particular days depending on the conditions. Be sure to consult it during your trip so you can enjoy Malta’s glimmering waters safely.

18. Look into a Malta Pass (potentially)

Now, if you plan on visiting a lot of attractions during your time in Malta, there is something called a MaltaPass that includes a bunch of attractions for one set price.

To be honest with you though, I don’t think it’s worth it for most people just because these attractions are really scattered, and many of them aren’t (in my opinion) the coolest things to see in Malta.

So, just know that an attraction pass is an option but look carefully at the actual list of sights before you commit to buying.

19. A boat ride is a must when in Malta

Now, while a MaltaPass isn’t a must, one thing that is (in my opinion) is taking a boat ride at some point.

Boat rides are just such a lovely way to enjoy Malta from a different perspective, and there are so many great options that you really have no excuse!

I can highly recommend a boat trip around the Blue Grotto in Southeastern Malta or a ferry ride to Gozo or Comino.

Or, if you’re looking for something cheaper, hopping on a ‘dghajsa’ from Valletta over to the Three Cities is also super fun.

These are gondola-esque Maltese water taxis that allow you to get amazing views from the water. They may not be one of those superyachts you’ll find docked nearby, but dayum if the views aren’t wonderful (and cheap – at only 2 euros one way!)

20. Beware that Instagram often doesn’t tell the full story

Now before we wrap up, I do want to do a quick round of Instagram vs reality… just because I think Malta (while undeniably stunning) is one of those very photogenic places that often get misrepresented on social media.

First off, some sad news: in case you weren’t already aware, the natural arch formerly known as the Azure Window sadly collapsed into the sea in 2017, so if you’ve seen photos of this iconic spot before, it’s unfortunately no longer around:

Now for Valletta, Malta’s capital. I just need you to beware that while they make for some truly epic photos, the streets here are actually quite steep and hilly, so make sure you pack good walking shoes to conquer them!

Another warning: Mdina is an amazing place to visit in Malta known as the Silent City, and although many photos will depict the streets looking empty, you should know that an early (or very late) arrival is crucial to actually seeing Mdina without huge tourist mobs, as it’s one of the most popular day trip destinations in Malta.

Lastly, we have to talk about the Blue Lagoon on Comino. Most photos you see will show it as an empty oasis, but in the summer time, it really does get so busy to the point where online reviewers liken it to a giant hotel pool, so just have your expectations in check if you’re visiting in peak season.

Visit in April and take the last boat out however, and you may luck out with these views like I did:

21. Know that Popeye Village is a theme park

This is a niche Malta tip, but one that I think nobody covers, so here goes…

Another spot you’ll see many photos of is Popeye Village , often shown as a scenic backdrop, like so:

BUT, for first time visitors, it’s important you know that this spot is actually pretty far up North and not close to Valletta or any other big tourist sites so you do have to go sort of out of your way to come here. It’s also not a real village, but rather a film set from the 80s that they kept and turned into a theme park.

Do I recommend actually paying to see the inside? Well, I personally loved it because I’m a huge fan of quirky and strange places (like the Arnold Schwarzanegger Museum in Austria) but beware that the park is fairly outdated, there’s not really rides, and overall, it’s kind of expensive for Malta because an adult ticket is 20 euro.

That said, I do think it’s a fun place if you need to entertain kids, or if you’re a kid at heart like I clearly am.

22. Binge some movies and TV shows set in Malta before you go

Lastly, this is an incredibly dorky tip, but there are SO many movies that have filmed in Malta over the years, so a really great thing to do in advance of your trip is simply binging some to get excited.

Some big name ones you might recognize include…

Assassin’s Creed
Murder on the Orient Express
… and season one of Game of Thrones!

I hope this list of Malta Travel Tips was helpful!

This was already a very long list of tips for Malta, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments. Safe and happy travels!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

1 thought on “20+ Malta Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go”

Thanks for providing such a resourceful info about the place. It’s insightful. Got to know some amazing facts.

Malta’s ‘tallinja card’ offers excellent convenience and flexibility for passengers

Odnoklassniki
Facebook Messenger
LiveJournal

Posted: 27 October 2016 | Konrad Pulé, General Manager of Malta Public Transport | 2 comments

Malta Public Transport is modernising its bus fleet and implementing new technologies to increase efficiency. Konrad Pulé explains further…

Bus transportation in Malta is undergoing a transformation with investments being made to modernise its bus fleet and in implementing new technologies to increase efficiency. Konrad Pulé, General Manager of Malta Public Transport, explains that one particular success of the national bus operator has been the introduction of a popular new bus card.

Malta Public Transport is responsible for the operation of all public transport services by bus on the Maltese islands, and covers 30 million kilometres every year with a fleet of 380 buses and a team of over 1,300 people. Throughout the first year of operation in 2015 it is estimated that approximately 40 million passengers were carried – a significant increase when compared to previous years.

Revolutionising transport: investing in new technology to increase efficiency

Following the share transfer that took place in January 2015, we immediately began the implementation of a number of major changes within the organisation. These were aimed at improving performance in general to align with contractual requirements and to provide an efficient bus service.

Malta Public Transport has a fleet of 380 buses

Our priority was to change our internal systems to enable us to be in a better position to control the service. This included the replacement of the ticketing and fleet management system across the entire bus fleet, resulting in stronger controls at all levels and better information for our customers.

New fleet tracking system

The fleet tracking and management system was completely changed during 2015, enabling us to know where every bus is in real-time. This information enabled us to gather information on service reliability and punctuality. It also enabled us to fine-tune route schedules according to the time of day and the day of the week, therefore providing drivers and passengers with more realistic running times.

Our technology can be upgraded further with other solutions such as signal priority and bus lane enforcement.

A technology-based Control Room was installed in order to manage the services in real-time. Reliability and punctuality of the service are the main two targets of our team and we are making good progress in both, especially taking account of the traffic context in Malta.

Different tallinja cards and fares are available

Situations can sometimes occur, such as delays to our services due to unavoidable traffic jams or accidents, but our customers can still plan ahead. We launched a mobile app and an SMS service that gives bus users access to real-time information on which buses are due to arrive at their bus stop within the next 30 minutes. This proved to be very successful with over 50,000 downloads in the first three months.

This success was a result of Autobuses De Leon (ALESA) transferring its knowledge to Malta Public Transport. As a result the IT system tested by ALESA in other localities was adapted to Malta in order to improve information for the company and for passengers.

A successful new bus card

In July 2015 we launched a new bus card. This was a critical step to reduce the dependency on cash transactions, whilst opening up other controlled revenue channels that are more efficient. It required a significant investment in technology and communications, and the results were very positive.

“We were overwhelmed with the success of the new bus card in Malta,” said Felipe Cosmen, Chairman of Malta Public Transport. “Half the Maltese population obtained their bus card within a short period of just six months with over 82% of passengers now using a card when travelling by bus. This is a major achievement for the country as it revolutionised the way people buy their bus tickets, especially when one considers that practically everyone used to pay for their bus tickets in cash on the bus until June 2015.”

“We had to convince more vulnerable bus users, like the elderly, that this was the way forward,” explained Hon Joe Mizzi, the Maltese Minister for Transport and Infrastructure during the Transport Ticketing Conference held in Warsaw, Poland in October 2015. “We had to convince them that they had to have a plastic card to benefit from the reduced fares. The plastic card had to be topped-up with credit to be used on the bus. That was challenging as it presented a completely new concept to this category of bus users. To date, over 70% of the elderly population have a bus card, demonstrating the success of the implementation campaign.”

tallinja card

The bus card – branded as ‘tallinja card 1 ’ – is an intelligent bus card designed to make it easy for customers to use the bus. The card is personalised with the customer’s photo and name and can be easily topped-up with credit online, over the phone, at any of our sales outlets or at any post office. The credit on the card does not expire. When registering for a tallinja card, customers automatically benefit from cheaper fares than when they pay on the bus. Different cards and fares are available for children, students and adults. There is also a concession card which is available to elderly and disabled passengers; and a specific card for Gozo 2 residents.

This shift in culture brought about new challenges for us to ensure that sufficient and effective top-up channels were easily available to all segments of users. Not only did the use of the card itself surpass our expectations, but the electronic top-up channels were very popular with almost 60% of top-ups taking place electronically over the Internet, or using the phone or mobile app.

Bus services in Malta – historical background

On 3 July 2011 the bus service in Malta was taken over by a subsidiary of the Arriva Group. This followed a competitive tendering process launched in July 2009 by the government. The operating company faced a number of operational and financial challenges during the last quarter of 2013. The image of the company and the services subsequently systematically deteriorated. A mutual decision was taken between the government and Arriva Malta Limited for the government to buy back the company and take over the bus service and re-issue a competitive tender to identify a new bus operator in 2014. Following this mutual agreement, the public transport service company was taken over by the government on the 2 January 2014 and was operated by the government for the entire year. The Government of Malta issued an ‘expression of interest’ notice for the provision of scheduled bus services in Malta and Gozo and the sale of the existing company, and Autobuses de Leon (ALESA) was selected as the preferred bidder. The related evaluation and negotiation process was concluded towards the end of 2014. The share transfer was subsequently completed on 8 January 2015 when the new company began operating the public transport service.

The tallinja card system

Our system is easy to use. There is no need to choose the type of ticket to buy. There is no need to plan and think what the best fare will be based on what travelling patterns may be for the next few days or weeks. The card automatically chooses the best fare available at any time so that customers just have to top-up their cards and validate them every time they board the bus. It can also recognise interchanges carried out along routes, therefore allowing passengers to change routes without being charged again.

In the first customer survey of 2016, nine out of 10 tallinja card users were satisfied with the service. The opportunities are infinite. Now that half the population in the country has this bus card, it can, and will in the near future, be used for multi-modal transport and integrated ticketing systems.

Passengers can top-up their tallinja card using the Malta Public Transport app

Malta Public Transport also provides other cards that can be used immediately without the need to register. The ‘7-Day Explore’ card provides unlimited travel for one week. There is a card for adults and another for children (up to 10 years old). An additional card, the ‘12 Single Day Journeys’ card, offers flexibility with reduced fares; perfect for those using the bus every now and then, this card can be shared and is valid for one year.

Standard cash tickets can also be purchased from the driver on the buses. These tickets are Single Journey tickets that can be used to get to any destination within two hours, including interchanging.

The new, customised fleet: Euro 6 engines and narrower buses for Maltese roads

We have invested significantly in modernising the bus fleet, making it safer, more environmentally-friendly and more comfortable. Throughout summer 2015, 143 new Euro 6 buses were put into service featuring the latest emission standards together with improved safety and comfort standards.

Apart from contributing to the overall quality of the service, they also contributed to the reduction in maintenance and fuel consumption costs. Additional new buses have already been introduced in 2016 without any contractual obligation to do so, making our fleet one of the youngest and most environmentally-friendly in Europe.

With the latest technology when it comes to diesel engines, our fleet is environmentally-friendly and efficient, offering our customers an added benefit by contributing towards a better environment when travelling by bus.

All route buses are cleaned and maintained regularly and are equipped with air-conditioning systems for added comfort. All the new buses have two doors to facilitate the boarding and alighting of passengers.

The availability and reliability of the fleet has increased significantly and in a consistent manner, almost reaching the standard levels in Europe in just one year.

Investing in people: recruitment and training

A major recruitment drive was conducted by the company to almost double the amount of drivers. We recruited over 600 new drivers in 2015 bringing numbers up to the required levels in order to provide an efficient bus service. All the new drivers have been through rigorous training to obtain their international Certificate of Professional Competence.

The health and safety of employees and the safety of the environment in which they work is a top priority for us. Buses are constantly on the road and we are not only responsible for the safety of our employees, but also for the safety of our passengers and of the public in general.

With 5,200 bus trips carried out every day, we have a major role to play when it comes to road safety. Despite running very ambitious training plans and putting safety measures in place to reduce accidents, the injuries per million passenger ratio has already dropped significantly over the last year, which clearly shows that we are on the right track.

We are investing in technology and in our employees to improve safety and the overall customer experience. In fact, we have recently brought a new driving simulator to Malta which is now being customised to reflect the Maltese road network. Although the simulator is a training system that has been previously tried and tested in other companies in our group, it is a first for Malta that will undoubtedly contribute towards improving the skills of our drivers, particularly in circumstances that could otherwise not be easily assessed and trained on the road.

Significantly extending the route network

The Malta Public Transport app provides real-time information about bus arrivals

A major change was also made to our bus route network in line with the contracted requirements set by the contracting Authority following an extensive government public consultation. This too required investment in planning, training and information.

These route changes meant that there was an increase from 25 million kilometres to almost 30 million kilometres per year. The frequency of trips was also increased from 4,800 up to 5,200 trips daily, with a further increase to 5,600 trips during the summer months.

A positive outlook

In the first six months of 2016 we experienced an increase in passenger numbers and invested in another 33 new Euro 6 buses.

We continue to review the performance of each bus route to identify whether further improvements can be made. It is difficult to provide a high quality public transport service in Malta without sufficient bus priority measures. Our company has established a constructive relationship with the Transport Authority 3 to study solutions that can make public transport easier to use, and faster.

While being very well aware of the challenges we face, we are committed to improve the overall bus user experience and to provide a safe, credible and efficient bus service in Malta and Gozo; one that will convince more car users to take the bus.

The name ‘tallinja’ comes from the Maltese words ‘tal-linja’ which is the way the Maltese people refer to the bus service
Gozo is a smaller sister island in the Maltese archipelago with around 32,000 residents
The Authority for Transport in Malta is the contracting authority responsible for developing and controlling public transport in Malta.

Navigating success and challenges: A deep dive into Demand-Responsive Transport operations

Quadrac, Discover Global Network - Revolutionising Japan's cashless public transit landscape

Quadrac and Discover® Global Network transform Japan’s cashless public transit landscape

By Masayuki Takada - Quadrac

Butler County RTA introduces innovative account-based ticketing system

By Intelligent Transport

Metlink unveils fare changes impacting passengers under 24

Next phase of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network begins operation

2 responses to “malta’s ‘tallinja card’ offers excellent convenience and flexibility for passengers”.

It would be nice to have a reduced fare card for visiting senior citizens as can be got in other countries.

Yes I agree with the above comment. A reduced fare for senior citizens visiting Malta would help. I visit at least twice each year and last October spent quite a lot of money on tallinja cards. I am British and and cannot imagine what would happen in our country if non British people were expected to pay a higher fare!

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For our other types of cookies "Advertising & Targeting", "Analytics" and "Performance", these help us analyse and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these different types of cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can adjust the available sliders to 'Enabled' or 'Disabled', then click 'Save and Accept'. View our Cookie Policy page.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Performance cookies are includes cookies that deliver enhanced functionalities of the website, such as caching. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Analytics cookies collect information about your use of the content, and in combination with previously collected information, are used to measure, understand, and report on your usage of this website.

Advertising and targeting cookies help us provide our visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns.

Due to a technical fault, erroneous top ups were effected on some Tallinja Cards. This means that credit was added to some Tallinja Card accounts without the card holder actually paying. These erroneous top ups are being reversed. In order to view your transaction history and check whether this has affected your Tallinja Card, please click on the link below and enter your customer number and the last four digits found on the barcode on your Tallinja Card.

Service Information

Night Routes

Route N13 from St. Julian’s / San Ġiljan to Valletta via Sliema, Msida, Floriana

Frequency: Weekday - every 30 minutes, Weekend - every 15 minutes

This route passes via the following localities: St. Julian's (San Ġiljan) / Sliema / il-Gżira / tax-Xbiex / L-Imsida / Tal-Pieta' / Il-Floriana / Valletta

First Bus departing from Valletta: 23:10 First Bus departing from St. Julian’s/ San Giljan: 23:10

Last Bus departing from Valletta: 1:40 (weekday & weekend) Last Bus departing from St. Julian’s/ San Giljan: 1:40 (weekday), 2:10 (weekend)

Click here for map and complete schedule: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/route/N13

Route N212 from Sliema to Buġibba via St. Julian’s / San Ġiljan and Baħar ic-Ċagħaq

Frequency: Friday & Saturday - every 30 minutes

This route passes via the following localities: Tas-Sliema / St. Julian’s (San Ġiljan) / Is-Swieqi / Pembroke / Baħar ic-Ċagħaq / Il-Qawra / San Pawl il-Baħar / Buġibba Terminus

First Bus departing from Sliema: 23:10 Last Bus departing from Sliema: 00:40

First Bus departing from Bugibba Terminus: 00:00 (midnight) Last Bus departing from Bugibba Terminus: 01:30

Click here for map and complete schedule: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/route/N212

Route N301 from Mġarr (Gozo) and Victoria

Frequency: Friday and Saturday, at 23:15 (Victoria) and 23:45 (Mġarr)

This route passes via the following localities: Mġarr (Gozo) / Għajnsielem / Universita’ / Xewkija / Victoria

Click here for map and complete schedule: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/route/301

€3.00 for cash and contactless ticket. There is no additional charge for passengers using Explore card since night routes are included in the seven days of unlimited travel by bus. When paying with the 12 Single Day Journeys card, one trip is deducted for night routes, which is the equivalent of €1.75.

Fares for Personalised Tallinja Cards

Up to September 2022: The standard Night Route fares apply €2.50 for Tallinja Card users.

With effect from 1 October 2022: Personalised Tallinja Cards travel for free on Night Routes.

IMAGES

Planning your trip to Malta? Your perfect Malta itinerary for what to
Best Day Trips on Malta, top places to visit in one day
Why visit Malta? Use these planning tips and suggestions on 25 fabulous
Malta Public Transport
#Malta #Europe #Travel Malta Itinerary
Malta Sightseeing Itinerary: A 24 Hour Guide

VIDEO

Malta Trip, Day 2 Valletta
❤️The Most Romantic Island In The World
Malts Update : Third Party Processing Delay Reasons
A 2-day Cycling Trip in Malta
DAY trip from London to MALTA returning in ONE day- including some interesting FACTS about this nati
Active Travel

COMMENTS

12 Single Day Journeys Card
This card offers discounted rates when using public transport. Ideal for the occasional bus user or weekenders visiting Malta, this is a card that is valid for 6 months from your first usage. This card can be used by a single person for 12 journeys on day routes, Tallinja Direct Routes, Night Routes and Special Services. Our cards are available ...
Bus & Card Ticketing
12 Single Day Journeys (€21) Our 12 Journeys card is another easy and cost-effective way of getting around Malta and Gozo. The expiry of the card is according to the period stated on the back of the card.
Malta Transport Tallinja Card
12 Single Day Journey Card. Price: €15; Validity: 1 year - You have 12 single day journeys to be used in one year. how to use the 12 Single Day Journey card. You have either 12 single day journeys or 6 single night journeys. You can also combine them both. This journey card can also be shared and is valid for a year from first time of swiping ...
Tallinja 12 single day journey card
Re: Tallinja 12 single day journey card. Malta's public transport system is a bottomless pit for the absorption of public funds. It lacks any logic in the transport planning process. The island is mired in total transport chaos. If you can afford a cab, don't get on a bus.
Tallinja Card
The Tallinja Card is an intelligent bus card designed to make it easy for you to use the bus. The card is personalised with your photo and name and can be topped up with credit easily online, via the free Tallinja App or at any of our sales outlets. Your credit will not expire. With effect from 1 October 2022, holders of a personalised Tallinja ...
Malta By Bus
To travel on buses in Malta and Gozo you can either: Use cash or contactless cards to buy fixed price single tickets from the driver (this is the most expensive option, and the only ticket available from the driver).; Save money by buying a 12 Single Journeys Card from an MPT kiosk, dispensing machine or other outlet.; Buy a 7-day Explore Card for unlimited bus travel, except on the limited ...
12 Single Day Journey Card
3. Re: 12 Single Day Journey Card. 8 years ago. Save. Depending on what time you arrive you may be able to purchase a card at the airport. Most shops are open for part of Sunday at this time of year. Depending where you are staying you may be able to purchase one there. Also available at bus stations. Details of the cards can be found at this ...
Bus card- 12 single journeys
1. Re: Bus card- 12 single journeys. 6 years ago. Yes it can be shared - if three adults travel together then the driver will knock 3 journeys off the card. However you will need to tell the driver that that is what you need him to do. Phil-the-Bus. Edited: 6 years ago. Report inappropriate content. TM001.
Which Malta Bus Ticket is Right For You
12 Single Day Journey. All of those are great, but if you're planning to go as a group, it can still get pricey. An alternative you can consider are the 12 Single Day Journey cards. Essentially, you'll get 12 single tickets on this card, consuming one ticket for each trip you take. It works the same as a normal single ticket, but you tap ...
Getting Around in Malta: A Guide to Transportation Options
How to get around in Malta with or without a rental car: parking, buses, passes, ferries, tours, tips and tricks. ... 12 Single-Day Journeys (€15) You can buy a group of 12 journeys by bus at a discounted price of €1.25 per ride if you buy the 12 Single Day Journeys pass. This pass does work on the TD buses but each TD bus route is charged ...
Where To Buy Explore Card & 12 Journey Card
Where To Buy Your Travel Card. Our Tourist cards can be found at any of our Sales and Information Points or card dispensing machines around Malta and Gozo. For a list of these locations, please click here. You may also purchase your travel card from a leading retail outlet or stationer. Tallinja App. Routes & Timetables. Card Balance Check.
Your guide to Maltese public transport
Although cash tickets on board the bus are only €1.50 in winter and €2 in summer, prepaid travel cards ensure a quicker boarding time, and give you more for your money. If you're planning a shorter visit, the 12 Single Day Journey tickets at €15 also offer great value. Go direct
Public Transport in Malta Gateway School of English GSE
Price for the 7-Day Explorer Card: Adult €21 / Child (up to 10 years old) €15. If you won't be using the public transport regularly you can also opt for the 12 Single Journeys. The 12 Journey Card is another easy and cost-effective way of getting around Malta and Gozo. Perfect for those using the bus every now and then, this card can be ...
12 Single Day Journey Card
28 reviews. 13 helpful votes. 3. Re: 12 Single Day Journey Card. 8 years ago. Save. Depending on what time you arrive you may be able to purchase a card at the airport. Most shops are open for part of Sunday at this time of year. Depending where you are staying you may be able to purchase one there.
Tallinja 12 single day journey card
Re: Tallinja 12 single day journey card. Malta's public transport system is a bottomless pit for the absorption of public funds. It lacks any logic in the transport planning process. The island is mired in total transport chaos. If you can afford a cab, don't get on a bus.
Buses in Malta
The 12-Day Journey Card You get 12 single trips for the price of €15. This is the ideal solution for those who only take the bus occasionally. It includes 12 day-trips, or 6 night-trips / TD lines. This card is valid for 1 year. Have a look on the 12-Day Journey Card page to find a complete list of resellers. The Explore Plus Meep Card
Tourist Information
12 Single Day Journeys Card. Flexible prepaid card for cheaper travel. The 12 Single Day Journeys Card offers cheaper travel rates than tickets purchased on the bus. The card offers greater flexibility as it may be shared by family and friends, and is valid for one year from the first day the card is validated on the bus.
Public Transportation in Malta: The Ultimate Guide
12 Single Day Journey Card. This card costs 15 Euro and, as its name implies, it's good for 12 separate daytime bus trips. ... The card can be used in both Malta and Gozo. This single card can be shared by multiple people and is valid for one year from the time it was purchased. ... Gozo is a popular day trip for visitors to Malta, and for ...
20+ Malta Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go
The best bus pass options for tourists in Malta are… 12 Single Day Journeys (€15) card: Saves you almost half price on each journey, ideal if you won't take many trips; 7-Day Explore Card: Offers unlimited journeys for €21, ideal for a longer stay; Explore Plus Meep: Offers unlimited travel as well as two ferry trips. I couldn't find ...
Public Transport in Malta and Gozo
Malta Public Transport has created three Tallinja Cards specifically for tourists. These are the Explore Card, the ExplorePlus Card and the 12 Single Day Ticket card. You can buy any of these cards at numerous official sales points and third party outlets on the island. ... 12 Single Day Journeys OR; 6 Single Night Journeys OR; Combination of ...
Register for tallinja Card
12 Single Day Journeys Card Cash Tickets Sales Offices and Terminals ... I give my consent to Malta Public Transport to access my personal information from the National Identity Card Database or the Driving Licence Database, on behalf of Transport Malta, for the purpose of issuing my tallinja card. ...
Malta's 'tallinja card' offers excellent convenience and flexibility
The '7-Day Explore' card provides unlimited travel for one week. There is a card for adults and another for children (up to 10 years old). An additional card, the '12 Single Day Journeys' card, offers flexibility with reduced fares; perfect for those using the bus every now and then, this card can be shared and is valid for one year.
Malta Public Transport
€3.00 for cash and contactless ticket. There is no additional charge for passengers using Explore card since night routes are included in the seven days of unlimited travel by bus. When paying with the 12 Single Day Journeys card, one trip is deducted for night routes, which is the equivalent of €1.75. Fares for Personalised Tallinja Cards

Malta Transport Tallinja Card

Get Around The Island Cheap And Easy

table of contents - tallinja cards malta

Adult Tallinja Card

how to top up your tallinja card

how to check your tallinja card balance

how to download the tallinja app

how to get the tallinja cards

The Best Tourist Cards For Malta

how to use the cards

Valletta Card

the valletta card includes

Explore Plus Meep Tallinja Card

the ExplorePlusMeep Card includes

Explore Card

The Explore Card Includes

Explore Flex

12 Single Day Journey Card

how to use the 12 Single Day Journey card

a simple example of how to use the card

Bus Tickets Information

Personalised Tallinja Cards

Concession Tallinja card

Enjoy this page? Share It On Social Media!

need to book a hotel for your malta visit?

our new travel site

getting Around malta

Recent Articles

Activities In Malta January 2024 | Festivals, Events & Attractions

Fun Events & Activities in Malta October 2023 | Malta Info Guide

4 Days In Malta Itinerary | How to Make the Most of Your Holiday

Isle of MTV Malta Festival 2023

Top 9 Malta Summer Music Festivals | Book Your Tickets Now

find us on social media

Don't miss out! Have You Booked Your Accommodation Yet?

Fares and Tickets

Two-hour single tickets from driver

Card for 12 single two-hour tickets

Explore Card (7 days)

ExplorePlus Meep Card (7 days with extras)

Explore Flex Card

Where to buy

Tallinja Cards

Bus card- 12 single journeys - Malta Forum

Bus card- 12 single journeys

Malta Hotels and Places to Stay

Which Malta Bus Ticket is Right For You

Single Bus Ticket

Read: What’s in my Luggage? Malta Edition

You May Also Like

Read: How Western Rise Elevated my Travel Wear

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Luxury Escapes

Pullman Bali Legian Beach Review

The Trans Resort Bali Review

Pullman Bali Legian Beach Experience: Tropical Paradise

The Trans Resort Bali Experience: Hidden Oasis

Grand Hyatt Jeju Review

Evenes Airport Scenic Bus Ride in The Lofoten Islands

Mesmerising Snowfall Exploration in Tangstad Norway

Packing my Bags for The Lofoten Islands, Norway

Train Journey to The Scottish Highlands

Getting Around in Malta: A Guide to Transportation Options

Driving on the Left

Renting a Car

Getting around Valletta

Related Posts

by Chris Christensen

Leave a Reply

Guides / Resources

World Regions

Get going straight away

Download the app

Choose a travel card

For all your travel needs

Loading Search Results

Public Transport in Malta

Your personalised Tallinja transport card

Registering for your tallinja card

Guide for registering online: