Malta Airport is located about 8 km southwest of Valletta, the capital city of Malta. There are several transportation options available to get from the airport to the city. A trip to Malta is the perfect spring or fall getaway. In winter, the thermometer still does not reach comfortable temperatures and in summer it is invaded by tens of thousands of tourists who occupy every beach and cove on the island.
Being many of them British. If you are thinking of a getaway to this fascinating country-archipelago, I advise you to look for a cheap flight to Malta and, once you land in paradise, read this useful guide on how to get from Malta airport to your destination.
Malta, as a country, is made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. It is a tiny country with a high population density, but it is worth visiting thanks to its wonderful beaches with crystalline waters, its historic cities and its important archaeological remains. Not surprisingly, despite its small size, Malta has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valletta (with its important Templar past), seven megalithic temples (which are considered some of the oldest structures in the world) and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
In order to enjoy all that Malta has to offer, you will need to fly into Malta Airport, known as Luqa Airport. Malta Airport is located in the center of the main island and is used mainly by Air Malta and Ryanair companies. Every year, almost 7 million people pass through it. As there are no motorways in Malta, getting from Malta Airport to your final destination requires some patience.
How to get from Malta Airport to Valletta
The distance between Malta Airport and Valletta is about 8 km. The best way to get from Malta Airport to Valletta is by bus (with the services of the Malta Public Transport company). To do this, you have several options:
- Buses to go from Malta Airport to Valletta: the most direct is the X4, which connects Malta Airport with Valletta. Other options are lines X1 (which drops you at the Cirkewwa ferry terminal), X2 (which takes you to the tourist towns of Sliema and St Julian’s) and X3 (to Bugibba).
- Prices and tickets: the price of the ticket (which is valid for 120 minutes after validation) is between €1.50 and €2 (between June and October) and can be purchased from vending machines, the airport counter or directly from the driver (who prefers to receive the exact money, since they do not usually carry much change). If you are going to use public transport a lot in Malta, you can also buy the Tallinja Card, valid for 12 single journeys (€15) or 7 days (€21).
- Journey time: It takes about 25 minutes to get from Malta Airport to central Valletta.
- Timetables and frequency: you can check them on the Malta public transport page. There is a service every half hour.
- Near the Malta airport terminal, about a 5-minute walk away, there is a stop for buses 71, 72 and 73, which also go to Valletta.
How to get from Malta Airport to Sliema
To go from Malta Airport to Sliema you will have to take the X2 bus. You can check prices and timetables on the Malta public transport website.
How to get from Malta Airport to St Julian’s
To go from the Airport to St Julian’s (one of the most touristic areas, along with Sliema) you will have to take the X2 bus. You can check prices and timetables on the Malta public transport website. For some time now, you can also take the TD2 bus, which runs from Malta Airport to St Julian’s without stopping.
How to get from Malta Airport to Cirkewwa
To go from the Airport to Cirkewwa you will have to take the X1 bus. You can check prices and timetables on the Malta public transport website.
How to get from Malta Airport to Bugibba
To go from the Airport to Bugibba you will have to take the X3 bus. You can check prices and timetables on the Malta public transport website. For some time now, you can also take the TD3 bus, which runs from Malta Airport to Bugibba without stopping.
Car rental at Malta Airport
Public transport in Malta is not the best I’ve ever seen. Therefore, if you are going to spend a few days on the islands and do not want to miss anything, it is best to rent a car. Car rental at Malta Airport is very simple, as you can choose from companies such as Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Goldcar, etc.
However, I advise you, especially during the high season, not to wait to get off the plane to hire your rental car. If you look for your vehicle in Malta between 3 and 4 weeks before the trip, you will do it with less stress and, in addition, you will get a better price and greater availability of models.
Taxi is another option to get from Malta Airport to your hotel. The races are fixed and prices range between €11 and €32, depending on your destination. However, for this, it is almost better to hire the direct transfer option, reserved in advance, to take you directly to your hotel.
