How to get around Malta?
First time visitors guide to help you choose between bus and rental car

Are you wondering if you need a rental car to get around Malta and Gozo? The Maltese islands, especially Malta (28 km long and 13 km wide) and its smaller sister Gozo (14km x 7km), seem to be ideal for the use of public transportation.

But are the bus connections and the transport network on the islands really so efficient that this option is better and more sensible than renting a car?

I spend a week in Malta and Gozo in winter every year and travel only by bus. Not always ideal but for me it works well.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Malta’s buses, including my personal experiences and advice on whether to rent a car or fully depend on bus travel in Malta.

Get around Malta by rental car or bus? My experience and advice

After spending a several weeks traveling around Malta and Gozo exclusively by bus, my personal decision and recommendation is absolutely clear:

If you only have a few short days, I would explore Malta, except for its beautiful capital Valletta, by rental car. If you have a week, stick to public transport.

To visit the island of Gozo, which should be on your to-do-list, I recommend relying only on public transportation.

If you only have one day to spend on the sister island, I would book this organized Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour to cover the main sites.

Why would I choose this way to get around Malta? You will find my pros and cons for each option in the next chapter.

Early morning at a bus station in Valletta, Malta with sunlight casting long shadows. Two green and white buses are parked at the station, and people are seen walking and waiting, with a 'Bay B7' sign visible in the background. Getting around Malta by bus is faily easy. — Main bus station in Valetta, Malta

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car in Malta

Malta with a rental car: Pros

Flexibility: With your own car, you can spontaneously decide at any time of day to see another sight or enjoy the sunset from a beach.

Unfortunately, I had to miss out on the sunset experience as it would have taken me 1,5 hours by bus through the Maltese rush hour traffic and I would have missed it.

On another day, I got stuck for 2 hours at the Blue Grotto as the bus did not show up. So you may miss out on some of Maltas most beautiful places if you have no car.

Gasoline and rental car prices: Compared to other European countries, the price of gasoline is low. In December 2024, diesel and petrol were 60 centers cheaper per liter in Malta than for example in Germany.

Rental cars are also not as expensive as on other Mediterranean islands, but you should anyhow compare the rates.

⇨Compare car rental rates for your Malta vacation

Malta with a rental car: Cons

Left-hand traffic: Malta has left-hand traffic. You really have to concentrate getting around Malta by car. Especially at the many traffic circles, watch out to avoid taking the wrong turn and accidentally driving into oncoming traffic.

Parking: Finding a parking space is not always easy, especially in the urban areas. You are only allowed to park in white framed parking spaces, and these are actually always full in village and city centers.

Traffic situation: There are an incredible number of cars in Malta! As a result, there are traffic jams in the urban areas around Valletta all day, at any time. In addition, the Maltese driving style is very Italian: people like to tailgate and speed.

A green public bus branded with 'Knorr' advertising travels along a road adjacent to the rugged Dingli Cliffs on Malta. Buses are the perfect answer on how to get around Malta. The natural limestone landscape under a partly cloudy sky creates a serene backdrop for the bus route. — Public bus alongsite Dingli Cliffs in Malta

Pros and Cons of Using Buses in Malta

Malta by bus: Pros

Traveling by bus in Malta is very cheap. A journey costs €2.00 or €2.50 per person and route, depending on the season. At night, a journey costs €3.00 per person.

Linda holding a Tallinja card with the word 'explore' and the tagline 'unlimited travel - 7 days'. The card features colorful graphics including a stylized wave and a Maltese eye symbol.

My tip: If you are traveling by bus in Malta and Gozo for a week, you should definitely buy the Explore Card. For 7 days of unlimited bus travel, you only pay €25.00 per person for both islands. Since I traveled by bus every day, the Tallinja Explore Card quickly paid itself off. Info: Any Malta Gozo ferry service is not included.

Of course, taking the bus is much more environmentally friendly!

If you have some time and a window seat, the bus can be a nice option for sightseeing.
Depending where you are staying in Malta, using public transport may be the most convenient option avioding traffic jams and the search and prices for parking.

Malta by bus: Cons

Buses in Malta are almost never on time. You should generally plan on being 15 minutes late. Of course, it sucks if your connecting bus only comes every hour, and you miss it because the previous bus was late.

Many bus stops have no roof or sun protection. So if you have to wait, which is often the case, you are usually standing in the blazing sun.

The buses are usually extremely crowded. If you’re unlucky, you may have to stand on a full bus for the entire trip. Some buses have no door at the back.

If the bus is full, and you are squeezed into the back, you will have to squeeze past all the other passengers to get off.

If the bus driver has decided that his bus is full, he will not stop until someone wants to get off. Too bad for those who have the full bus pass them by and have to wait for the next one, hoping it will have more space.

View from inside a bus on Malta, showing the baroque architecture of a church with two bell towers through the window. The reflection on the glass adds a translucent overlay to the sunlit stone structure against a blue sky — Sightseeing through the bus windows

Inside view of a bus on Gozo with passengers and a driver visible. The bus is navigating through a narrow street lined with traditional Maltese buildings and parked cars, capturing the essence of daily life and transport on the island. — Typical street scene while traving by bus in Malta

How to get around Gozo? Better travelling by car or bus?

The traffic situation on Gozo is completely different from Malta. I have only experienced public buses that were on time, to the minute, and rarely overcrowded.

No matter where you are on Gozo, less than a kilometer away, you will definitely find a bus stop that will take you to the capital Victoria within the next 30 minutes.

All bus routes lead to and from the capital’s main terminal, which makes Victoria a great starting point if you want to explore Gozo without a car…

I did the Gozo Coastal Walk, a fantastic hiking trail leading all around the island and reached the start and finish points each day easily by bus from Victoria.

⇨ If you have several days planned for Gozo, I would recommend the bus over the rental car for the smaller island: the buses were on time, not constantly overcrowded, and there was always a bus stop nearby.

Find out here where to stay in Gozo if relying on public transport.

⇨ For a day trip to Gozo, however, I recommend an organized tour like this Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour. In this way, you can at least see and experience the most important sights and highlights of Gozo (including the blue lagoon) without having to go through the hassle and effort of renting a car!

Nighttime scene at the Victoria bus station on Gozo. Passengers are seated and standing under the blue-roofed shelter, with a bus in the background and the illuminated Citadel on the hilltop. — Gozo Main Station in Victoria

Evening view from the Victoria bus station on Gozo, showing a bus ready to depart from bay number 3. The historic Citadel is beautifully lit up in the night sky, serving as a majestic backdrop to the station. — Waiting area at Gozo main bus station

All you need to know about Bus Travel in Malta and Gozo

There are a few things you should know when taking the bus on the islands:

If you want to enter a bus, you have to stretch out your arm at the bus stop or wave to the bus driver, otherwise it may drive past you.

You can only get into the bus at the front. You can get out at the front or the back. Watch out: there are buses that don’t have a door at the back!

If you don’t have an Explore Card and want to pay cash instead, make sure to have small change with you, as the bus drivers don’t like to change.

On both Malta and Gozo, all buses always depart from or go to the capital of the respective island. There is a large bus station in Victoria on Gozo and right in front of the fortress walls and city gate to Valletta.

A typical bus stop in a residential area near Valletta, Malta, with signage indicating 'In-Naxxar Labour' and bus numbers. The shelter displays advertisements and is surrounded by greenery and urban traffic. — Typical bus station in Malta

Interior of a crowded bus in Valletta, Malta, with passengers standing and sitting during transit. The view captures the everyday commute with a glimpse of the city through the bus windows. — Regular scene in Malta buses

Public transport from Malta airport to Gozo

Getting from Malta International Airport to Gozo by public transport is really easy.

Bus to Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal: Take the direct X1 bus from Malta Airport to the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the northern part of Malta. This bus route frequently connects the airport with the ferry terminal (⇨ timetable X1).

Ferry to Gozo: At the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, board the ferry to Gozo. The ferry takes you to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The ferry service is very frequent, approx. every 30 minutes. There is no advance booking is required for foot passengers.

My tip: You can buy the Tallinja Card for unlimited bus travel duing 7 days on both islands directly in the terminal building. They do have a shop between the baggage claim and the exit doors.

The bustling port in Mgarr, Gozo, with a row of parked tour buses in the foreground and a variety of boats in the harbor, set against a dramatic hilltop cityscape under a partly cloudy sky. — Mgarr port: Habor for the Gozo Valletta ferry, the Cirkewwa Ferry as well as water taxi services

FAQ’s

Can you visit Malta without a car?

It is possible to visit and do lots of Excursions on Malta without a car, but it is definitely more convenient to have a rental car on that island as you can not really rely on the bus services.

Is it easy to rent a car in Malta?

Yes, it’s easy to rent a car in Malta with many rental agencies available, especially at the airport and in major towns. Do not forget to compare rates as those vary.

Is Malta public transport free for tourists?

Public transport is not free for tourists, but it is not very expensive. The Tallinja Card cost €25.00 for 7 days for unlimited use of all buses in Malta and Gozo.

Are there hop on hop off buses in Malta?

There are hop on hop off buses in Malta and on Gozo. If you decided on visiting Malta without booking a rental car, using the Malta Hop on hop bus on your first day is a great idea to get an overview of the island.

Is it worth getting a car in Malta?

As buses are not the most reliable form of transportation in Malta, I do think that it is absolutely worth getting a car in Malta in order to not spend most of your time waiting on bus stops.

How to get from Malta international airport to Valetta by bus?

To get from Malta Airport to Valletta by bus, take the direct X4 bus route. The bus stop is located right outside the airport terminal, and the X4 service runs frequently throughout the day.

The journey to Valletta takes approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Are taxis expensive in Malta?

Taxis in Malta are reasonably priced, especially if you use e-hailing services like Bolt or eCabs, which offer fixed rates.

Can you explore Malta by bike?

Yes, you can explore Malta by bike, especially in less congested areas and during off-peak times.

But I would not really recommend bike rental as people drive “italian-style” and in my opinion bikers live dangerous on Maltas busy roads.

Can you use international driving licenses in Malta?

Yes, you can use international driving licenses in Malta, but ensure it’s in English or accompanied by an official English translation.

Conclusion: How to get around Malta

My recommendation on how to get around Malta after several island visits and the use of public transport: I would rely on public transport if I have time and or rent a car if I have not.

If you are unsure about driving on the left side of the road, avoid the metropolitan area around Valletta and use the bus to explore the capital.

For the island of Gozo on the other hand, I would advise you to use the public buses if you are there for at least one night.

If you only have a day to spend on the sister island, which is well worth seeing, I recommend this organized Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour.

⇨Do not forget to compare car rental companies for your Malta vacation

How to get around Malta?
First time visitors guide to help you choose between bus and rental car

Get around Malta by rental car or bus? My experience and advice