Trains in Valletta

Malta has no trains. Buses run from the Valletta terminal to every part of the island. Ferries cross the harbour from Valletta to Sliema and to the Three Cities (Cospicua), and a ferry links Malta with Gozo.

Valletta to Sliema ferry: Monday to Saturday 06:45 to 19:30 in winter (1 November to 31 May), and until 00:45 in summer. Valletta to Three Cities ferry: Monday to Saturday 06:30 to 19:15 in winter, and until midnight in summer. Sunday services start later. Check the operator for changes.

Tickets and prices

• Valletta to Sliema or Three Cities ferry: 1.50 EUR adult one way, 2.80 EUR return, 1.75 EUR one way at night
• Children up to 12 and holders of a 60+ ID: 0.50 EUR one way
• Ferry weekly pass: 10 EUR
• Gozo Channel ferry between Malta and Gozo: 4.65 EUR standard passenger fare
• Buses: 2.00 EUR for a 2 hour single ticket in winter (see Bus section)

Where to buy tickets

• Harbour ferries are run by Marsamxetto Steamferry Services. Pay the operator. Phone 2346 3140
• Travel is free with a personalised tallinja Card on the Valletta ferry
• Gozo Channel: see the passenger fares page on gozochannel.com for the fare and ticket options
• Buses between towns: pay on board by cash, contactless card or smartphone

Good to know: The ferry to Sliema is the fastest and most scenic way across the harbour. It goes direct with no stops.

Transport Malta: harbour ferries (official site)

Trams and metro in Valletta

Valletta has no trams or metro. Buses are the only public transport, and ferries cross the harbour. See the Bus section for fares.

Check the tallinja app or the route timetables for your bus. A summer network with more frequent services started in phases from 13 June 2026.

Tickets and prices

• No tram or metro tickets exist. Bus tickets are used for all land travel
• Day route single ticket: 2.00 EUR in winter (18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027), 2.50 EUR in summer
• Valid for 2 hours with free transfers
• Night routes and special services: 3.00 EUR
• Children under 4 travel free

Where to buy tickets

• Not applicable: there is no tram or metro. Buy bus tickets on board
• Pay the driver by cash, contactless bank card or smartphone
• Sales offices at Valletta Terminal, the airport, Buġibba Terminal and Sliema Ferries
• Ticket machines at tourist spots and the airport

Good to know: Valletta is small enough to walk. A free shuttle runs from Marsamxett to Lascaris, timed to the ferries, and Three Cities passengers get a ticket for the Upper Barrakka lift.

Malta Public Transport (official site)

Valletta network

Valletta has no metro or tram. Buses and harbour ferries are the public transport. Valletta Terminal is the main bus hub.

• Valletta Terminal is the main hub for buses across the island
• Other main terminals are in Buġibba, Ċirkewwa and Victoria (Gozo)
• Harbour ferries: Valletta to Sliema and Valletta to the Three Cities
• Airport Direct TD1 to TD5 link the airport with the main towns

Buses in Valletta

Malta Public Transport runs all island buses, and the Valletta Terminal is the main hub. Day routes, night routes and the faster Tallinja Direct routes cover the island. The tallinja app shows live times.

Buses run through the day and night routes run after dark. Check the tallinja app or the route timetables for the first and last bus on your route.

Tickets and prices

• Single ticket: 2.00 EUR winter, 2.50 EUR summer, valid for 2 hours with free transfers
• Night routes, special services and Tallinja Direct: 3.00 EUR (TD1: 3.50 EUR)
• 12 Single Day Journeys: 19 EUR, shareable, valid for six months after first use
• Explore Adult 7-Day card: 25 EUR for unlimited day and night routes. Explore Child 7-Day: 7 EUR
• Explore Flex 4-Day: 21 EUR and 7-Day: 27 EUR, including Airport Direct and special services
• Buses also run in Gozo, and all travel cards are valid on both islands

Where to buy tickets

• Pay the driver: cash, contactless bank card or smartphone, for single tickets
• Sales offices: Malta International Airport (Welcomers' Hall), Valletta Terminal, Buġibba Terminal and Sliema Ferries
• Card machines in tourist spots, including the airport
• Shops such as Agenda Bookshops, 8TillLate and WH Smith
• tallinja app: register your card and top up
• Without proof of travel you can be fined 50 EUR

Good to know: The single ticket lasts 2 hours, so you can change buses without paying again. Explore Flex also covers Tallinja Direct and Airport Direct.

Malta Public Transport: fares and tickets (official site)

Airport links in Valletta

Malta International Airport (MLA) is about 7 km from Valletta, roughly 11 minutes by car outside rush hour. There is no train. Airport Direct buses, local buses and taxis serve the airport.

The bus stop is just outside the terminal. Airport Direct TD4 to Valletta and the Gozo Fast Ferry runs every 30 minutes. Other Airport Direct routes run every 30 to 60 minutes. The airport sales office is open daily 08:00 to 19:30.

Tickets and prices

• Airport Direct to Valletta (TD4): 3.00 EUR, free with an unlimited travel card
• Other Airport Direct routes: TD2 and TD3 to St. Julian's and Sliema, TD5 to Rabat and Buġibba 3.00 EUR. TD1 to Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa 3.50 EUR
• Normal local buses from the airport, such as 214, 119, 201: ordinary single fare, 2.00 EUR in winter
• Explore Flex: two Airport Direct trips for 6 EUR
• Taxi to Valletta: about 17 EUR fixed fare per car

Where to buy tickets

• Pay on board Airport Direct by cash or contactless card, no booking needed
• Malta Public Transport sales office in the Welcomers' Hall, daily 08:00 to 19:30
• 24 hour ticket machines outside the sales office and beside the bus stop outside the terminal
• WHSmith in the Welcomers' Hall, daily 10:00 to 19:00
• Taxis: pay at the taxi booth in arrivals. Malta Taxi has a fare calculator on its website

Good to know: Airport Direct TD4 goes straight to Valletta and on to the Gozo Fast Ferry. Fixed taxi fares are paid at the booth in arrivals, so you know the price before you get in.

Malta International Airport: bus service (official site)

Airport to city centre: full guide

Tips for Valletta

• There are no trains. Buses and ferries cover the whole island.
• A single bus ticket lasts 2 hours with free changes. Winter fares apply until 12 June 2027.
• Pay on the bus with a contactless bank card, cash or phone.
• Travelling without proof of payment can cost a 50 EUR fine.

Apps to download

• tallinja: Live bus tracking, journey planner, card top-up and service alerts
• tallinja Bike: Short bike rides from docking stations
• Malta Taxi: Official taxi service with a fare calculator on its website
• Google Maps: Route planning. Check times against the operator