MALTA
Public Transport
The transport system in Malta is small but extensive, and the internal public transport system relies on buses and taxis.
Malta's main international connections are the Malta International Airport at Luqa and by sea, the Valletta Ferry Terminal. Malta's main commercial route is the Malta Freeport, which is the third largest transhipment port in the Mediterranean at Birzebbuga.
There are three large natural harbours on the main island of Malta. There are also two artificial harbours that connect the islands of Malta and Gozo.
The Grand Harbour, located on the eastern side of the capital Valletta, Marsamxett Harbour, located on the western side of Valletta and Marsaxlokk Harbour, located in Marsaxlokk on the south-eastern side of Malta and is home to the Malta Freeport.
For convenient public transport - busses use, there is a personalised Tallinja Card – a smart bus card. The card is personalised with your photo and name and can be easily topped up online, via the free Tallinja App or at any point of sale. Your credit never expires.
The Tallinja App has many functions that will make your day-to-day journeys easier while combining all transport services offered by Malta Public Transport.
Flexible Bus Card
Starting from just €6, your Explore Flex card can be used as payment for travel on all bus routes operated by Malta Public Transport. In addition to pay-as-you-go fares, there are a number of great-value packages available.
- 4-day package for €21. This package includes public bus transport on all routes operated by Malta Public Transport, including night services and Tallinja Direct services.
- Gozo Standard: 6 days of unlimited travel on all bus routes, including Tallinja Direct services. You can also return to Gozo from Valletta by fast ferry. This package costs €34.
- Short Stay: This package costs €45. The Short Stay package gives you 4 days of unlimited travel on the bus, plus a day on the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour.
- Traveller package for €49 gives you 7 days of unlimited bus travel to explore Malta and Gozo. This package also includes a day of Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour.
- ExplorePlus package for €72. 7 days of unlimited bus travel in Malta and Gozo. This package also includes a day of Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour, a harbour cruise organised by iSeeMalta and a return flight from Valletta to Gozo on the Gozo fast ferry.
Where can you buy Explore Flex packages?
Explore Flex cards can be purchased from the outlets in the Welcomer's Hall at Malta International Airport, at Valletta and Bugibba railway stations, the Sliema sales office at The Ferries in Sliema and from any of the card kiosks at popular tourist locations, including the airport on arrival. Once you have downloaded the Tallinja app, you can link your Explore Flex card to the same app to access great deals that you can purchase to suit your needs.
"Explorer Card" with unlimited travel for 7 days. With this card you can visit all the interesting places in Malta in any part of Malta and Gozo. You can hop on and hop off whenever you want, as many times as you want, whenever you want. This card is valid for travel on Tallinja day, night, special and direct flights.
Our 12-day trip is an easy and economical way to travel around Malta and Gozo. This card offers discounts on public transport. Ideal for those who occasionally travel by bus or visit Malta for the weekend. This is a card that is valid for 6 months from the date of first use. This card can be used by one person for 12 journeys on daytime routes, Tallinja Direct routes, night routes and special services.
The fare when buying tickets directly on the bus is 2.50 euros for daytime services and 3.00 euros for nighttime services.
Tickets can be purchased when boarding the bus directly from the driver. You can also pay with a contactless credit/debit card by placing it on the reader next to the driver.
A ticket purchased directly on the bus can be used for 2 hours. During this time, you can board other buses by validating the ticket in the ticket machine next to the driver.
Travel to Gozo
The new Gozo Channel travel cards
You may apply for the new travel card by clicking on your preferred scheme option on this page.
DAILY COMMUTER CARDS
If you travel frequently between Malta and Gozo, the Daily Commuter Card is ideal for you. Valid for three months, the pre paid Daily Commuter Card offers very advantageous rates.
To access your Gozo Channel travel card details, simply scan the QR code on your card and you can instantly view your travel card details.
FREQUENT TRAVELLER CARDS
Gozo Channel customers are offered the choice of availing themselves of a Frequent Traveller Scheme when commuting between the islands. The Frequent traveller Scheme will be applicable to either the individual in conjunction with any standard car (under 5.3 metres), or to a standard car to be used with any driver (the latter option may be particularly suited to the needs of small businesses sending different sales reps to Gozo). The photograph of the driver or the registration number and make of the car will be shown on the pass as applicable. This scheme is also applicable to foot passengers, in which case the photo of the card holder will also be printed on the card.
FAMILY PASS
The ‘Family Pass’ will only be issued to “L-ulied ta’ Ghawdxin residenti Malta” and therefore strictly restricted to persons having grandparents, parents and brothers/sisters born and residing in Gozo (not spouses, children, uncles/aunts and in-laws). Only one Pass (valid only for one person) will be issued per household and therefore spouses and children will not benefit unless the direct relative, who is resident in Malta, has passed away. In the latter case, the family must decide who would be issued with the relative Pass (i.e. the surviving parent or one of the children residing in the same house hold).
This benefit shall not apply to person having spouses, grandparents, parents children and brothers/sisters normally residing in Malta, even though their identity card may state otherwise (i.e. summer residence). However, further to the above, the current practice which has been consistently adopted for the past decades by the Company, is that Family Passes are also issued in the following circumstances:
A: A Family Pass is issued to all members of the same household applying for a Family Pass. Thus distinct Family Passes are issued to all members in a family.
B: Applications approved by the Ministry for Gozo for exceptional cases when where parents who are separated have children living in Gozo. In this case, the Family Pass is granted by the Ministry to the parent living in Malta.
The ‘Family Pass’ will only be issued to “L-ulied ta’ Ghawdxin residenti Malta”
