Buses and the Tallinja card
The public network reaches nearly every village and has its main hub at Valletta's terminus, though some routes link tourist areas directly. Raise your hand at the stop or the driver may go straight past; in summer, some buses are so full you'll have to wait for the next one. The Tallinja app shows routes and arrivals.
There are several visitor cards, based on days or number of trips, sold at public transport offices (including the airport and Valletta terminus). The options change and not all of them cover direct routes, so confirm what yours includes.
Bolt and eCabs
These are the two apps you'll use most: you see the price before confirming and pay from your phone. Install them and add your card before you land, and compare both, because price and wait can differ quite a bit.
Ferries
Crossing the harbour by boat is often quicker than going round it by road, and the view of the fortifications comes free. Timetables change with the season and rough seas can cancel sailings. If you're spending the day over there, here's what to do on Gozo and Comino.
- Sliema–Valletta: just a few minutes across, with frequent sailings during the day.
- Three Cities–Valletta: leaves from Bormla and crosses the Grand Harbour; in Valletta, the Barrakka lift takes you from the waterfront up to the city.
- Ċirkewwa–Mġarr (Gozo): about 25 minutes, with a car or on foot, and it keeps running overnight, less often. You normally pay or validate your ticket at Mġarr, on the way back.
- Valletta–Mġarr: a fast ferry for foot passengers, handy if you'd rather not cross the whole island to Ċirkewwa.
Hiring a car: when it's worth it
It makes sense if you're staying away from the central coast or want to stop at coves and villages in the north and south at your own pace. Expect a right-hand steering wheel, narrow roads, plenty of roundabouts and fairly assertive local driving, and parking in Sliema or St Julian's is a small ordeal. Driving into Valletta during working hours triggers an automatic charge based on your number plate.
Many companies set a minimum age of around 21, add a surcharge for under-25s and want a credit card for the deposit, so read the conditions before paying. If you only want a day on wheels, a quad on Gozo is simpler.
Getting home after a night out
When Paceville's clubs close, demand for rides spikes, and so do prices and waits. Walk a few minutes to a street with traffic before ordering, and group up to share the cost.
Night buses, with an N before the number, run mainly on Fridays and Saturdays and don't go everywhere, so check the app before counting on one. Many parties at Gianpula Village include a return bus from Paceville; look for it on each event's page. If you've been drinking, no car and no quad. And picking the right place to stay saves you most of this hassle.
