One of the first things students ask when they arrive at Maltalingua is, “How do I get around?” The answer is simpler than most people expect. Malta has a surprisingly good public transport system, the island is small enough that walking covers most daily needs, and for everything else there’s an app.
Here is what you need to know about getting around Malta.
Public buses: your main workhorse
Malta’s bus network has been overhauled in recent years and it’s now genuinely good. Routes cover the whole island, buses are air-conditioned, and fares are fixed and cheap. A single journey costs €2.00, and a weekly pass (tallinja card) is €21. The tallinja app lets you buy credit and track buses in real time.
Key routes for students:
- Route X1 connects the airport (Luqa) directly to St. Julian’s, the fastest way to arrive or depart
- Routes 61, 62, 63 run between St. Julian’s, Sliema, Valletta and the south
- Route 48 goes to Mdina and the north
- Route 71 connects St. Julian’s to the ferry terminal for Gozo at Ċirkewwa
Buses run from around 5:30am until 11pm (later on weekends). For late nights, you’ll need a taxi.
Getting to school on foot
If you’re living in St. Julian’s, Paceville, or Sliema, you can probably walk to Maltalingua. The school is in St. Julian’s, and everything in that area, from the restaurants and shops to the beach at St. George’s Bay, is within a 15-minute walk.
The seafront promenade from St. Julian’s to Sliema is a lovely walk. On a morning or evening stroll you get views across to Valletta and the fortifications. It’s one of the best ways to learn the neighbourhood.
Ferries: Gozo and Comino
The Gozo Ferry runs from Ċirkewwa (northwest Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo) every 45 minutes or so. It’s cheap, it’s regular, and it makes for a great day trip. Gozo is quieter than Malta, more rural, with beautiful temples, beaches, and the Citadel in Victoria. Students at Maltalingua often spend weekends there.
The Comino ferry is a small boat from Ċirkewwa to Comino, running roughly every 30 to 60 minutes. Comino is famous for the Blue Lagoon, that brilliant turquoise bay you’ve probably seen in photos. It’s tourist-heavy in summer, but worth visiting once.
Taxis and Bolt
Taxis in Malta are easy to find. The official white taxis at the stands are metered. The easier option, though, is to use Bolt (or similar ride-hailing apps), which work well in the St. Julian’s, Sliema, Valletta triangle.
Airport transfers are simple. You can book a Bolt from the airport directly to wherever you’re staying. A trip from Luqa Airport to St. Julian’s costs roughly €15 to €20 by app, compared with €25 to €35 from a taxi rank.
E-scooters and e-bikes
Malta has several e-scooter operators (Lime, Bitstamp, and others) scattered around St. Julian’s, Sliema, and Valletta. Download the app, scan a scooter, and off you go. They cost around €1 to unlock plus per-minute charges.
They’re handy for getting between Sliema and St. Julian’s quickly, or heading down to the Spinola Bay area in the evening. Just remember the rules: scooters must be parked in designated zones, and you should not ride on pedestrian-only streets.
Car hire: do you need one?
Short answer: no. Malta is small, and you can drive from one end to the other in under an hour. But parking in St. Julian’s and Valletta is difficult and expensive, and Maltese drivers have a reputation for being, let’s say, spirited. Most students manage perfectly well without a car.
If you want to explore the more remote parts of the island, like the Dingli cliffs, the northwest beaches, or the inland villages, a car gives you freedom. But for daily life it’s unnecessary and adds cost.
Google Maps works well
Google Maps is reliable in Malta. Bus routes, walking directions, and estimated travel times are accurate. Download the offline map of Malta before you arrive and you’ll always have directions, even without data.
Distances across Malta: what to expect
Malta is small, but it helps to have a sense of scale. Here are typical journey times by bus from St. Julian’s:
- Valletta (capital): 25 to 35 minutes
- Sliema: 10 to 15 minutes
- Mdina: 45 to 60 minutes
- Dingli Cliffs: 50 to 65 minutes
- Mellieha (northwest beach): 60 to 75 minutes
- Marsaxlokk (fishing village, south): 50 to 70 minutes
- Blue Grotto (south coast): 60 to 80 minutes
So you can reach the whole island in under 90 minutes by public bus from where most students live. Weekend explorations are very doable.
A few practical tips
The tallinja card (Malta’s public transport card) is worth getting on day one. You can pick one up at most bus stations and many corner shops. Load credit and tap on and off. Students qualify for reduced fares on weekly and monthly passes.
Sunday mornings are quiet on Maltese roads, which makes them a good time to travel if you’re heading somewhere further afield. The pace of life slows noticeably, so it’s a good day for a visit to Mdina or a walk along the Dingli cliffs.
The ferry to Gozo books up in summer. In peak season (July to August), consider going early in the day or on a weekday. The Mgarr harbour area gets very busy by mid-morning.
Buses can get crowded on routes to popular beaches on summer weekends. Leave a bit of extra time and don’t be afraid to take an earlier bus if yours looks full.
And finally, Maltalingua’s staff are happy to advise on routes and help you plan journeys. If you’re not sure how to get somewhere, just ask at reception. They’ve helped hundreds of students work this out, and they’ll know the current real-time situation.
Getting around Malta really is straightforward. You won’t need a car, you can rely on buses for daily travel, and the odd taxi or e-scooter fills the gaps. Before long it’ll feel completely normal.
Ready to start planning? Get a course quotation and check out Maltalingua’s location and accommodation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do students get around Malta?
Mostly by public bus. The network is inexpensive and covers the whole island. Many students also walk locally, and ferries link Sliema, Valletta and Gozo.
Do I need a car to study in Malta?
No. Buses, ferries and walking cover everything most students need, and the school area is well connected.
Is public transport in Malta affordable for students?
Yes. Buses are one of the cheapest ways to travel, and a Tallinja card makes regular trips even better value.
How do I get from the airport to my accommodation?
Maltalingua can arrange an airport transfer so someone is waiting for you on arrival; buses and taxis are also available.