Malta airport to your hotel.

Which airport bus goes to your base, what an app car usually costs, and where to collect a hire car or meet your ride, checked by a local.

By Mark & Roxanne, born-and-raised locals · Updated November 2026

Find where you are staying in the table: each row names the Airport Direct bus that goes there and what an app car usually costs. Below it are the steps for each way out of the airport: the bus, a hire car, an app car and the white taxis.

From the airport to your base

  • Valletta

    Airport busTD4

    App car, usually€15 to €20

  • Sliema

    Airport busTD3

    App car, usually€15 to €22

  • St Julian's / Paceville

    Airport busTD2 or TD3

    App car, usually€15 to €22

  • Buġibba / Qawra

    Airport busTD1 or TD5

    App car, usually€20 to €30

  • Mellieħa

    Airport busTD1

    App car, usually€30 to €35

  • Mdina / Rabat

    Airport busTD1 or TD5

    App car, usually€15 to €22

  • Gozo

    Airport busTD1 or TD4

    Gozo is a ferry crossing away, not one ride: TD1 runs to Ċirkewwa for the car ferry, and TD4 to Valletta for the fast ferry. Which Gozo ferry to take

Checked by Mark, November 2026. These are usual fares in normal conditions, and they move with demand.

The airport bus

Airport Direct buses (fare per person)

Verified November 2026
TD1: Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa
€3.50hourly
TD2: St Julian's, Pembroke
€3every 30 minutes
TD3: St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira, Msida
€3every 30 minutes
TD4: Valletta and the Gozo fast ferry
€3every 30 minutes
TD5: Rabat, Buġibba
€3hourly
Paying
On boardcash or contactless payment, or free with an Unlimited Travel Card

Source: publictransport.com.mt airport buses

The bus suits a small party travelling light, with no children, staying near a stop. Anyone else will find an app car or a taxi to the door an easier start to the trip.

A hire car, an app car or a taxi

Hiring a car

Checked by Mark, November 2026
  • Book in advance. At the airport, go to the rental desk to finish the paperwork and collect the key.
  • The rental car park is about a 5 minute walk from the desk.
Rental Car Park, Luqa, on Google Maps

Bolt, Uber and eCabs

Checked by Mark, November 2026
  • Set up the three apps before you fly, and compare prices once you have your luggage. Bolt is the most used, so its price can be higher when demand is high. The fare depends on availability and distance.
  • The meeting point is inside the main car park. Exit the arrivals hall, cross the road and take the ramp to the car park.
  • A large family or a lot of luggage: pick a vehicle that fits everyone. The apps offer estates, XL cars and minivans.
The meeting point on Google Maps

White taxis

Checked by Mark, November 2026
  • White taxis wait right outside the Arrivals building.
  • The official taxi booth inside the Arrivals hall books a prepaid taxi at a fixed price by destination. The fares are not published online, so read the fare list at the booth.

How long the drive takes

Allow 30 to 45 minutes by app car or taxi, or 30 to 50 if you drive yourself, and more when the roads are busy.

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