Malta International Airport

Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport serving the Republic of Malta, located in the town of Luqa, approximately 8 km southwest of the capital Valletta. As the primary gateway to the Maltese Islands, the airport handles around 8 million passengers annually and serves as the hub for Air Malta, the national carrier.

The airport has a single terminal building with a straightforward layout:

• Ground Floor: Arrivals hall, car rental desks, taxi rank, bus stops
• First Floor: Departures, check-in counters, security screening
• Airside: Single departures hall with gates 1-21, shops, restaurants, and lounges

Layout note: MLA is compact and easy to navigate. The single terminal means no inter-terminal transfers are required. All gates are accessible within a 10-minute walk from the security checkpoint.

As a Mediterranean island destination, MLA sees strong seasonal traffic with peak summer months (June-September) bringing significantly higher passenger volumes. The airport connects Malta to approximately 76 destinations across Europe and beyond, with strong connections to the UK, Italy, Germany, and other European countries.

MLA is located 8 km (5 miles) southwest of Valletta and is well-connected to all parts of the small island. Journey times:

Method	Time to Valletta	Cost
Express Bus (X4)	20-30 min	€2 (€3 in summer)
Regular Bus	25-40 min	€2 (€3 in summer)
Taxi	15-20 min	€20-25
Bolt	15-20 min	€12-18
Car rental	15-20 min	Various

Malta is a small island (27 km long), so most destinations are reachable within 30-45 minutes from the airport. The main tourist areas of Sliema, St. Julian's, and the Three Cities are all easily accessible.

Important: Uber does not operate in Malta. The primary rideshare option is Bolt, which works well throughout the island.

Bolt (Recommended Rideshare)

Bolt is widely used in Malta and offers the best rideshare option.

• How it works: Download the Bolt app, enter destination, see fare estimate, book ride
• Pickup: Standard pickup outside arrivals
• Fare to Valletta: €12-18 depending on traffic
• Payment: Through app (card) or cash
• Availability: Good, operates 24/7

eCabs

eCabs is Malta's largest taxi service with fixed pricing:

• Online booking: Pre-book at ecabs.com.mt or via their app
• Fixed fares: Published prices to all destinations
• Valletta: €15-20
• Sliema/St. Julian's: €18-22
• Gozo Ferry Terminal (Cirkewwa): €35-40
• Payment: Cash or card

Official Airport Taxis

White taxis operate from the designated rank outside arrivals:

Destination	Fare
Valletta	€20-25
Sliema	€20-25
St. Julian's/Paceville	€22-28
Mellieha	€30-35
Cirkewwa (Gozo Ferry)	€35-40
Mdina/Rabat	€20-25

Tips:

• Only use official taxis from the designated rank
• Confirm the fare before departure
• Fares are per taxi, not per person
• Book eCabs or use Bolt for more predictable pricing
• Night rates may apply between midnight and 6 AM

Malta Public Transport Buses

Malta has an extensive bus network with the airport as a major hub. Buses are the primary public transport option - there is no train or metro.

Fare: €2 per journey (€3 in summer June-October), or €21 for a 7-day Explore card

How to pay:

• Tallinja Card (prepaid): €1.50 per journey (€2 in summer)
• Cash/contactless on board: €2 (€3 in summer)

Express Routes from Airport

X4: Valletta (20-30 min)

• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM
• Direct service to Valletta Bus Terminus

X7: Sliema and St. Julian's (35-45 min)

• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Operating hours: 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM
• Direct to hotel and entertainment areas

Other Useful Routes

• X1: Cirkewwa (Gozo Ferry) via Golden Bay - 60-75 min
• X2: Cirkewwa (Gozo Ferry) via St. Paul's Bay - 60-75 min
• X3: Bugibba/Qawra and St. Paul's Bay - 45-55 min

How to Take the Bus from MLA

1. Exit arrivals and turn right to the bus terminal
2. Locate your route at the electronic displays
3. Pay the driver (cash, contactless, or Tallinja Card)
4. Buses are air-conditioned and modern

Tips:

• The Tallinja Card offers significant savings and faster boarding
• Summer fares are higher (June-October)
• Buses can be crowded during peak tourist season
• Download the Tallinja app for real-time arrivals
• Last buses leave around 11 PM - use taxi/Bolt for late arrivals

Night Transport

Buses stop running around 11 PM (some routes earlier). After hours:

• Taxi: Available 24 hours outside arrivals
• Bolt: Operates 24/7
• eCabs: 24-hour service, pre-booking recommended

MLA offers parking adjacent to the terminal.

Airport Parking Options

Zone	Location	Daily Rate
Multi-Storey (Covered)	Connected to terminal	€12/day
Open Air (P2)	Short walk to terminal	€8/day
Long Stay (P5)	5-min shuttle	€6/day

Pricing Details

• First 30 minutes: Free
• Up to 1 hour: €3
• Up to 2 hours: €6
• 24 hours: €8-12 depending on zone

Tips

• Book online at maltairport.com for discounts
• Multi-storey car park offers covered, direct access to terminal
• P5 Long Stay is best value for trips over 3 days
• Malta is a small island - consider if you need a car (buses and taxis cover most tourist needs)

MLA has a reasonable selection of dining options for a single-terminal airport.

Landside (Before Security)

• Café Prego: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches
• Subway: Sandwiches and wraps
• Costa Coffee: Coffee and light snacks

Airside (After Security)

• Hugo's Lounge & Restaurant: Full-service restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine, excellent for a proper meal
• Café Portofino: Italian-style café with pasta, pizza, and Maltese dishes
• Starbucks: Coffee and light snacks
• Burger King: Fast food
• Relay: Grab-and-go sandwiches and drinks

Maltese Specialties to Try

• Pastizzi: Flaky pastry filled with ricotta (pastizz tal-irkotta) or mushy peas (pastizz tal-piżelli) - Malta's iconic snack, available for under €1 at Hugo's or local bakeries
• Ftira: Traditional Maltese flatbread
• Kinnie: Malta's signature soft drink with a bitter orange flavor
• Cisk: Local Maltese beer

Tips:

• Prices are typical for European airports (expect 40-60% markup on city prices)
• Try a pastizz before leaving Malta - they're authentically Maltese
• Hugo's Lounge offers the best sit-down dining experience
• Grab Kinnie or Cisk for a taste of local beverages

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal.

Network name: "MLA Free WiFi"

How to connect:

1. Select "MLA Free WiFi"
2. Open browser - redirect to Malta Airport portal
3. Register with email
4. Accept terms and connect

Details:

• Duration: Unlimited
• Speed: Adequate for browsing, email, and light streaming
• Coverage: Throughout terminal, airside and landside

Tip: Connection quality is generally good. For extended work sessions, the lounges offer more reliable speeds.

SIM cards are available at the airport and throughout Malta.

Airport Locations

Arrivals Hall:

• GO Mobile: Malta's largest network
• Melita: Strong network, competitive pricing
• Vodafone Malta: Good coverage

Major Maltese Carriers

• GO Mobile: Largest network, best coverage
• Melita: Strong network, good data plans
• Vodafone Malta: Reliable, good tourist plans

Pricing

Prepaid tourist SIMs typically cost €10-20 for 5-15GB data:

• €10-15: 5-10GB data, valid 7-14 days
• €15-25: 15-25GB data, valid 30 days

Required for purchase: Passport or ID

Tips:

• Malta is small - coverage is excellent across all carriers
• EU roaming is included for travel within Europe
• Consider eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly) for immediate connectivity
• City shops in Valletta or Sliema may offer slightly better prices

ATMs are located in the arrivals hall and departures area.

Banks with ATMs at MLA:

• BOV (Bank of Valletta)
• HSBC Malta
• APS Bank

Currency: Euro (€)

Locations: Near arrivals exit, in the departures hall, and airside

Currency exchange: Bureaux de change are available but offer poor rates. Use ATMs for better rates.

Tips:

• Malta uses the Euro - no currency exchange needed if arriving from Eurozone
• When ATMs offer "conversion to your currency," always decline and choose to pay in euros
• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted throughout Malta
• Smaller shops, buses, and traditional bars may prefer cash
• Carry €30-50 in cash for small purchases, tips, and bus fares

MLA offers duty-free and retail shopping concentrated in the airside departures area.

Duty-Free

World Duty Free operates the main shop with:

• Maltese wines and local liqueurs (Limoncello, Bajtra)
• International spirits, perfumes, cosmetics
• Maltese crafts and souvenirs

Notable Stores

Airside:

• Malta Collection: Maltese souvenirs, crafts, and gifts
• Agenda Bookshop: Books, magazines, travel accessories
• WHSmith: International newspapers and books

Maltese Products Worth Buying

• Maltese lace: Traditional handmade lace from Gozo
• Mdina glass: Handblown glass in various colors
• Maltese honey: Local honey, often infused with herbs
• Bajtra liqueur: Made from prickly pear, distinctly Maltese
• Maltese salt: Sea salt from traditional salt pans
• Filigree jewelry: Traditional silver work

Tips:

• The duty-free selection is modest - for serious shopping, visit Valletta or Ta' Qali Crafts Village
• Mdina Glass factory shop offers better prices than the airport
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over €100

Priority Pass Lounges

La Valette Club Lounge (Airside, Schengen area):

• Access: Priority Pass accepted
• Location: Near Gate 9
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, alcoholic beverages, WiFi, newspapers
• Quality: Decent for a small airport; Maltese snacks and local wines available
• Capacity: Can get crowded during peak periods

Airline Lounges

Air Malta Lounge (Airside):

• Access: Air Malta Business Class, Miles members, or paid access
• Location: Departures area
• Amenities: Light refreshments, beverages, WiFi
• Quality: Basic but adequate

Credit Card Access

• Priority Pass: La Valette Club Lounge
• LoungeKey: La Valette Club Lounge
• Amex Platinum: Priority Pass typically included

Pay-Per-Use

Day passes available at La Valette Club (approximately €30-35 / $33-38) or through LoungeBuddy.

At the Airport

There is no hotel directly at the airport. The closest options are in nearby towns.

Near the Airport (5-15 minutes)

• Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa: In nearby Attard, 10 minutes from airport. Luxury property with gardens and spa. From €150 ($165) per night.
• Hotel & Residence Marza: In Luqa, 5 minutes from airport. Basic but convenient. From €60 ($66) per night.
• Le Méridien St. Julian's: 20 minutes north, beach resort with pools. From €120 ($132) per night.

In Valletta (20-30 minutes)

Given MLA's proximity to the capital, staying in Valletta is practical:

• Rosselli AX Privilege: Boutique luxury in historic building. From €200 ($220) per night.
• The Phoenicia Malta: Grand hotel at city entrance. From €180 ($198) per night.
• Casa Ellul: Stylish boutique hotel. From €100 ($110) per night.

In Sliema/St. Julian's (20-30 minutes)

Popular hotel and entertainment area:

• Hilton Malta: Waterfront resort in St. Julian's. From €150 ($165) per night.
• InterContinental Malta: Marina views, full resort facilities. From €140 ($154) per night.
• Budget options: Many 3-star hotels from €60-80 ($66-88) per night.

Tips:

• Malta is small enough that most hotels are within 30 minutes of the airport
• Valletta offers the best cultural experience for a short layover
• St. Julian's/Sliema area is best for nightlife and beach access
• Book early in summer - Malta is a popular destination and hotels fill quickly

Malta is a Mediterranean archipelago with a rich history spanning 7,000 years, from ancient temples to Knights of St. John fortifications. The small size means you can explore much of the island even with limited time.

Getting to Key Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Route
Valletta	20-30 min	X4 bus or taxi
Mdina	20-25 min	Taxi or bus
Three Cities	25-30 min	Taxi or bus to Birgu
Sliema/St. Julian's	25-35 min	X7 bus or taxi
Blue Lagoon (Comino)	90 min	Bus to Cirkewwa + ferry
Gozo	75-90 min	Bus to Cirkewwa + 25-min ferry

Must-See Attractions

• Valletta: UNESCO World Heritage capital with baroque architecture, St. John's Co-Cathedral, and Upper Barrakka Gardens
• Mdina: The "Silent City," a medieval walled town with stunning views and atmospheric streets
• Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea, Bormla): Historic harbor towns with fortifications and traditional Maltese life
• Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni: Underground prehistoric temple complex (book weeks in advance - only 80 visitors per day)
• Megalithic Temples: Hagar Qim and Mnajdra are older than the Egyptian pyramids

Neighborhoods and Areas to Explore

• Valletta: Compact capital, walkable in a day, excellent museums and restaurants
• Sliema: Waterfront promenade, shopping, ferries to Valletta
• St. Julian's/Paceville: Nightlife, restaurants, hotels, beach clubs
• Marsaxlokk: Traditional fishing village, colorful boats (luzzu), Sunday fish market
• Gozo: Sister island, more rural, Azure Window (collapsed), Citadella fortress

Day Trips and Activities

• Gozo: Take the ferry from Cirkewwa (25 min crossing) for a day exploring the rural sister island
• Comino and Blue Lagoon: Crystal-clear waters, swimming, boat trips from Sliema or Cirkewwa
• Boat tour around Malta: See the Blue Grotto, coastal caves, and swimming spots
• Diving: Malta has excellent wreck and reef diving (numerous dive schools)

Transport Tips

• Tallinja Card: Get the 7-day Explore card (€21 / $23) for unlimited bus travel
• Ferries: Regular ferries from Valletta to Sliema (2 min) and Three Cities (10 min) - scenic and cheap
• Gozo Ferry: From Cirkewwa, runs every 45 min, €4.65 ($5) round-trip (pay on return)
• Car rental: Useful for exploring but not essential in main tourist areas
• Walking: Malta is hilly - wear comfortable shoes, especially in Valletta

Food and Drink Essentials

• Pastizzi: Flaky pastry with ricotta or peas - available everywhere for under €1
• Ftira: Maltese bread, often topped with tomato, tuna, capers, olives (ftira bil-zejt)
• Rabbit (Fenek): Malta's national dish, usually stewed or fried
• Lampuki: Local fish, popular in autumn
• Kinnie: Bitter orange soft drink, uniquely Maltese
• Cisk Lager: Local Maltese beer
• Maltese wine: Growing wine industry, try local reds and whites

Practical Tips

• Language: Maltese and English are both official; English is widely spoken
• Driving: Left-hand side (British legacy); roads can be narrow and chaotic
• Summer heat: June-September is very hot (30-35°C / 86-95°F); stay hydrated
• Swimming: Many rocky beaches and lidos; sandy beaches at Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay
• Safety: Malta is very safe for tourists
• Tipping: Not obligatory but 5-10% is appreciated for good service
• Sundays: Some businesses close; Marsaxlokk fish market is best on Sundays