✈ Getting from Malta Airport to Sliema

The quaint marina town of Sliema is located 11 km away from Malta Airport, taking approximately 20 minutes by car or taxi.

You have three different transfer options to to choose from when travelling from Malta Airport to Sliema; taxi, private transfer or bus. A Malta Airport taxi is by far the most convenient transport option as it takes only 20 minutes and costs a fixed fee of €20.

Taking the bus is a much cheaper option, however, the X2 that connects Sliema to the airport doesn’t stop at Sliema when travelling in this direction. Therefore, you’ll need to take two buses to get to Sliema, and whilst tickets are cheap, it could take you over an hour to get there.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Malta at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€20	20min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€20	20min	24/7
Bus	€8	60min	05:05–22:45

How to get from Malta Airport to Sliema by taxi

Taking a taxi to Sliema is the most convenient and quickest transfer option, as the service is door-to-door. The ride from Malta Airport to Sliema takes just 20 minutes and you’ll pay approximately €20.

How much is taxi from Malta Airport to Sliema?

Taxis at Malta Airport charge using a taximeter or fixed rates. With that being said, a taxi from Malta Airport to Sliema should cost around €20. Surcharges for rides at night and other factors may be apply.

*You can pay and collect a prepaid ticket at the taxi booth located inside the arrivals terminal before taking your taxi.

For a competitive fixed fare with no extra costs and a driver you can rely on, you can pre-book an airport taxi with a trusted company.

Cost

€20

Trip Duration

20 Min

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Malta Airport

Where do I get it from?

The official white airport taxis can easily be found waiting in a line directly outside of the arrivals exit at Malta International Airport (MLA).

Convenience

There’s nothing you want to do more after a long flight than get to your accommodation as quickly and easily as possible. Τaking an airport taxi to Sliema is the only way to do this, as it’s the only direct option. All you have to do is strap yourself in and enjoy a smooth 20-minute ride straight to your hotel.

Editor’s Note

Taxis at Malta International (MLA) Αirport don't charge extra for luggage, however, most drivers won't allow suitcases on the seats, so you will need to make sure yours will fit in the trunk.

Useful Tips

Be sure to get your prepaid ticket in the arrivals hall before choosing your taxi.

Journey price remains the same no matter where your accommodation in Sliema is.

If you're prepaying for a taxi at the booths, it's always good to negotiate the fare.

For authorised booth taxis, your driver must turn on the taximeter and switch it to show its a prepaid ride.

Maltese drivers don't always speak English, so be sure to write down your destination to minimise any communication errors.

How to get from Malta Αirport to Sliema by bus

With bus tickets costing just €2 one-way, taking the bus from Malta Αirport to Sliema is definitely the cheapest option. However, it’s not the most convenient as there is no direct route from the airport to Sliema. So you’ll need to take two buses to reach your final destination.

First, you’ll need to catch the X4 bus from the airport to Valletta. The service takes around 20-30 minutes and you’ll need to get off at Valletta Central Bus Station. From there, you can hop on bus lines 13, 14, 15 or 16 to Sliema. These buses take about 20 minutes to reach Sliema.

All in all, you’ll pay €4 for the two buses to Sliema, and the journey will take about 60 minutes.

How much is the bus from Malta Αirport to Sliema?

For both buses, you’ll pay €2 for a one-way ticket. Nevertheless, the total cost of taking the bus from Malta Airport to Sliema will be €4.

*You can purchase your tickets directly from the bus driver or the counters at the airport.

Cost

€4

Trip Duration

60 Min

There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the X4. There's a maximum 60-minute waiting time for buses to Sliema.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The X4 bus is available from 05:46 to 22:53. The local buses from Valletta to Sliema operate from 05:05-22:45.

Where do I get it from?

The X4 bus can be found in the bus terminus located just outside of the arrivals terminal at Malta Airport. You can easily spot the green and white colours of the bus. Upon arriving at Valletta Bus Station, you can find the buses leaving for Sliema there.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Malta Airport to Sliema is great if you’re on a budget, but not the best option if you’re on a tight schedule. Not only is the route not direct, but you could be waiting up to 60 minutes between buses. Plus, there’s not a lot of storage for luggage. If you’re travelling with lots of luggage or as a group, taking an airport taxi would be a better fit.

Timetables

X4 bus Route and Timetable

Airport to Valletta

Bus 13 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 14 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 15 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 16 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Editor’s Note

If you're arriving outside of the airport bus operating hours, your only option is to take a taxi or private transfer.

Useful Tips

If you plan on using the bus services frequently throughout your stay, you can purchase an Explore Card which gets you unlimited travel for 7 days (Adult €21 / Child €15), or a 12 Single Day Journey Card (€15).

Be sure to carry change as the bus driver won't accept cards.

It's recommended to travel light as buses in Malta don't have much dedicated luggage storage space.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Malta. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€19

NIGHTTIME

€19

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How to get from Malta Airport to Sliema?

When making the journey from Malta Airport to Sliema, you have three options; taxi, private transfer or bus. Taking an airport taxi will cost €20 and take 20 minutes. You can also take a combination of buses, taking around 60 minutes and costing €4 in total.

Is there a bus from Malta Airport to Sliema?

You can use bus services to get from Malta Airport to Sliema, however, there are no direct lines connecting the two. So you’ll need to catch the X4 bus to Valletta first and then buses 13, 14, 15 or 16 to Sliema. The total trip takes around 1 hour and costs €4.

What's the distance from Malta Airport to Sliema?

Malta International Airport (MLA) is located 11 km from Sliema. It will take you around 20 minutes to reach Sliema by taxi and 60 minutes using public transportation.

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How to get from Malta Airport to Sliema by taxi

How much is taxi from Malta Airport to Sliema?

Cost

€20

Trip Duration

20 Min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Malta Airport

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Malta Αirport to Sliema by bus

How much is the bus from Malta Αirport to Sliema?

Cost

€4

Trip Duration

60 Min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The X4 bus is available from 05:46 to 22:53. The local buses from Valletta to Sliema operate from 05:05-22:45.

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Timetables

X4 bus Route and Timetable

Airport to Valletta

Bus 13 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 14 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 15 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Bus 16 Route and Timetable

Valletta to Sliema

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Malta Airport to Sliema?

Is there a bus from Malta Airport to Sliema?

What's the distance from Malta Airport to Sliema?

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